Vitamins, Minerals, Antioxidants and Supplements : 605 Articles

Vitamins and minerals are essential for normal growth, function and health. Scientific evidence suggests that antioxidants - natural compounds in foods - can help ward off heart disease, cancer, cataracts, even Alzheimer's.  Search this section for the latest research about how the nutrients and supplements can help keep you healthy.

Extra antioxidants limited benefits for macular degeneration

Taking additional antioxidant supplements on top of vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene does little to ward off macular degeneration among older adults, new research suggests. Researchers…

Magnesium may be as important as calcium to kids' bone health

Parents are advised to make sure their children drink milk and eat other calcium-rich foods to build strong bones. Soon, they also may be urged to make sure their kids eat salmon, almonds,…

Diet, supplements may help reverse blood vessel dysfunction

A diet low in grains, beans and certain vegetables -- combined with "anti-aging" supplements -- improved blood vessel function, in a study presented at the American Heart…

Vitamin D may reduce risk of uterine fibroids

Women who had sufficient amounts of vitamin D were 32 percent less likely to develop fibroids than women with insufficient vitamin D, according to a study from researchers at the National…

Vitamin D and calcium supplements don’t prevent bone fractures in older women

Older women shouldn't take vitamin D and calcium supplements to prevent broken bones, and there's not enough evidence to say whether it would help anyone else either, says a U.S.…

Antioxidants may not reduce risk of stroke or dementia

Contrary to previous research, a new study found that the total level of antioxidants in people's diets is not related to their risk of developing stroke or dementia. Antioxidants such as…

Could too much calcium be bad for your heart?

In a new analysis from the National Institutes of Health, men who took calcium tablets were more likely to die of heart disease over more than a decade than those who didn't get extra…

Vitamin C supplements tied to men's kidney stones

Men who take vitamin C supplements are at higher-than-average risk of developing kidney stones, a new study from Sweden suggests. The findings don't prove the vitamin itself triggers…

High doses of folic acid not linked to cancer risk

According to a new analysis, people taking high doses of the B vitamin folic acid are not at an increased risk of cancer, easing some concern about possible side effects of national…

Amount of caffeine in diet supplements varies greatly

The amount of caffeine in diet supplements varies widely, and product labels are often inaccurate or have no caffeine information at all, according to a U.S. study published in JAMA Internal…

Mild vitamin B12 deficiency linked to accelerated cognitive decline

Being mildly vitamin B12 deficient could be an indication that some older adults are at a greater risk for accelerated cognitive decline, a study from the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition…

Vitamin D tied to women's cognitive performance

Two new studies show that vitamin D may be a vital nutrient for the cognitive health of women as they age. Higher vitamin D intake is associated with a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's…

Analysis: omega-3 fatty acids still matter

Hundreds of clinical trials have been done on the possible benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for the prevention of heart disease -- producing conflicting results and frustrated consumers unsure…

Iron, omega-3s have different effects on kids' brains

For children with low stores of two brain-power nutrients, supplements may have different, and complex, effects, a new clinical trial suggests. Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional…

No link found between calcium intake and heart risk

Researchers at the Institute for Aging Research (IFAR) at Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School (HMS), have published a study that shows no evidence of a link between…

Daily multivitamin use doesn’t ward off heart attack, stroke

According to a large, well-controlled study that included nearly 15,000 middle aged and older male physicians, taking a daily multivitamin for more than 10 years did not reduce the risk of…

Do you need a multivitamin?

While a daily multivitamin hasn't been proven to guard against chronic disease in well-nourished individuals, there are good reasons why some people should consider taking one. If…

Omega-3 intake boosts memory in healthy young adults

In the first study of its kind, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have determined that healthy young adults, ages 18-25, can improve their working memory even further by increasing…

Low calcium diet linked to higher risk of hormone condition in women

A low calcium diet is associated with a higher risk of developing a common hormone condition in women called primary hyperparathyroidism, suggests a new study. Primary hyperparathyroidism or…

Low levels of vitamin D associated with mortality in older adults

Low levels of vitamin D and high levels of parathyroid hormone are associated with increased mortality in older adults, according to a new study from Wake Forest School of Medicine. The study…