August 21, 2018
Dietary supplements: weighing the risks and benefits
By uclahealth 
From daily vitamins to bodybuilding products, it is important to realize that supplements are not regulated the same way as medicines by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). So consider the health benefits — and risks — before taking a dietary supplement. What are dietary supplements? Dietary supplements are manufactured to provide the body with […]
Tags: amino acids, botanicals, caffeine, dietary supplements, enzymes, essential vitamins, folic acid, ginseng, herbals, minerals, supplements, vitamin D
July 10, 2018
Ask the Doctors – What do glutathione supplements do?
Dear Doctor: I’ve been seeing advertisements for glutathione, saying the supplement enhances the body’s cells. The ads also say the claims haven’t been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any comments would be appreciated. Glutathione is an antioxidant produced in the body through enzymatic reactions, using the amino acids cysteine, L-glutamic acid and glycine. […]
Tags: AIDS, amino acids, antioxidant, Ask the Doctors, Crohn's Disease, cystic fibrosis, Dr. Robert Ashley, glutathione, supplements, ulcerative colitis
May 25, 2018
Ask the Doctors – Should I keep taking vitamin E?
Dear Doctor: I’ve been taking vitamin E for years because it’s an antioxidant and supposed to be good for me, but my doctor told me recently I shouldn’t be taking it. Is that correct? Just before I graduated medical school in 1997, I wrote a review about vitamin E. Due to its apparent antioxidant effect, […]
Tags: antioxidants, Ask the Doctors, cancer, dietary intake, Dr. Robert Ashley, Physician's Health Study, supplements, vitamin E
May 16, 2018
Ask the Doctors – I take fish oil every day, but does it help?
Dear Doctors: I’ve been taking fish oil capsules daily over the last 5 years. Is there any benefit in doing this? Small studies have shown that fish oil may be linked to a slight reduction in the formation of plaque in the arteries that supply the heart, but evidence of its ability to reduce the […]
Tags: Ask the Doctors, Dr. Robert Ashley, fish oil capsules, nutrition, supplements
February 13, 2018
Ask the Doctors – If I go vegan, should I worry about Vitamin B12 deficiency?
Dear Doctor: One of my resolutions for the new year was to become a vegan, and now my girlfriend is saying I’ll have to take supplements to get enough vitamin B12. Why can’t I get B12 in my diet, and what will happen if I fall short? Dear Reader: Your girlfriend has done her homework […]
Tags: B12, B12 insufficiency, bone marrow, carbohydrates, diet, DNA, Dr. Eve Glazier, Dr.Elizabeth Ko, eating healthy, fats, megaloblastic anemia, nervous system
October 6, 2017
Do you need vitamin or mineral supplements?
By uclahealth
Consistently eating a well-balanced diet – with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean meats – can ensure you’re meeting all of your nutritional needs. But many Americans fall short of consuming enough of the foods they need to maintain healthy levels of some important vitamins and minerals. What supplements should I consider? […]
Tags: calcium, essential vitamins, folic acid, iron, mineral supplements, nutrition, supplements, vitamin b12, vitamin D
January 11, 2017
Five ways your pharmacist can help you stay healthy
By uclahealth
Pharmacists do more than dispense pills. They are an important, but often under-utilized, part of your healthcare team. In honor of National Pharmacist Day on January 12, here are five ways your pharmacist can help support your health and well-being: 1. See the big picture. You may be taking drugs prescribed by more than one […]
Tags: constipation, cough syrup, decongestant, drowsiness, drugs, heartburn, National Pharmacist Day, over-the-counter medications, pharmacist, pharmacy, pills, prescription
April 25, 2016
Doctors may know less about Vitamin D than they’re telling you
When it comes to Vitamin D, doctors seem to be unreasonably certain about its benefits. In a study published online recently in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, UCLA researchers found that physicians conveyed with certainty to their patients a host of information about the vitamin, including its benefits, the risks of deficiency, optimal […]
Tags: Dr. Derjung M. Tarn, Enrique Rivero, media, supplements, vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency
