health & longevity

Yes, and here is a complete list. More...

First, multiple vitamin and mineral (MVM) supplementation is just that: a supplement to your best possible food diet. Second, MVM supplementation was designed to cure nutritional deficiency disease More...

The short answer is yes. Now let's discuss why. You’ve probably heard for years that you do not need to take supplements because you can get everything you need by eating a healthy diet. The biggest obstacle to this approach is that no one consistently eats a healthy diet or can define what a healthy diet is. More...

Unlike a one-size-fits-all approach, dotFIT supplements are "tailored" to complement your diet, activity level, age and/or gender and to keep all nutrients in a safe and optimal range. More...

It takes approximately 12 hours for a dotFIT multivitamin to release all of its contents throughout the digestive tract, allowing greater window for absorption and nutrient delivery to the body’s cells than some brands. More...

At this time it appears the answer is no, at least not in full, unless you ingest very large doses daily. But flax oil may deliver benefits of its own. It’s not uncommon for people to think they get the same potential health benefits because both flax oil and fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, but there is a difference in their structure and conversion once in the body. More...

Epidemiological studies offer some evidence that an increased intake of lutein and zeaxanthin within the diet is linked with a lowered risk for age-related macular degeneration. More...

You should not miss out on anything you need provided you vary the foods in your lacto-ovo diet. One vegetarian multi will fill your needs regardless of your activity level (as opposed to two ActiveMVs if you're very active). More...

One of the primary benefits of following dotFIT recommendations is that all formulas are based on the appropriate multivitamin formula. More...

Yes, and use a prenatal formula from your doctor. In fact, it may be the most important time of your life for using a Multivitamin and Mineral More...

Most probably don’t, but if so, it’ll say so on the label. Look for the fine print More...

Capsules containing mercury-free omega-3 fatty acids from fish with 600 mg of omega-3s made up of 240 mg of EPA and 360 mg of DHA More...

Generally, no. Continuous mega-doses of vitamins or minerals can cause short and long-term adverse events More...

Fish oil from fatty fish contains higher amounts omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA, the 2 fish oils that provide health More...

No, and not all omega-3 fatty acids have equal health benefits. The two most studied omega-3 More...

Fish oils are fats found in fatty fish (e.g. mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon) that have been shown to have many potential benefits More...

Over 20 years of published studies have demonstrated that people consuming at least 2 to 4 servings per week of fatty fish have many More...

There are none known at this time based on the current available science. Some plant based omega-3 supplements claim More...

Sure, and they generally are consumed with other health supplements. Most people will take their health supplements More...

Based on individual physiology, (we are all slightly different), most anything could be bad for one’s health, including shellfish, nuts, certain fruits, etc., among those with allergic More...

Basically, you would follow the directions on each container assuming they are accurate in having you ingest the product in a manner that would allow More...

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA), including magnesium from daily food sources and all dietary supplements, ranges from 400-420 mg per day for males More...

Used in low dosages, (~50 mg per day) it’s probably safe during a healthy pregnancy but for obvious ethical reasons, More...

There are side effects to almost any vitamin if you ingest too much, but there are also side effects if you get too little. More...

Preliminary research conclusions suggest astaxanthin, a carotenoid found in algae and aquatic animals, has strong antioxidant properties More...

Vitamins are not metabolism boosters in adequately fed people. However, vitamins perform important functions in almost all More...

When over 50, age is more important than gender when looking for the right daily multivitamin mineral formula (MVM). As we age, More...

When over 50, age is more important than gender when looking for the right daily multivitamin mineral formula (MVM). As we age, More...

No, don’t expect much if you are using a cheap $3.00-5.00 per month product that is mass marketed. You cannot manufacture a multivitamin and mineral formula More...

Yes, the Food and Drug Administration (Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulates vitamins, minerals More...

Microlactin has become a common ingredient in products advertised for the relief of joint pain. Microlactin contains milk More...

