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.
A plant native to the mountains of the Mediterranean, lavender today is cultivated around the world. Known for its delicate scent and calming effects, it is a common ingredient in soaps, hair products and sachets, and can also be applied to your body as an essential oil.
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Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Some people experience hypothyroidism as a result of an autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks its own cells, resulting in diminished thyroid hormone excretion.
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The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland that sits at the front of your throat. Your thyroid uses the mineral iodine and the amino acid tyrosine to produce two primary thyroid hormones known as T3 and T4. These hormones influence the rate at which your body uses energy -- your metabolic rate.
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Low levels of iron in the blood cause a condition known as iron-deficiency anemia, which results in fatigue, irritability and an increased heart rate. If you have anemia, you may need to introduce more iron into your diet.
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Peanut oil, made by pressing peanuts, has a rich flavor, several health benefits, as well as some negative side effects. You can drizzle it on your salad at lunch or use it as a cooking oil to add flare to your chicken entree.
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In its native tropical environment, the coconut, or Cocos nucifera, is a source of food and is used in traditional medicine to treat skin infections, upset stomach, wounds, bronchitis and coughs. Coconut oil may have anti-inflammatory and fever-reducing abilities.
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From crash dieting to eating fast food on the run, teens often lack crucial nutrients in their diets. Getting enough iron is especially important for teen girls, who need more many other populations.
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Adderall, or dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, can be a godsend for people who have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, but it may complicate things for serious athletes. If you only work out casually to stay in shape, you really don't need supplements.
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Edema is the retention of fluids in the body. Common signs include swelling, mostly in the feet, ankles and legs, and sometimes, the face and fingers may appear puffy. Edema is most common in pregnant women and the elderly, but anyone can develop this symptom.
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Lysine is an amino acid essential to human life. It can be obtained by eating animal protein, eggs, dairy products and beans. If you do not eat much of these foods, you may need to take supplemental lysine, which is often available in the form of L-lysine.
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Acne is caused by the overproduction of sebum, an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands in the skin. Excess oil makes the skin pores sticky, allowing dirt and sebum to become trapped inside. When these bacteria stay below the skin surface, a whitehead is formed.
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Omega-3 fatty acids can be taken at any time of day. Although their side effects are minimal, it may be most pleasant to take them in the evenings.
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Centrum is one of the largest multivitamin brands in the United States. Centrum manufactures multivitamins for kids, adult women, adult men, seniors and people with special health concerns such as heart problems. Their vitamins come in capsules, tablets, chewable and liquid forms for adults and children.
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Type 2 diabetes mellitus or adult-onset diabetes is a chronic disease that is becoming increasingly common. This metabolic condition develops when your body does not produce adequate levels of the hormone insulin, which transports sugar, or glucose, from the blood into the cells where it can be used for energy.
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Amino acids are nutrients that make up protein, and phenylalanine is an amino acid. L-phenylalanine is the natural form found in protein-rich foods. D-phenylalanine is the synthetic mirror image.
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Lactobacillus acidophilus is a type of bacteria that exists naturally in the human body. Deemed a "friendly bacteria," the presence of acidophilus bacteria is a good thing, as the probiotic protects against disease-causing bacteria. Among the many types of probiotics, acidophilus is the most commonly used.
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Vitamin B-12 supplements come in a variety of forms, including patches, oral tablets and sublingual lozenges. Vitamin B-12 lozenges placed directly under the tongue dissolve in the saliva, and the body absorbs the vitamin through the tissues in the mouth.
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Intrinsic factor, or IF, is an enzyme-like compound produced by parietal cells in your stomach. It is required to absorb dietary vitamin B-12 within your intestines. As people age, many lose function of their parietal cells, which reduces the production of IF and hydrochloric acid.
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Vitamin B-12 is dietary or supplemental nutrient that you rely on for bodily processes that include red blood cell and DNA formation, as well as normal function of your nervous system. If you have a B-12 deficiency, you can develop a number of symptoms related to neuropathy, or damage to your nerve function.
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L-glutamine and l-arginine are both conditionally essential amino acids. This means that although the body is able to produce them, during times of stress the body may not produce enough. Each of these amino acids is found in high amounts in dairy foods and meat, and both amino acids can be supplemented.
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