RDA & DRI

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...

Good website. I just had outpatient facial surgery to remove a sebaceous cyst. The surgery was done by a plastic surgeon who appears to have a done a good job, leaving only a minor scar. My sister says I should rub vitamin E on the scar and it will disappear. I have also read...

My father, a general practitioner doctor who (in my opinion) tends to overmedicate, wants me to take this high dose vitamin C supplement. If I remember correctly, he recommends 50 milligrams a day. Isn't it dangerous to take such a high dose? Thanks. The RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) for Vitamin C is 90 milligrams per...

What vitamins do you recommend that will give me a boost of energy during working hours? If you want energy and to stay awake, eat more meat, fish or poultry than carbohydrates at breakfast and lunch. If you want to fall asleep, eat more carbohydrates at dinner. Also, don't eat too much food at one...

I've been finding that I seriously crave red meat prior to and during my period. Do you think that this is my body telling me that it wants extra iron during this time? The last 6 months I have drastically reduced my red meat consumption due to the fat content. I have been charting my...

I recently had a medical examination. The only problem that turned up was low iron. I forget the units, but my hemoglobin was 12.1. The doctor told me I should be 14 or more (for men). I hadn't thought I had a problem since I regularly donate blood. I have since found out that...

What nutrients form our bones? Your bones contain mostly calcium and phosphorus which are minerals that give bone its rigidity. Your bones have the breaking strength of cast iron. In other words, as much pressure as it would take to break a cast iron pan, it would take that much force to break a bone...

Do bananas have more potassium when they are green or less when they are ripe? I eat a banana every morning. The potassium of green and ripe bananas is the same. Bananas and orange juice are very good sources of potassium.

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 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...