You don't need to take your vitamin D with foods that contain fat
Q. Since vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, does that mean that I need to consume it along with some foods that contain fat?
A. No, this need not be a worry for vitamin D. Studies show no significant difference when comparing blood levels of vitamin D after people consumed it added to whole milk or skim milk, regular (high-fat) or low fat cheese, and supplements taken with or without meals.
Research also showed that vitamin D added to orange juice resulted in dramatic increases in blood levels of vitamin D compared to regular orange juice. This is a valid concern for other fat-soluble nutrients - for example, studies show that we absorb more of certain carotenoids (such as beta-carotene) from vegetables when there is some form of fat in the meal, either added to the vegetables or elsewhere in the meal. But when it comes to vitamin D, getting it from fortified cereal and skim milk, from fortified juice, or even from a supplement not consumed with food should be fine.
Q. For people in cancer treatment, does the type of water they drink matter?
A. Some cancer treatments leave people's immune systems weak, so they need to take extra precautions to avoid any risk of infection. They may be advised to avoid well water. Water filters cannot filter out harmful microorganisms, which may live in well water, but boiling water for one minute can make it safe.
Otherwise, city tap water is the most recommended choice when immune function is low. City water systems are highly regulated and tested frequently. Studies have shown bottled water is no safer than water from a municipal system, but it is usually another option during cancer treatment. Cancer treatment centers give instructions when needed about how to choose.
Many bottled waters, often labeled "purified water," are simply tap water with further filtering or added minerals. Bottled waters labeled mineral or spring water come from underground sources rather than municipal supplies, but they're only better if you prefer their flavor, not for any documented health advantage.
If you use a filter system for your tap water make sure you maintain the filters carefully so bacteria don't accumulate. The filters remove trace amounts of chlorine and some minerals, which is uncertain as far as health benefit, but if it improves the flavor of your tap water so that you drink it more often, such systems can be helpful and less costly than bottled water.
During chemotherapy in particular, people are often advised to drink lots of water so finding water that tastes good can be important.
Q. Is eating raw meat really safe?
A. Because of the potential for illness from bacteria or parasites, it is really not safe, but the risk is especially great for anyone with a weakened immune system. Even undercooked meats have caused serious infections, such as E. coli, that can lead to death.
Traditional raw meat or fish dishes all present a risk. Dishes include steak tartare (particularly risky as it contains raw ground beef and raw egg), beef carpaccio (raw thinly sliced beef filet), sashimi (thinly sliced raw fish), ceviche (raw marinated fish), and raw seafood such as oysters, clams or mussels. Beef carpaccio is now labeled a high-risk food since it was discovered that it was the source of an outbreak of salmonella highly resistant to antibiotic treatment.
Experts say that for those who choose to eat raw meat or fish dishes, it's vital to choose sources that are scrupulous about sanitation. For anyone with a weakened immune system - which includes the very young, elderly, pregnant women (an unborn child does not have a developed immune system) and those with illnesses such as HIV or cancer - the advice is clear: Do not eat raw or undercooked meat or seafood.
And that is the safest advice for all of us.