We searched and turned up nothing we could guarantee. This is probably because it’s not necessary to purchase vitamin D made in the US More...

Considering many people have below-optimal levels of Vitamin D the answer is there is probably no work environment related link unless More...

If you don’t consume enough, and most people don’t, you need it. Calcium needs vary depending upon age and gender. Adult More...

1300mgs/day. The teenage years represent a critical period for bone mineral accrual with rapid gains occurring until age 16. If one More...

It can certainly help when the diet has very poor calcium content, but the body needs other nutrients simultaneously in order to More...

Proper calcium intake is important to everyone throughout life because calcium is critical to the health and longevity of our bones. Older women More...

There are plenty of supplements claiming joint support but few live up to the exciting claims. There is enough supporting evidence in some to More...

Everyone should take a daily multivitamin and mineral (MVM) supplement. Other supplements may be helpful under certain conditions as long More...

You can only get so much in a single pill that is easily swallowed; the perfect profile for different groups is listed below. You will notice More...

Yes, a properly formulated multivitamin and mineral formula (MVM) will raise your vitamin B12 levels. Make sure the B12 in the More...

Yes and they should be because almost all vitamins and minerals work synergistically. It’s difficult to take separate More...

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), which passed in 1994, completely describes the regulation rules and More...

Before 1994 dietary supplements were subject to the same regulatory requirements as were foods by the FDA. That changed when Congress More...

Nutritional supplements generally referred to as dietary supplements (DS) can deliver nutrition the diet often can’t to help improve health More...

Below displays the most common supplement programs used by exercisers and people concerned with maintaining and improving More...

Your best precaution would be to do your homework on the company responsible for the product and recommendations by making sure More...

Below displays the most common programs for male exercisers and/or men concerned with maintaining and improving their health More...

Calcium supplements can be beneficial to almost everyone if their diet is not supplying ~1000-1200mgs/daily, which most diets More...

Pre-formed vitamin A can be toxic at high levels (>10,000 IU or 3,000 mcg), thus, unless instructed by a qualified doctor, you would never More...

We can’t think of a reason to take supplements for your liver unless: 1) a qualified physician recommends a supplement to treat More...

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) may be able to temporarily slow some aspects of the aging process but that might not be a good idea More...

Vitamin K1 can be taken orally by consuming a good multivitamin & mineral formula (MVM) that contains ~50-100mcgs of vitamin K (as phytonadione) More...

First of all everyone should take a multivitamin & mineral formula (MVM). Being a vegetarian you may have a greater need for a MVM than most non-vegetarians More...

Yes because how do you know you are eating right? Do you know exactly what’s right, and can you check your foods to make sure all those “right More...

Multivitamin & mineral supplementation can be very important to health, especially if your diet is not regularly varied and More...

Micronutrients are needed by our bodies to function. More...

The 3 common vitamins that have a higher potential for deficiency since they can’t be stored are vitamin C, B-complex and More...

Yes, supplements for deficiencies have all been validated to improve overall health. If you are anemic More...

The human diet requires both macronutrients (protein, fats & carbohydrates) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, etc,) to grow, develop and More...

Plant foods containing lycopenes (colorful reddish fruits and vegetables) are very important to human health. People regularly More...

MSM is marketed with a variety of claims, but predominately for helping to treat or prevent osteoarthritis. Methylsulfonylmethane supplements used at More...

Used properly, legal dietary supplements are very safe. This doesn’t mean they all work as claimed but there are relatively few More...

There are very few for the vast majority of the population, but the most common is a fishy burp, which can be eliminated with a proper formulation. Other More...

Generally speaking, adults and children should all be able to safely consume a daily multivitamin & mineral formula (MVM), and if needed More...

Vitamin and mineral supplements may not slow aging but may help you live better longer depending on your daily diet and other lifestyle choices, More...

