Supplements Guide: Side Effects & Best Multivitamins

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.

Iron Vitamin Tablet Supplements

I Take an Iron Supplement But I'm Still Anemic

Red blood cells are needed by the body to transport oxygen to your cells, which your cells need to use glucose efficiently to make energy. If you are anemic, you have too few red blood cells.

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Tangerines

Do Vitamin C Supplements Go Bad or Lose Potency?

Vitamins supplements are commonly taken by many people to treat a variety of health problems. Over time, however, vitamins can degrade, causing them to become chemically altered. Although vitamin C degrades, it is not toxic.

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Side Effects of a Vitamin C Overdose

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is found in many fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C plays an important role in collagen formation, and it also functions as an antioxidant, boosting the immune system. Although you need to consume vitamin C every day, too much can be toxic.

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Brain Cells

Does Sodium Affect the Brain?

Sodium is important for the function of all of the cells in the body because it is an electrolyte. Nerve cells are particularly sensitive to the amount of sodium in the blood because they need electrolytes to function properly.

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Can I Drink Protein Shakes While Nursing?

Breastfeeding provides many benefits to your baby as it helps develop the bond between you and your child and also boosts your child's immune system. However, the substances that you ingest can affect your breast milk.

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What Are the Dangers of Tryptophan?

Tryptophan is an amino acid; amino acids are substances found in proteins. You need tryptophan to make new proteins; it also is needed to make other compounds in your body, such as niacin and serotonin. Although tryptophan supplements are generally safe, they can cause serious side effects.

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coconut oil

Is Coconut Oil Good for Blood Type O?

One theory of nutrition advocates tailoring your diet to mesh with your blood type to improve weight loss and energy and otherwise maintain good health. According to the blood type diet, people with Type O blood should avoid foods made with coconut oil.

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aspirin

Vitamin B12 & Seizures

Abnormal electrical activity in the brain triggers seizures, and can be caused by a variety of health problems, including epilepsy, tumors, vitamin deficiencies and other abnormalities. Vitamin B-12 is important for people suffering from seizures because of its role in maintaining the health of neurons.

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Vitamin B-6 for Dizziness

Vitamins are important for the health of your body. A lack of certain vitamins, including vitamin B6, can cause serious health problems, among them disorders of the nervous system.

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Pharmacist talking to customers

Iodine & Synthroid Interaction

Hypothyroidism is caused by poor thyroid function and can cause a lack of energy, cold intolerance, constipation and other problems. Both iodine supplements and Synthroid can be taken to treat hypothyroidism. There is no interaction between iodine and Synthroid, unless you have an iodine deficiency.

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Vitamin tablet on banana

Why Albuterol Reduces Potassium

Potassium is an important mineral for your body, and a lack of potassium can cause serious health problems. Certain medications, including albuterol, can cause you to develop decreased potassium levels in your blood. Your doctor will be able to tell if your potassium levels are too low while you are taking albuterol.

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L-Arginine & L-Ornithine Effect on Kidneys

Amino acid supplements are used to help people increase protein and hormone synthesis. Arginine and ornithine supplements can be used to boost your levels of these amino acids, but the metabolism of these amino acids can put strain on your kidneys. Talk to your doctor before taking arginine and ornithine supplements.

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Young Man Talking With Doctor

Side Effects of Culturelle

Culturelle is a probiotic supplement that contains high levels of Lactobacillus GG, bacteria normally present in the human digestive tract. The idea behind probiotics is that the "normal" bacteria push out disease-causing bacteria, preventing infections.

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Can Iron Deficiency Affect Weight Loss?

Your body needs small amounts of many different minerals to work properly. A lack of iron in your body can cause an iron deficiency, which can cause you to lose your appetite. However, low iron levels can also leave you feeling fatigued, making it harder for you to burn calories through exercise, hampering weight loss.

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Woman getting eye exam

Vision Problems Caused by Vitamin Deficiency

Vitamins play an role in the health of many tissues and functions in your body, including vision. If you do not get enough of vitamin A, you may develop vision problems that can ultimately lead to blindness. Vitamin A related blindness is uncommon in developed countries such as the United States.

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Senior Patient Having Medical Exam With Doctor In Office

Magnesium & Irregular Heartbeat

Changes in the amounts of different minerals in your blood can affect many tissues, including your heart. Although your body only contains small amounts of magnesium, having too much or too little magnesium can affect your heart's rhythm. Talk to your doctor before taking magnesium or any other type of supplement.

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Can You Take Probiotics With Clindamycin?

Although antibiotics are an effective way to treat bacterial infections, they can disturb the ecological balance within the human body, leading to unintended side effects and an increased risk of certain infections.

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Do Fish Oil Capsules Hurt You If You Have Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by the formation of small crystals in the joints, which result in intense inflammation, swelling and pain. Fish oil capsules contain omega-3 fatty acids; these fats can help relieve some of the symptoms of gout and do not usually make gout worse.

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