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.
Fish oil supplements contain heart-healthy and inflammation-fighting omega-3 fatty acids. If you’re having trouble fitting fish into your weekly meals or just want an extra boost, fish oil supplements can help. But when your fish oil supplements have expired, you may wonder if they are still safe and effective.
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One of the common pieces of medical advice is to listen to your body. This can be true for your food cravings. While sometimes you crave salt because you are accustomed to eating a high amount of the mineral, in other instances you may crave salt because you have a potassium deficiency.
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Although zinc is a mineral found in relatively small amounts in your body, it may have applications in reducing the severity and duration of the common cold.
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Also known as warfarin, Coumadin is a medication your physician prescribes to prevent life-threatening blood clots from forming. While the medication can help you to stay healthy, it relies on a delicate balance in your blood to prove effective.
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Your body relies on the right balance of salt and fluids to perform at its best. If you do not have enough sodium in your blood, you have a condition known as hyponatremia. This condition can be life-threatening because without sodium, you can lose consciousness due to brain swelling that can lead to death.
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Although zinc is a mineral found in trace amounts in your body, it is involved in several life-sustaining functions. Without enough zinc in your daily diet, you could experience changes in your growth and development, immune system response, brain function and reproductive abilities.
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Before you undergo surgery, you want your body to be in the best possible shape. Your physician may recommend steps such as changing your diet to lose weight and boost your immune system or taking vitamin K supplements to reduce the risk of bleeding.
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Potassium bicarbonate is a bubbly medication that is used to neutralize acid in the stomach and boost potassium levels in those whose bodies are experiencing severe potassium deficiencies. Because the body requires potassium for a number of functions, it is very important to maintain normal potassium levels.
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Two types of sunblock exist. Both physical and chemical sunblocks are available. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the physical type, meaning the sunblock is not absorbed by the skin’s surface, according to "The New York Times." When applied to the skin, these ingredients reflect light, much like a mirror.
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Sodium is a mineral present in the body that has benefits, including maintaining the proper fluid balance in the body and the acid-base level in the body, regulating blood pressure and assisting in nerve conduction.
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Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is an antioxidant and needed nutrient for your body to perform its daily functions. Because vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, your body does not store it or make it, so you must take in enough each day to meet your nutritional needs.
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Sodium chloride -- also known as table salt -- is a compound your body needs to perform a variety of daily functions. Its basic parts, sodium and chloride, rest outside your cells. However, taking in too much can harm your health. Finding the right balance helps you stay healthy and protect your heart.
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Lactose is a sugar naturally found in some foods, particularly dairy products. Sugars require special enzymes that help your body break down foods.
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Bariatric sleeve surgery is a weight-loss surgery technique that involves removing a portion of the stomach. As a result, you have a smaller stomach that cannot tolerate eating a large amount of food. While eating less food will help you to lose weight, you will be getting fewer nutrients in your daily diet.
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From maintaining the pH of your blood to the pH of your urine, your body works to keep balance. If your urine or blood becomes too acidic, your physician may recommend a number of medications to make your urine more basic.
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Potassium is vital to a number of body functions, including digestion, metabolism and regulating muscle tissue. However, is it possible for a person to experience hyperkalemia, a condition where a person experiences too-high potassium levels in her blood.
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