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.
Vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin available through some foods or as a supplement. Your body needs sufficient vitamin B-12 levels to properly copy DNA, regulate neurological function and replicate red blood cells, according to the National Institute of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements.
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Vitamin D is made by your skin when it is exposed to the ultraviolet light of the sun. Sunscreen use, seasonal changes and time spent outdoors can alter vitamin D levels. Darker skin contains more melanin, which equates to greater protection against ultraviolet radiation exposure.
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Injectable vitamin B12, or cyanocobalamin, is used to treat or prevent deficiencies in people who are unable to absorb the oral form from the intestines. Although vitamin B12 can be injected under the skin, the preferred method is the intramuscular route.
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Sulfur is a naturally occurring mineral that may be beneficial in the treatment of skin disorders, arthritis and interstitial cystitis, an inflammatory bladder condition. There are two major forms of sulfur supplements: MSM, or methylsulfonylmethane, and DMSO, or dimethyl sulfoxide.
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Itchy ears are a common and irritating problem. The source of the itch can include yeast infection, dermatitis, excessive wax buildup, allergy or atypical dryness.
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Vitamin D and calcium aid in bone growth and remodeling, and are essential for proper functioning of the heart, nerves and muscles.
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"Looking a little long in the tooth" used to be a saying to politely describe an older person. This was because receding gums--a sign of advanced periodontal disease--were very common. They phrase may have fallen out of favor, but peridontal disease remains a serious public health threat.
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Over age 50, natural changes in the digestive tract make it difficult to absorb a sufficient quantity of some nutrients, such as vitamin B-12, even if you get plenty through your diet. Additionally, the recommended intake for calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B-6 increases for women at age 51.
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Each day, millions of Americans take dietary supplements in an effort to boost or maintain their health. Because all supplements have the capacity to cause side effects, it's necessary to take a cautious approach.
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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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Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk in a number of health complications including high blood pressure, and heart and liver disease. However, when alcohol is consumed in moderation, especially red wine, there may be some health-related protective benefits.
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Castor oil is extracted from the bean of the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis). It is a mild laxative and is also used in alternative medicine for rheumatism, hair care, menstrual problems and as an anti-inflammatory. It may also be beneficial for the skin.
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The lingzhi mushroom, also known as the red reishi mushroom, was revered in ancient Eastern medicine and hailed as the "mushroom of immortality" and the "medicine of kings." The scientific name for the lingzhi species of mushroom is Ganoderma lucidum.
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Adults who do not receive the recommended 5 to 15 micrograms of vitamin D each day may be at risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency, the Office of Dietary Supplements reports. In the absence of appropriate vitamin D levels, your body may be more susceptible to certain bone conditions, such as osteoporosis.
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Zinc is an essential mineral that is necessary for growth and overall health. Signs of zinc deficiency may include slow healing of wounds, minimized capacity to ward off infections, poor night vision and a decline in the sensitivity of taste buds.
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Losing weight requires that you burn more calories than you consume. You can use a combination of physical activity and dieting to achieve this balance. Although no magic supplement exists for weight loss, some evidence suggests that taking a multivitamin may help you burn more calories.
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Calcium is an essential mineral found primarily in the body’s bones and teeth, but it is also useful in maintaining muscle function and supporting the heart.
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A girl's teenage years are an important period of physical growth, reproductive development and cognitive maturation. Adolescent girls deal with the pressures of school and social life and an often demanding schedule of studying, sports and social engagements.
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Fish oil tablets are extolled for their health benefits because they contain the essential building block Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have been widely discussed as beneficial to many aspects of health.
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a mental health condition associated with low serotonin levels in the brain. A January 2008 "Nutrition Journal" article indicates that using nutrients to increase serotonin likely produces a reduction of symptoms associated with OCD.
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