Is it true that the herb kava can cause severe liver damage?
Yes. Recent reports from Germany indicate that several people who used kava had liver damage serious enough to require transplants. While liver damage from kava appears to be rare, the reports have prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and regulatory agencies in some European countries to warn consumers about the potential risks of taking products containing kava. Many people take kava to relieve insomnia and anxiety, and in fact it has become one of the top 10 most popular herbs. According to the FDA, people with liver disease, liver problems or those who take drugs that can affect the liver should talk with their doctor before taking kava. However, until these concerns are more thoroughly addressed, it may be a good idea to avoid taking kava supplements.
Does taking too much vitamin A weaken bones?
Possibly. A recent study showed that women who took at least 6,600 international units (IU) of retinol (a type of vitamin A) a day had nearly double the risk for hip fracture compared with women who took less than 1,600 IU a day. Beta-carotene, which our bodies convert to vitamin A and is found in fruits and vegetables, was not linked to hip fractures. The Recommended Dietary Allowance for vitamin A as a combination of beta-carotene and retinol is 5,000 IU for men and 4,000 IU for women. Multivitamins and cereal are two of the largest sources of retinol (also called vitamin A palmitate). Other sources include animal foods such as milk and liver. Try to choose a multivitamin that provides no more than 4,000 IU of retinol a day. Look for cereals with 750 IU or less of retinol per serving.
My 2-year-old daughter seems to have a cold and fever nearly every month. Is this normal?
Most children have up to 10 colds a year, and if your daughter is in day care, she may get even more. Parents are often concerned when their child runs a fever. However, a fever can help fight a cold by signaling the body to produce antibodies. You probably don’t need to be concerned about frequent colds, as long as your child recovers quickly. If nasal congestion lasts for 10 to 14 days, symptoms get worse after three to five days, a child age 3 months or younger has a rectal temperature of higher than 101 degrees or you feel concerned, call your child’s doctor.
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