The body makes its own L-citrulline, so it is rare to find a deficiency in this non-essential amino acid, according to iHerb.com. However, L-citrulline is available in supplements and contained in certain foods. The compound has gotten a great...
The effort to fortify food dates back to 400 B.C., when Melanpus, a Persian physician, suggested adding iron filings to wine to increase soldiers' "potency." Modern fortification has advanced considerably since Melanpus. Fortifying staple foods...
In much the same way that the yogurt industry has focused on probiotics, the packaged snack food business has begun to focus on fiber. If you've ever been curious enough to read the ingredient label on your Fiber One bar, you probably expected to...
In light of an obesity epidemic in the United States, manufacturers are rushing to create new products to meet consumer demands for products that will help fight weight gain. Artificial sweeteners have become popular with consumers, and polyols...
Mullein, a member of the figwort family and also known as Flannel-leaf, is a perennial plant with broad, fuzzy leaves that bears five-petaled flowers on a tall central stalk. Mullein tea, made from the leaves of the plant, has been widely used in...
Bee propolis is a resinous substance that honeybees gather when visiting flowers. The bees use it to strengthen the walls of the hive to enhance its defense and resistance to disease and predators. Natural health advocates promote the use of bee...
All living things need nutrients to grow, and while there are some differences between vitamins for plants and the ones for humans, there are also similarities. This does not mean that you can take plant vitamins. But the idea of using human...
The Paleo diet, based upon the eating patterns of ancient hunter-gatherer civilizations, encourages a nutrient-dense diet of high quality protein and plants. Followers eschew modern foods that were not available to Paleolithic human, with the...
If you suffer from high cholesterol levels, adding oyster mushrooms to your diet may have a beneficial effect on your LDL and total cholesterol. Oyster mushrooms, also known as Pleurotus ostreatus, are edible mushrooms native to Europe and Asia,...
New scientific evidence indicates that pregnant women who exercise are not only benefiting their own health, but they are improving the health of their unborn babies. Experts recommend engaging in mild to moderate exercise each day to improve...
Pectin is found in the cell walls of plants, namely apples. Apple cores and peels are the parts of the apple rich with pectin. Farmers extract pectin from apples for its solidifying effects in foods such as jams and jellies. Pectin from apples is...
In 2006, the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging investigated glycemic load and weight loss. When asked to name its most significant finding, researchers at the center said the obese participants who followed low-calorie, low glycemic index...
Polyphenols are a category of naturally-occurring compounds in plants, some of which are believed to have beneficial effects on health. Polyphenols act as antioxidants and may be useful in prevention of certain diseases, notably heart disease and...
Throughout the process of pregnancy, mothers- and fathers-to-be are looking for normal, healthy growth of their unborn child. As a way of better handling the rigors of childbirth, many women participate in exercise programs. While exercise during...
Proteins are one of the major molecular components of your entire body and can be found in your blood, bones, cells, tissues and organs. Proteins are also an essential component of your nutritional intake because your body uses them to build its...
Overcooking pasta does more than make it mushy and unpalatable. Pasta is composed of complex carbohydrates but it becomes more starchy and transforms into simple carbs when it's overcooked. The release of more simple carbohydrates changes the...
Blood pressure is the force exerted by the flowing blood on the walls of arteries. A variety of factors including excessive salt or water in the body, hormonal imbalance, clogged arteries and poor brain or kidney function can lead to hypertension,...
Triphala churna is an herbal mixture used in the practice of Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda, an Indian healing science designed to prevent and treat illness, dates back at least 5,000 years, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center....
Agar is a polymer used to grow bacteria. Agar is first supplied as a powder and, when dissolved in boiling water and cooled, solidifies to a firm surface for bacterial growth. There are many different types of agar that can be used to grow your...
Inulin belongs to a class of carbohydrates called fructans. A fructan acts like a prebiotic. Many have heard of probiotics, which are healthy bacteria related to a healthy gut. Prebiotics, on the other hand, serve as food for probiotics, which in...
Most people know that exercise improves blood pressure and circulation, maintains a healthy weight, and keeps the heart and lungs healthy. During pregnancy, however, women may receive mixed messages about the effect activity has on their babies....
Information about nutrition abounds in the media, and your friends, coworkers and family members may also share their nutritional knowledge with you. The science of nutrition is still evolving and rapidly changing, making self-treatment of...
Tangerines are members of the citrus family and also are called mandarin oranges. These fruits are considered a distinct species, Citrus reticulata Blanco. The thin, loose peel is easily removed and has earned these fruits the nickname of...
Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is the most common hormonal disorder in women; it is characterized by enlarged ovaries and multiple small cysts that appear along the outer part of the ovaries, along with irregular menstrual periods, excess...
The Glycemic Index is a list that ranks food items by the effect they have on your blood sugar levels. When the carbohydrates in foods digest quickly, they may cause a rapid rise in blood sugar. These foods have a higher ranking on the GI scale...
Red clover, or Trifolium pratense, is recognized as a common weed but has a tradition of use in folk medicine. You might be familiar with its common names: cow clover, meadow clover and wild clover. Red clover is an edible plant and Europeans...
The food you eat may cause your blood sugar to rapidly increase, leading to complications and conditions like diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic. The glycemic index rates foods, assigning them a number essentially based on how rapidly your...
Chai tea is a combination of spices with tea and milk that makes a delicious, healthy beverage. According to the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, chai tea comes from Ayurvedic medicine and can be created with different recipes. All the...
The brain is one of the most complex organs in the body and is the center of thought and emotion. Keeping your brain healthy not only increases concentration and focus, but also protects against age-related memory loss and degenerative brain...
