In the January 2002 newsletter, you answered a question about the value of multi-vitamins that contained, in essence, the following statement: “Post-menopausal women should not take a multi-vitamin containing iron.” I had never heard that warning and would like to know why?

The newest information from several large-scale research trials indicates that women who are getting high levels of iron are at an increased risk for heart disease. What we believe is happening is the iron is acting as a pro-oxidant (the opposite of antioxidant) and aiding in the damage of blood vessels. Once a woman has stopped menstruating, menopause causes her daily need for iron to decrease dramatically. The requirement for premenopausal women is 18 mg/day while the requirement for postmenopausal women is 8 mg/day, which is a substantial difference. A postmenopausal women’s requirement can easily (and more safely) be met through the diet. Certainly, if your doctor has told you that you need an iron supplement because of a health problem or anemia, follow his or her advice.