National Toxicology Program

Information on Fenphedra Diet Pills

Weight loss requires using more calories than you consume. Energy output includes energy used for physical activity and resting energy expenditure, the energy required for the body's normal functions at rest. Thermogenic products containing...

Ingredients in Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel

Fruit of the Earth says its aloe vera gel can help moisturize and soothe your skin, making it a "great organic sealant" to protect your skin from the elements. It's marketed as both an all-natural moisturizer and as a soothing treatment for...

Can Turmeric Affect Your Thyroid?

Although turmeric has been used medicinally for at least 4,000 years, there are no clinical studies and few peer-reviewed, evidence-based studies regarding the effect of turmeric on your thyroid. The lack of studies is surprising because...

Potassium Permanganate & Sodium Nitrite

With different colors, chemical properties and commercial uses, potassium permanganate and sodium nitrite have very little in common, other than they are both reagents sold in bulk by chemical manufacturers. Neither has any value as a nutritional...

Side Effects of Thalidomide

Thalidomide belongs to a class of drugs known as immunomodulator agents, according to Medline Plus. It is used to treat multiple myeloma (cancer of blood cells in the bone marrow) and the skin problems caused by erythema nodosum leprosum, a skin...

Are Plastic Water Bottles Healthy?

To meet fluid needs, people often depend on refillable or disposable water bottles, which provide convenient access to water at work, on the road and during workouts. But evidence suggests that water bottles made from polycarbonate plastics may...

What Are the Dangers of Polycarbonate Plastic Water Bottles?

There is concern about polycarbonate water bottles because of a chemical called bisphenol A, or BPA, that is used in the making of the containers. Polycarbonate plastic is found is an array of products from toys to compact disks. In May 2009,...

Spiramycin Side Effects & Warnings

Spiramycin is a drug used in the treatment of toxoplasmosis, an parasite-borne infection. The drug is used specifically in pregnant women, according to the Mayo Clinic, because it reduces the change the fetus will get the disease from the infected...

How to Stop Dark Skin From Tanning

Your risk of getting skin cancer from tanning is decreased if your skin is light brown, moderately brown, dark brown or black, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. However, skin cancer is a possibility for anyone who intentionally...

Herbal Treatments for Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis, a type of allergy that affects the eyes and nasal passages, is characterized by sneezing, itchy eyes and a runny nose. It is caused by inhaling allergens such as pet dander, pollen and dust. Some people suffer from allergic...

How Much Vitamin A Should I Have When Pregnant?

Getting the right amount of vitamin A is especially important during pregnancy, since vitamin A is used by the body for cell growth and differentiation. Vitamin A also plays a role in immune system function, growth, vision, reproduction and tissue...

Plastic Everywhere Side Effects

The plastics that are used in food containers, bottles to hold water and beverages, and the lining of cans that hold commercial foods often contain dangerous chemicals. The chemicals in the plastics can seep out while food or beverages are stored...

Thalidomide Side Effects on Babies

Thalidomide is a drug that caused severe birth defects in babies born in the 1960s to mothers who took the drug early in pregnancy for morning sickness. The drug was banned due to its significant side effects, but is again being used to treat...

Side Effects of Garcinia Cambogia

Garcinia cambogia, also called brindleberry, is a fruit used as an herbal remedy for reducing high cholesterol and achieving weight loss. The berry, native to Asia, has a rind rich in hydroxycitric acid. You can find Garcinia cambogia and this...

Is Soy Formula Harmful to Infants?

Soy formula is an alternative to breast milk or cow's milk formula for babies, made using soy protein. In the United States, consumers spent about 12 percent of total dollar sales for infant formula on the soy variety in 2009, according to the...

Can You Eat Canned Tuna While Pregnant?

During pregnancy, it's important to watch what you eat and avoid certain foods to help with proper development of the fetus. Tuna provides important nutrients such as lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids. However, certain types of fish should be...

Hawthorn and Thyroid Medications

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, researchers have not thoroughly investigated how hawthorn interacts with thyroid medication or other prescription drugs. Even if hawthorn does not interact with your...

Morning Sickness and Diet

Morning sickness experienced by some women in early pregnancy ranges from an uneasy stomach to mild queasiness to debilitating nausea and vomiting. Rarely, severe or continued vomiting may result in acidosis, dehydration or excessive weight loss...

Dangerous Chemicals in Fast Food Other Than MSG

From grilled chicken treated with carcinogens to french fries laced with the chemicals used to make Teflon, your options for eating fast food contaminated with harmful substances are endless -- even if MSG were banned. To make matters worse, the...

Caffeine Effects on Embryos

Caffeine is a popular addictive stimulant used by millions of people worldwide and found in various foods, beverages and medications. Excessive caffeine consumption during pregnancy, particularly when combined with alcohol or tobacco use, could...

What Are the Dangers of Hexavalent Chromium?

Trivalent chromium or Cr (III) is a metal that occurs naturally in soil, rocks, plants and animals and is an essential nutrient. The most dangerous form of chromium, hexavalent chromium or Cr (VI), forms when Cr (III) is heated in the presence of...

Corned Beef & Pregnancy

The foods you eat while pregnant can affect not only your baby's health but also your own health, as well as your ability to lose those extra pounds after giving birth. For several reasons, processed meats such as corned beef aren't among the best...

Does Soy Raise Estrogen Levels?

Soy, a plant native to Asia, contains a number of healthy elements such as protein, fiber and isoflavones, a type of phytoestrogen, or estrogen from plant sources. Soy can be a substitute for animal protein, since it contains all the essential...

Toxic Hair Products

Did you know that many of the hair products you use contain harmful toxins? Several potentially harmful ingredients are found in shampoo and other products for your hair. These toxins may cause various health problems or even cancer. When choosing...

How Does Hoodia Compare to Metabolife?

Hoodia gordonii is an extract derived from a succulent plant similar to a cactus. This plant, indigenous to southern Africa, is popularly advertised as an appetite suppressant and commonly included in various diet pills. Metabolife is a line of...

Negative Effects of Mineral Oil in Skin Care

A liquid produced by the distillation of petroleum, mineral oil is odorless, tasteless and inexpensive. It is a common ingredient in baby lotions, cold creams, ointments and cosmetics. Its slippery quality helps products spread easily across the...

Valerian Root & Possible Side Effects

Dried valerian root, also known as garden heliotrope and vandal root, is an herbal preparation commonly used for its mild sedative properties. The "PDR for Herbal Medicines" reports that valerian root may alter brain chemistry by increasing the...

Lecithin Risks

Lecithin is a naturally-occurring, fatty substance used to make cosmetics, paint, margarine, mayonnaise, chocolate, plastics and dietary supplements. Supplemental lecithin is made from eggs and soy beans. The health benefits of lecithin come the...

What Is ETS Smoking?

ETS smoking is the clinical term for passive smoking, more commonly thought of as receiving second hand smoke. It occurs when a smoker is in your proximity and you involuntarily inhale the fumes produced from a cigarette, cigar or pipe. The most...