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Amy works the predawn shift as a baker at a popular bistro

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Amy works the predawn shift as a baker at a popular bistro. Amy is also a full-time student, and the combination of taking a full course load at college and working early hours while her friends are sleeping has created a lot of stress for her. Amy’s many commitments also make it important that she not become ill. Recently, one of her co-workers suggested that she take Nutramega supplements to help prevent colds, flu, and other illnesses. The product’s label suggests that Nutramega helps prevent such problems, especially those associated with the changing of seasons. The label recommends taking two to three tablets daily for health maintenance and two to three tablets every 3 hours at the first sign of feeling ill. Amy looks at the Supplement Facts label on the bottle and finds that each tablet contains (as percent of the DV): 33% for vitamin A (three-quarters is preformed vitamin A), 700% for vitamin C, 50% for zinc, and 10% for selenium. A month’s supply costs about $50. Answer the following questions.

1. Are there any health risks associated with taking the “maintenance” dose of two to three tablets per day? How does this dose compare with the Upper Tolerable Intake Levels for the four nutrients?

2. How many tablets would be taken per day if Amy was feeling ill?

a. For Vitamin A, use the % Daily Value to calculate the micrograms RAE that would be in this larger dose. How does this compare to the UL for vitamin A?

b. Use the % Daily Value to calculate the milligrams of vitamin C in this larger dose. How does this compare to the UL for vitamin C?

c. Use the % Daily Value to calculate the milligrams of zinc in this larger dose. How does this compare to the UL for zinc?

d. Use the % Daily Value to calculate the micrograms of selenium in this larger dose. How does this compare to the UL for selenium?

e. Does the recommended dosage of any of these nutrients pose any health risks?

3. Does the cost of this supplement seem reasonable? How does it compare to the cost of a typical multivitamin/mineral supplement available at your local drug store?

4. Should Amy be concerned about meeting her nutrient needs? Does the type of stress she is under increase her nutrient needs?

5. After studying Chapter 9, what diet and supplement advice would you offer to Amy?