HowStuffWorks Newsletter
Vitamin and supplement facts can help you determine whether you need to complement your diet. Read up on the facts before you head to the store.
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Eating a good balance of the right nutrients is a good way to help keep your body healthy. One of those nutrients is omega-3 fatty acids, which you can find in seafood. But what if you have a seafood allergy?
By Tom Scheve
Vitamins help our bodies function properly, but in order to reap their benefits, you may need to do more than pop back some pills with breakfast. How does the body absorb vitamins from food, capsules and tablets?
By Julia Layton
Your diet may have you thinking all fat is evil, but that's just wrong. Many of the vitamins that make your body function need fat to work. So is that license to consume a dozen donuts with your multivitamin in the name of health? Not so fast.
By Julia Layton
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The nutrients you need to stay vital will keep you healthy and active. Learn about the nutrients you need to stay vital.
Separating fact and fiction about supplements can be tricky. Learn what's fact or fiction about supplements.
You can get it from a glass of milk or by spending a little time in the sun. Discover the benefit of getting a little sun in this article.
By Cleveland Clinic News Service
Most of us think we can subsist on Chick-fil-A sandwiches and Krispy Kreme doughnuts as long as we pop a multivitamin each day. But vitamins can be more sinister than you think.
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When it comes to medicinal drugs, the FDA's standards are pretty high: Only about 0.1 percent of the drug compounds tested in labs ever receive approval. So if herbs like ephedrine are causing psychosis and death, why doesn't the FDA eradicate them?
By Josh Clark
Botanicals have been receiving a lot of press lately, but they can be dangerous. Constant bombardment of information about herbs that promise health and youth can often times hide the harmful effects of an herb. Learn about the safety of botanicals for seniors.
By Liz Ward
Supplements for seniors can help to control hormones and even protect against cancer. The endless list of anti-aging supplements also aid in the lowering of cholesterol, which raises overall health. Learn about the pros and cons of supplements for seniors.
By Liz Ward
There is some reason to believe that vitamins and minerals might help lower cholesterol, but at this point the evidence is mostly inconclusive. Learn about the results of various studies.
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From menopause to pregnancy, there are some medical problems that affect only women. Many women have turned to nature's super market to treat their ills. Learn about herbal remedies for women.
By Alex Nechas
Vitamin B3, or niacin, assists in converting protein, carbohydrates, and fats into energy. The body needs niacin to ward off the disease pellagra. Learn more about this essential nutrient.
We all know that vitamins are essential part of a healthy diet, but how much do we really know about these fundamental building blocks of good health? Learn the answers to your vitamin questions.
By Alex Nechas
With Vitamin C so readily available in commonly fruits and vegetables, meeting the recommended daily allowance (RDA) isn't typically an issue. However, there can be dangers to not getting enough vitamin C. Learn about vitamin C deficiency.
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If you pop a Vitamin C lozenge at the first sign of a cold, you could be doing more good than you know. While it's usually associated with the treatment of colds, Vitamin C has also been researched in connection with cancer prevention.
Vitamin C is easy to get in most fruits and vegetables, but how much is enough, and can there be too much of a good thing? Learn about where you can get the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C in your diet, and how much is considered safe.
Vitamin B12 has a different chemical makeup and it's created differently than any other vitamin. Most of us get plenty vitamin B12 in our diets. Find out what to do if you don't.
Vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid, is part of coenzyme A, which helps release energy from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It also helps in production of red blood cells. Learn more about this essential nutrient.
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Vitamin D is an essential dietary element to prevent calcium-deficiency diseases such as rickets, but must be taken with caution because too much Vitamin D can be toxic to children. Learn about how much Vitamin D you need and why.
Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, acts as a coenzyme, helping to metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in order to provide the body with energy. Find out more about this b-complex vitamin.
Vitamin K helps the body with blood clotting and bone strength. It can be found in some green, leafy vegetables and also is produced with the help of bacteria in the body. Learn more about vitamin K.
Vitamin B1, or thiamin, is a coenzyme that helps to provide energy and heat for the body. A thiamin deficiency leads to the disease beriberi. Learn more about this essential nutrient.
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Vitamin B6 is used as a treatment for more than 100 health conditions, and it's found in virtually every food we eat. Learn more about this versatile and plentiful vitamin.
Biotin is not a well-known vitamin, but it's no less vital than the others. It plays a crucial role in metabolism, helping convert our food to energy. Increase your knowledge about this unheralded vitamin.