When Meat Can Be a Lifesaver
There are rare birth defects in which the inability to produce certain compounds requires an exogenous source. Presented here is a case report of a boy with a mutation in his carnitine transport system.
There are rare birth defects in which the inability to produce certain compounds requires an exogenous source. Presented here is a case report of a boy with a mutation in his carnitine transport system.
Watermelon is a rich source of citrulline, which has been found to improve erection hardness in men with mild erectile dysfunction (impotence).
All three human studies on soy and breast cancer survival suggest that soy in sufficient amounts may improve survival in women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Who should get tested for vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency, and which is the best test to use: serum B12, methylmalonic acid (MMA), or holotranscobalamin levels?
Fortified foods, such as some breakfast cereals and types of nutritional yeast, can provide another cholesterol-free source of vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) supplementation can cost as little as $2 a year.
Since foods are effectively a package deal, what’s the best way to get vitamin B12 (cobalamin)?
Based on two biomarkers of functional vitamin B12 (cobalamin) status, B12 recommendations formulated more than a half century ago may need to be updated.
Both U.S.-made and imported Ayurvedic dietary supplements have high contamination rates of toxic metals such as mercury—though only a small fraction of the levels found in canned tuna.
Triphala, a combination of three fruits—amla, bibhitaki, and haritaki—is the most commonly used herbal formulation in Ayurvedic medicine, and may have powerful anticancer properties. Unfortunately, one in five Ayurvedic herbal dietary supplements were found contaminated with lead, mercury, and/or arsenic.
Many of the most powerful drugs in modern medicine’s arsenal came from natural products, from penicillin to the chemotherapy agents Taxol® and vincristine.
Taking vitamin D supplements with food may be a cost-effective strategy to achieve optimum levels.
Why the current vitamin D recommendations may be too low, other expert recommendations may be too high, and 2000 international units a day may be just right.
People respond differently to the same level of vitamin D supplementation, making it difficult to formulate one-size-fits-all guidelines.
To reach the circulating (25-hydroxy) vitamin D levels associated with the lowest overall mortality, one may need to take supplements, given data suggesting suboptimal production from sun—even under optimal circumstances.
Vitamin D deficiency may shorten one’s lifespan, but getting too much vitamin D may also adversely affect longevity.
The Institute of Medicine’s conservative position on vitamin D is understandable, given the history of hyped vitamin supplements (vitamin A, beta carotene, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E) that turned out worthless—or worse.
Should the vitamin D levels found in lifeguards be considered the norm for our species, given the fact that we evolved running around naked all day in equatorial Africa?
Major fish oil manufacturers and drug stores are being sued for failing to disclose the PCB pollutants in fish oil supplements.
New research suggests that multivitamin use may significantly increase the risk of breast cancer and prostate cancer.
Kale works better at boosting antioxidant levels in the skin than synthetic beta carotene, lutein, and mixed carotenoid supplements.
Excessive intake of kelp (kombu) or thyroid-containing sausages can lead to iodine toxicity.
Disinfectants used to sanitize cow udders may provide a source of iodine for dairy consumers, but can also increase the concentration of pus in milk from cows with staph infection mastitis.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is common among those eating vegetarian and particularly vegan diets because of failure to take B12 supplements or eat B12-fortifed foods.
Vitamin B12 is an imperative for those eating vegetarian and vegan diets, especially during pregnancy and infancy.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can be life-threatening.
Profile of an editorial published by Dr. Dean Ornish in the American Journal of Cardiology describing the optimal diet, and how simple choices can be as powerful as drugs and surgery.
How much has the nutrient content of food crops declined over the last 50 years?
An argument that non-anemic women should choose plant-based sources of iron, and not supplement during pregnancy.
Potential neurotoxicity is another concern regarding spirulina supplements.
More evidence linking Juice Plus+® supplements with liver inflammation.
The liver toxicity associated with Herbalife® supplements may be due to vitamin A toxicity.
What the peer-reviewed scientific literature has to say about Juice Plus+® supplements.
Vegetarians got a disease named after them.
Chlorella does not have the toxins that may be present in blue-green algae supplements and spirulina.
Concerns about spirulina supplements extend to liver toxicity.
Balancing the risks and benefits of fish consumption.
There are two vitamins not produced by plants that may require supplementation.
Those eating plant-based diets must ensure a reliable source of vitamin B12 via supplements or fortified foods.
What the peer-reviewed scientific literature has to say about Herbalife® supplements.