Vitamins and Supplements

Just 20 or 30 years ago, mention of vitamin supplementation caused many health care professionals to talk about creating "expensive urine." Today, however, vitamin and nutrient supplementation has become an important health care intervention.

If pharmacists practice at the top of their licenses, they will integrate rewarding work conducted in OTC aisles by looking at each patient's total pharmacotherapy regimen-prescription medications, OTC products, and dietary supplements.

Pharmacists who want to know a vitamin's content can use the NIH's Dietary Supplement Label Database, which includes all currently available products, as well as those that have been discontinued.

American adults are eating too little fish to meet current recommendations for fish-derived omega-3 fatty acids.

Moderate intake of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids as a lipid-lowering strategy appears to have no effects on glucose regulation or insulin resistance.

While diet and supplementation have not been shown to prevent mental illness, several supplements have been associated with symptom relief.

Research is tempering the perception of the immune-boosting potential of vitamin C supplements.

Although taking daily multivitamins may have some health benefits, a recent study suggests that long-term use of supplements does not reduce the risk for age-related macular degeneration.

Our round-up of new OTC products.

Recognizing vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiencies in patients early on is key.

As the popularity of complementary and alternative supplements continues to escalate, consumers are increasingly likely to seek advice from their pharmacists.

As supplement use escalates, patients must be made aware of potential drug"supplement interactions.

Parents and caregivers need help selecting appropriate supplements, which should be used as adjuncts to a balanced, healthy diet.

Iron deficiency is the leading nutritional deficiency in the world and the most common cause of anemia in the United States.

Iron deficiency is the leading nutritional deficiency in the world and the most common cause of anemia in the United States.

Patients may have questions about taking antioxidants.

Patients may have questions about taking antioxidants.

The nutritional deficits of aging patients can be addressed with OTC supplements.