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.

Dry and sprouted fenugreek seeds

Fenugreek Substitutes

Fennel bulb and fennel seed both grant food an aroma similar to maple or licorice, so they can be ideal substitutes for fenugreek. Other fenugreek substitutes include maple syrup, mustard and celery leaf.

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Girl taking medicine

Can I Give My Daughter Castor Oil If She Is 2 Years Old?

Castor oil is an extremely powerful laxative, functioning as both a bowel irritant and a stool lubricant. Used primarily as a treatment for severe, persistent constipation, castor oil is notorious for causing serious and uncomfortable side effects.

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Omega-3 Capsules

Does Fish Oil Make You Stink?

Fish oil is an excellent source of the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, which are associated with several important health benefits. In nutrition and naturopathic medicine, practitioners widely recommend fish oil supplements to treat and prevent common conditions.

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Curcuma domestica.

What Are the Benefits of Turmeric Capsules?

The aromatic root of the turmeric plant has been used for centuries as a treatment for digestive disorders, inflammation, arthritis and infection. Many of turmeric's historic uses are not necessarily supported by scientific evidence.

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Fish oil capsules in glass bowl on burlap sack

Fish Oil & Bleeding

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, fish oil is among the most popular dietary supplements sold in the United States. These supplements are packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and are associated with few serious side effects. In fact, the U.S.

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Pills in box

Cons of Probiotics

Supplements containing probiotics--"friendly" bacteria that promote digestive health and immunity--are increasingly popular among health-conscious consumers. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), sales of probiotics nearly tripled between 1994 and 2003.

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Fish oil on wooden spoon with wooden background

How to Best Absorb Fish Oil Supplements

A wealth of controlled studies have found fish oil to be one of the most versatile, useful supplements for improving a person's overall state of health and well being. Unfortunately, many consumers stop taking fish oil supplements because of unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects like reflux and diarrhea. The U.S.

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Close up of a pharmacist checking the prescription

The Recommended Milligrams of L-Arginine

The amino acid L-arginine performs several essential functions within the human body. Critical for the construction of living protein, arginine also acts as a natural precursor to nitric oxide, which expands blood vessels and improves circulation.

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Two pieces of broccoli, close-up, selective focus

Differences Between Vitamin K1 & K2

Vitamin K is an essential micronutrient found in certain foods and nutritional supplements. Best known for its critical role in blood platelet function, this compound owes its common name to the German term, “Koagulationsvitamin.” Two basic forms of vitamin K -- K1 and K2 -- are used in medicine and human nutrition.

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happy young woman sitting on sofa and taking pill

Side Effects of Thermogenic Pills

Thermogenics are drugs or supplements designed to facilitate weight loss by simulating exercise. Most thermogenic products generally contain strong stimulants that enable weight loss by boosting energy levels and increasing blood flow.

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Cinnamon sticks in a basket closeup

Benefits of Cinnamon Bark

Renowned for its warm fragrance and spicy flavor, the bark of the cinnamon plant has been used for hundreds of years as both a seasoning and medicine. In modern naturopathic medicine, practitioners regard cinnamon as a natural treatment for chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.

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Valerian Root Cut

Effects of Valerian Root on the Heart

For more than 2,000 years, holistic healers have turned to Valerian root as a naturopathic treatment for anxiety, insomnia and mood disturbances. Although limited studies suggest that Valerian can safely treat these conditions, few studies have conclusively evaluated its overall effects on the human body.

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Root dry of Rhodiola rosea in spoonful with flowers

Side Effects of Rhodiola Rosea Extract

Extracts of the medicinal herb rhodiola rosea have been used historically to boost stamina, mood and mental function. According to Dr. Andrew Weil, a naturopathic physician, studies increasingly suggest that this versatile herb can help treat a variety of common conditions.

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Rhodiola Dangers

The medicinal herb rhodiola, also known as golden root, originates in the high-altitude regions of Northern Europe and Asia. Herbalists commonly regard rhodiola as an adaptogen.

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Sexual Benefits of Panax Ginseng for Men

The root of the Panax ginseng plant has been used for centuries as a component of traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM. TCM practitioners and Western herbalists widely promote Panax ginseng as an adaptogen, or an herb that enables a healthier response to physical or mental stress.

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Side Effects of Drinking Senna Pod Tea

Senna, an herbal stimulant laxative, is commonly used as a short-term treatment for constipation. Teas made from this harsh laxative enable bowel movements by irritating the lining of the colon, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

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Eucalyptus Oil Side Effects

Eucalyptus, a tropical evergreen endemic to the Australian continent, has been used for centuries as a treatment for skin and upper-respiratory infections. In modern aromatherapy and naturopathy, eucalyptus may be used as a treatment for arthritis, headache, congestion and skin ulcers.

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curry powder in a glass jar

Recommended Dosages for Turmeric

Turmeric, a fragrant yellow-rooted plant related to ginger, is a core component of South Asian cuisine and Ayurvedic medicine. Recently, modern science has confirmed many health benefits traditionally associated with this pungent, spicy-sweet herb.

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