Getting the important vitamins (Carroll County Online) Ok, so, aren't most vitamins important? Yes, they are. And for those dieting, some are better and more essential than others. Be sure to check with your doctor before starting a diet and/or vitamin regimen to ensure you're not causing damage to your body. [News Source]

Prawns, vitamin C not a deadly combination (Bangkok Post) The Food and Drug Administration has assured the public it is safe to eat prawns after taking vitamin C, refuting chain emails making false claims about arsenic poisoning caused by wrong eating habits. [News Source]

Lotus Vodka Filled With Life-Giving Vitamins … And Cirrhosis-Causing Alcohol! (SF Weekly) You know what totally sucks about getting wasted? The dry mouth, spinning room, endless headaches, and digestive problems you endure the next day. If only there were a healthy vodka, one I could go blotto on that was actually good for me. Well, looky here: San Francisco–based booze-making star ... [News Source]

Global warming may be leading to higher rice yields in China: IRRI. Global warming appears to have led to higher rice yields in northern China while free trade, changing diets, and rapid urbanisation is leading to a decline in rice production elsewhere. [News Source]

British people are the fattest in Europe. British people are the fattest in Europe, drink more alcohol, eat less fruit and vegetables and are more likely to die from smoking than the average across the European Union. [News Source]

Treating diabetes and understanding cultures. With minorities accounting for nearly a third of the U.S. population, medical professionals are beginning to bone up on so-called cultural competency, part of an effort to ensure that patients from disparate backgrounds get proper care. [News Source]

Diet choices ‘written in genes’. Our genes and not just our upbringing may play a key role in our food likes and dislikes, UK researchers believe. [News Source]

Consumer challenge: making head or tail of fish and mercury. Should pregnant women eat fish? [News Source]

Northside Pharmacy Takes Extra Steps (Whiz News Southeastern Ohio) After a Missouri woman claims that Walgreens gave her chemotherapy drugs instead of prescribed prenatal vitamins resulting in a miscarriage-Northside Pharmacy here in Zanesville says they have strict ... [News Source]

Hy-Vee Pumpkin Recipes (KCRG-TV9 Cedar Rapids) Pumpkins are not just for jack-o-lanterns and pies. Pumpkins are a nutritious and delicious way to add color and variety to any dinner table. They are rich in beta carotene, vitamin C, iron, and potassium. Here are the recipes we put together on the KCRG TV-9 News at Midday. [News Source]

Drink your vitamins? (Shelbyville Daily Union) By Valerie Melton THE JOPLIN GLOBE (JOPLIN, Mo.) JOPLIN, Mo. — Americans demand a lot from the soft-drink industry. In order for even a dollar to leave their pocket, they expect the manufacturer to create something that looks good, is marketed well and above all tastes good. [News Source]

The truth about your immune system (News-Medical-Net) Vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements can help complement a healthy diet and lifestyle, but consumers shouldn't count on them to boost their immune response, says the new edition of a Harvard Medical School report, The Truth About Your Immune System: What you need to know. [News Source]