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.

Moroccan chicken stew

Arginine & Lysine

Lysine and arginine are two amino acids found in protein-rich foods. Lysine is an essential amino acid, meaning your body can't make it from other amino acids. Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid; although your body can make it, people with certain health conditions may need a supplement.

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What Vitamin Supplements Are Good for the Gallbladder?

When it comes to supplements for gallbladder health, vitamin C is one of the most frequently mentioned in research studies. It may be beneficial for limiting your risk for gallbladder disease, gallstones and cancer of the gallbladder.

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Sprong baby with raised hands, fresh fruits, vegetables, juice glass

Absorption of Gummy Vitamins Vs. Chewables

Gummy vitamins and chewable vitamins are both potentially good options for people who can't swallow pills well. What makes chewable vitamins a slightly better choice isn't that they're better absorbed; it's that they tend to contain more nutrients and higher amounts of nutrients than gummy vitamins.

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Oval shape of soft gelatin capsule.

Vitamin E and Bruises

You need a certain amount of vitamin E each day for proper immune function, cell signaling and gene expression. This essential vitamin also acts as an antioxidant, limiting damage to your cells from substances called free radicals and potentially decreasing your risk for cancer and heart disease.

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Which Form of Magnesium Is Best Absorbed?

You need magnesium for strong bones and teeth, a healthy immune system, blood sugar regulation, heart function, energy metabolism, nerve and muscle function, and protein synthesis. Magnesium also helps regulate the levels of various other vitamins and minerals in your blood.

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A Calcium Supplement That Does Not Constipate

Calcium is important for secreting hormones, cell signaling, muscle and nerve function, as well as for keeping your teeth and bones strong. However, not everyone gets enough calcium from foods.

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Complications From Vitamin B Complex

You need the B-complex vitamins, which include naicin, thiamine, riboflavin, biotin, pantothenic acid, folate and vitamins B-6 and B-12, for turning the food you eat into energy. These vitamins also play a role in normal growth and development and proper nerve, muscle and heart function.

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White pills on desk

Magnesium Oxide Vs. Magnesium Citrate Tablets

Your body uses magnesium to help turn food into energy, synthesize protein, regulate blood sugar levels, keep your immune system healthy, maintain a steady heart rate, keep your bones strong and your nerves and muscles functioning properly. Supplements can help you meet your recommended intake for magnesium.

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Capsules on a wooden surface

The Best Calcium & Magnesium Supplements

Strong bones require a combination of nutrients, including calcium and magnesium. The best supplements have a good ratio of calcium to magnesium and contain the forms of each mineral that are easiest for your body to absorb and least likely to cause side effects.

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Illustration of raw pork rib roast

The Best Form of B-Complex Vitamin

The B-complex vitamins -- niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid and vitamins B-6 and B-12 -- are essential for metabolism, forming healthy red blood cells, keeping your skin healthy and keeping your vision and nervous system functioning properly.

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Apple cider vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Diet

People sometimes drink apple cider vinegar mixed with water in an attempt to lose weight, cleanse their bodies of toxins, lower their blood sugar levels or treat infections. Research results aren't conclusive enough to support these uses, and there are potential adverse effects from drinking apple cider vinegar.

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Hemp Seeds

Do Hemp Seeds Contain Healthy Omega-3 Fatty Acids?

Hemp comes from the same family of plants as marijuana, however, the type of hemp that is used for industrial purposes and human consumption has been bred to contain very low levels of the active ingredient in marijuana and higher levels of fiber, oil or seed.

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shells die on beach

Sickness Caused by Blue Green Algae

Blue-green algae can be either toxin producing or non-toxin producing, depending on the type of blue-green algae. However, you can't tell whether blue-green algae is toxin producing just by looking at it.

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Various fruits and vegetables on counter

How to Lose Weight With Juice Plus

Juice Plus is a supplement made with concentrated dried fruits and vegetables meant to provide you with some of the same nutrients as fresh versions of these foods. While proponents claim that this supplement may have some health benefits, the manufacturer doesn't claim that Juice Plus is a weight-loss supplement.

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Beef steak with gnocchi and gorgonzola sauce

Side Effects of Excess Glutamine

Your body usually produces sufficient glutamine, an amino acid you need to make proteins, on its own. Sometimes you may need extra glutamine, however, if you are injured or are participating in very heavy exercise, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

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bowl of spirulina algae powder

Spirulina Side Effects

Spirulina is a nutrient-rich blue-green algae sometimes used to improve nutrition or as a form of alternative medicine, although there isn't enough scientific evidence to recommend it for treating any health condition, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

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Close-up of baking soda on spoon.

Sodium Alginate Side Effects

Sodium alginate may help improve weight loss when combined with a reduced-calorie diet, according to a study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in 2012. This supplement made from seaweed is also included in some antacids because the gel it forms can help protect your esophagus from stomach acid.

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Spinach leaves, close up

Benefits of Magnesium Potassium Aspartate

Magnesium potassium aspartate is sometimes included in supplements or fortified foods to increase the amount of magnesium and potassium they contain. Magnesium and potassium are both minerals essential for good health, and aspartate is a nonessential amino acid.

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