Every month, girls and women of childbearing age experience menstrual symptoms ranging from mild cramps to bloating, headaches and nearly intolerable pain. While the menstrual cycle is a natural fact of life for women, nutrition and health status can be factors that influence the severity of symptoms you experience.

Without your feet, you wouldn't be able to get around. Sometime during your life you may suffer with athlete's foot or a weeping skin condition affecting your feet. Potassium permanganate is harsh chemical with antiseptic properties than can be used as a soak to treat certain skin and nail problems on your feet.

Magnesium and zinc are two minerals that have been studied for their potential role in boosting testosterone levels.

Manufacturers advertise protein powders as a convenient way to get extra protein to boost fitness. These supplements are marketed to everyone from moms to bodybuilders. But recent clinical research has raised some questions about the safety of getting extra protein from such supplements.

As you age, your nutrient requirements change. Your joints may start showing the symptoms of wear and tear, your hormone levels will be lower than they were in youth and your cardiovascular system may not function as well as it used to. In addition, your body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food may decrease.

Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces less thyroid hormone. As thyroid hormone regulates the metabolic rate of the body, an underactive thyroid often leads to weight gain. Studies show that individuals with hypothyroidism have low levels of the steroid hormone DHEA.

Balsamic vinegar, if you are careful not to consume it in excess, can be a fairly healthy alternative to many salad dressings and sauces, which tend to be high in fat and sodium. However, even balsamic vinegar can be problematic for your diet if you eat too much of it.

Creatine is a performance-enhancing amino acid that has been used by professional and student athletes. About 95 percent of your body’s creatine is found in your skeletal muscles, MayoClinic.com notes.

Calcium is a mineral that helps strengthen your bones. If you do not get enough calcium in your diet or with calcium supplements, your body will take what it needs from your bones, causing them to become weak, brittle or soft. If left unchecked, a lack of calcium may lead to rickets or osteoporosis.

Calcium is an essential mineral that must come from your diet and/or supplements. Without enough of it, your bones, heart and circulatory system could suffer. Vitamin D works with calcium to help build and sustain healthy bones, among other things.

An important amino acid that has a variety of different functions in the body, l-glutamine is found in many foods, including those that contain plant or animal protein. There is no minimum level of intake required for l-glutamine daily, but average consumption ranges between 1 g and 6 g.

Creatine, glutamine and protein are commonly included in sports performance supplements. Each serves a distinct purpose. Creatine provides your muscles with energy and draws in water needed for growth and recovery. Glutamine is an amino acid, the building block of protein, that is most abundant in muscles.