I have been on Coumadin for 11 years and supplements I would like to take contain vitamin K.

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 nutrients form our bones?

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...

WIC can only give out iron fortified formula until 12 months of age.

Under our federal guidelines for WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), we can only give out iron-fortified formula until 12 months of age. Every so often we hear from parents that a doctor told them that they don't need iron-fortified formula because they will pick up iron from the rural well water they use. Most...

How would I get daily iron requirement if I eat a balanced diet, but no meat?

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...

Why do dietitians not recommend vitamin / mineral supplements except those not getting the RDA?

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...

Do the amounts of the RDA change when you want to slim down?

What is the RDA for fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates and <proteins? Do these amounts change when you would like to slim down? There is no RDA for fat, cholesterol, sodium or carbohydrate. The RDA for protein is age and gender dependent. Your RDA does not change whether you want to gain or lose weight. Assuming...

If you eat fruit before your menstrual cycle, do you retain as much water because of potassium?

If you eat a lot of fruit before your menstrual cycle, do you retain as much water because the potassium does something to the salt? Maybe I should eat more fruit. A lot of fruit added to your diet by itself will not reduce premenstrual fluid retention. A lower salt intake will help reduce that...

My husband recently had a valve replacement. Are all lettuces equally high in vitamin K?

My husband recently had a valve replacement. He will be taking Coumadin for the rest of his life. I read your helpful info on vitamin K, but have one more question - are all lettuces equally high in vitamin K? He has been told he can eat some foods as long as it is...

What is riboflavin and how important is it to a vegetarian diet?

What is riboflavin and how important is it to a vegetarian diet? Riboflavin is vitamin B2 and is important to energy metabolism (processing nutrients like protein, fat, carbohydrate and alcohol that have calories to a form of energy that the body can use - ATP), normal eyesight and healthy skin. Foods high in riboflavin are...

What is the difference between chelated zinc and zinc picolinate?

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...