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Vitamins, minerals, herbs, and supplements Archive

Articles

What does it mean if I have a high level of iron in my blood?

Elevated blood iron can result from supplements, genetic disorders, liver disease, or transfusions. Learn what doctors check next and common ways to reduce it.

How much calcium do you really need?

500 to 700 milligrams of calcium through diet and 800 to 1,000 of vitamin D as a supplement should be adequate to preserve bone density.

Do multivitamins make you healthier?

Taking a multivitamin does not reduce the chance of heart disease or mental decline, but it does reduce the risk of being diagnosed with cancer or developing cataracts.

Taking too much vitamin D can cloud its benefits and create health risks

Vitamin D supplements have been growing in popularity, but they're not always needed or taken in the correct doses.

The hidden dangers of protein powders

Protein powder supplements can harbor health risks. They're recommended only for certain conditions, such as impaired appetite or wounds that are resistant to healing.

Can pernicious anemia be treated with vitamin B12 pills instead of injections?

Monthly vitamin B12 shots for pernicious anemia can be a hassle. Explore whether high‑dose vitamin B12 pills or other non‑injection treatments might be an option.

Vitamin B6 flies under the radar: Are you getting enough?

Vitamin B6 helps with the body's enzyme reactions, immune system health, brain chemicals, and more, but it doesn't get a lot of attention. The body can't synthesize it, so people need to get it from food, and a recent study found that a surprisingly high percentage of people may be deficient in vitamin B6.

What would explain a craving to eat chalk?

Persistent cravings for nonfood items like chalk can hint at an underlying nutritional problem that needs testing.

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