Vitamins & Supplements

Iron

Q. How can I get more iron in my diet besides eating lots of...

A. Kelly Siverhus, a dietetic intern at the Frances Stern Nutrition Center, answers: “Adequate iron intake is essential for the transport of oxygen from...

Vitamin D Supplementation Does Not Improve Insulin Action

While observational studies have suggested that low blood levels of vitamin D are associated with higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a clinical trial recently published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that supplementation with vitamin D3 had no effect on insulin action in people with prediabetes.

Common Medications and Vitamin B12 Levels

Vitamin B12 plays many crucial roles in the body. It is involved in neurologic function, red blood cell production, DNA synthesis, and a number of important chemical reactions. Vitamin B12 deficiency, while not common, can cause megaloblastic anemia (a disorder of the red blood cells that can cause symptoms such as fatigue, pale skin, and lightheadedness) and neurological and cognitive disorders.

High Doses of Vitamin B6 and B12 Supplements Associated with Increased Risk of Hip...

A study published recently in JAMA Network Open found that very high intake of vitamins B6 and B12 from supplements (much higher than the Recommended Dietary Allowances) was associated with increased risk of hip fracture in women. In this prospective cohort study, 75,864 postmenopausal women in the U.S. were followed for 30 years.

Q. Are prunes high in vitamin K? I am on blood thinners and was...

Q. Are prunes high in vitamin K? I am on blood thinners and was told I need to limit vitamin K intake.

Vitamin D Supplementation Does Not Help Depressed Older Adults

A randomized controlled intervention trial published recently in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that supplementation with vitamin D had no significant effect on depressive symptoms or physical functioning in older persons with low vitamin D status.

Folic Acid Overload?

The B vitamin folate (B9) is found naturally in a variety of foods including vegetables (especially dark leafy greens), fruits and fruit juices, nuts, beans, peas, seafood, eggs, dairy products, meat, poultry, and whole grains.

Q. You seem to write a lot about supplements not being necessary. Aren’t multivitamins...

Q. You seem to write a lot about supplements not being necessary. Arent multivitamins a good thing?

Some Supplement Ingredients Not Lawful

Image © Waldemarus | Getty Images The FDA recently unveiled the Dietary Supplement Ingredient Advisory List, designed to alert consumers to unlawful ingredients identified in...

Q. Why dont I see vitamin A on my package of ready-to-steam frozen sweet...

Q. Why dont I see vitamin A on my package of ready-to-steam frozen sweet potatoes?