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.

Woman taking multivitamins at night

Can I Take a Multivitamin at Night?

A multivitamin can help you meet your body’s daily requirements for vitamins and minerals. A multivitamin, or supplement, should not be used to replace any foods or food groups. When taking a multivitamin or supplement, it’s important to take it at the same time every day.

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How to Improve B-Vitamin Absorption

Eight substances make up the vitamin B complex, including thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. Poor absorption of these substances can result in diseases caused by vitamin B deficiencies, like beriberi, pellagra and pernicious anemia.

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b vitamins pills

Should I Avoid Taking B Vitamins at Night?

B vitamins help your body generate energy from the foods you eat and assist with the formation of red blood cells. A lack of certain B vitamins, specifically B-12 and B-6, can lead to diseases such as anemia, respiratory infections and eczema.

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The Effects of Emergen-C

Emergen-C is a powdered drink mix containing a variety of vitamins and minerals. Even though Emergen-C is sold over the counter and is generally safe, side effects such as gastrointestinal problems, gluten reactions, poor drug interactions and allergic reactions could occur.

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Vitamins Before or After a Meal?

Although eating a balanced diet is the best way to ensure adequate nutrition, popping a vitamin supplement is a good way to fill in the gaps.

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The Benefits of Taking Folic Acid in Nonpregnant Women

The Office on Women’s Health recommends women of childbearing years get 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid daily whether or not you have visions of a baby in your future. Folic acid, or vitamin B-9, is the man-made version of folate, which is found naturally in foods.

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Is Citric Acid Bad for You?

Citric acid is common in foods. It's both naturally occurring and a common additive that serves as a flavoring agent and preservative. Your cells also make citric acid. The citric acid you consume is neither good nor bad for you, and the citric acid you make is essential to life.

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What Are the Best Iron Supplements for Women?

Iron is an essential trace mineral -- one that’s needed only in small amounts, but it plays a major role in how the body works and how you feel. Without adequate iron, the body can’t make red blood cells to carry oxygen, and you may feel more tired than usual, frequently dizzy or out of breath.

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Tongue Symptoms of Vitamin Deficiencies

The muscular tongue functions in chewing, tasting and swallowing. Because of its nearly continuous use throughout the day, abnormalities become obvious very quickly, making the tongue a helpful marker of disease.

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Can You Give Children Vitamin C Supplements?

Approximately 29 percent of children in the United States take a dietary supplement that contains vitamin C, according to a survey published in the October 2007 issue of “Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine.

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The Best Vitamins for the Lungs

Eating a diet filled with fruits and vegetables will help keep your lungs healthy. This type of diet may lower your risk for lung cancer, one of the types of cancer with a relatively low survival rate.

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How Many Omega Fish Oil Pills Should You Take a Day?

Fish oil for supplements come from cold-water fish, such as salmon, anchovies, tuna, trout, mackerel and halibut. They contain compounds called omega-3 fatty acids, which are associated with several health benefits.

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What Does High Vitamin C While Breastfeeding Do?

As a breastfeeding mother, you probably think about everything you consume in terms of the effect it will have on your breastfed baby. If you eat a lot of fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C or take supplements with this nutrient, you might wonder whether high doses could affect you or your infant.

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Side Effects of Biotin 5000 mg

Biotin, also known as vitamin H or B7, is a water-soluble complex vitamin that is vital for strong, healthy hair and nails, and can be found in foods like almonds, eggs, liver, pecans, sardines and whole grains.

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What Is Meaning of Fat Soluble Vitamins?

Vitamins come in two varieties: water soluble and fat soluble. Water soluble vitamins, such as B complex vitamins and vitamin C, dissolve in water and are excreted through the kidneys if you have excess amounts in your body.

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Side Effects of a Vitamin C Overdose

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is found in many fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C plays an important role in collagen formation, and it also functions as an antioxidant, boosting the immune system. Although you need to consume vitamin C every day, too much can be toxic.

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Differences Between Ester-C & Vitamin C

Ester C is a pH neutral product which has a different composition from regular vitamin C, which is ascorbic acid. The main component of this product is calcium ascorbate. Other ingredients of Ester C are compounds known as vitamin C metabolites, which are dehydroascorbic acid and calcium threonate.

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Health Benefits of Applesauce

While the whole health picture is more complex than eating an apple a day to keep the doctor away, fruits and vegetables undeniably supply nutrition vital for good health. Apples, whether whole or as applesauce, contain fiber and vitamin C.

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