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.
The fatty acid alpha-lipoic acid is found naturally in foods such as broccoli, liver, potatoes and spinach. Now available as an antioxidant supplement, you can take alpha-lipoic acid to protect your cell walls from oxidation damage by free radicals, which may help limit your risk of developing cancer. Because the U.S.
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PediaSure and other kids’ formula-type beverages make many promises to parents of picky eaters. They are fortified drinks and contain more vitamins and minerals than the average glass of milk. Some also might taste better to children.
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Probiotics are supplements that contain "good" bacteria, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium infantis, which can help improve digestion and protect you from harmful bacteria. Probiotics have a short shelf life and require refrigeration to retain potency.
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Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, and the risk of this disease increases with age. The MayoClinic.com website reports that by age 50, 1 in 4 men will have some precancerous cells in the prostate gland.
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Vitamin C is water-soluble; meaning, it is not stored in your body. You need to consume adequate amounts of vitamin C each day to get all of the benefits it provides. Having too much vitamin C from your diet or supplements may have adverse effects. Do not consume more than the maximum recommended dosage each day.
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Many people take fish oil supplements for their health. When it is fresh, fish oil is a healthy source of omega-3 fatty acids. But like any other oil, fish oil can spoil and become rancid. Rancid oils are harmful to the body and taste unpleasant, so you should not ingest them.
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Anemia occurs when your body lacks a sufficient volume of healthy red blood cells. If you have anemia, you do not have a sufficient amount of hemoglobin -- the oxygen-carrying protein within red blood cells. Anemia has many possible causes.
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Bleeding gums are a sign of poor dental health, usually caused by inadequate dental cleanings and preventative care. If left untreated, bacteria can flourish and cause loss of teeth and escalate tooth decay. Improper diets that lead to certain vitamin deficiencies can lead to bleeding gums.
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Painful mouth sores can leave you searching for treatments and vitamins for mouth ulcers. Learn about B-complex vitamins and lysine for your canker sores.
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L-arginine and L-carnitine are two important amino acids that are synthesized in separate parts of your body and found in a variety of foods. Both amino acids are sold in supplement form and used for a variety of similar and different health-promoting purposes.
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Your body requires small amounts of biotin -- also called vitamin H -- to convert the food you consume into energy. Biotin also supports the healthy growth of your nails and hair. If you're uncertain how much biotin you need each day, seek additional guidance from your medical provider.
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Tendinitis and bursitis are separate musculoskeletal health problems, although they often cause similar signs and symptoms. Tendinitis is inflammation of one or more of your tendons, while bursitis is swelling of one or more of your bursae -- sacs of fluid that lie under your skin.
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Whether you eat them raw, toasted, baked, ground or any other way, flax seeds provide a host of powerful nutritional benefits.
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Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin found in many types of fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. Health supplements containing vitamin C are used to treat a wide variety of conditions, ranging from the common cold to heart disease.
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Ashwaghanda (Withania somnifera), also known as Indian ginseng and winter cherry, is a plant valued for centuries in India. Ashwagandha churna refers to the powdered form of ashwagandha.
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Bay leaves, which grow on the sweet bay or laurel tree, were used in ancient Rome to make laurel wreaths. Today, the bay leaf is more often found as a seasoning agent in stews or soups than on someone’s head.
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Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep through the night is a problem that can severely affect your ability to function normally during the day. If you experience recurrent sleep problems, talk with your medical provider about using a natural herb called valerian root to help you sleep.
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Antibiotics are medications that destroy bacteria. Intended to treat bacterial infections, antibiotics are so effective in killing bacteria that they often wipe out healthy bacteria in the colon along with the harmful bacteria.
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Folic acid is a B vitamin that aids your body in producing new cells. You can find this vitamin in foods such as dried beans, peas, nuts, leafy green vegetables and fruits. Enriched breads, cereals and other grain products are also fortified with folic acid.
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For people who struggle with anemia -- a condition characterized by low red blood cell levels -- iron supplements can help alleviate the severe fatigue, weakness and breathing difficulties associated with this condition.
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