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.
Mulberry has been used in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for centuries. In recent years, extracts of the leaf and roots have gained attention for their potential in regulating carbohydrate and glucose metabolism. Some components of the plant may even have anti-cancer benefits.
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The neem tree is an evergreen tree, related to the mahogany tree, found in India, Burma and Pakistan. Neem flowers have a variety of uses, including aromatherapy, cosmetics, health remedies and cooking.
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With its exotic name and a reputation for boosting libido and increasing longevity, it's no wonder that ashwagandha has captured the attention of the American public.
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A Power Twister bar is a piece of exercise equipment composed of two metal rods with molded grips and a metal spring coil between them. It's approximately 27 inches long, weighs about 4 lbs. and is available with various degrees of tension in the spring.
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Garcinia kola or bitter kola is a tree that grows in the rain forests of west Africa. The fruit, seeds, nuts and bark of the plant have been used for centuries in folk medicine to treat ailments from coughs to fever.
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Turkey rhubarb has been used in China for over 2,000 years. Today, in the United States, the supplement is used most commonly as a laxative. Modern research shows that turkey rhubarb root may have potential as a treatment for a number of conditions.
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Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid. However, unlike other amino acids, taurine is not a constituent of any protein. Instead, it exists free in intracellular fluids.
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Seal oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have an array of benefits for human beings. A deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet can lead to heart and cardiovascular disease and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
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Kelp, a type of seaweed that grows in colder ocean regions, relies on the sun for development. Shallow, coastal waters in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans are primary sources of this nutrient-rich plant. Powdered kelp is often found encapsulated for easy ingestion.
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D-biotin is the naturally occurring, biologically active form of the B vitamin biotin. It's involved in lipid, protein and carbohydrate metabolism.
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Chia seeds are the fruit of Salvia hispanica, a plant native to Central and South America. In addition to serving as food and medicine, the ancient Aztecs valued the seeds so much that they were used as currency. Today, the seeds are reputed to promote weight loss and reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.
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The herbs saw palmetto, pygeum and nettle root all have been used to treat men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, a condition also known as an enlarged prostate. The herbs can be taken alone or together to help relieve some of the bothersome symptoms of BPH, including nighttime urination and difficulty urinating.
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According to the University of Michigan Health System, maca root supplements are typically prescribed for the treatment of male infertility as well as other minor health ailments.
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In recent years, yogurt and kefir have become popular foods because of the medical community's acknowledgment of the benefits of probiotics found in these foods. Probiotics are simply "good bacteria,"
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Many manufacturers offer weight loss products containing green tea extract and hoodia. While research shows that both of these supplements may contribute to a weight loss program, neither has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for weight loss.
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Vitamins are needed to support a healthy body. In large amounts, however, certain vitamins can be toxic, leading to a condition called vitamin toxicity or vitamin poisoning. The dosage at which toxicity occurs, and the symptoms of toxicity, depend on the vitamin.
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If you notice white spots on your nail plate, it’s not necessarily a cause for worry. The spots, called leukonychia, are often caused by small injuries to the nail base—you might have had a rough manicure or pinched it in a drawer as long as six weeks ago.
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Herbal remedies have been around for ages, and horsetail is no exception. Known by the botanical name Equisetum, horsetail is a prehistoric plant with distinctive hollow stems. It contains silicon -- a substance that plays a role in keeping bones strong -- according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
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Alpha-hydroxy acids are naturally occurring acids that are derived from plant sugars. Alpha-hydroxy acids are often used in cosmetics to increase skin cell turnover, exfoliate dead cells from the surface of the skin, and improve the skin’s ability to maintain moisture.
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Liquid iodine is an amazingly useful substance, finding applications around the home, in the research laboratory and at modern hospitals. Pure iodine is a bluish-black crystal, although it is rarely found in this form.
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