Receding gums is a periodontal disease, or a disease that affects the area around the tooth. Sometimes referred to as gum diseases, periodontal disease can damage the gums, tooth and roots of teeth. This leads to a receded gum line that causes...
Painful periods can keep you home from school or work and can interrupt your daily activities. For some females, cramping begins in the lower abdomen, below the stomach area, a day or two before their menstrual period begins, and it continues for...
Vitamin B refers to a complex of vitamins: B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5, B-6, B-7, B-9 and B-12. Vitamin B-12, also known as cobalamin, is a B vitamin used in injectable form by people who want to lose weight and increase their energy levels. Injectable...
The spice cinnamon purportedly lowers cholesterol levels when consumed in large amounts. Cinnamon is also touted as a treatment for other health issues such as diabetes, diarrhea and even the common cold. Medline indicates that there's no solid...
Iodine is an element that is essential for the body to produce hormones. Most people get an ample supply of iodine in their diets because developed countries typically fortify certain foods--such as salt or cattle feed, according to MedLine Plus....
Yohimbe extract is derived from an evergreen tree that originates in parts of Africa, according to Medline Plus. Yohimbe supplements are used by both men and women for various reasons. Consult a health-care provider before taking yohimbe supplements.
Menopause is the process by which a woman stops menstruating and is no longer fertile. When a woman reaches menopause, the amount of estrogen and progesterone produced by the body is diminished, causing symptoms such as painful vaginal dryness,...
The herbs saw palmetto, pygeum and nettle root all have been used to treat men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, a condition also known as an enlarged prostate. The herbs can be taken alone or together to help relieve some of the bothersome...
Your body relies on cholesterol for many vital functions and biochemical processes, such as normal hormone production and cell membrane maintenance. However, having an excessively high amount of cholesterol can lead to serious health problems,...
Argenix is a nutritional supplement that provides the body with doses of arginine. Arginine is a naturally-occurring amino acid that helps the body to process urea, create creatine and maintain nitric oxide levels in the body, according to Medline...
Dietary supplements are more than the multitude of vitamins and minerals sold in stores. The category of dietary supplements also includes herbs and other substances meant to supplement your diet and promote health. While some dietary supplements...
Omega-3 fish oil comes from fish sources or dietary supplements, according to Medline Plus, a website supported by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, a division of the National Institutes of Health. Fish sources that contain significant...
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says, "Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease." Omega-3 fatty acids are concentrated in fish oil and can...
A quick walk down the supplement aisle of any drugstore will confirm that there is an assortment of products for diet and weight loss. It's hard to know which ones really produce results. The United Kingdom's "Daily Mail" reported that seaweed...
Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a hormone naturally present in your body. DHEA is commonly used to increase the levels of androgens and estrogens, sex hormones that decline with age. Because the precise balance of hormones is essential for the...
Muscles approximately make up half of every person's body weight, as described in Medline Plus, a website supported by the National Institutes of Health. Muscles move voluntarily or involuntarily. They react to certain nerve impulses and stimuli,...
You might think you need lots of vitamins, but the truth is that you're probably getting many nutrients already from your diet. Taking too many supplements can lead to secondary effects. For example, the Mayo Clinic points out that Vitamin C...
Some herbalists claim that Aloe ferox, a species of plant similar to Aloe vera, can prevent arthritis and reduce joint inflammation in people who already have arthritis. These claims have not been substantiated by proper research, according to...
Cancer treatments can leave patients with side effects such as changes in taste, mouth sores, fatigue and loss of appetite. All of these side effects can make it difficult to eat and can result in weight loss. Nutritional supplements can help...
Zinc is a trace mineral that is found in almost every cell of your body. Zinc aids in the function of over 100 enzymes and has a variety of different functions in your body. Adult males require 11 mg of zinc daily, whereas adult females require 8...
Supplements containing probiotics, or "friendly" bacteria, have become increasingly popular. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) reports that probiotic sales in the U.S. tripled between 1994 and 2003. Probiotics...
Kelp is more commonly known as seaweed and is widely used in many different forms medicinally, thanks to it's high content of important nutrients. In many cultures, kelp is eaten daily in dishes that are rich in seafood and in it's concentrated...
Vitamin D works to maintain normal levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood and contributes to maintenance of strong bones. The National Library of Medicine (NLM) reports that recent research suggests that it may also provide protection for...
Calcium is a mineral that helps with the maintenance of healthy bones and teeth. The recommended daily allowance is 1,000 mg for adult men; 1,200 mg for adult women; and 1,200 mg per day for everyone over 70. Dairy products and vegetables contain...
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),...
Passion flower, or Passiflora incarnata, is a plant originally used by Native Americans in the Southeastern regions of North America. It contains powerful alkaloids and flavonoids prized for the ability to sedate individuals with asthma, high...
The body absorbs only a small percentage of iron from foods and supplements. Healthy adults absorb 15 to 35 percent of heme iron from animal products and only 2 to 20 percent of nonheme iron from plant-based foods, fortified foods and dietary...
Acne is a disease that involves the skin and oil glands as mentioned in the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. The small holes on the skin called pores connect to the oil glands. These glands produce sebum that...
With all the vitamins, minerals, herbal remedies and other dietary supplements out there, it can be difficult to know which, if any, you should take. There is no single dietary supplement that is right or essential for everyone, as each person has...
