Prenatal vitamins not safe for people who are not pregnant, expert says

While it's true that iron supplementation may not be necessary for everyone, zinc levels remain low in the vast majority of people. Even iron remains low in vegetarians, who are typically iron deficient due to the lack of bioavailability of the form of iron consumed from plant sources. So iron supplementation isn't such a simple issue and needs to be approached with the help of a qualified holistic nutritionist.

• Q: What types of cancer do vegetables like broccoli protect against?
• Q: Are prenatal vitamins good for people who aren't pregnant?
• Several substances in these vegetables seem to influence body enzymes that defend against the start of cancer, while others promote the destruction of cancer cells and possibly alter estrogen levels.
• Laboratory research provides evidence why these substances could help protect against a wide range of cancers.
• Furthermore, studies now show that the active compounds in cruciferous vegetables may act differently depending on the makeup of specific genes.
• Second, check the Nutrition Facts panel and choose a cereal with at least three grams of fiber per serving, more if possible.
• If you're devoted to a low-fiber favorite, try combining it with a higher-fiber bran or whole-grain choice.
• Some high-fiber cereals are very low in sugar, while others contain quite a bit more.
• If you intend to satisfy your sweet tooth with other foods during the day, cut back on the amount of sugar in your breakfast cereal.
• A doctor may advise a woman to continue taking prenatal vitamins for a brief time after pregnancy to replenish her body's store of vitamins, but these products are only designed to support the increased nutritional needs of pregnant women.
• The elevated levels of iron and zinc in these supplements are almost always beyond the upper safety limits for nonpregnant adults.