To accurately determine what types of vitamins you need consult with your primary physician and possibly have blood work done. Your results will show any deficiencies or areas of concern. The type of vitamins you need depends on a wide range of...
Your body produces a small amount of creatine; meat and fish contain creatine as well. Some athletes take creatine supplements in hopes of improving their athletic performance, and people with certain medical conditions take creatine to try to...
Protein supplements are very popular with athletes. Many believe protein supplements will enhance performance in training and competition. Several forms of protein supplements are available and are targeted toward athletes, promising better...
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men. A disease of aging, the National Institutes of Health reports prostate cancer is rare in men younger than 40. Many factors affect treatment recommendations, including the location of cancer...
Lovaza is a fish oil medication used to treat people with very high triglyceride levels, a condition that can elevate the risk of a heart attack or a stroke. Usually it's prescribed in conjunction with a low-fat diet. Research indicates that your...
If you're a woman, the protein in your diet helps build and repair muscle, replenishes blood lost through menstruation, supports your immune health and synthesizes hormones. Whey protein can supply some or all of the protein you need every day,...
Supplements serve a valuable role, especially when you have a nutritional deficiency or illness. However, supplements -- private label or not -- can be potentially dangerous because they contain ingredients that affect your body’s...
Protein supplies energy to the body and helps to repair tissues and fight off infections. Most Americans get more than enough protein from the foods they eat, including fish, meat, beans, eggs and dairy foods, says the Centers for Disease Control...
Contaminants and pollutants are concentrated in the fat of fish, so fish oil may be high in toxins if not properly purified. Although you may see a label stating "pharmaceutical grade fish oil," fish oil is not medicine and there is no single...
If you don't eat dairy products or other dietary sources of calcium, supplements are an effective way to get enough of this mineral in your diet to meet your daily needs. Many brands of calcium supplements are available, and each is manufactured...
Astragalus is a small perennial plant, native to parts of China, Korea and Mongolia. The curative properties of astralagus are in the root of the plant, a flexible finger-like tuber filled with wooly fibers. For medicinal purposes, the dried...
Most American adults take dietary supplements at least occasionally, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary supplements may include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, probiotics, enzymes and herbs. Although many herbs have been used...
A broad assortment of dietary supplements line the shelves at health food stores, markets and pharmacies. When properly used, dietary supplements may improve your nutritional wellness and overall health, particularly when you have a medical...
Multivitamins are designed as supplements to provide essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals to support a healthy lifestyle. The supplements are available in a wide variety of forms including tablets, capsules and liquids. The best liquid...
Since the publication of the 1992 book "Sharks Don't Get Cancer" by Dr. William Lane, humans have investigated the health benefits of ingesting shark cartilage, which comes from the heads and fins of the ocean predator and contains proteins,...
Fish oil supplements are often linked to numerous health benefits, but choosing a "good" fish oil supplement can be difficult with the wide variety of brands and types. However, looking at the details provided on the supplement label and nutrition...
Valerian is a medicinal herb used for centuries to treat insomnia, stress and anxiety. The root of this perennial plant is found in tea, pill, extract or tincture form. Manufacturers of valerian supplements claim that the mild sedative effects may...
Herbal drugs are plant-based supplements used for their medicinal properties. While all supplements carry risks, herbal weight loss formulas are notorious for causing adverse effects like heart palpitations, blood pressure changes and even heart...
Cataract is an eye disease caused by the clouding of the eye lens and is characterized by loss of vision in the effected eye. This condition is a leading cause of blindness and affects approximately one in five Americans between the ages 65 and...
Wheatgrass, chlorella, spirulina and barley grass are all plants that can be taken as supplements, pills or in juice form. Incorporating these foods in the diet can be part of a healthy diet, but the purity of ingredients in supplements are not...
Siberian ginseng, also called eleuthero, is not the same as American ginseng or Panax ginseng. These plants have different active ingredients and are used differently, so you cannot substitute one type for the other. Siberian ginseng might help...
Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density. To prevent osteoporosis, a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D may generally be recommended to you by your doctor. Lysine, an essential amino...
Tea has been used medicinally in Asian cultures for centuries, and it might help treat stomach disorders such as vomiting and diarrhea, as well as prevent some types of cancer, liver disorders and more. According to the University of Maryland...
Athletes are always in the market for products and supplements that will improve their performance. One such supplement, called creatine, is purported to improve lean muscle mass and overall strength. While the supplement is generally considered...
The hormone melatonin is produced in the brain from the amino acid tryptophan and functions to regulate the body's clock, or circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm influences when your child wakes and falls asleep. The pineal gland responds to...
Feverfew, a small, flowering plant native to southeastern Europe, has been used for centuries to treat headaches, arthritis, fevers, stomachaches and asthma. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, feverfew is generally...
The modern diet, of vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike, lacks a healthy variety of foods which meet all basic nutritional needs. It is perhaps a reality of modern life that diet requires supplementation to prove the body with what it needs to...
Fish-oil supplements are high in two kinds of omega-3 fatty acids -- eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA. Research published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine suggests that both these acids provide numerous...
If you have lactose intolerance or are following a vegan diet, you will be concerned with calcium in your food. There are several different types found naturally in foods and beverages. All types of calcium are minerals; according to The...
