RDA & DRI

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...

I'm concerned about getting enough calcium and am only 34 years old. The other day, I was watching a popular television program and they were discussing osteoporosis in women after menopause. Osteoporosis is characterized by a loss of calcium from bone, especially the spine and deterioration of bone tissue to the point it looks like...

I am a teacher and have assigned a written report on pica. We are having trouble locating articles and just plain information on the subject. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you. There is quite a bit of information on my iron topic. If you have more questions, write back.

I am doing a practical period in a zoo in Europe. There is a problem with some of their birds because they die of too much iron in their liver. We want to feed the birds a diet that is low in iron. Their diet consists of many different kinds of fruit, perhaps you...

I am a 53-year-old nursing student at a local college. Prior to taking a nutrition course, I was an avid naturopath with an extensive library of reputable journals, publications and medical books and cabinets full of supplements, herbal remedies, "all-natural" health and beauty aids. I frequent several health food stores in my area and...

I take a multivitamin to supplement my diet. I have read, on a couple of occasions (don't ask me where), that men should use a multivitamin which does not contain iron. The reason, if I remember correctly, was that men could get their RDA of iron from their normal diet. Is this true? Men who...

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...

Does niacin give a clean urine test? If so what kind of dose should be taken? Don't know what kind of clean urine test to which you are referring? If you mean a clean drug test, no vitamin or mineral supplement or food can create a clean urine test. Only going drug-free after a period...

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...

I couldn't find this issue addressed on your webpage. I hope this isn't a duplicate question. Is there any nutritional significance to the habit of chewing ice? I have heard that dentists advise against it because it could damage your teeth. Is this true? However, what I am really wondering is if it signifies any deficiency...