Insulin resistance describes the condition in which the body produces appropriate amounts of insulin, but uses it inappropriately. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps the body use glucose from foods for energy. Insulin...
Nail fungus turns finger and toenails yellow, brittle and can even be painful. The infection is more likely to occur in adults and on the toes. According to The National Institutes of Health, wearing closed-toe shoes, keeping skin moist for a long...
If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, your health care provider probably recommended exercise as part of your treatment. Understanding how exercise influences blood pressure, both during activity and at rest, can help you select...
To maintain a beautiful smile, it is crucial to take proper care of your teeth and gums. Gum disease can result from poor oral hygiene in its milder form, gingivitis, or the more severe periodontitis, a bacterial infection of the gums. According...
Hardening of the arteries, also known as arteriosclerosis, is a stiffening of the blood vessels that transport blood and nutrients throughout the body. Atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis that results from fat accumulating and hardening...
According to the America Heart Association's statistics on heart disease, about 1.3 million Americans have coronary artery disease (CAD). More than half of those die before getting adequate medical treatment. The Framingham Heart Study and the...
EDTA is a chemical compound that's able to bind to certain compounds in the blood and remove them. EDTA therapy (also known as chelation) is commonly used to treat mercury and lead poisoning, but it has also gained use among some alternative...
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, chelation comes from the Greek word "chele," which means "to claw." During chelation therapy, a chemical compound is introduced to the body with the goal of removing toxins or other harmful...
Chelating agents are chemical substances that contain molecules capable of bonding securely to minute particles of metal called ions. In addition to directly supporting vital body functions, this bonding process---called chelation---provides a...
For many people looking for an alternative to taking prescribed medication, natural vitamins and herbal supplements are available over the counter that feature numerous health benefits for users. Whether a patient is looking to boost overall...
Blood pressure refers to the force of blood pushing against the artery walls each time your heart beats. Your blood pressure is measured in two numbers; systolic and diastolic. Systolic is the top number which is usually higher. The lower number...
Chelation is a chemical process through which a substance, usually a heavy metal in the bloodstream, is bound and isolated by a chelating agent, usually the amino acid ethylenediamine tetraacetic, or EDTA. As a medical treatment, it is commonly...
Grapefruit seed extract is an herbal supplement sold to treat infections such as fungal nail infections. In its purest form, grapefruit seed extract consists of only seeds and pulp -- the remains left over after a grapefruit has been juiced....