RDA & DRI

I've just been put on 400 mg of B2, daily, for headaches and was trying to get more information. New treatment for migraines includes 400 milligrams of riboflavin per day. Ask your doctor before beginning as this is a very large dose of riboflavin. You also want to make sure your doctor eliminates other possible...

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...

My question concerns the use of zinc and vitamin C to enhance a man's fertility. My husband and I are currently trying to have a baby and he was advised to supplement his diet with vitamin C and zinc. Is there any scientific merit to this advice and if so, how much of each...

I'm wondering whether my kids are getting enough calcium. How much do they need and about how much milk, cheese, yogurt, etc. is that? I have a girl, 6 years, another girl, 3 years and a boy, 1-year. Thanks for your help! Your 6-year-old child needs 800 milligrams of calcium per day. Your 3-year-old needs 500...

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...

Does baking a custard affect the calcium in milk? Cooking does not alter the calcium in milk. Calcium from milk in baked custard stays in the same form as calcium in fluid milk. Minerals are usually pretty stable to most cooking methods. The absorption of calcium can be decreased by oxylates in green leafy vegetables or...

How would a person get their daily iron requirement if that person eats a balanced diet, but eats no meat? The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for iron is 10 milligrams for adult males and postmenopausal females. Males (ages 11 to 18) need 12 milligrams of iron per day. Females (ages 11 to 50 years) need...

Thanks for the advice. Yes, I meant 50 grams a day and it seemed too much to me, especially since I was pregnant at the time and was not about to take anything experimental. My dad got his medical feelings hurt over the whole issue and is still mad at me. But this is...

What is your opinion of colloidal minerals? Thanks for your help! Colloidal minerals are molecules of minerals suspended in a liquid. The particles are not dissolved and may carry an electrical charge which enables them to combine with another particle to make a compound and precipitate out as a solid. These electrically charged particles are...

Is it advisable for non-pregnant adults (female and male) to take pre-natal vitamin pills? Pre-natal vitamins contain nutrients at levels recommended for pregnant women. Increased amounts of folacin (folic acid), iron, calcium and vitamin C (improves iron and calcium absorption) can be present. Folic acid has been found to reduce neural tube defects (spina bifida)...