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.
Occipital neuralgia is pain resulting from trauma to the lesser and/or greater occipital nerves, located in the back of the head. This pain can be felt in the upper back, neck and behind the ears and is usually sharp and shock-like in nature. Numbness can also occur in these regions.
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Vitamin B-12 helps your body produce red blood cells, and aids in transporting oxygen to energize your body. Thus, this vitamin does not make you tired. On the contrary, vitamin B-12 can help fight fatigue, because it prevents the fatigue-inducing anemia associated with a B-12 deficiency.
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An enema is not a very pleasant experience, but it certainly gets the job done. Enemas are used to clean out the lower part of the colon from leftover fecal matter that coagulates along the walls of the colon.
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B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin that appears naturally in many animal-based foods. Vitamin B-12 controls your body’s ability to produce red blood cells and synthesize DNA, and it also impacts your neurological functioning.
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L-tyrosine and L-dopa are two substances that differ slightly in their chemical structure and biological function but are linked by the processes your body uses to convert one substance into another to meet its needs.
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A 50-milligram dose of zinc exceeds the tolerable upper intake level for zinc for every age group, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Unless your doctor has specifically instructed you to take this dose, you should not take 50-milligram zinc supplements.
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Saw palmetto is a palm-like plant indigenous to the southeastern United States from South Carolina to Florida. Also known as shrub palmetto, this small, bushy tree produces purplish-black berries that are used in herbal medicine to treat enlarged prostate in men triggered by low testosterone.
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Egg yolks are not a good source of dietary calcium. A good source of a nutrient provides 10 to 19 percent of its daily value, or DV, while an excellent source provides at least 20 percent of its DV, according to the Food and Drug Administration. A single egg yolk provides only 2 percent of the DV of calcium.
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Too much soda can rob your body of the potassium it needs to function normally. Potassium plays a crucial role in muscle contraction, including your heart and digestive tract. A lower-than-normal level of potassium is called hypokalemia. A small drop in potassium can be asymptomatic, while a bid drop can be fatal.
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While everyone experiences aching, painful feet from time to time, chronic pain in your feet may be a sign of an underlying medical condition or nutritional deficiency. There's not much evidence linking vitamin D deficiency specifically to foot pain.
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Fish oil contains two brain chemicals that are commonly found in individuals suffering from depression: EPA and DHA. Although some studies have linked fish oil supplements with reduced symptoms of depression, the long-term effect of these chemicals on depression and other mood disorders remains largely unknown.
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Plant foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains contain compounds that are beneficial to human health. They include antioxidants that prevent disease-causing oxidative damage that can result from chemical exposure and natural body processes.
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Turmeric, a rhizome related to ginger root, has been a staple of traditional Chinese and Indian medicine and cuisine for thousands of years. Commonly available dried and ground into a powder, turmeric is inexpensive and readily available in most grocery-store spice sections.
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You may know that turkey, especially white meat, is a better choice for people whose primary concern is cutting saturated fat and cholesterol. But if your doctor suggests you get more iron in your diet to counteract the fatigue and weakness associated with iron deficiency, “beefing up” your diet may be a smart choice.
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Creatine is a dietary supplement promoted for enhancing athletic performance. It's commonly available in the form of creatine monohydrate. During high-intensity, short-duration exercise, creatine -- a protein building block -- is converted to a major source of fuel for the body.
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B-complex vitamins are found in a variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as poultry, eggs, fish and meat. Following the recommended dietary guidelines set by the USDA can ensure you are getting enough of these vitamins daily.
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The muscles in your hands receive inputs from motor neurons, nerves that stimulate muscle contraction. Damage to these motor nerves can cause abnormal nerve signalling to your hand muscles, leading to uncontrolled hand movement or shaking hands.
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Lactobacillus acidophilus is an important strain of bacteria that works with your gut to digest food and absorb nutrients. If you suffer from diarrhea or constipation, you may want to look into acidophilus tablets, commonly sold in supplement form. In your body, acidophilus feeds on the soluble fiber, pectin.
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Acetaminophen is a commonly prescribed pain reliever available in prescription and over-the-counter dosages. Melatonin is a popular nutritional supplement that is helpful for sleep.
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Research shows that we have many types of bacteria in our bodies, both good and bad. Probiotics are healthy bacteria in our gut that, when ingested, promote positive effects on the host.
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