The first literature source I recommend is MedlinePlus.gov, maintained by the National Library of Medicine.
Dear Dr. Roach: Can you recommend the most reliable literature sources for vitamin and supplement information and interactions? For example, health magazines offer the following examples of supplement information:
— Take magnesium with vitamin D3 for maximum absorption.
— Do not take magnesium with zinc or iron supplements. Wait a few hours to avoid poor absorption of zinc and iron.
— Take piperine with turmeric/curcumin to increase absorption.
— When taking calcium, also take vitamin D3 to increase absorption.
— Take pine bark extract containing L-arginine to prevent plaque buildup on artery walls and arteriosclerosis.
JL
The problem with health magazines is that the reliable information can be interspersed with not-so-reliable information. In some cases, hopeful claims are made based on experimental or animal data. In some cases, they may be false or clearly false in order to sell the advertiser’s supplements. In the example given above, vitamin D (D2 or D3) increases the absorption of calcium and magnesium, but this does not mean that they are necessary. Not recommended unless prescribed.
Piperine definitely increases the absorption of curcumin, the most active ingredient in turmeric. This increases both efficacy and toxicity. Zinc and iron compete for absorption and should not be taken at the same time. If it is deficient, it must be isolated. However, in clinical trials, neither pine bark nor L-arginine was found to be effective against coronary artery disease.
The first literature source I recommend is MedlinePlus.gov, maintained by the National Library of Medicine. Some large institutions, such as Johns Hopkins University and Mayo Clinic, have reliable information. Your local pharmacist is another source of information, as is your doctor.
Dear Dr. Roach: I read that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now recommending additional COVID-19 vaccinations for seniors 65 and older. According to the article, the current version is very effective. I last received the Moderna vaccine in October 2023. Do I need to get vaccinated again?
JLI
I will give another vaccine this spring to high-risk people, including those over 65 with additional risk factors such as diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease, and those living in nursing homes. Highly recommended. Very old people (over 80s) will also benefit from booster vaccinations this spring, even if they are healthy.
Data is emerging that yearly vaccination against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is effective. Although not yet proven, high-risk individuals may benefit from receiving the vaccine twice a year. In my opinion, people who are at very high risk, such as those mentioned above and people with immune system disorders, should get the additional vaccine now.
Dr. Roach regrets not being able to respond to individual letters, but will incorporate them into his columns whenever possible.Readers can email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu
