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.
Withania somnifera, called ashwagandha, is a member of the pepper family and grows naturally in India and Africa. Ashwagandha has extensive uses in Ayurveda, the traditional medical system of India.
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Melatonin, found both naturally in the body and in synthetic form, regulates the hormones associated with the body's natural circadian rhythm, an internal clock that controls normal sleep patterns.
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Olive leaf extract is a supplement used to boost your immune system. It acts as a natural pathogen killer, fighting various strains of bacteria, viruses and fungi.
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Alpha hydroxy acids include glycolic acid, citric acid and lactic acid, and are commonly included in various skin care products.
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Coconut oil has both advocates and detractors when it comes to health and nutrition; on one hand, its proponents claim that it can dramatically benefit the skin, hair, cardiac system, thyroid and digestive system, as well as seek out and inhibit free radicals that cause premature aging.
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Flax seed and flax seed oil are excellent sources of alpha-linolenic acid, which the body converts to essential omega-3 fatty acids. Flax seed has many health benefits, according to the Cleveland Clinic, including reducing blood triglyceride levels, blood pressure, blood clot formation and inflammatory response.
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Neem is used in Ayurvedic and homeopathic medicine to treat conditions such as peptic ulcer disease and tooth decay. The oil is used as a pesticide and as an ingredient is cosmetics.
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Aloe vera has a number of medicinal and cosmetic purposes, as it is effective in soothing the skin and reducing inflammation, according to Aloe-Vera-Research.org. Aloe vera comes from the aloe vera plant but is typically sold as a topical solution that is used for sunburns, rashes, acne and overall skin health.
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Chaste tree berry, or Vitex, comes from a small tree native to the Mediterranean and Central Asia. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine explains that women have used chaste tree berry for thousands of years to treat menstrual problems, infertility and other gynecological issues.
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Generally regarded as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, magnesium carbonate can be used in both foods and medicines. It's a form of magnesium, which you need in small amounts for good health.
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Omega-3 fatty acids are a healthy type of fat that is found in a variety of foods. Some people choose to supplement omega-3 fatty acids by taking fish oils as well. The reason that omega-3 fatty acids have become so popular in recent years is that they provide a plethora of nutritional benefits.
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If you take supplements such as Vitamin E or fish oil, you've probably encountered soft gel capsules. Usually oblong and translucent, these capsules have an appealing look and a smooth finish that makes them easier to swallow. But what are they, exactly?
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Zinc oxide is a white, powdery mineral that is used for making plastics and other textiles. It also appears in some cosmetics. This mineral is not soluble in water, but it does dissolve in acidic environments. It is known best in the United States as a primary ingredient in sunscreen lotions.
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Rosehip oil is extracted from the fruit seeds of the wild rose bush plant called Rosa affinis rubiginosa. Most rosehip oil extracts are derived from the wild plants grown in the southern Andean Mountains, in Chile and Argentina.
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Sodium acetate is the sodium salt of acetic acid. It has the chemical formula C2H3O2Na and is also known as sodium ethanoate. It is an inexpensive chemical that has a wide range of uses, including as a food additive and pickling agent or a laboratory reagent.
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Bag Balm is an ointment long used by dairy farmers to keep cow udders and teats supple and to treat minor abrasions. It contains petrolatum, lanolin and an antiseptic called 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate. In its distinctive square green tin, it has also become a popular treatment for dry, chapped hands in humans.
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Citric acid occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables, and serves as a natural preservative and flavoring in foods and drinks. Citric acid is also crucial in the Krebs cycle of human metabolism, involving the oxidation of fats, proteins and carbohydrates.
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Almost 20 percent of men who've tried to lose weight have tried weight-loss supplements, according to a study published in Obesity in April 2008.
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Sore muscles cause discomfort and pain and make it difficult to go about daily activities. Even simple movements are sometimes excruciating.
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When vitamin B3, or niacin, combines with amino acids of another molecule, the chemical reaction produces niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide or nicomide.
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