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.
Red panax ginseng extractum is the extract of a form of panax ginseng, a perennial plant that grows in Russia, China and Korea. Known as red, panax, Asian or Korean ginseng, it is used as a tonic in traditional herbal medicine. Panax ginseng is one of the most highly studied herbs.
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As a health conscious woman, you know you need a variety of vitamins throughout your life to keep your body functioning at top level. As a 24-year-old, your vitamin needs have changed since you were a teen. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you’ll need to increase your intake of certain vitamins.
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Sodium citrate is used to treat a condition called metabolic acidosis. In metabolic acidosis, the acidity of the blood, urine and other bodily fluids becomes too high; it occurs when the kidney is excreting too little acid, or the body is producing too much acid.
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Available in powder, flake and tablet form, spirulina -- a type of blue-green algae -- has high concentrations of phytonutrients, amino acids, vitamins and minerals.
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Fish are a nutritious source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to promote a healthy cardiovascular system and reduce the risk of heart disease. As an alternative to fish consumption, omega-3 fatty acids and other fish oils can be extracted from fish products and offered as fish oil supplements.
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Croscarmellose sodium is a commonly used matrix to deliver drugs to the intestines. Stabilizing sodium carboxymethylcellulose produces croscarmellose sodium. The Food and Drug Administration has approved croscarmellose sodium for use as an inactive ingredient in any pharmaceutical.
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Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug that is illegal in the United States. This drug causes the brain to rapidly release dopamine, a neurotransmitter chemical that causes feelings of euphoria, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
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The amount of guar gum added to foods is considered safe, but over-the-counter supplements can cause side effects, from temporary gut problems to the more serious risk of blocking the throat or intestine. Talk to your doctor before taking guar gum if you’re diabetic or use prescription medications.
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Your physician may recommend that you take fish oil capsules if you have high cholesterol levels, particularly the component of cholesterol known as triglycerides. These fatty substances can cause your circulatory system to become blocked, or the build up of them may narrow your blood vessels.
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Calcium propionate is an antifungal that your body is thought to process relatively easily. The Center for Science in the Public Interest indicates that calcium propionate is added to bread products to prevent mold growth.
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Glandular fever or infectious mononucleosis is a viral disease caused by the Epstein Barr virus. It leads to symptoms such as sore throat, fever, fatigue, weight loss and loss of appetite. The infection is usually spread by saliva and the symptoms last for two to three weeks or longer.
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Acid reflux occurs when stomach contents flow backward – or reflux – into the esophagus. While your stomach has a thick layer of neutralizing mucous to protect it from the acid it secretes, your esophagus does not. The result? Heartburn.
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Sodium alginate may help improve weight loss when combined with a reduced-calorie diet, according to a study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in 2012. This supplement made from seaweed is also included in some antacids because the gel it forms can help protect your esophagus from stomach acid.
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Magnesium taurate is touted as an ideal supplement to treat magnesium deficiency. Magnesium deficiency is thought to exacerbate hormonal pain, headaches, diabetes and heart problems, while taurate is a compound naturally found in your stomach bile, which aids the breakdown of material you ingest.
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About one-half of U.S. adults take dietary supplements, with multivitamin-mineral products, calcium supplements and omega-3 or fish oil being the most common choices, reports a March 2013 article in "JAMA Internal Medicine."
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Sports supplement manufacturers make a variety of claims regarding products. Some of these claims are accurate, while others are unproved. In the case of aspartic acid, also called DAA, manufacturers claim it boosts testosterone and builds muscle. There is no clinical evidence to support this claim, however.
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Magnesium is considered to the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body, notes the National Institutes of Health. Magnesium is commonly found in green, leafy vegetables and shouldn’t cause an allergic reaction when you get it from foods.
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Glucose tolerance factor chromium, more commonly called chromium GTF, is a mineral that is frequently used in bodybuilding, athletic and weight-loss supplements. However, the jury is still out on how effective this supplement is when used for these purposes.
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Often referred to as Laetrile, B17 is considered by many alternative medicine enthusiasts to be an effective cancer treatment.
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If you experience recurrent episodes of heartburn or indigestion, your doctor may recommend treatment with an antacid called magnesium trisilicate. Typically, magnesium trisilicate is used in conjunction with another antacid called aluminum hydroxide to neutralize acid in your stomach.
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