Showing Results for Ethical Nutrients

1/08/2012

Additional Nutrients For the Brain

An new study found that various nutrients and fats in the blood correlate with better brain functioning and brain volume in the elderly (mean age of 87). Higher levels of B vitamins and vitamins C, D, and E, as well as marine omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) appeared helpful. On the other hand, higher levels of trans-fats (from hydrogenated oils) had a negative impact. You can learn more about each of these nutrients in our various reports. An abstract of the study is online.

4/02/2026

Acid Reducers & Nutrient Depletion

Could your heartburn medication be draining essential nutrients? Deficiency risk may vary depending on the specific medication you use. Get the details in our article about supplements & PPI medications (covering lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), and esomeprazole (Nexium).

11/30/2021

Nutrients In Jeopardy With a Plant-Based Diet?

Which nutrients are in jeopardy when one switches from animal to plant-based proteins? Find out what a recent study showed in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Protein Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among protein supplements.

12/20/2022

Coffee's Effect on Vitamins & Minerals

Can coffee reduce the absorption, or increase the loss, of certain vitamins and minerals? Yes, it can. Find out which nutrients are affected, and what steps can be taken to reduce these effects of coffee in our updated Answer about coffee and nutrient absorption/depletion.

8/22/2024

Supplements When Avoiding Gluten

Going gluten-free has the potential to cause nutrient deficiencies. Learn which supplements may be needed in our new article.

1/27/2024

Soak Your Beans and Chickpeas!

It's important to soak dried beans and other legumes to reduce levels of two anti-nutrients: phytate and lectins. Find out how to reduce risk in our article about preparing dried beans to reduce phytate and lectins.

1/30/2024

More Phytate Questions Answered

After posting about how to reduce phytate and lectins (which are anti-nutrients) in foods, we received and answered the following related questions:

• Do lentils or split peas need to be soaked to remove phytate or lectin?
• Does cooking dry beans in slow cookers or pressure cookers, or baking in casseroles deactivate lectins?
• Are dietary phytates linked with any health benefits?

8/22/2023

Selenium & Hair

Although an essential nutrient, very high intake of selenium can cause hair to fall out, and a recent case report highlighted the need to consider how much selenium one gets from foods before supplementing with selenium. Get the details in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Selenium Supplements Review.

Also see our article about hair growth to find out which other supplements can cause hair to fall out.

9/29/2023

Concern with Activated Charcoal

When taken as a supplement, activated charcoal can affect the absorption of nutrients and medications. Learn more in our article about flatulence.

2/13/2024

Crohn’s Disease, Colitis & Key Nutrients

Experts are advising that people with inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, be monitored for deficiencies in vitamin D and iron.

Also see our Top Picks among vitamin D and iron supplements.

2/13/2024

Removing Phytate and Lectins From Foods

We’ve answered the following questions about removing phytate and lectins from beans and other foods:

• Do canned beans need to be soaked or cooked to remove lectins before eating?
• Does soaking or cooking dried soybeans or edamame help remove phytate or lectins?
• Can the nutrient bioavailability of beans be improved by cooking with garlic, onions, or tomato?

4/12/2024

Selenium Deficiency In Vegetarians

Are vegans and vegetarians likely to be deficient in selenium? Depends on where you live. Learn more in our Selenium Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks among selenium supplements.

Also see: Top 8 vitamins and nutrients for vegetarians and vegans.

5/14/2024

Plant-Based Milks: Iodine Concern

Be aware that almond, oat, and soy milk tend to contain very little iodine compared to cow’s milk, which could increase the risk of iodine deficiency and thyroid problems in people who do not get enough iodine from other sources. Get the details in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Plant-Based Milks Review. This is particularly important for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding – due to increased iodine requirements, see our Top Pick prenatal multivitamin for more details.

Also see: Top 8 vitamins and nutrients for vegetarians and vegans

8/29/2024

Gluten in Supplements and Prescription Pills?

How much gluten is in supplements and prescription pills, and how can you tell if a supplement or pill is gluten-free? We’ve addressed this in our article: Supplements That May Be Needed When Following a Gluten-Free Diet.

Also, find out why a gluten-free diet may lead to inadequate nutrient intake.

9/23/2024

Protein for Vegans

Is it helpful for vegans to incorporate processed foods, like tofu or protein powders, into their diets? See what recent study suggested in our article: Top 8 vitamins and nutrients for vegetarians and vegans.

Also see our Top Picks among protein supplements, including our Top Pick for vegans.

