RDA & DRI

While looking at my weight, age and the certainty of increasing medical problems, I've been working on a database that I can use for myself that will allow me to track things like track high blood pressure, blood sugars, medications, exercise, meals and the specific foods. While looking at the food section of the database,...

Given an active male who eats a well-balanced diet, including red meat, green, leafy vegetables, and whole grains, and, who additionally supplements his diet with a multi-vitamin, should he choose a multi which does not contain iron? I'm suggesting that he is getting plenty of iron in his normal diet. I think I read that...

I would really appreciate your advice on the use of coumadin and vitamin K supplements. I have a genetic condition called Protein C Deficiency. I am 44 years old and have been on coumadin for 11 years. There are 2 supplement products on the market that I would really like to take, but they...

What supplements/therapies would you recommend to promote wound healing and minimize scarring for my 6-year-old daughter (50 pounds). She has two 1 to 1.5-centimeter wounds on the bridge of her nose near her eye from a dog scratch. The plastic surgeon used 40 stitches to close them. Thank you. I am sorry to hear about...

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.

What type of calcium pills should a woman be taking? You know how a lot of women are taking calcium pills? The best-absorbed form of calcium from a pill is a calcium salt like carbonate or citrate. Calcium gluconate and calcium lactate are absorbed well by pregnant women. Seniors absorb calcium lactate, gluconate and citrate...

I read in a parent's magazine that cooking spaghetti sauce in a cast iron pot adds a lot of iron. Is that iron the kind that is absorbed? It is true that foods cooked in cast iron skillets are higher in iron. However, the form of iron is not absorbed as well. Laboratory nutrient analysis...

I am taking a supplement of 1 gram of vitamin C as an antioxidant. What are the collateral effects related to the excess of Vitamin C? First of all, it turns your urine yellow. It makes your urine more acid, which decreases urinary pH and the possibility of urinary tract infections. Beyond that 1 gram (1000...

I have been discussing with doctors this issue of the vitamins, but none could give me that convincing explanation and advice as you did. What you say make a lot of sense i.e. making expensive urine. Thanks a lot. The reason I said you would make expensive urine is your body absorbs about 15% from...

In your experience do dietary supplements actually help people, are there more positive effects than negative? Dietary supplements include vitamin, mineral, herbal and amino acid supplements. Because I am not sure to which you are referring I will respond about each. It depends on which dietary supplement a person is taking and why they are taking...