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.
Your skin contains a rich supply of blood vessels that nourish your skin, as well as sensory nerve endings that support your sense of touch. Constriction or dilation of these blood vessels can affect your nerves; dilated blood vessels can activate warmth-sensing nerves, while constriction can lead to a cold sensation.
Read more →
Thanks to its affordability and versatility in the kitchen, pasta makes up a staple in the average American diet. In fact, the average American consumes 20 pounds of it annually, according to North Dakota State University.
Read more →
Consuming protein after exercise can help you build lean muscle, says University of Massachusetts Department of Nutrition head Dr. Nancy Cohen. Because of their convenience, shakes made from protein powder such as Gold Standard 100 Percent Whey Protein are popular post-workout choices.
Read more →
Calcium is essential to a variety of physiological processes. The body doesn't produce calcium, so you must get enough calcium from your diet. Adults up to age 50 should get at least 1,000 mg of calcium per day, and adults over 50 should get at least 1,200 mg daily.
Read more →
The type of fat you use for cooking is important because not all fats are created equal, and some fats should not be heated at high temperatures. For example, extra-virgin olive oil loses its precious vitamin E and other phenolic compounds, which are a type of antioxidants, when heated.
Read more →
Castor oil is an extremely powerful laxative, functioning as both a bowel irritant and a stool lubricant. Used primarily as a treatment for severe, persistent constipation, castor oil is notorious for causing serious and uncomfortable side effects.
Read more →
Ongoing controversy has surrounded vitamin B15, or pangamic acid, in determining the compound’s structure and its classification as a vitamin. Although not readily available in the United States, vitamin B15 is marketed as an antioxidant that stimulates cellular respiration.
Read more →
Indigenous to India and North Africa, Trigonella foenum-graecum, more commonly known as fenugreek, is used in traditional medicine for treating arthritis and sexual dysfunction. Fenugreek may increase sexual arousal and testosterone levels and enhance athletic performance in men.
Read more →
Copper and zinc are two essential nutrients metals. Copper is important for keeping your heart healthy, brain development and healthy bones. Zinc is an immune-system booster and ensures that your body stays healthy.
Read more →
The plant Curcuma longa is the source of turmeric, one of the spices in curry and a substance also used as an herbal remedy for various health conditions. The chemical curcumin in turmeric provides the herb's taste, distinctive yellow color and potential medicinal properties.
Read more →
Ovaltine is a brand of drink mix, available in malt and chocolate flavors, that contains essential vitamins and minerals. Kids and adults drink Ovaltine as a warm or cold beverage. Consumed in moderation, it offers health benefits by providing considerable amounts of several vitamins and minerals.
Read more →
Sloppy joes are barbecue-style sandwiches that consist of ground beef and sauce. The canned sauce contains ingredients such as sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, preservatives and thickening agents. The beef is also usually a high-fat variety that is quite greasy.
Read more →
Multivitamins -- which contain up to the recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals -- are sold in combinations suitable for children, adults and senior citizens. Adult multivitamins are manufactured to contain the recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals suitable for adults up to age 50.
Read more →
Coconut oil is primarily made of saturated fat, like butter, which is why it is solid at room temperature. The more saturated a particular fat is, the higher its melting point and the more likely it is to be solid at room temperature.
Read more →
Cutting, a common practice among fitness competitors and bodybuilders, involves restricting calorie intake to cut fat so that you look as lean as possible on competition day. Many bodybuilders take dietary supplements, including creatine, during the cutting phase.
Read more →
The supplement methylsulfonylmethane, sometimes called MSM, is a sulfur compound promoted as useful for health conditions involving pain and inflammation.
Read more →
Since flax is extra high in omega-3 fatty acids, it's known as beneficial to lowering LDL cholesterol levels, may boost immunity and as a dietary supplement can reduce dry skin and eczema breakouts. Most healthy oils, including the essential fatty oils found in flax, have a short shelf life.
Read more →
Nexium is the brand name for osomeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, a condition in which acidic stomach contents flow backwards into the esophagus. Nexium is also prescribed to treat peptic ulcers and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Read more →
Cholecalciferol, also called vitamin D-3, is a fat-soluble vitamin that is necessary for the maintenance of a healthy body. Your body makes cholecalciferol when your skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun, according to MayoClinic.com.
Read more →
Dehydration is the excess loss of water and salts from the body. Dehydration can be caused by not drinking enough fluids, diarrhea, vomiting, sweating and excessive urination. Your body needs water and fluids to maintain enough blood, electrolytes and bodily functions.
Read more →