Consumer Tips

February 6, 2009
Health problems caused by iron deficiency may go undiagnosed for a long time when more sensitive indicators of iron status are not measured. Ask your doctor for a full panel of iron blood tests if you think you are running low on iron.
Iron deficiency sometimes goes unseen
February 9, 2009
Since only animal foods contain significant amounts of vitamin B-12, people consuming vegan and macrobiotic diets are at risk for B-12 deficiency. Studies on these groups have reported poor B-12 status in as many as 90 percent of the study participants.
Vitamin B-12 deficiency impairs brain
February 21, 2009
Consuming adequate amounts of folic acid is important to overall health. However, taking high dose folic acid supplements can interfere with the timely diagnosis of vitamin B-12 deficiency that is common in older people and strict vegetarians.
Taking folate supplements not for all
February 25, 2009
The fear of getting too much iron in their diet seems to be causing many seniors to get too little iron. The health consequences of both extremes are serious. When making diet changes for health, remember iron is an essential nutrient.
Seniors still need adequate iron for good health
March 12, 2009
Vertigo and dizziness are most often related to inner ear problems or the side effects of drugs. Another possible cause is iron deficiency (even without anemia). If other causes of dizziness are not established, iron status should be thoroughly evaluated.
Lower risk of falling with good nutrition
May 9, 2009
The most common conditions linked to low magnesium intake are high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. That’s a good reason to include green vegetables, beans, whole grains, and nuts in your daily diet.
Brown rice can provide vital magnesium
July 18, 2009
Because prepared and fast-food products in the U.S. usually do not contain iodized salt, researchers fear that poor iodine nutrition may be causing many health problems.
Researchers fear deficiency of iodine intake
August 3, 2009
Modern cases of rickets have occurred when well-intentioned parents fed their infants macrobiotic diets that lacked a dietary source of vitamin D. Particularly for infants and toddlers, milk alternatives should be fortified with vitamin D since this may be the sole source of nutrients for the child.
Rickets makes a comeback
August 4, 2009
It is well known that vitamin D deficiency leads to weakened bones. However, more recent research also links low vitamin D levels to increased risk of many other health problems, including certain types of cancer, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and even diabetes.
Vitamin D can protect against many diseases
August 25, 2009
Inadequate dietary zinc depresses immune function, making a person more vulnerable to infectious diseases. Diets devoid of animal foods tend to increase the risk of zinc deficiency because beans and whole grains contain phytates that inhibit the absorption of zinc.
Think zinc if 20-year-old looks like 10
August 29, 2009
Studies show that thyroid function can be impaired by a nutrient deficiency of iodine, iron, vitamin A, or selenium. Like other parts of the body, the small thyroid gland depends on multiple nutrients from ample amounts of a wide variety of foods in the diet.
Iron plays an important role for the thyroid
August 31, 2009
A diet low in magnesium contributes to several chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, poor blood lipid patterns, and high blood glucose. Consuming a variety of green vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and beans helps to get adequate magnesium.
Brown rice can provide vital magnesium
September 2, 2009
Vitamin B-12 deficiency can seriously damage the nervous system. The risk of B-12 deficiency is greatest for the elderly and vegetarians. Blood tests for levels of methylmalonic acid and homocysteine assist physicians in the evaluation of B-12 status.
Dietary B-12 may not be enough
September 4, 2009
The average adult in the U.S. consumes only 75 to 80 percent of recommended intake for the essential mineral magnesium. Low magnesium intake likely contributes to many chronic ailments. A diet with a wide variety of unprocessed wholesome foods can easily meet magnesium needs.
Brown rice can provide vital magnesium
September 6, 2009
Vitamin D plays important roles in the function of the immune system. If you wear sunscreen, avoid the sun, and/or have dark skin, you are more likely to need sources of vitamin D from food or supplements.
Holiday flu could be caused by a shortage of vitamin D
September 14, 2009
Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms are subtle and are not easily diagnosed. Sixty percent of deficiencies are due to insufficient dietary intake and malabsorption. Taking a preventive B-12 supplement is commonly recommended for those entering their sixth or seventh decades of life.
Remember B-12 for healthy aging
September 27, 2009
It is common knowledge that iodine is essential for normal function of the thyroid gland. Less widely appreciated is the fact that normal iron status also is essential for production of the thyroid hormone.
Iron plays an important role for the thyroid
October 20, 2009
Vitamin D deficiency is making a comeback and the consequences include bone loss, impaired immune function, and even loss of muscle strength. Major food sources are fortified milk, fish, and fortified foods like orange juice with added calcium and vitamin D.
Vitamin D deficiency makes a comeback
October 25, 2009
Iron deficiency is one of the most common and serious nutrition problems in the world. Some types of hair loss are among the many possible effects of iron deficiency.
Iron deficiency sometimes goes unseen
November 19, 2009
Good vitamin D status is important for the immune system and may be especially important during the flu season. When we limit sunshine exposure, it is important to get vitamin D from foods like fatty fish and fortified milk or dietary supplements.
Holiday flu could be caused by a shortage of vitamin D
November 20, 2009
Recommendations to meet daily iron needs assume that the diet includes animal foods. A diet based only on plant foods needs to contain nearly twice as much iron due to limited absorption of iron from plant foods.
Vegetarian diet alone is not panacea for health
December 29, 2009
New research indicates that a variety of emerging health problems may be caused decreased iodine in the U.S. food supply. When you use salt, select the iodized type.
Researchers fear deficiency of iodine intake
February 6, 2010
Health problems caused by iron deficiency may go undiagnosed if the deficiency does not produce anemia. This "nonanemic" iron deficiency may have negative effects on brain development during infancy.
Iron deficiency sometimes goes unseen
February 7, 2010
Iodine is an essential nutrient for nerve development in infants and thyroid function at any age. For some people, iodized salt is a major source of this mineral and cutting back on salt can decrease iodine intake.
Researchers fear deficiency of iodine intake
March 17, 2010
The classic sign of B-12 deficiency is anemia, causing increased fatigue. B-12 deficiency can also manifest itself as short-term memory problems similar to early Alzheimer's disease. Taking a preventive B-12 supplement is recommended for those entering their sixth or seventh decades of life.
Remember B-12 for healthy aging
August 13, 2010
According to recent research, levels of the essential nutrient iodine have declined in the American diet over the past two decades. As people decrease their intake of iodized salt, it becomes more important to include seafood in the diet on a regular basis.
Researchers fear deficiency of iodine intake
September 7, 2010
Vitamin D plays important roles in the function of the immune system. Avoiding sun exposure may benefit skin health, but a lack of sunshine does increase your need for food or dietary supplement sources of vitamin D.
Holiday flu could be caused by a shortage of vitamin D