BOSTON, Jun 29, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Most nutrients don't fly solo -- they
can interact, join forces or even cancel each other out -- a U.S. health
newsletter reports.
Two of the key nutrient pairs the Harvard Health Letter writers mention are:
-- Vitamin D and calcium. Calcium is easily absorbed, primarily in the small
intestine, if large quantities are present but in smaller amounts the mineral
gets absorbed with active assistance from vitamin D. Right now, official
nutrition guidelines recommend adults get 1,000 mg of calcium and 400
International Units of vitamin D daily. However, some experts say a much higher
vitamin D intake -- 1,000 IU daily or more -- is even better.
-- Sodium and potassium. Although sodium is an essential nutrient, most
Americans consume far more of it each day than they need, raising their blood
pressure and increasing their chances of having a stroke or heart attack.
Potassium counters the harmful cardiovascular effects of a sodium surplus by
encouraging the kidneys to excrete sodium. Many studies show a connection
between high potassium intake and lower blood pressure and suggest the
potassium-to-sodium ratio may be more important than potassium -- or sodium --
alone.
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