RDA & DRI

While looking at my weight, age and the certainty of increasing medical problems, I've been working on a database that I can use for myself that will allow me to track things like track high blood pressure, blood sugars, medications, exercise, meals and the specific foods. While looking at the food section of the database,...

Does cooking destroy vitamin C? Vitamin C is the most easily destroyed vitamin there is. It is destroyed by oxygen, heat (above 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and it leaks out into the cooking water because it is a water-soluble vitamin. Vitamin C is more stable in baked foods as it won't leak out into cooking water. To...

I take four antioxidants (beta-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C and selenium). I wonder sometimes about the selenium. I have broken my organic selenium tablets in half and take a half a day, which is about 30 micrograms. What do you think? After hearing researchers report on various cancers (gastrointestinal and skin), I found the evidence...

I am familiar with the Recommended Dietary Allowance, but I don't really know if I am getting enough from what I eat. Is there any way to find out if I am actually taking in the RDA? One way to know if you are getting the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for all the nutrients you...

Do you know anything about this dietary supplement tri-chromaleane? The FDA has no information about tri-chromaleane and it may not be available in the U.S. market because it contained ephedra which has been banned since April 2004. Also, I did not find any published research on tri-chromaleane. I would not recommend you take this dietary...

I was pregnant when the issue first came up---about a year ago and believe me, I was not about to take any chances. The high vitamin C dependency makes sense. I know my dad. Any opinion that is not his will be questioned immediately! Thanks again. During pregnancy, the risk of birth defects rises steadily...

I am on Coumadin to thin my blood and prevent blood clots. I am having trouble regulating my dosage. My diet could be the problem. Could you send me a list of foods to avoid? The USDA has the best list of foods with vitamin K. In the table below, choose foods that add up...

How important is it to have a balanced nutrient intake in your diet? Is it okay to have more of a certain nutrient? The goal of eating a balanced amount of nutrients is to eat a wide variety of foods from all food groups (meat, starch, vegetables, fruit, dairy, and healthy fats) that will give...

I am concerned about women getting brittle bones from not enough calcium. I don't like to drink milk except with cereal. How do you get your daily requirement of calcium? You can meet the Recommended Dietary Allowance of 1,000 milligrams (women or men 19 to 50 years of age) to 1,200 milligrams (women or...

I am a 33-year-old married mother of one. I have what I feel is an embarrassing and possibly life-threatening disorder. Some years ago I was diagnosed as being anemic. The iron level was so low that the doctor asked if I ate or craved anything unusual. I told him that I crave and chew...