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.
Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, is a molecular compound with several uses in cooking and medicine. The most common medical use of sodium bicarbonate is as an antacid for relieving heartburn, but it also has applications in treating acute cystitis.
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Probiotics are health supplements that are rapidly gaining popularity as treatments for several health conditions, including diarrhea and ulcerative colitis.
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Vitamin B-12 plays a role in driving several important biochemical reactions in your body, including reactions required for the function of your nervous system. A deficiency in vitamin B-12 can cause several health problems, including permanent nerve damage.
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Zinc is an essential trace element that is vital for many biological processes in the body. Zinc deficiencies can lead to symptoms affecting many different parts of the body, including the skin. One possible symptom of a zinc deficiency is a skin condition known as perioral dermatitis.
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Magnesium is an important mineral required by numerous critical biological processes in the body, including muscle, heart and brain function. Because magnesium is found in almost all plant and animal food sources, dietary deficiencies in magnesium are rare.
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Both fish oil and garlic contain a mixture of chemicals that have physiological effects on the human body, leading to concerns of possible interactions from taking both at the same time.
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Sodium benzoate is a chemical used as a preservative in for several types of food, including margarine, soft drinks, pickles, jelly and jam. Although sodium benzoate is usually safe, it may cause mild side effects in certain individuals.
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While turmeric is best known as a spice used to flavor Indian and Asian cuisine, it can also be used as an herbal medicine, especially to treat upset stomach and other stomach complaints.
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You may have heard new reports about the dangers of processed foods made with sodium nitrate or with a similar chemical known as sodium nitrite. While some of the claims you have heard may be exaggerated, there is legitimate concern about the negative health effects of both sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite.
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Magnesium oxide is a common salt formulation of the mineral magnesium. Your body needs magnesium for numerous vital biological functions, including maintaining a steady heartbeat and proper nervous system function.
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Vitamin B-6 is a water-soluble vitamin that belongs to the family of B complex vitamins. Your body requires vitamin B-6 for many crucial biological functions, and health supplements containing vitamin B-6 may be used to treat a variety of health conditions, including anemia and Alzheimer's disease.
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Coenzyme Q10, abbreviated CoQ10, is an enzyme that is naturally produced by the body and involved in basic cellular processes. Evidence suggests that levels of CoQ10 are decreased in patients with certain conditions, including heart disease, Parkinson's disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and muscular dystrophy.
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Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin found in many types of fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. Health supplements containing vitamin C are used to treat a wide variety of conditions, ranging from the common cold to heart disease.
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Fenugreek seeds have a long history of use as a spice and an herbal medication, particularly in India, Egypt and the Middle East. Currently, fenugreek seeds are used to treat high cholesterol, diabetes and appetite loss. Fenugreek seeds can also help stimulate lactation in breastfeeding women.
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Curcumin is a naturally occurring chemical compound that is found in the spice turmeric. The two words are sometimes used interchangeably, but the technical difference between the two is that turmeric is the yellowish powder used to flavor foods, while curcumin is a chemical contained within turmeric.
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Vitamin C, which is also called ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin required for the synthesis of neurotransmitters and collagen. It also has antioxidant properties that can protect molecules in the body from damage by oxidative free radicals.
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Omega-3 fatty acids are essential components of the cell membranes of all the cells in your body, yet your body cannot synthesize omega-3 fatty acids. You need to constantly include omega-3 fatty acids in your diet in order to avoid deficiency.
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Vitamin B1, which is frequently called thiamine, is part of the B complex of water-soluble vitamins required for proper nutrition. Because vitamin B1 is water soluble, taking too much of it means the excess is flushed from the body in urine. As a result, overdosing on vitamin B1 is extremely rare.
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Vitamins are essential chemical compounds required for numerous biological processes in the body. Most vitamins can be found in different foods, and eating a healthy diet including a variety of fruits and vegetables is your best bet to consuming all of the essential vitamins.
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Vitamin B12 belongs to the B-complex group of water-soluble vitamins. Although adequate levels of vitamin B12 can usually be ingested through a normal diet, vitamin B12 deficiencies might develop in certain individuals.
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