Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms such as yeasts and bacteria that populate your intestines. They neutralize disease-causing agents to keep you in good health. Besides occurring naturally inside your body, probiotics also appear in certain foods and are available as dietary supplements.
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Chiropractors treat problems affecting your muscles, skeletal structure and nervous system. This type of therapy does not involve drugs or surgery, only the physical manipulation -- adjustment or realignment -- of your spine and neck by hand.
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Phentermine hydrochloride is the generic name of a prescription weight-loss drug. The medicine, which suppresses your appetite, is designed to support a diet program that includes regular exercise and nutritious meals.
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Graviola, or soursop, is the common name of a tropical fruit tree known botanically as Annona muricata. The 30-foot-tall bushy plant has had many traditional uses. The seeds have been used to kill head lice and the fruit juice to treat leprosy.
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The relationship between weight and menstruation goes two ways. Polycystic ovary syndrome -- PCOS -- is a condition that can cause irregular cycles. Researchers consider weight gain among the possible precursors of the medical problem, according to the WomensHealth.gov website.
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Sarcoidosis develops when abnormal cells inflame the lungs. This inflammation may also affect the liver, eyes and skin among other body parts. Weight loss, chest pain, fever and fatigue are some of the possible symptoms.
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Gastritis, the inflammation of the lining of the stomach, is aggravated by strong foods you ingest, so common sense should keep you away from cider and all vinegar because of its acidic nature. Yet, at least one doctor of chiropractic recommends cider vinegar as a cure for gastritis.
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Mugicha is a traditional Japanese tea made of roasted barley. It is served hot or as a cold summer beverage. Barley is a caffeine-free grain and the Colorado State University Extension says that it contains minerals and vitamins that helps to prevent diabetes, maintain an adequate weight and reduce cholesterol.
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Native to India, saluyot -- or Corchorus olitorius -- is a leafy vegetable. Its green teardrop-shape leaves resemble basil, except that saluyot’s are serrated. Jute fiber -- used for paper, string and burlap -- is derived from the saluyot’s stalks, adding to its economic value.
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Your body makes chains of amino acids to create new proteins, and creatine is one such amino acid. You can produce your own supply of creatine, and the nutrient is also present in meats. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe creatine supplements to help with a medical condition or to treat a deficiency.
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Vitamin B-12 helps your body produce red blood cells, and aids in transporting oxygen to energize your body. Thus, this vitamin does not make you tired. On the contrary, vitamin B-12 can help fight fatigue, because it prevents the fatigue-inducing anemia associated with a B-12 deficiency.
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Potassium toxicity has serious consequences. Normal supplement doses can also cause adverse reactions. To prevent overdose, in the U.S., individual potassium tablets can have no more than 99 milligrams of the nutrient. Manufacturers give general dosage guidelines.
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As a trace mineral, iron is a nutrient you need in small amounts. This essential substance is a component of enzymes and proteins. Iron also controls cell development and makes it possible for red blood cells to transport oxygen to every area of your body.
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Potassium cocoate is a potassium salt that originates from the fatty acids present in coconut oil. While coconut oil is edible, potassium cocoate is not. The substance, also known as potassium coco soap, is a translucent pale-yellow liquid that contains glycerine, a moisturizer.
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According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, or B-9, one of the B-complex vitamins. The Linus Pauling Institute notes that folic acid exists naturally, but indicates that it is rare in foods and is commonly taken as a dietary supplement.
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Your body uses sunlight to produce vitamin D. A few foods also provide the nutrient, including some products, such as milk and breakfast cereal, that are enriched with the vitamin. Vitamin D is also available as a dietary supplement.
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Preservatives are divided into three categories: Antimicrobials, antioxidants and ascorbic acid. Antimicrobials prevent bacterial, mold and yeast development. Antioxidants preserve fats, keeping them from going rancid.
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The bell-shaped European pear, Pyrus communis, and the round Asian pear, Pyrus pyrifolia, are both true pears in the same plant genus. This means that you can also enjoy them in similar ways: fresh, cooked or preserved.
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Lecithin, a substance that occurs naturally in plants and animals, is a mixture of phosphates and fatty acids. This type of blend, which makes lecithin soluble in both water and fat, is known as a phospholipid. Food manufacturers add lecithin to salad dressings to break down the oils, creating a uniform solution.
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Nerve cells use chemicals called neurotransmitters to communicate. When an impulse reaches the end of a nerve, it releases the neurotransmitter into the gap, called a synapse, between two nerves. The neurotransmitter passes the message from the first nerve across the synapse to the next nerve.
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