Latest Research on Dietary Supplements

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Power Plants

Many of the most powerful drugs in modern medicine’s arsenal came from natural products, from penicillin to the chemotherapy agents Taxol® and vincristine.

Take Vitamin D Supplements with Meals

Taking vitamin D supplements with food may be a cost-effective strategy to achieve optimum levels.

Resolving the Vitamin D-Bate

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.

The Difficulty of Arriving at a Vitamin D Recommendation

People respond differently to the same level of vitamin D supplementation, making it difficult to formulate one-size-fits-all guidelines.

Vitamin D Supplements May Be Necessary

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 and Mortality May Be a U-Shaped Curve

Vitamin D deficiency may shorten one’s lifespan, but getting too much vitamin D may also adversely affect longevity.

Is Vitamin D the New Vitamin E?

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.

Evolutionary Argument for Optimal Vitamin D Level

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?

Fish Oil in Troubled Waters

Major fish oil manufacturers and drug stores are being sued for failing to disclose the PCB pollutants in fish oil supplements.

Multivitamin supplements and breast cancer

Multivitamin Supplements & Breast Cancer

New research suggests that multivitamin use may significantly increase the risk of breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Produce, Not Pills, to Increase Physical Attractiveness

Kale works better at boosting antioxidant levels in the skin than synthetic beta carotene, lutein, and mixed carotenoid supplements.

Too Much Iodine Can Be as Bad as Too Little

Excessive intake of kelp (kombu) or thyroid-containing sausages can lead to iodine toxicity.

Pregnant Vegans at Risk for Iodine Deficiency

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.

Vegan Epidemic

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.