HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Vitamins & Supplements

  • Iron In Foods: Why It Matters

    HEALTHY EATING

    Image of grilled chicken and steak.

    People need iron because it transports oxygen to the body’s organs and tissues. The body uses iron to make new red blood cells. It’s also important for healthy cells, skin, hair and nails.

    Eating foods that contain iron is important. This is the main way most people get the iron they need.

    Iron deficiency: a common problem

    Iron-deficiency anemia means you don’t have enough iron in your body. It is the most common nutritional deficiency in the U.S. It affects more women than men. Causes of iron-deficiency anemia include:

    *  Not getting enough iron from foods

    *  Digestive health problems such as celiac disease, Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis which don’t allow the body to absorb iron well

    *  Heavy menstrual periods

    *  Stomach bleeding, which may be caused by an ulcer or using aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen for long periods of time

    *  Losing too much blood from surgery, frequent blood tests or an injury

    Low iron can be serious

    If iron levels get too low, a person may have an increased risk of:

    *  Depression

    *  Heart problems

    *  Infections

    Pregnant women who have low iron may deliver their baby too early. Sometimes the baby doesn’t grow as much as they should.

    Children who don’t get enough iron can have problems with learning, thinking and developing their motor (movement) skills.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • So Do You Really Need That Vitamin?

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Concept image of young women with cooking pan and different vitamins words above.

    Before taking a daily vitamin or dietary supplement, you might want to think about what you’re really consuming, suggests a Kansas State University human nutritionist.

    “Supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration like other drugs are regulated, which is something I think a lot of people don’t realize,” said Brian Lindshield, assistant professor of human nutrition.

    Lindshield researches supplements to see if the ingredients listed on the label actually match what is found in the bottle. You don’t always get what you pay for and think you’re getting.

    If you want to get the most accurate product, look for the bottles with the more descriptive labels. Also, paying a little extra will usually get you the ingredients you are seeking.

    “You should probably avoid buying the cheapest supplement available because if the manufacturer is cutting corners to get the price really cheap, they probably are not using the same standards that the manufacturers of more expensive products are,” Lindshield said.

    Another tip: Don’t expect supplements to make up for a poor diet. “Vitamins and minerals will prevent deficiency, but it’s not going to make up for a lot of the chronic disease risks that come with an unhealthy diet,” Lindshield said.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine