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.
Docusate sodium is an oral medication used to soften stool. The medication makes it easier to pass stool, especially after surgery or injury to the perineum. Docusate sodium also helps treat constipation and works to reduce straining during a bowel movement.
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A coronary calcium scan, also known as a heart scan, measures the amount of calcium deposited in the arteries of your heart. The more coronary calcium you have, the higher your levels of plaque, which may lead to atherosclerosis, or the hardening and narrowing of your arteries.
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Probiotics are live and active microorganisms similar to those present in the human intestinal flora.
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Holy basil, Ocimum sanctum, is an herb that originates from India where it is used in ayurvedic medicine. In the West it is touted as a weight lost supplement. But is it really effective for weight loss? You should consult your physician before taking a holy basil supplement.
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Vitamin C, which is also called ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin required for the synthesis of neurotransmitters and collagen. It also has antioxidant properties that can protect molecules in the body from damage by oxidative free radicals.
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The human immune system defends the body against the harmful microorganisms that cause sickness and disease. It can occasionally fail to do its job, however, often due to circumstances beyond your control. Luckily, many simple lifestyle choices can promote a strong and healthy immune system.
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Sodium bicarbonate, which you may know as baking soda, is an antacid that relieves heartburn and acid indigestion by neutralizing excess stomach acid. Sodium bicarbonate is available without a prescription in a variety of forms, such as tablet, solution, powder and capsule, which you take orally.
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Spirulina is the most commonly used type of blue-green algae, a nutrient-rich aquatic plant. Health supplements containing spirulina are purported to boost immune function, increase protein intake and protect against liver problems.
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Vitamin B-12 is a nutrient your body requires for proper function. Among the many roles of B-12, this vitamin helps form your red blood cells and aids in your neurological processes, explains the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health.
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Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori, bacteria are one of the most common causes of gastritis, an erosive inflammation of the stomach lining. H. pylori infection may lead to stomach ulcers, abdominal pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea and vomiting.
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Vitreous humor is the fluid that fills the back section of your eye. This thick, gel-like substance helps your eye maintain shape and also helps protect the structures within the eye. As you age, the vitreous may break down and clump together.
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Chasteberry, a perennial shrub, is a member of the verbena family. It is also known by its botanical name Vitex agnus castus, as well as vitex, monk's pepper and chaste tree. Chasteberry is native to parts of Asia and the Mediterranean.
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Flax seeds are a tiny whole grain seed that are loaded with beneficial nutrients. You can buy flax seeds and add them to any recipe, or purchase foods made with flax seeds. Your body cannot break down the rigid outer husk of flax seeds, so you'll need to grind them prior to consumption.
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If you feel anxious all the time, worry about many of your day to day activities, and are under constant stress, you may be experiencing generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 7 million Americans, or 3 percent of adults, experience GAD in a given year.
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Sea kelp, a vegetable that grows in forests in the ocean, is commonly used in Asian cuisine. You might be most familiar with it in its dried form: sheets of dried seaweed used for rolling sushi.
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Migraines are severe headaches that are accompanied by visual changes, sensitivity to light and sound, throbbing pain, nausea and possibly, vomiting. Women experience migraines more than males, but both genders suffer from migraine headaches.
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Many Americans take dietary supplements to prevent deficiencies, or avail from their potential benefits. Unfortunately, the nutritional requirements of smokers differ considerably than nonsmokers, and taking multivitamins may do more harm than good for smokers.
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Multivitamins are among the most commonly used dietary supplements in the United States. These vitamins can contribute to a person's total intake of certain vitamins and minerals, which is a plus if that person doesn't eat a healthy and well-balanced diet.
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Vitamin C plays an important role in the growth and repair of the tissues of your body, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. Vitamin C is essential for the production of collagen, a protein that is the building block of skin, cartilage, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels.
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A vegan diet does not permit any foods derived from animal sources, such as meat, dairy products and eggs. Some vegans also avoid honey and gelatin, as well as products produced using animal byproducts, such as commercially produced wines and refined sugar. Vegans represent between 0.3 and 1 percent of the U.S.
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