No, DHA can also come from other sources such as seeds, eggs and some plants, but in much weaker concentrations than in fish. Also More...

It’s certainly too early to say ingesting cocoa powder might “breakdown” plaque buildup. However, much evidence exists to support the More...

Probably nothing you didn’t need before the removal of your gland based on your dietary shortcomings. The difference would be More...

Although not conclusive for everyone, there may be a cardiovascular health benefit for certain people especially as we age. Coenzyme Q-10 More...

Without supplementing with a plant source DHA supplement, it’s a little difficult to get the amount of DHA that has associated More...

Depends on your allergies, meaning you would discuss with your allergy care doctor first. It would be unusual to have an allergic reaction to More...

Saw palmetto is generally associated with prostate health including the urinary track. Saw palmetto extract (SP) is from the fruit of serenoa repens, More...

No, in fact that’s generally why people take an omega-3 supplement – because they aren’t eating fish. Also keep in mind that not all omega More...

No specific omega oil has been called out specifically for “concentration” but evidence does exist showing that certain omega-3 fatty acids may More...

The safest and most practical way to increase the body’s level of vitamin D is by taking a daily multivitamin mineral formula (MVM) that contains More...

The best way to take vitamin D is with a meal and it doesn’t matter what time of day. Ideally you are getting your vitamin D from More...

Often yes, at least when it comes to a complete multivitamin and mineral formula (MVM) but if you are purchasing singular vitamins like vitamin C, E, D, etc. More...

If you can’t get your calcium from a non-seafood/shellfish diet (i.e. non-tainted dairy or vegetables), which most people do not, simply look More...

Yes but unfortunately too many, and most with misleading claims or dubious recommendations due to high doses being potentially problematic More...

Yes, and that’s the best way to take it. The generally recommended supplemental dose of both vitamin C and D should easily be More...

There is a very small percentage of people who should not take a multivitamin and mineral formula (MVM) that contains iron because of a condition More...

Our first recommendation is to make sure you are consuming a healthy diet; good examples include the meal plans provided in the dotFIT More...

Probably not everyone, but certainly the majority of the population does. According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), most Americans More...

Yes, but not too much or not at all if advised by their doctor because of a specific condition where iron may be contraindicated. More...

No, but they do offer a good alternative to people who are unable to swallow pills. Vitamins need to be protected past the acid environment More...

All of the essential vitamins can be taken at the same time. In fact, that's the best way to get them since most work More...

Calcium alone cannot improve bone health. You need other nutrients simultaneously in order to maximize calcium’s bone-building More...

Other than vitamin B12, your body has very limited ability to store the B vitamins so they must be replaced daily through food and/or supplements More...

You can take anything that does not contain ingredients that were extracted from fish. That information should be on the label i.e. "product contains More...

We, and anyone understanding basic biochemistry, think very little of vitamin water or other “vitamin-spiked” foods or fluids, primarily because More...

The answer must come from the surgeon who removes the gland. Everyone is different and especially based on age. Before surgery you will More...

Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect our body’s important molecules such as proteins, More...

Vitamin B-50 is a complex of supplements, including B-1, B-2, B-6, B-12, biotin and folic acid and therefore, in this case, vitamin B6 is More...

If you are deficient in any of the essential nutrients involved in developing and building muscle the answer is yes. Our recommendation is that everyone, More...

Vitamin B9 is also known as folic acid or folate, which is the natural form in the body. All the B-vitamins (like all individual vitamins) have their More...

Vitamin B3 (so named because it was the 3rd B vitamin discovered) is part of the B vitamin complex. B3 is also known as niacin (nicotinic acid) and More...

Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, is one of the entire B vitamin complex. As with all vitamins, it is required to maintain human health More...

If you are going to take a separate B2 (riboflavin) vitamin supplement during pregnancy or lactation, you should do so because of your doctor’s More...

Vitamin B7 is also known as biotin, which is necessary for energy production, cell growth, production of fatty acids, and the metabolism of fats More...

