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.
Iron and vitamin B12 are essential nutrients. They help with oxygen delivery to cells, increase immunity and improve energy and strength. Deficiencies can lead to a number of problems and might require you to take supplements. Taking supplements if you have a deficiency won’t hurt you.
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Muscles are susceptible to damage, just like other body tissues. Trauma, infections, certain medications or even strenuous exercise can cause varying degrees of muscle injury. Pain is a common indicator of muscle damage but is generally not useful for establishing the extent of injury.
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Both red and white clover are perennial legumes high in protein and fiber that are widely used as forage for animal grazing and pastures. They are typically planted with companion grasses and used as a cover crop during crop rotation, particularly organic crops.
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A 2002 statement in the American Heart Association journal "Circulation" says that numerous studies have demonstrated that two omega-3 fatty acids present in cod liver oil and fish oils like salmon oil can help to reduce heart disease both in healthy individuals and people with pre-existing cardiovascular disease.
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During pregnancy, a woman’s iron needs increase. Because it’s important to get enough iron while you’re pregnant, as well as when you’re nursing, your doctor may suggest taking iron supplements. But the extra iron won’t affect your baby, according to Howard Kurtz, M.D.
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Creatine is a type of amino acid found naturally in most types of meat, but it is also available as a dietary supplement with an intended use of improving athletic performance or muscle recovery and growth.
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If you eat salads or enjoy lettuce on your sandwiches, chances are you have enjoyed the healthy crunch of romaine lettuce. The type of lettuce that you choose for your salads or other recipes is important. Different types of lettuce have varying degrees of nutritional value.
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Balance among electrically charged atoms and molecules is essential to maintaining chemical equilibrium in your body. Potassium is the most abundant, positively charged atom inside your cells. Because acids and potassium both have a positive electrical charge in your body, their concentrations are interdependent.
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If your 3-year-old refuses to eat anything but cheesy noodles and chicken fingers, don’t fret. Many preschool-aged children are notoriously picky eaters, but that doesn’t guarantee that they are deficient in nutrients, according to MayoClinic.com.
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Sodium is a very important electrolyte in the blood; it helps maintain adequate blood volume. In the body, more sodium is outside the cells than inside, because the cell membranes are not freely permeable.
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Berries from the saw palmetto plant have medicinal properties that make them useful in treating men suffering from prostate conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate infections. Other potential applications include treating asthma, bronchitis, migraines, sore throats and colds.
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Low sodium levels, or hyponatremia, can lead to confusion, a coma or even death. It is the most common electrolyte disorder in the United States, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Low sodium levels must be treated promptly to avoid life-threatening complications.
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Vitamins and minerals are almost always combined in nature. Folic acid, a B-vitamin, and zinc can be found together in foods such as liver, nuts and legumes. Folic acid and zinc are often combined in your multivitamin-mineral supplement, as well, so there is no contraindication to taking them together.
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Vitamins play an role in the health of many tissues and functions in your body, including vision. If you do not get enough of vitamin A, you may develop vision problems that can ultimately lead to blindness. Vitamin A related blindness is uncommon in developed countries such as the United States.
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Creatine is an amino acid supplement often marketed to bodybuilders and dieters to help build lean muscle and reduce body fat. Creatine has become so popular for these uses that sales reached $220 million in 2005, according to the “Nutrition Business Journal.
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Aloe’s medicinal use dates back 6,000 years and many of its same uses remain today, including treating skin conditions such as minor abrasions and burns. The topical use of aloe is now being tested for possible benefits in managing ailments such as psoriasis and genital herpes.
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Between saccharin, aspartame, sucralose, stevia and the long-outlawed cyclamates, it's easy to be confused by all the artificial sweeteners. Judging which products are best for baking and which are best for use at the table is baffling enough without weighing the relative safety concerns.
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Saw palmetto is a small palm tree that grows wild across the coastal regions of the Southern United States. It has been used as an herbal remedy in the United States, South America and Europe to treat a variety of conditions affecting both men and women.
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Vitamin K is sometimes also known as the “clotting vitamin” as it aids in and is necessary for blood coagulation. This vitamin, however, does not thicken or thin the blood, although it can adversely affect blood thinners because it helps your blood to clot.
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As skin-healing products, carrot oils add moisture and may even provide antioxidant protection through topical application. Look for either carrot seed essential oil or carrot root carrier oil. Both possess similar skin-soothing, cell-regenerative qualities for complaints ranging from stretch marks to wrinkles.
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