RDA & DRI

My question concerns the use of zinc and vitamin C to enhance a man's fertility. My husband and I are currently trying to have a baby and he was advised to supplement his diet with vitamin C and zinc. Is there any scientific merit to this advice and if so, how much of each...

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...

If you have time, I have pernicious anemia and wondered if you had any information on that? Pernicious anemia is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B 12. It would show up on a blood test because of the large immature red blood cells that are present. These large red blood cells are very inefficient...

I am an American dietitian revising a United Kingdom nutrition book for the U.S. public. I was wondering what would be the correct way of discussing nutrient intakes for the general population (the book is designed for the general public). Should I talk about RDAs, USRDAs /RDI, or DRVs? What would be most appropriate? The...

I am becoming concerned about the yellowish - orangish tint that my skin has developed. It is most noticeable on my palms and the pads of my feet, however, my entire body has it to some degree. I made drastic changes to my diet about two years ago. I have since lost 65 pounds and...

Is it advisable for non-pregnant adults (female and male) to take pre-natal vitamin pills? Pre-natal vitamins contain nutrients at levels recommended for pregnant women. Increased amounts of folacin (folic acid), iron, calcium and vitamin C (improves iron and calcium absorption) can be present. Folic acid has been found to reduce neural tube defects (spina bifida)...

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 have a general question for you. There is a dispute right now in my house about carrots having vitamin D. We all agree that they contain a large amount of vitamin A, but are they also a good source of vitamin D? Thank you. Carrots are not a good source of vitamin D which...

I've seen Chromium Picolinate advertised recently as a "metabolism boosting" diet supplement. Is there any merit to this claim? No. Initially there was some speculation that since chromium is a component of the hormone insulin that additional chromium would enhance insulin's ability to break down glucose. Research has not supported this theory.

Thank you for having a site where questions may be answered. My mother is on a blood-thinning medicine called "Coumadin". She had heard there is a diet that can help her while on this medication. Foods that might be low in iron perhaps? The doctor never told her anything about controlling her diet in that...