Vitamin B7 is also known as biotin, which is necessary for energy production, cell growth, production of fatty acids, and the metabolism More...

Vitamin B7, also known as biotin, is a cofactor (necessary substance to activate molecules/enzymes) in many different enzyme systems necessary for energy production More...

Generally, no. Vitamin B7, also known as biotin, is a water-soluble vitamin and therefore healthy humans will excrete what they don’t use unless dosages More...

What you are taking it for and if it has a high potential to deliver the desired outcome. The only reason you would use a separate vitamin B7 (biotin) More...

B7 also known as biotin is something everyone should get through diet and their daily multivitamin and mineral formula (MVM) for added insurance More...

Everyone should get their vitamin B7, also known as biotin, through diet and their daily multivitamin and mineral formula (MVM) for added More...

At this time there are no known biotin drug interactions where biotin would impact a drug’s effectiveness. There does exist a potential for certain drugs More...

B7 (also known as biotin) sources include Swiss chard, eggs (mainly the yolk), liver, some vegetables and supplements. Most daily multivitamin More...

Through diet and a daily multivitamin and mineral formula taken with a meal. B7 (also known as biotin) sources include Swiss chard, eggs More...

B7 (also known as biotin) is part of the B vitamin complex. All the B-vitamins (like all individual vitamins) have their specific functions but also work More...

Men and women up to age 50 would use formulas based on diet, activity and gender. After 50, for the majority of the population, the formula More...

Men and women up to age 50 would use formulas based on diet, activity and gender. After 50, for the majority of the population, the formula would More...

Low iron means low energy, potentially leading to burning fewer calories and therefore forcing you to continue to lower your calorie intake More...

Yes, there are, and if you think you have symptoms of vitamin deficiency such as iron or vitamin D, then you see your doctor (not the internet) for a More...

Yes, as long as the muscle soreness was caused by exercise or some unaccustomed activity that did not injure the muscle to a point where it can't More...

It's not a bad place to start but it's certainly not a guarantee you are getting the best product. USP stands for The United States Pharmacopoeia. The USP More...

Probably, and there is certainly no downside to adding higher levels of vitamins and minerals that are part of our body's antioxidant systems to your More...

If you’re eat perfectly all the time and you get optimal amounts of exercise every day, then you can certainly improve your fitness levels without supplementation but the long term More...

Hangover cures are mostly wishful thinking or personal if someone feels that something works for them. There is only one tried and true hangover reliever: More...

Besides drinking slightly less alcohol and/or spacing (at least an hour between drinks) your total consumption evenly throughout the event so More...

They are certainly loaded with some of the ingredients from berries found all over the world, but they are not the same as consuming berries. Scientists have found berries have some More...

Beta-sitoserol can be found in various sources of the plant kingdom (i.e. cashews, avocados, pumpkin seeds, wheat germ, corn oil and soy beans) and also in fortified margarine and More...

Suma root is also known as Brazilian ginseng and is found in South America. Suma herbal root is used for many purposes but mainly as an adaptogen (helps the body deal with More...

We could not find any information regarding Greek alternatives, but we did find a company that manufactures a joint formula named Greek Island Labs. dotFIT makes a far superior More...

There is some compelling research that demonstrates that Mila (a botanical source, from the chia seed, of omega-3s and other potentially healthful nutrients) may be effective at More...

Below is our general health recommendation for all adult women up to age 50 years who are not trying to conceive, not pregnant or lactating. More...

In sensitive people, protein powders can cause constipation and/or bloating based on the type of protein and/or sugars used. If constipation is the issue, using a protein powder with More...

No, our bodies only produce what is known as the non-essential amino acids (NEAA). The other amino acids, known as the essential amino acids (EAA), which the body cannot More...

Typically, 20-25 grams of protein per meal for most individuals but no one, unless instructed by their physician, should consume all their daily protein needs from a supplement. Use a More...

