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.

Portrait of young woman eating outdoors, smiling

Can You Take Probiotics With Clindamycin?

Although antibiotics are an effective way to treat bacterial infections, they can disturb the ecological balance within the human body, leading to unintended side effects and an increased risk of certain infections.

Read more →

Black Radish Side Effects

Black radish, or Raphinus sativus L. var. niger, is a round, white-fleshed, dark-purple-skinned radish. As a member of the cabbage family, black radish contains the same cancer-protective compounds found in broccoli, Brussels sprouts and other members of this large group of temperate-zone vegetables.

Read more →
cod liver oil capsules

Negative Effects of Krill Oil

Krill oil is an alternative to fish oil that comes from krill. Krill are shrimp-like crustaceans that live in the Antarctic Ocean. Krill oil contains omega-3 fatty acids have many benefits and because the body does not make omega-3s, and these omega-3s have several benefits to your overall health.

Read more →
Fresh duck, hen and quail eggs

What Are BCAA Supplements?

BCAAs are not vitamins, they are amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Each individual amino acid has its own specific function, and the branched-chain amino acids are no different.

Read more →
Mackerel baked in a foil.

Can Pregnant Women Overdose on Omega-3?

During pregnancy, you want to do everything you can to help ensure that your baby is as healthy as possible. You take prenatal vitamins and carefully avoid the foods your obstetrician blacklists.

Read more →
Mid-adult woman wrapped in towel on beach

What Is 5-HTP & How Long Does It Take to Work?

When you eat foods that contain the amino acid tryptophan, your body uses some of it to make 5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, a chemical that's also available in supplement form. 5-HTP converts into serotonin, an important neurotransmitter in the brain.

Read more →
Close up of curly endive salad with pomegranate, nuts...

Vegan Sources of Methionine

Methionine is an essential amino acid, which means it's a nutrient you must obtain from food sources. Even if you are vegan, you probably don't have to worry too much about it.

Read more →
Assorted pills and capsules

Folic Acid & Menstruation

Taking folic acid has benefits for women. It can stabilize their menstrual cycle and increase their fertility. Speak with a doctor before taking supplements.

Read more →

How to Bake Cornbread in a Cast-Iron Mold

Cornbread has been a staple in the American diet since colonial days when corn was far more plentiful than wheat, which was typically imported from England. Several hundred years of making cornbread has allowed cooks to evolve the recipe into a wide variety of iterations, each one claiming to be โ€œauthenticโ€ cornbread.

Read more →
Pressed Meat with basil

What Is Sodium Nitrate?

You may have heard new reports about the dangers of processed foods made with sodium nitrate or with a similar chemical known as sodium nitrite. While some of the claims you have heard may be exaggerated, there is legitimate concern about the negative health effects of both sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite.

Read more →

Do Fish Oil Capsules Hurt You If You Have Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by the formation of small crystals in the joints, which result in intense inflammation, swelling and pain. Fish oil capsules contain omega-3 fatty acids; these fats can help relieve some of the symptoms of gout and do not usually make gout worse.

Read more →
Pills in hand

Remedies for Vitamin & Mineral Malabsorption

Malabsorption is the term physicians use to describe the inability to digest and absorb nutrients -- sugars, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals -- from your food. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that numerous factors may cause malabsorption, including parasites and certain autoimmune conditions.

Read more →
Zinc capsule supplementary  food  periodic  table vitamin

What Is the Safe Dosage for Taking Zinc?

Zinc is an essential mineral that has functions in a wide range of metabolic processes. You need zinc for the proper metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Zinc is also involved in the production of genetic material.

Read more →
Baking soda used to brighten teeth and remove plague

What Is the Dosage of Sodium Bicarbonate?

Sodium bicarbonate is a medication that's often prescribed as an antacid to relieve the symptoms of heartburn and acid indigestion. Sodium bicarbonate is also used to treat a potentially dangerous condition called metabolic acidosis.

Read more →
Fresh smoothie with blueberry, banana, oats, almond milk and yogurt

What to Take to Gain Weight

If you need help gaining weight, the two primary types of supplements to consider are weight gainers for calories and protein powder to promote muscle synthesis.

Read more →
Asian pregnant woman having medicine at home

Is it Safe to Take Magnesium When Pregnant?

Magnesium helps to build and repair tissues during pregnancy and works to regulate your blood sugar levels. It can also help reduce leg cramps. During pregnancy, your need for magnesium increases.

Read more →
Fried Eggs in Cast Iron Skillet

How to Season a Cast Iron Skillet With Coconut Oil

When cared for properly, cast iron skillets can last a lifetime. Home cooks love their cast iron skillets for their even heating, durability and nonstick properties. You must season your cast iron skillet before you use it or it will rust and food will stick to it.

Read more →