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.
Spinach is a leafy green vegetable rich in vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, antioxidants and phytochemicals. One of the many nutrients found in spinach is potassium, an essential mineral and electrolyte. Normal functioning of the human body depends on tight regulation of potassium inside and outside of the cells.
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Carotenoids are highly pigmented compounds found in a variety of foods. Beta carotene is a carotenoid that is considered a provitamin because within your body beta carotene is converted into vitamin A, the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements reports.
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Vitamin E oil and aloe vera are commonly used by alternative health proponents to treat and prevent a variety of skin ailments, such as psoriasis and shingles.
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If you suffer from headaches and have a low intake of vitamin D, you may actually have a vitamin D deficiency. Some types of headaches are linked to vitamin D deficiencies although the exact relationship is unclear.
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It's not uncommon to notice spots on your fingernails. They are called leukonychia, and they appear as small white spots or streaks on your nails. If you've been sick or haven't been eating well and you develop spots on your fingernails, you might wonder if they're caused by a vitamin deficiency.
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Type 2 diabetics are typically given metformin to help manage their blood sugar levels. Metformin is typically taken with a meal unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Adverse effects include muscle pain, numbness of your extremities, difficulty breathing and stomach upset.
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Glutamine is one of 20 amino acids that help form all internal proteins and perform various other jobs inside your body. Gamma aminobutyric acid, or GABA, is a type of chemical called a neurotransmitter that plays a prominent role in information transfer between the cells of your nervous system.
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Prawns are a shrimp-like shellfish in the biological group of marine animals known as the decapods. Despite some anatomical differences between true shrimp and prawns, these closely related creatures are nearly identical from a nutritional perspective, due to similar feeding habits and body composition.
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Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, increase the brain’s levels of the mood-enhancing neurotransmitter serotonin. L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid that forms the starting point for serotonin synthesis.
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Although your body absorbs about 30 percent of the calcium from the foods and beverages you consume, the amount can vary. Other factors affect the rate of absorption as well as the amount of calcium the body excretes in sweat, urine and feces.
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Apple cider vinegar may be a common household item but it's also used in numerous home remedies. Only limited research has been conducted on the benefits of apple cider vinegar and even fewer on vinegar pills.
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Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are a class of antidepressant drugs that historically succeeded the older antidepressants tricyclics and MAO inhibitors. Unlike the older antidepressants, SSRIs target the mood-enhancing neurotransmitter serotonin specifically. Some individuals do not respond to SSRIs.
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The adrenal gland secretes DHEA, dehydroepiandrosterone, into the body. DHEA is a steroid precursor to sex hormones, androgen and estrogen. DHEA supplementation heightens sexual drive and energy, increases muscle growth and induces weight loss, according to MedlinePlus.
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Diabetics who poorly manage their disease might develop a life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis, which is characterized by nausea or vomiting, dry mouth, fruity breath, deep rapid breathing and abdominal pain. Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when fat and protein is used as the body’s main energy source.
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If you experience bad dreams or nightmares frequently, there are some herbal supplements that you will want to avoid. Nightmares are a universal experience and account for up to 70 percent of all dreams in adults.
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Beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A, which means that your body is able to use it to synthesize retinol if your liver has storage space for it. If your body contains enough vitamin A as retinol, beta-carotene is not converted.
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The next time you're trekking along a cobblestone street, take heart that the uneven terrain is actually a boon to your own fitness. If you kick off your sandals, your feet and body will get an even better workout. The uneven surfaces of stone paths are commonly used for wellness as "reflexology paths,"
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In today's busy world, a lack of energy is a common complaint. The market is flush with energy supplements in liquid and pill form, derived from a long list of energy-increasing herbal extracts and other chemicals, particularly caffeine.
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While your immune system works hard to keep harmful bacteria out, many species of "friendly" bacteria live in harmony within your digestive system. Known as probiotics, these helpful microorganisms contribute to the health of the "host." Some strains of probiotics are found in fermented foods like yogurt and miso.
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Vitamins, which are essential to the body, can come in various forms including tablets and soft gel capsules. The differences between soft gel caps and tablets range from size to rate of absorption. In addition, some people prefer soft gel caps because they are easily swallowed due to their slick exterior.
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