Vitamin C and calcium are two essential nutrients for a variety of reasons, but your body needs each for different processes. While vitamin C is a vitamin that supports tissue growth and repair, calcium is a mineral needed for strong teeth and bones.
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More than 4 million Americans frequently suffer from constipation, and this gastrointestinal problem accounts for 2.5 million physician visits a year, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
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Eating too much of any food or beverage can have unpleasant consequences, and orange juice is no exception. Many people start their day with orange juice, and some prefer the drink to the whole fruit. But if you drink too much orange juice, you might experience side effects.
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If your first thought when you wake up in the morning is that you need some sugar, you might have trouble maintaining stable blood sugar levels.
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Beets are a winter vegetable and an excellent source of folate, manganese, potassium and antioxidants. The health-protective nutrients found in beets can help you optimize your health and fight chronic diseases. However, you may notice that the color of your stools change when eating beets.
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People without diabetes do not have to worry about their blood sugar levels because their bodies are able to compensate for whatever amount of carbohydrates they eat by secreting the appropriate amount of insulin.
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A good night sleep is very important to help you feel energized and allow you to accomplish all of your daily activities. Waking up in the middle of the night can compromise your sleep and prevent you from going to all the different stages of sleep that are required for your body to fully recover from the previous day.
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Ketosis is an alternate metabolic state in which your body utilizes fat, both from your diet and your body fat stores, as well as ketones, a by-product of fat burning, for energy. Low-carbohydrate diets can induce ketosis.
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The carbohydrates you eat, which mainly come from starchy vegetables, whole and refined grains, fruits and sugar-containing foods, are digested more or less quickly depending on a variety of factors. Once carbohydrates are digested, they are turned to sugar, or glucose, which is then absorbed into your blood.
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A feeling of incomplete evacuation, infrequent bowel movements and difficult-to-pass stools are all signs of constipation, according to Medline Plus.
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The over-the-counter supplement 5-hydroxytryptophan and the prescription drug alprazolam, available under the brand Xanax, are substances people take for some similar uses, including relieving anxiety. The two have different effects on brain function, however.
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In supplements and fortified foods, vitamin D is available as either ergocalciferol, known as D-2, or cholecalciferol, known as D-3. Large doses of either D vitamin can lead to high calcium blood levels, a condition called hypercalcemia.
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Garlic flavors food and is used medicinally in fresh or supplement form. For example, it may be effective for reducing high blood pressure and for slowing development of atherosclerosis, according to Medline Plus. Garlic can cause side effects, however. Always consult a doctor before trying a new supplement.
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Taking probiotics may provide certain digestive benefits, but if you develop an allergic reaction to the supplement, you may experience unwanted symptoms. As with any allergic reaction, symptoms may range from minor to severe.
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Waist fat increases your risk for serious health issues, such as colorectal cancer, Type 2 diabetes and stroke. If you want to shrink your waist fast, you can’t focus on spot training. You need to increase fat burning through cardio activity, strength training and diet modifications.
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Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant found naturally in your body. It helps your body produce energy and protein and allows muscle contraction. Most people have sufficient CoQ10 levels in their body without taking supplements.
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Moderate consumption of alcohol may have some health benefits, with some types of alcoholic beverages, including cognac, possibly having more beneficial effects than others. However, drinking too much alcohol of any kind can increase certain health risks.
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Bananas, the fourth largest fruit crop in the world, provide a number of essential nutrients, including fiber, potassium, manganese and vitamins B-6 and C. However, in some cases they can cause gas or constipation, especially when eaten before they are ripe or consumed in large amounts.
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Calcium sulfate, or gypsum, is nontoxic. It's used as an additive in a variety of different foods as well as in supplements to help increase calcium intake. Check with your doctor before taking gypsum supplements to make sure these would be safe for you.
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Spinach packs a powerful nutrient punch, whether you eat it fresh or cooked. While it may seem that cooked spinach contains more nutrients if you measure it cup for cup, this isn't really a fair comparison since it takes about 6 cups of fresh spinach to get 1 cup of cooked spinach.
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