Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Folate
What are some common signs and symptoms of folate deficiency? Do women of childbearing age and pregnant women have a special need for folate? What are some current issues and controversies about folate? Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin that ... [... more]
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Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Iron
Almost two-thirds of iron in the body is found in hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to tissues. Smaller amounts of iron are found in myoglobin, a protein that helps supply oxygen to muscle, and in enzymes that assist ... [... more]
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Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin D
There is considerable discussion of the serum concentrations of 25(OH)D associated with deficiency (e.g., rickets), adequacy for bone health, and optimal overall health (Table 1). A concentration of <20 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) (or <50 ... [... more]
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Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B12
Who else may need a vitamin B12 supplement to prevent a deficiency? What is the relationship between vitamin B12 homocysteine, and cardiovascular disease? Vitamin B12 is bound to the protein in food. Hydrochloric acid in the stomach releases ... [... more]
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What is valerian?
What clinical studies have been done on valerian and sleep disorders? What is the regulatory status of valerian in the United States? Does valerian interact with any drugs or affect laboratory tests? What are some additional sources of scientific ... [... more]
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Black Cohosh
What clinical studies have been done on black cohosh and its effect on menopausal symptoms? What is the regulatory status of black cohosh in the United States? Does black cohosh interact with any drugs or laboratory tests? What are some ... [... more]
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Botanical Dietary Supplements: Background Information
Does a label indicate the quality of a botanical dietary supplement product? What are some additional sources of information on botanical dietary supplements? A botanical is a plant or plant part valued for its medicinal or therapeutic ... [... more]
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Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B6
What is the Recommended Dietary Allowance for vitamin B6 for adults? What is the relationship between vitamin B6, homocysteine, and heart disease? Hemoglobin within red blood cells carries oxygen to tissues. Your body needs vitamin B6 to make ... [... more]
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Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Selenium
What are some current issues and controversies about selenium? Plant foods are the major dietary sources of selenium in most countries throughout the world. The content of selenium in food depends on the selenium content of the soil where plants ... [... more]
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Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Chromium
What are some current issues and controversies about chromium? Chromium is a mineral that humans require in trace amounts, although its mechanisms of action in the body and the amounts needed for optimal health are not well defined. It is found ... [... more]
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Vitamin E: What is it?
Antioxidants such as vitamin E act to protect your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of energy metabolism. Free radicals can damage cells and may contribute to the development of cardiovascular ... [... more]
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Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin A and Carotenoids
In general, there are two categories of vitamin A, depending on whether the food source is an animal or a plant. Vitamin A found in foods that come from animals is called preformed vitamin A. It is absorbed in the form of retinol, one of the most ... [... more]
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