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.
Vitamins are substances that the body needs in small quantities so that specialized proteins, known as enzymes, can work properly. Enzymes speed up the chemical reactions needed for the body to work properly. Taking vitamin supplements can help you avoid vitamin deficiencies and can be taken with milk.
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Eye infections may occur on the front surface of your eye or the tissues inside your eye. Pink eye is one of the most common eye infections. This infection involves the thin tissue that covers the white of your eye. Your doctor may have you begin eye drops or other treatments for an infection.
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Fish oil supplements have become a common item at pharmacies and natural foods stores across the nation. The growing use of this supplement is a reflection of the ongoing battle to fight cardiovascular disease in the United States.
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Fenugreek, an herbal supplement made from the seeds of the Trigonella foenum-graecum plant, has a number of traditional uses. Breastfeeding mothers use it to increase milk supply. Fenugreek has also been used as an alternative medicine for diabetes, inflammation and to induce childbirth.
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Betaine hydrochloride is the hydrochloride form of betaine, a common substance that your body manufactures naturally and plays a role in liver function. The U.S.
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Cranberries are often touted for their use in the prevention of urinary tract infections. While some people may choose to incorporate cranberries in their diet in fresh or juiced forms, others may turn to cranberry extract supplements.
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Ashwagandha is a medicinal supplement derived from the Withania somniferum plant, a member of the pepper family commonly found in Africa and India. Ashwagandha contains a class compounds called withanolides, which may help reduce stress and inflammation while boosting immune system activity in the body.
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Spirulina -- a form of edible algae sold as a health food and dietary supplement -- is of particular interest to bodybuilders. Bodybuilders who take spirulina believe it can boost the immune system, enhance athletic performance, promote recovery from intense workouts and control weight.
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Calcium can build up in the inner walls of the arteries along with deposits of fats and cholesterol, causing atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, in the legs and other areas. This plaque deposit can build up over several years, leading to rigid, hardened arteries that are unable to expand properly.
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Flomax is a prescription medication used to treat an enlarged prostate due to benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, in men. The prostate wraps around the urethra, which carries urine from the bladder out of the body. In BPH, the prostate gland becomes enlarged or inflamed, compressing the urethra.
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Not to be confused with vitamin C, citric acid is a sour-tasting, naturally occurring compound present in a variety of fruits, particularly those in the citrus family, such as lemons, limes and oranges. It is also available as a white crystalline powder extract of these fruit juices.
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Iron has many functions in your body, such as moving oxygen and regulating the growth of your cells. Some people experience iron deficiency, and low levels of iron can lead to tiredness, poor immune system function and slow mental function.
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Cane syrup is made by simmering sugar cane juice in open kettles until it forms a thick, dark syrup that resembles molasses. Popular in the south, where it is used as a table condiment and in recipes, cane syrup tastes similar to molasses, but does not contain the sulfur found in molasses.
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Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid that promotes cardiovascular health. High levels of the bad cholesterol -- low-density lipoproteins and triglycerides -- and low levels of the good cholesterol high-density lipoproteins can lead to cardiovascular disease.
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Ocimum sanctum, commonly referred to as holy basil, is an herb that is native to India; Ayurvedic medicine regards it as one of the most important plants. It is now widely grown throughout the world and can be eaten as a food or taken as a supplement. The leaves, stems, seeds and oils are all used medicinally.
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Iodine is a trace element, meaning the body only needs it in small quantities. Humans require about 0.15 mg of iodine daily for oxygen transportation, energy processing and thyroid hormone production.
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Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition that destroys cells that produce brown pigment in the skin, causing the skin to change color. While there is no known cure for vitiligo, studies involving vitamin treatment have provided mixed results, leaving the question of what vitamins to take for vitiligo unanswered.
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Everyone needs vitamin D, but the amounts needed and the possible benefits of taking higher amounts of vitamin D are hot debate topics in medicine. Two forms of vitamin D are available as supplements, vitamin D2, also called ergocalciferol and D3, called cholecalciferol.
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Friendly bacteria, known as probiotics, may offer health benefits for adults and children alike. But you should consult your pediatrician before giving your child probiotics. Never give probiotics to children or infants who are seriously ill or have weakened immune systems.
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Taking vitamins with prescription drugs can present a challenge as the number of potential complications varies by the type of prescription drug you are taking versus the vitamin type and other factors such as dietary choices. Although taking something as benignly named as "dietary supplements"
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