It is recommended that we eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. This task can be a chore to accomplish on a daily basis. It is always a good practice to do everything More...

There are a number of different delivery systems for increasing calcium in the diet. Obviously, the most popular and easiest/most convenient way to ingest calcium is from dairy More...

D-Aspartic acid is one of the two forms of the amino acid called Aspartic acid (a non-essential amino acid and one of the two components of aspartame, an artificial sweetener). The More...

The B vitamins include B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (Pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxamine), B7 (biotin) B9 (folic acid), and B12. They are together or separately More...

It is quite uncommon that a person would have an allergy to niacin; however if your doctor has confirmed it through testing, you may be told to avoid niacin-containing supplements or More...

In general, calcium absorption begins to decrease as the amount taken increases. The ideal amount to take at one time is up to 500mg of calcium. How much you need depends upon More...

All persons of all ages should use a daily MVM to complement one’s best efforts to define and consume a proper diet. At a minimum, MVM supplementation is insurance against More...

Vitamins are by definition essential nutrients. B vitamins, in particular, are involved in enzyme systems that yield energy from the food we eat. If vitamin status is poor, then these More...

If your diet fails to meet your nutrient needs, then supplementation is always a valid recommendation. More...

By their very definition, vitamins (and minerals) are essential nutrients. Essential substances, when discussing nutrition, are those that the body cannot manufacture at all or in More...

Vitamins B6 and B12 are both involved in systems that keep the amino acid’s derivative homocysteine in check. Elevated homocysteine levels are associated with higher risk of many More...

Inositol is a naturally occurring nutrient found in various forms, the most common being myo-inositol. Even though it is sometimes referred to as a vitamin, it is not. This nutrient is not More...

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is the average daily dietary intake of a nutrient that is sufficient to meet the requirement of nearly all (97-98%) healthy persons. DRI’s have More...

Herbalife has a considerable catalogue of products, so I am not certain about which products you are asking. In general, I suspect their products are safe. They are a large enough More...

There are definitely instances where status of one vitamin can affect the status of another. There are also food, mineral and medicinal interactions that can affect nutrient absorption. More...

Excessive folate intake can mask B12 deficiency symptoms. For that reason the upper level (UL) of folic acid More...

There are eight different B vitamins. They are involved with a wide variety of metabolic and bodily processes. Folate, for example, is involved in cell division and growth. Certainly if More...

For a healthy person, probably none. However, it has been used for improving athletic performance, though this has not been substantiated in controlled studies. Additionally, it is used More...

Not likely. In fact, generally the opposite is experienced. Many people with poor diets notice an improvement in hair growth and quality when increasing B vitamin content in their diets More...

Yes. Dietary intake studies show many American fail to get sufficient Magnesium in the diet. Magnesium intake for lactating women is set at 320mg/day. Eating a wide variety of More...

Vitamin D, of course. Depending upon the degree of inadequacy and other factors, high-dose vitamin D supplements are often prescribed by a physician. Regular supplementation and More...

What supplements, if any, one should take are affected not only by diet, but by one’s desired health outcome. Supplements, as the name implies, are just that, a supplement to one’s More...

Yes. The element strontium may conjure up images of radioactive isotopes from radioactive fallout in the 50s, but elementally stable strontium is used in toothpaste for sensitive teeth, More...

Calcium citrate is 21% calcium by weight. Calcium lactate is a salt form of calcium carbonate and is around 18% calcium by weight. Both forms are absorbed evenly and not affected More...

Both ways are simply different delivery systems for the live cultures. Yogurt or live culture beverages are common in many countries. Probiotics, the live active cultures, exist in many More...

A formula should consider the requirements of older individuals in helping to combat potentially preventable diseases such as dementia, osteoporosis and heart disease. More...

At this point the answer is no, and in fact there may be some lingering concerns regarding its use as a source of omega-3 fatty acids. More...