After consulting a physician, some people with aching joints or damaged cartilage might take glucosamine to relieve the pain. Glucosamine is a type of sugar protein said to help rebuild cartilage and lubricate joints, making them more flexible.
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Arnica montana is a homeopathic remedy created from the arnica plant, which is native to Siberia and Europe but cultivated in North America as well. Homeopathy is a type of alternative medicine based on the principle that "similar cures similar."
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Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic remedy claimed to be good for many conditions, including stress, fertility, depression and cancer, but there is inadequate data to prove its effectiveness, according to NYU Langone Medical Center. The roots, leaves and fruit of the ashwagandha plant are used medicinally.
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Many hormones are moving throughout your bloodstream and organs, carrying chemical messages. These include melatonin, insulin, testosterone, progesterone and estrogen. Hormones play a critical role in metabolism and reproduction, and they also affect mood.
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Anemia is a condition where your body produces an inadequate number of red blood cells. Anemia can also refer to a lack of the protein hemoglobin that makes blood red. Impaired blood cell production, heavy blood loss or diet deficiencies -- especially of B-12, folate and iron -- can all cause anemia.
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Maca plants are native to the Andes Mountains in Peru. Maca is available in four varieties -- cream, black, red or purple -- with none being medicinally superior to the others, according to the University of Michigan Health System.
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Marine algae is classified by its pigment, or color. There are four divisions, and the red marine algae is part of the Rhodophyta class. The sea vegetable has been part of the diet of Eastern civilizations for hundreds of years and is rich in protein, fiber and vitamins. Red marine algae has several health benefits.
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Located above the kidneys, the adrenal glands serve the important function of secreting your body's hormones. Adrenal glands also help regulate your body's response to stress by releasing a hormone called cortisol.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about 67 million American adults have high blood pressure, or hypertension. Sometimes called the "silent killer" because of a lack of symptoms, high blood pressure can increase your risk of stroke or heart attack.
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Your body naturally produces the hormone melatonin and uses it to regulate the sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin supplements are used for a wide range of problems including insomnia, migraine and fibromyalgia. With an estimated 35 percent of the U.S.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 35 percent of American adults are obese. Obesity puts you at greater risk for health issues such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke. The only way to lose weight is to consume fewer calories than you burn.
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Brewer's yeast comes from a one-celled fungus and is a byproduct of beer making, though it can also be grown as a nutritional supplement. A good source of iron, chromium and selenium, brewer's yeast also contains several B vitamins, though not B-12.
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The first trimester of pregnancy encompasses roughly the first 12 weeks. Gaining weight is a normal part of pregnancy, but not every woman gains weight in the first trimester. Typically, it is safe to lose weight during your first trimester, but you should not be actively dieting or trying to shed pounds.
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When you hit a slump in the afternoon, you might be tempted to drink coffee or try an energy drink. Consider reaching for chocolate instead. It is a natural energy booster that contains caffeine and will increase your endorphins to give you a quick pick-me-up.
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Inflammation can cause pain, swelling and redness or a heat sensation, but it can also be helpful. The inflammatory response helps seal off injuries, eliminates bacterial invasions and disposes of damaged tissue. However, too much of a good thing can also cause problems like autoimmune disorders, according to Peter A.
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Red meat is a good source of zinc, which helps keep your immune system and skin healthy. It also contains more iron than most other foods while also being rich in B vitamins you need for making blood and maintaining nerve cells. According to registered dietician Glenn King, the human body can digest red meat.
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The turnip was a daily staple in Europe before potatoes and was a poor person's food during the Middle Ages. Harvested in the fall and winter, turnips are easy to grow. Traditionally cooked in a variety of recipes, you can also eat turnips raw. Writing for "The New York Times,"
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Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, which your body needs to build muscles, repair organs, create hemoglobin and support the immune system. When you consume protein, your digestive system breaks down the protein into amino acids used throughout your body.
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The adrenal glands produce dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, the most plentiful hormone in your bloodstream. Your body produces sufficient amounts until around age 25, but levels drop to about one-tenth of that production by age 80. DHEA is the precursor of hormones such as estrogen and testosterone.
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Watercress is in the same family as mustard and cabbage,with a somewhat bitter, peppery taste. The vegetable is full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. A serving has more iron than spinach and provides 312 percent of your daily vitamin K requirements, according to Food Facts.
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