Supplements Guide: Side Effects & Best Multivitamins

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.

St John's wort tea

Are There Supplements to Take to Increase Endorphins?

Endorphins are natural substances that your brain manufactures to control pain and stress levels. A variety of foods contain certain building blocks from which endorphins and compounds that promote the production of endorphins are made.

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Sports Drink...Caution

The Dangers of Zipfizz Liquid Shot

The Zipfizz liquid shot is a low-calorie energy drink that is purported to provide up to six hours of energy. This low-carbohydrate, sugar-free drink contains caffeine as well as B vitamins and other nutrients that may help enhance your alertness and energy levels.

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Pile of tan pills

Vitamin B-12 Deficiency & Bruising

Vitamin B-12 is an essential, water-soluble vitamin needed for the formation of healthy blood cells, DNA and neurological functioning. It’s found naturally in abundance in animal products like fish, chicken, eggs, milk and meat. It’s also added to fortified cereals.

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Close-up of assorted pills and capsules on a pill box

List of Toxic Ingredients Used in Vitamin Supplements

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, millions of people worldwide are taking vitamins to supplement their diets or for potential health benefits. Unfortunately, it might be dangerous to consume the wrong types, quantities or brand of vitamin supplements.

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Capsules and a sprig of mint

Calcium Supplements for Breastfeeding Moms

If you are breastfeeding you do not need a significantly higher calcium intake to provide your baby with more calcium. Breastfeeding mothers need calcium to recover bone density lost during pregnancy, according to eMedTV.

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Doctor checking thyroid glands of sick girl

Potassium & Hypothyroidism

The thyroid gland -- located in the neck -- produces thyroid hormones, which help in maintaining a normal metabolic rate, facilitating protein synthesis, regulation of bone growth and control of brain cell maturation. Hypothyroidism is defined as low thyroid hormone in the blood.

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Mixed Race woman sleeping in bed

Does Vitamin B12 Deficiency Cause Insomnia?

All the foods that we eat can affect our bodies both physically and mentally. B vitamins are necessary for proper digestion, metabolism, growth, immune system and mental health. In particular, adequate vitamin B-12 intake is needed for healthy brain and neurological functioning.

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Fish oil on wooden spoon with wooden background

Oil Vs. Capsule Forms of Fish Oil

As study after study documents the mental, cognitive and physical benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil supplements, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, have steadily grown in use, surpassing even multivitamins in popularity, according to the February 2011 “Orlando Sentinel.

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Apple cider vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar Hurts My Stomach

Apple cider vinegar is made from apples and used in various culinary or medicinal applications. Manufacturers make it by smashing apples, adding yeast to ferment the apples into alcohol and then treating the alcohol mixture with special bacteria.

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Effect of Milk Thistle Supplements on ALT Levels

Milk thistle supplements are made from silybum marianum, a plant that has been used historically to treat liver and gall bladder disorders. It's also known as holy thistle, Marian thistle, Mary thistle, Our Lady’s thistle, St. Mary thistle, and wild artichoke.

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How to Take Vitamin B12 Orally

Vitamin B12, part of the vitamin B family, is mainly responsible for red blood cell formation and healthy neurological function. Primary causes of a vitamin B12 deficiency are intestinal disorders, which can result in the vitamin not being absorbed, or extreme or continual mental stress.

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Close up of nurse preparing a syringe for an injection

What Is the Vitamin B12 Dose for Autism?

Treatment for individuals with autism typically includes a combination of different types of behavioral therapy; however, in recent years dietary interventions have become more common. Individuals with autism may have limited ability to absorb vitamin B12, which negatively affects their functioning.

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Pregnant woman in a garden

Can You Take 5-HTP While Pregnant?

5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, is a chemical precursor to the mood-regulating neurotransmitter serotonin. It is created by your body from tryptophan, an essential amino acid obtained from foods. You also can obtain 5-HTP from dietary supplements made from the seeds of the African tree Griffonia simplicifolia.

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Can a Vitamin B-12 Deficiency Cause Itchy Skin?

Itchy skin can develop for many reasons. It can occur with or without a rash, in small areas or the whole body. Identifying the cause is important to ensure proper treatment. While there are several potential causes of itchy skin, it has not been directly linked to a vitamin B-12 deficiency.

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Sad woman

What Could Happen If You Have Too Much Vitamin A?

Vitamin A is essential for good eyesight and cell reproduction; and if you are pregnant, your fetus needs it to develop properly. But because this vitamin is fat-soluble, your body stores the excess, and consuming too much vitamin A can be dangerous.

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ripe orange in a wooden crate

Disadvantages of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a naturally occurring, water-soluble vitamin found in many different types of fruits and vegetables, and can also be taken as a nutritional supplement for its potential health benefits, such as its antioxidant properties.

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red blood cells

Vitamin B-12 and Bilirubin Levels

Production of red blood cells is dependent on vitamin B-12. Bilirubin is the byproduct of red blood cell degradation. Your body depends on the steady production of red blood cells, as well as the byproducts formed at the end of their life cycle.

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