Simple and Practical Mental Health

The BEST resource for mental health clinicians

  • *MENUS*
  • RESOURCES
    • Side effect handouts
    • Patient Handouts: Main page
    • How to find specific types of treatments
    • Rating scales and questionnaires (Main Menu)
    • BEST books
    • BEST apps/ websites
  • NEWS
  • QUESTIONS?
  • DAILY EMAILS
  • FAQ
  • REVIEWS
  • LOG IN
  • JOIN

Vitamins and Minerals (Main Menu)

Below are links to the MANY articles on this website about VITAMINS AND MINERALS. 

All the other MAIN MENUS on this website can be found by clicking HERE, or on *MENUS* at the top of any page on this website.

– Also see L-methylfolate, folate, related compounds, and more found at Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM): Main Menu

To use this Menu, please click on the category (or the arrow to the left of its name) to EXPAND the category and see what is included in it.

When you are done, click the category (or the arrow to its left) to COLLAPSE it.


Multivitamin/ multimineral

Do’s and don’ts for taking a multivitamin

Which vitamins might cause harm even in commonly used doses?

Daily Value (DV) for vitamins and minerals


Biotin

When to consider recommending biotin supplementation

Biotin can interfere with many laboratory tests—and lead to serious misdiagnosis


C-reactive protein

A primer on C-reactive protein

C-reactive protein and mental disorders

Why does this patient have elevated homocysteine and C-reactive protein?


Iron

Instructions for WHEN and HOW to take iron supplements

Which foods are rich in iron?

How to maximize absorption of iron supplements 

Laboratory testing to identify iron deficiency

What is the best single test for checking the body’s iron stores?

How to order and interpret iron studies

Are we missing iron deficiency without anemia?

Let’s ask about heavy menstrual bleeding

How to improve the tolerability of iron supplementation

Iron deficiency, pica, and restless legs syndrome associated with blood donation

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and iron deficiency


Magnesium

Basic facts about magnesium for mental health clinicians

Commonly used medications that can cause magnesium deficiency

Magnesium supplement for suspected alcohol/ medication-induced deficiency?

When should we recommend an oral magnesium supplement?

Why not get magnesium from FOOD instead of a pill?

Which type of magnesium supplement to recommend

When should we worry that our patient is taking too much magnesium?


Vitamin B6

MAO inhibitors can affect vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) for lithium-induced benign tremor?


Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12: A primer for mental health clinicians

How to evaluate a person’s vitamin B12 status 

Vitamin B12 and mental health 

Testing for B vitamins in persons with cognitive impairment

A patient with a low vitamin B12 level

Which supplements to recommend with a vegetarian or vegan diet

Elevated vitamin B12 levels are common and could be very serious

What laboratory tests to order to fully evaluate for possible vitamin B12 deficiency

Which diagnosis codes to use when ordering a vitamin B12 level


Vitamin D

What is vitamin D?

Do this before checking vitamin D levels or recommending supplementation

How should vitamin D status be measured?

Don’t order the test “calcitriol (1, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D)”

How to interpret the results of testing for vitamin D deficiency

How should we define vitamin D insufficiency (deficiency)?

How should vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency be treated?

Does vitamin D supplementation increase the risk of kidney stones?

Ultraviolet A and B: Implications for vitamin D production

Can vitamin D treat clinical depression?

Who is at higher risk for vitamin D deficiency?


Vitamin E

Vitamin E: A primer for clinicians

Does vitamin E work for tardive dyskinesia?

Vitamin E: Potential adverse effects and drug interactions


Vitamin K2

A brief primer about vitamin K2


Vitamins and Minerals—Other Articles

Which vitamin supplements should we be cautious about recommending?

Kosher medications, vitamins, and supplements: Specific products



To use this Menu, please click on the category (or the arrow to the left of its name) to EXPAND the category and see what is included in it.


– Also see L-methylfolate, folate, related compounds, and more found at Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM): Main Menu


Copyright © 2026 to 2026, Simple and Practical Medical Education, LLC.  All rights reserved. The content on this website may not be reproduced in any form without express written permission.

Disclaimer: The material on this website is provided as general education for medical professionals. It is not intended for patients or other laypersons, nor is it a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients must always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding their diagnosis and treatment. Healthcare professionals should always check this website for the most up-to-date information.

Follow us on social media for important tips and updates

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright 2016 to 2026: Simple and Practical Medical Education, LLC. All rights reserved.