RDA & DRI

If you have time, I have pernicious anemia and wondered if you had any information on that? Pernicious anemia is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B 12. It would show up on a blood test because of the large immature red blood cells that are present. These large red blood cells are very inefficient...

How about daily 400 IU of vitamin E for hair loss? The Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) of vitamin E is 10 milligrams for the adult male and 8 milligrams for the adult female. Your RDA of vitamin E can be achieved without supplements by eating plant oils (vegetable oil, margarine, salad dressings), dark green and...

I am taking a vitamin supplement called carotene with 15 milligrams. The label says it can be converted to vitamin A, maximum 25,000 IU. Also, I take Stresstabs. Is that too much? Carotene is a precursor form of retinol vitamin A that your body uses. It is not as toxic as retinol, but at 25,000...

Can vitamin B6 help heal carpal tunnel syndrome? Is it safe to take 50 milligrams three times a day? Thanks. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) has not been proven to heal carpal tunnel syndrome. It is not safe to take 50 mg three times a day as there has been documented neurological damage at intakes that high.

First, what is the difference between chelated zinc and Zinc Picolinate? Are these different manufacturing processes for the tablets? Is one better than the other? Am I in for trouble taking that much zinc? Finally, what could cause a zinc deficiency and possible effects of a zinc deficiency? Thanks much. Chelated minerals are bound to a compound and...

I'm on a cardiac diet with Coumadin therapy - What foods should I avoid? Coumadin is prescribed to prevent blood clots and increase the amount of time it takes your blood to form a clot. This allows the blood to flow more easily through narrowed blood vessels. You should have a consistent intake of vitamin K...

Does cooking destroy vitamin C? Vitamin C is the most easily destroyed vitamin there is. It is destroyed by oxygen, heat (above 70 degrees) and it leaks out into the cooking water because it is a water-soluble vitamin. To preserve vitamin C in food, store citrus fruits, tomatoes, juices, broccoli, green peppers, cantaloupe, and strawberries in...

What B vitamin helps against mosquito bites? One B vitamin called thiamin does in large doses seem to change a person's body odor. But there seem to be inconsistent results as to its effectiveness at repelling mosquitoes. The reason it seems to change body odor is that some excess thiamin is excreted through the skin....

I am an exercise physiologist and weight management, consultant. I enjoy your website and your comments, but I wanted to get your take on why the industry standard for dietitians is to not recommend vitamin/mineral supplements except for those who are not getting "The RDA". I don't really know how you feel, but I fundamentally...

I take a multivitamin every day. I figure it balances out what I don't eat right in my diet. What ingredients should I look for in a multivitamin? If the multivitamin has only 100% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for each nutrient in the supplement, it probably won't hurt you. There are RDA's for...