So, I’ve been getting a few health related questions from friends lately, and thought that I might post them in Blog form for other ppl that might have the same question. So here’s the first in a possible new series titled…"Good Morning Dr. Hollander!"

Good Morning Dr. Hollander,

I was wondering your opinion on the subject of vitamins. What would you say is a recommended daily dose of the following:

1) Calcium 2) Chondroitin Sulfate 3) Folic Acid 4) Glucosamine Sulfate 5) Magnesium 6) Omega 3 7) Selenium 8) Vitamin B6 9) Vitamin B12 10) Vitamin C 11) Vitamin D 12) Vitamin E 13) Zinc

The reason why I am asking about these specific ones is because I have been doing some searching and I have found out that these are vitamins and minerals that people with RA are lacking. Also, what is the difference between Omega3, Omega6 and Omega9? Sorry about all the questions, I appreciate any help on this.

Good Morning Miguel,

How are you? Btw, Im back in FL and I’m practicing in Orlando. I know, that doesn’t do you much good in NC. Also, just dropped in on your profile. Great anime music vid w/ Weird Al! Really enjoyed it. So, on to your questions...

You know, for most of these I don’t have a set "value" that I recommend Daily. I do recommend a high potency multi vitamin for most of my patients. We sell one in the office called "Ultra Preventative X" by a company called Douglas Labs. Its my fav multi, and it has most of these things in very high amounts. If you wanted to try it, I could ship it to you? I’ll make some comments on these things though...

1) Calcium 2) Chondroitin Sulfate <-- This molecule is generally regarded as too big to be absorbed. You can tell how much a nutrition company knows about nutrition with this thing. If you see it in their product, the haven’t done their research. 3) Folic Acid <--- Very important B Vitamin for nerve health 4) Glucosamine Sulfate <--this is what I recommend my patients for joint health. We use a glucosamine/MSM complex in my office, and I recommend 1500mg/day for therapeutic benefits. Combine two of these and you get your chondroitin, which is why it doesn’t make sense to consume chondroitin separately. 5) Magnesium 6) Omega 3 <---very important to take on a daily basis. I recommend 1 Shotglass daily, which more or less means 2 table spoons. We also sell a kick-ass fish oil from innate choice. 7) Selenium 8) Vitamin B6 9) Vitamin B12 10) Vitamin C 11) Vitamin D 12) Vitamin E 13) Zinc

The other things you have listed here are all excellent vitamins and should be taken in combination from a high potency multi. You will also get them in very high amounts in a very natural way by eating lots of green leafy vegetables. That way you will also be getting high amounts of fiber, which is very beneficial.

Omega 3, 6, and 9 refers to the position of the double bond on the fatty chain. This has implications as to the fluidity of the fat. Omega 3’s are the most fluid and therefore have the most beneficial health effects, they are also essential and are found in marine life (fish). ALA, DHA, and EPA are all examples of Omega 3’s. Your fish oil should have EPA:DHA in a 2:1 ratio. Omega 6’s are also essential, however, they are in abundance in our western diet and don’t require supplementation. In fact, they should basically be avoided (corn oil, vegetable oil). The most common example is Arachadonic Acid (AA), which has lots of pro-inflammatory effects, very important for someone with RA to stay away from these. And Omega 9’s have lots of health benefits too, known as Oleic acid, these are found in Olive Oil.

Hope this helps, Mad Chiro Luv! -Darren, DC