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.
Bee pollen is the self-produced feed for honeybees. Bee pollen, which is prepared from collected flower pollen, has been declared a “perfect food” because it is purported to be nutritionally well balanced.
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Protein bars and shakes are a convenient way to get in protein when you're on the run. While nutritional supplements should never take the place of whole foods in your diet, there are times when a bar or shake is a perfectly acceptable alternative to food and, in fact, could even be a better choice.
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Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that is necessary for many functions in the body including red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis and nervous system function. It is found naturally in many different foods and also added to others. Your need for vital nutrients may increase as you get older.
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Omega-3 fatty acids are essential components of the cell membranes of all the cells in your body, yet your body cannot synthesize omega-3 fatty acids. You need to constantly include omega-3 fatty acids in your diet in order to avoid deficiency.
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Papaya enzymes, which are extracted from the fruit, are used for a variety of natural health treatments. Most notably, the enzyme papain is known for its ability to aid digestion and settle upset stomachs. Symptoms of impaired digestion include stomach upset, heartburn and gas, which can cause significant discomfort.
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Bruising occurs when trauma to your body ruptures capillaries near the surface of your skin, allowing blood to leak out into the surrounding tissues. As the bruise ages, the blood is broken down and reabsorbed. The byproducts of this breakdown cause the bruise to turn a variety of shades as it heals.
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Kyolic garlic, a brand name of the herbal plant garlic, may help in the treatment of atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, cancer, high blood lipids and infections, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is an anxiety-based disorder that impacts over two million Americans in a given year. Onset of symptoms can occur in childhood, adolescence or adulthood, says the National Institute of Mental Health.
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Potassium is a mineral necessary for nerve and muscle functioning, particularly the muscles of the heart. Low levels of potassium, called hypokalemia, occur for many reasons. Normal blood levels of potassium range between 3.5 and 5.0 milliequivalents per liter, or mEq/L, according to Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine .
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Walnut oil is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are essential polyunsaturated fats that your body cannot produce; you must obtain them from food. Dr.
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Although lycopene may offer numerous health benefits, a recommended intake for this plant pigment has not been established. According to MayoClinic.com, most clinical studies have focused on the amount of lycopene-containing foods that participants ate rather than on the specific quantities of lycopene they consumed.
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"Store at room temperature" is the clear instruction found on some vitamin containers. Many others do not mention storage at all, and the refrigerator may seem like a good place to keep your vitamins fresh.
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Although there is no reliable information demonstrating the chances of developing an allergic reaction to fish oil supplements if you’re allergic to shellfish, MedlinePlus recommends avoiding its use. Shellfish are a common food allergy that can lead to a severe allergic reaction, anaphylaxis.
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Your body will process synthetic vitamins just the same and just as efficiently as vitamins from natural sources. But synthetic vitamins and dietary supplements are not substitutes for gaining the nutrients your body needs from actual food.
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Prenatal vitamins are an essential part of nutrition during pregnancy and MayoClinic.com recommends them for all pregnant women. Some individuals do experience constipation and gastrointestinal distress from prenatal vitamins.
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Anemia can cause sores around the mouth as well as tenderness and dryness in the mouth, tongue and throat. Iron-deficiency anemia occurs when there is not adequate iron to form enough healthy red blood cells or erythrocytes.
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Derived from the root of the Cichorium intybus plant, chicory root extract may impart health benefits when used as a medicinal treatment. Historically, chicory root has been used as a sedative, anti-inflammatory and digestive aid.
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Alcohol is safe in moderation -- generally defined as one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men. People who exceed these amounts or abuse alcohol daily often develop vitamin and mineral deficiencies because alcohol interferes with the body's ability to absorb nutrients.
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A low level of blood sodium is a sign that your body’s concentration of electrolytes has changed. This condition, which is called hyponatremia, can lead to several dangerous health problems.
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Zinc is an essential trace mineral that you must obtain from food to meet your needs. Adequate intakes of zinc support your immune system, help in wound healing and are required for protein synthesis. Healthy adult men need 11 milligrams of zinc a day, and healthy adult women need 8 milligrams.
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