Amino acids are relatively small nitrogen-containing molecules that serve as building blocks for proteins and other organic compounds. Of the 22 amino acids in nature, 20 are present in your cells.
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Vitamin B-6 is found in three related forms in food -- pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine -- all of which are attached to a phosphate group when they get into your tissues. Nutritionist Dr. Elson Haas reports that pyridoxal phosphate is the most biologically active form of vitamin B-6.
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Fish oil supplements are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA and DHA. Because they confer a variety of health benefits, EPA and DHA have been the subjects of intense scientific scrutiny.
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Methotrexate is a strong medication used to treat a wide array of conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and various cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma and bone cancer. It is also employed in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy, a condition in which the pregnancy is growing outside the womb.
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5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, is one of several byproducts arising from the metabolism of the amino acid L-tryptophan. L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid, meaning your body cannot synthesize it and it must be obtained from your food.
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Riboflavin, or vitamin B-2, is a member of the B complex family. Riboflavin is a water-soluble, vibrantly yellow vitamin, which accounts for the fluorescent yellow-green urine of people who take vitamin B complex supplements.
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Amino acids are nitrogen-containing molecules that serve as the building blocks for proteins. Every protein possesses a unique sequence of amino acids that determines its structure and function. Your body contains hundreds of thousands of different proteins, each of which performs a specific task.
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Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland at the base of your brain. Its production and release is enhanced when you are in darkness and suppressed when you are exposed to bright light.
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Xanax, or alprazolam, is a member of the benzodiazepine family, which includes diazepam, chlordiazepoxide and midazolam. Benzodiazepines are used as sedatives, muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety agents and anti-convulsants. Some are used to enhance the effects of anesthesia.
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L-arginine and L-lysine are amino acids that coexist in many protein-rich foods, such as tuna, watercress, nuts and soy. Your body uses amino acids to manufacture structural proteins, hormones, enzymes, antibodies and other important molecules.
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Table sugar, or sucrose, is a dietary sweetener derived from a variety of plant sources, including sugarcane and sugar beets. Nutritionists classify sucrose as a simple sugar, because your body easily and quickly digests and assimilates it.
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Bovine pituitary extract, or BPE, is a filtered, water-based extract of fresh pituitary glands from cattle. As a source of growth factors and hormones, BPE is used in tissue culture research to support various cell lines, such as skin, breast, lung and prostate.
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Alfalfa sprouts, usually eaten raw, can be dangerous to consume if you are pregnant, a child or elderly, due to the dangers of salmonella, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. If you prepare raw sprouts correctly, you can reduce your risk of food-borne illness.
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Coconut oil is a vegetable oil that is made from the coconut of the palm tree. Much has been reported about the potential health benefits of coconut oil, which range from weight loss, skin treatment and hair health to blood sugar control and heart health benefits.
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It will not hurt a healthy person to take a hot or a cold shower, but either one can increase your heart rate. Another factor that can add to this is worry about getting to work on time and the problems you have to deal with when you get there. Hurry makes you move faster, and this too can increase your heart rate.
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Like other yeasts, brewer’s yeast is a fungus. The scientific names for the fungi in brewer's yeast are Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces boulardii. It is a bitter-tasting yeast product used in the beer-making process, and is also a popular nutritional supplement.
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Inositol is a vitamin you are able to make from glucose, and it is also available in whole grain foods. Choline is a water soluble nutritional substance that also can be synthesized in your body. No specific deficiency condition or syndrome has yet been reported for either inositol or choline.
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An autoimmune condition results when your immune system attacks your own body. Antibodies are formed against a particular type of tissue much as though it were a bacteria or virus. This causes your system to launch an inflammatory response. There is no simple, single cause for autoimmune disorders.
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Your liver is the most complex organ in your body. It works as a filter for toxins, keeps the blood glucose at a normal level, produces bile for digestion, stores nutrients and manufactures some blood proteins.
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Magnesium provides a wealth of benefits to humans, with more than 300 enzymes depending on sufficient stores of this key mineral to function correctly.
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