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.
Bitter melon, also known as balsam pear or kerela, is a plant widely cultivated in Asia, Africa and South America. The fruit, seeds, leaves and roots have long been used in traditional remedies, including some for diabetes.
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Vitamin supplements are a popular with people who feel that their diets may be lacking in some needed nutrients. Supplements are a simple way to ensure that the body is receiving all of the support it needs to function optimally, from the digestive system to tissue repair and the immune system.
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Fish oil is a popular supplement that contains high levels of two omega-3 fatty acids: DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid, and EPA, or eicosapentaenoic acid. Though treatment with fish oil is usually associated with heart disease prevention in adults, children may also benefit from taking fish oil.
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Zeolite refers to any number of absorbent minerals containing traces of both silicon and aluminum. Natural zeolites form as a result of volcanic action, taking anywhere from 50 to 50,000 years to complete formation. Synthetic zeolites can be manufactured with improved speed and uniformity.
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Panax ginseng, or Asian ginseng, is a commonly used herbal supplement purported to boost immune system function, regulate blood sugar levels and reduce erectile dysfunction symptoms, among other things.
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One of fish oil’s main side effects is thinning of the body’s blood, which can be both positive and negative. The highly consumed supplement is primarily taken for cardiovascular benefits, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
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Your body requires vitamin B-12 to convert carbohydrates into energy. Vitamin B-12, or cobalamin, is one of eight B vitamins that ensure you have a healthy liver, eyes, nerve cells and immune system.
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Vitamins are obviously an essential component to your overall health. They help regulate and perform body functions, but certain types of vitamins taken before exercise may actually decrease the fitness benefits. Dr.
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Iron is necessary to make hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to red blood cells and helps maintain your blood supply. Iron supplements are not usually needed during the first three months of pregnancy as long as you follow a healthy diet.
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Apple cider vinegar, made from fermented apple juice, has been a folk cure sensation since 1958, when Vermont country doctor D.C. Jarvis wrote a book extolling its virtues for treating everything from arthritis to diabetes to weight gain.
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Curcumin is a naturally occurring chemical compound that is found in the spice turmeric. The two words are sometimes used interchangeably, but the technical difference between the two is that turmeric is the yellowish powder used to flavor foods, while curcumin is a chemical contained within turmeric.
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Coconut juice, more appropriately called coconut water, is the liquid inside the green, unripe coconut. It was traditionally used as a source of safe drinking water for Pacific Island natives, and sailors who visited the islands would stow green coconuts on the ship to drink on the return voyage.
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Some people take vitamin B12 to enhance energy and decrease fatigue. However, unless you have a deficiency, extra B12 is unlikely to give you added energy. A deficiency in B12 may affect your ability to exercise.
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Low sodium levels, or hyponatremia, is a condition in which the levels of sodium, or salt, in your blood stream are too low. Uncorrected low blood sodium can cause fatigue, headache, confusion, hallucinations, muscle weakness, nausea and coma.
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Stress is pervasive in modern-day society. Long-term stress can have numerous negative consequences for your health -- physically, mentally and emotionally. Ashwagandha and rhodiola are herbs that are used for stress management and to address other health ailments.
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Prenatal vitamins are often recommended for use before, during and even after a pregnancy. Once your pregnancy is over, you may continue to benefit from your prenatal if you are breastfeeding. Without continual input from your doctor, you may be confused about when you can switch back to a standard multivitamin.
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Honey was one of the first natural sweeteners used by humans. It is used not only as a food, but also as a drug and topical ointment. Honey has been used in infant nutrition and as a medicine, but it is unsafe for babies under 1 year old due to botulism spores.
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As a woman, you know your risk of bone loss is far greater than that of a man. Your hormone levels fluctuate, and as menopause approaches you could suffer from osteoporosis, a condition that makes your bones extremely weak and brittle.
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According to The Popcorn Board, Americans consume more than 16 billion quarts of popped popcorn each year. This equals about 242 cups of popcorn per person. Popcorn is a whole-grain source of high-quality carbohydrates such as fiber.
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Coenzyme Q10 is a natural, vitamin-like nutrient used to treat or prevent a variety of medical conditions. Coenzyme Q10--also known as Ubiquinone or CoQ10--is found in every cell of the body.
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