RDA & DRI

We are the Lebanese Osteoporosis Prevention Society (LOPS). Our concern among others is to provide awareness to our society about osteoporosis and how to prevent it. We are very interested in your articles about osteoporosis and the optimal calcium intake. We would like to have documents, questionnaires or protocols about the detection of the...

I read where chromium picolinate is recommended for people with hypoglycemia. Can a person vary on the amount taken daily? (i.e. take more when in a bad mood) Also, is there a certain amount of sugar able to be taken that won't affect one's emotional state? Also, is there a recommended diet? Thank you in...

I am a 24-year old masters swimmer. I have been getting cramps - calf and toe- a lot recently. On the advice of the coach and teammates, I am taking a potassium supplement and eating a lot of bananas. However, this hasn't really solved my problem. I think now that it may be a...

I have a question regarding bruising. I am a very active person, but I bruise a lot easier than I've noticed on other people. Also, when I do bruise, bruises stay for quite a while. I have started taking my multivitamin at the recommended dosage, but I am wondering if I am lacking a...

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...

Are multivitamins helpful or harmful? Depends on whether or not your diet contains enough food and variety to supply all the nutrients your body needs. If you eat more than 1600 calories and a variety of food, you may be wasting your money and making some very expensive urine. Though, taking one multivitamin per day that...

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...

What are other ways to eat iron if you do not eat red meat and iron supplement pills make you sick? While red meats are the best source of heme iron which is highly absorbable. Leafy greens are a vegetable source which contains non-heme a lesser absorbable form of iron. The drawback tho is that leafy...

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 had been on Phen/Fen about a year- just working out to try to get my weight down. I am in excellent health except for a mysterious leg ache that occurs only at night. I think it could be some kind of vitamin deficiency- can you suggest something? Please reply.   If you get muscle cramps...