10/07/2024

Seaweed for Vegetarians

Eating a serving of nori, a type of seaweed, can improve vitamin B-12 status among vegetarians. Seaweed can also provide iodine. But there are caveats. Get the details in our Seaweed Snacks and Foods Review, which includes our Top Pick among seaweed snacks.

Also see: Top 8 vitamins and nutrients for vegetarians and vegans

1/06/2025

Which Prenatals Have The Right Stuff?

Many prenatal vitamins may not correct nutrient deficits that occur in pregnancy, according to a recent study. Find out which products are closest to providing the right ingredients in the Prenatal section of our Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplements Review.

6/16/2025

Carnosine for Vegetarians?

Does taking L-carnosine improve exercise performance or reduce muscle fatigue among vegetarians and vegans? Find out in our article about L-carnosine.

Also see: Top 8 vitamins and nutrients for vegetarians and vegans

6/26/2025

People Who Need More Zinc

A recent study showed that vegans and vegetarians tended to have lower zinc blood levels and reduced immune function, which could be offset with modest zinc supplementation. Get the details in the Causes of Zinc Deficiency section of our Zinc Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for zinc supplements.

Also see our article: Top 8 vitamins and nutrients for vegetarians and vegans.

6/27/2025

Is Mushroom Coffee Healthier?

Mushroom coffee is promoted as healthier than regular coffee, but does it really contain more nutrients? Find out in the What It Is section of our Lion's Mane and Chaga Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for lion’s mane and chaga, as well as reviews of MUD/WTR and Four Sigmatic Instant Coffee Mix.

5/24/2022

Caution With Children’s Multivitamins

Many multivitamins for children exceed tolerable daily intake limits, as noted in a recent report. Find out which nutrients are most often too high in the Children's section of our Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplements Review.

10/26/2021

Reducing Oxalates in Almonds

Can roasting, soaking or blanching almonds reduce oxalates without affecting nutrient content? Find out in our updated answer to the question: Can eating almonds reduce wrinkles?

11/01/2022

Protein & Nutrition Bars -- Watch Out for Weight Gain

Protein and nutrition bars can be a convenient way to get protein, fiber, and other nutrients, but they can lead to weight gain according to a recent study. The details are in our Protein and Nutrition Bars Review.

12/23/2022

Problem with Meat Alternatives

Although plant-based meat alternatives, like Impossible and Beyond Burgers, provide many nutrients, it may be difficult to absorb the iron contained in some of them, according to a recent study. For details, see our CL Answer about plant-based meat alternatives.

1/20/2023

"Broad-spectrum" Nutrients vs Multivitamins

What are "broad-spectrum" micronutrient supplements and how do they compare to multivitamins? Find out in our new article about "broad-spectrum" micronutrient supplements.

Also see our Top Picks among multivitamins.

1/13/2023

How Much Phytate in Pea Protein?

Although not on the label, we found out how much phytate, an anti-nutrient, is in our Top Pick for pea protein powder. Learn the details and implications in our updated Protein Powders and Shakes Review.

1/17/2023

Adding Collagen to Coffee?

Some people supplement with collagen by mixing it in their coffee. Does that ruin the collagen? Find out in our updated CL Answer about the effects of coffee on nutrients. (Also see our Collagen Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks among products.)

6/27/2015

How Vitamin B-12 Causes Acne

Vitamin B-12 is a critical nutrient and many people, particularly those over 50, should supplement with B-12 to avoid deficiency. However, at doses higher than those used to prevent deficiency, B-12 may occasionally trigger acne. A new study appears to explain the B-12/acne connection. For details, see the "Cobalamin (B-12)" section of the B Vitamin Supplements Review >>

4/12/2019

Food vs. Supplements for Getting Vitamins & Minerals

We've added new information to our answer to the question Is it better to get vitamins from foods or supplements, and are natural vitamins better than synthetic vitamins? The new information is based on an investigation of the association between nutrient intakes and the risk of dying from cancer and/or other causes.

4/09/2019

Powerful Combination for Alzheimer's

Fish oil can help people with Alzheimer's disease but, as a new study suggests, only when they are getting enough of another nutrient. Get the details in the What It Does section of the Fish Oil Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among products.

6/22/2019

Vitamins Needed by Pregnant Women

A recent analysis of nutrient intakes by pregnant women across the U.S. revealed the vitamins and minerals they were getting too much or too little of. Get the details in the Prenatal section of the Multivitamins Review, which includes our tests of prenatal supplements.