The human brain controls your body by orchestrating the highly complex and delicate interaction between neurons, neurotransmitters, hormones and electrical signals. Natural and man-made substances can impact this balancing act.
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Your brain controls your body by synchronizing and directing the interaction between sensory organs, nerve cells, neurotransmitters and hormones. The medicines you take and the foods you eat may enhance or derail this complex balancing act.
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Good health depends on a complex interplay between chemicals that is precise and sometimes very subtle. Your body makes neurotransmitters using ingredients it manufactures or takes from your diet. Dietary supplements may promote or upset this complex process.
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Calcium is an essential mineral that can be found naturally in foods such as dairy products, added to foods such as soy milk, or as a dietary supplement as calcium carbonate or calcium citrate. Calcium carbonate is a mineral naturally derived from the earth's limestone, marble or sedimentation of crushed marine shells.
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Carbohydrates are one of three macronutrients in your diet -- the others are protein and fat. Carbohydrates are converted to glucose as the primary source of energy for your body.
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While most varieties of potato chips are naturally gluten- and dairy-free, some flavored styles may contain varying amounts of gluten or dairy.
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Over-the-road truckers and even those who deliver goods on a daily basis can be challenged to eat a healthy diet and by the monotony of fast food. Diners, truck stops, convenience and fast food options are often higher in calories, fat and sodium derailing the best of intentions when it comes to healthy eating.
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Obesity comes with its fair share of problems, a major one being back pain. While much of this can be due to the spine carrying excessive weight, some of the pain may be due to weakness of muscles around the area.
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Seeing people using the weight machines in the gym can be daunting - they all seem to know exactly what they're doing. One of the things you need to decide on is how many reps you're going to do per machine, and this all depends on the amount resistance selected or loaded onto the machine and your goals.
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Bikes and treadmills are both effective forms of cardiovascular exercise. Both come in a variety of sizes, brands and models, and both can come with adjustable settings for resistance, programs and times. Many models include pulse rate indicators on the handles.
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A multispeed bike allows you to comfortably ride at different speeds across varying terrain. Each speed on a bike refers to a different combination of gears. By changing the combination of these gears, you can make it more or less difficult to pedal.
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Psyllium husk is used as a fiber supplement and to bulk stool. Taken in high doses or without adequate water intake, fiber use can result in constipation or intestinal blockage. Take only in recommended doses and drink plenty of fluids in order to avoid associated complications.
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome causes persistent discomfort and disruption of normal bowel function. Managing IBS often focuses on living a healthier, lower-stress lifestyle but the effective combination of factors can vary widely between individuals.
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Antioxidants in your body are important to prevent damage from normal biological processes and environmental dangers. Alpha-lipoic acid is a natural chemical that functions as an antioxidant throughout your body and helps regenerate other natural antioxidants.
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Before the rise during industrialization of refrigeration, artificial preservatives, vacuum sealing and freeze drying, most foods were cured using a mixtures of salt and sugar. Sugar and salt curing is often combined with smoking.
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L-Arginine is a nonessential amino acid that is also involved in the production of nitric oxide, a biological signal that regulates blood flow. Many forms of L-arginine have been developed to improve absorption or enhance effectiveness.
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Though you may not like the name, horny goat weed can be beneficial to both men and women. Horny goat weed, also called epimedium, is thought to alter levels of certain hormones including estrogen. Epimedium can have complex effects in the body by elevating mood, energy and feelings of arousal.
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Proper levels of potassium are critical to how your heart and brain function. Low levels of potassium can interrupt electrical signals that drive the brain, causing confusion, sluggish thoughts and brain fog. The body tightly regulates potassium, so low potassium -- or hypokalemia -- is rare.
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Over time, toxins and other chemicals that cannot be eliminated as waste build up in your body. Dandelion root is a natural diuretic that may help remove water-soluble toxins from your body. When combined with weight loss, a healthy high fiber diet and exercise, dandelion root can help improve your overall health.
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Your body naturally produces creatine from amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Creatine produces energy for your muscle to sustain short-duration, intense exercise.
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