Vitamins and supplements like melatonin and fish oil offer health benefits but can cause side effects if misused. Learn about the impact of saw palmetto on blood pressure and find the best multivitamins for young women and adults over 50.
According to the National Institutes of Health, Xanax is a benzodiazepine medication that is prescribed to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Xanax is very addictive and can have serious side effects, including a fatal overdose. Certain medications such as anti-depressants can interact adversely with the drug.
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Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant created by your cells to fight destructive free radicals. Glutathione helps create lymphocytes, the cells of your immune system, which keep your body's defenses strong and producing antibodies.
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Docohexaenoic acid, or DHA, is an omega-3 fatty acid. You may recognize it as a heart-healthy nutrient, but DHA also benefits pregnant mothers and their developing infants. There is no official dietary reference intake, or DRI, specifically for DHA.
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Because your body doesn't make L-lysine on its own, you must get this amino acid from foods or supplements. You need about 1 gram of L-lysine per day, according to New York University Langone Medical Center, but people who eat protein-rich diets tend to get enough without supplementation.
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Many people turn to herbs for medicinal use as an alternative to commercially produced medications. Goldenseal and echinacea are two of the most commonly purchased herbs in the United States, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
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Fish oil, a supplement rich in omega-3 fatty acids frequently touted for its protective effects on the heart, isn't right for everyone. In fact, fish oil may cause negative side effects particularly when used by people with diabetes -- a condition characterized by unusually high blood sugar levels.
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Many people do not consume enough magnesium. This mineral is essential for proper bodily function and may also improve the effectiveness of conventional treatments for a number of medical conditions, including childhood asthma, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
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Cod liver oil can provide many benefits for the breast-feeding mother and her infant, but there are concerns about whether supplementation is safe. On one side of the controversy are those who think levels of omega-3 fats and vitamin D make cod liver oil the best choice for nursing mothers to obtain these nutrients.
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Two thoughts often come to mind when a person hears the term, "vitamin D,": bone health and depression.
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Psyllium and flaxseeds can both be found in health food stores. Each product claims to provide different health benefits. Although they are both a source of fiber, their nutrition profile is quite different.
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During the last trimester of your pregnancy, you may deal with physical discomfort, lack of sleep, leg cramps, backaches, shortness of breath and loss of bladder control when you laugh or sneeze. Sex may be awkward and the baby's movements and positions may prove uncomfortable.
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DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, is a hormone produced by the body and secreted by the adrenal glands. DHEA functions as a biological precursor to androgens and estrogens, the male and female sex hormones.
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When a female mosquito bites you, she extracts up to 0.01 milliliters of blood in order to help her eggs mature before they hatch. Unfortunately, she leaves behind a red, itchy bump, a result of an allergic reaction to her saliva.
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Omega-3 fatty acids are best known for their variety of potential health benefits. However, as with many other nutrients, consuming high doses can be detrimental, potentially causing problems such as altered immune function and increased risk for prostate cancer.
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Hyperkalemia is a condition in which the levels of potassium in the blood stream are abnormally high. Because the normal range for the level of potassium is narrow, small changes in the level of this electrolyte can have significant health effects. The treatment of hyperkalemia involves the use of several drugs.
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If you have an ear infection, use coconut oil to clear up the infection instead of taking a course of antibiotics. A study published in the November 2008 edition of “Dermatitis” found that coconut oil is an effective remedy for treating viral and fungal infections.
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Numerous vitamins are essential for producing a healthy glow and youthful appearance on your skin. The most essential nutrients include vitamins A, C, E and the B-complex vitamins. Which one of these is the most important for you to add to your list of supplements?
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Graviola, also known as guanaba, Brazilina pawpaw and soursop, is the green, heart-shaped fruit from a tree found in the rain forests of South America and Southeast Asia. It is reputed to have a number of health benefits.
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Flax seeds are an ancient crop cultivated for thousands of years. Their popularity has been renewed with the widespread interest in healthy foods over the past few decades. Most brown flax seeds are grown in Canada, the world leader in flax production. The golden variety is mainly grown in the U.S.
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Vitamins are essential for normal growth and development and for many chemical reactions in your body. Vitamins B6 and B12 are water soluble, meaning they cannot be made or be stored in your body and must be obtained from your diet regularly.
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