Overview Vitamin B-12 (cobalamin) plays an essential role in red blood cell formation, cell metabolism, nerve function and the production of DNA, the molecules inside cells that carry genetic information. Food sources of vitamin B-12 include poultry, meat, fish and dairy products. Vitamin B-12 is also added to some foods, such as fortified breakfast cereals,…
Cancer pain: Relief is possibleLearn about what causes cancer pain, how it’s treated, and what barriers might stand in the way of adequate cancer pain relief.By Mayo Clinic Staff Not everyone with cancer has cancer pain, but some do. If you have cancer that’s spread or recurred, your chance of having pain is higher. Cancer…
Call 911 or emergency medical help if you think you might be having a heart attack. Someone having a heart attack may have any or all of the following: Chest pain, pressure or tightness, or a squeezing or aching sensation in the center of the chest Pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulder, arm,…
Overview Vitamin D is a nutrient your body needs for building and maintaining healthy bones. That’s because your body can only absorb calcium, the primary component of bone, when vitamin D is present. Vitamin D also regulates many other cellular functions in your body. Its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties support immune health, muscle function…
Overview Creatine is an amino acid located mostly in your body’s muscles as well as in the brain. Most people get creatine through seafood and red meat — though at levels far below those found in synthetically made creatine supplements. The body’s liver, pancreas and kidneys also can make about 1 gram of creatine per…
Boiling down the dietary guidelinesThe 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans call for more veggies and whole grains, and less salt, sugar and saturated fat.By Mayo Clinic Staff The Dietary Guidelines for Americans offer science-based advice for choosing foods that promote health and prevent disease. Early guidelines focused on the link between individual nutrients and health.…
Overview L-arginine is an amino acid that helps the body build protein. Your body usually makes all the L-arginine it needs. L-arginine is also found in most protein-rich foods, including fish, red meat, poultry, soy, whole grains, beans and dairy products. As a supplement, L-arginine can be used orally and topically. It can also be…
It’s common to have cold hands even when you’re not in a cold environment. Usually, having cold hands is just one of the ways your body tries to regulate its temperature and shouldn’t be cause for concern. However, persistently cold hands — particularly with skin color changes — could be a warning sign of nerve…
Breast cancer prevention: How to reduce your riskBreast cancer prevention starts with healthy habits — such as limiting alcohol and staying physically active. Understand what you can do to reduce your breast cancer risk.By Mayo Clinic Staff If you’re concerned about developing breast cancer, you might be wondering if there are steps you can take…
Niacin to boost your HDL, ‘good,’ cholesterolNiacin is an important B vitamin that may raise your HDL, (“good”), cholesterol. Find out if you should talk to your doctor about taking niacin alone or with cholesterol medications.By Mayo Clinic Staff Niacin, a B vitamin, has long been used to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol — the…
Children and gender identity: Supporting your childUnderstand the importance of talking with your child about gender identity and expression — and how to get the conversation started.By Mayo Clinic Staff If your child has questions about gender identity or gender expression, you’ve probably got questions, too. Find out what you can do to help and…
After another extremely regular week, it’s not really a surprise to be comforted by something familiar — even if that something is a real-time strategy war game. EA I think my first Command & Conquer experience was on Sega Saturn, which quickly…