The mineral zinc is vital to the cells of the body for it fulfills several important functions, but the recommended daily allowance depends on the age and sex of the individual taking it. Zinc toxicity can cause several symptoms, and taking too...
Sage is used extensively to treat a number of conditions. Small clinical trials have been conducted on the use of sage to treat Alzheimer's disease, memory loss and inflammation. Most of the research, however, is limited and performed in...
Sleeping sickness is caused by a parasitic protozoon called Trypanosome. These single-celled organisms are found primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa and are spread through the bite of flies. The disease is called sleeping sickness due to the constant...
5-HTP, or 5-hydroxytryptophan, is a chemical your body makes from the amino acid tryptophan, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Your body uses 5-HTP to make the brain chemical serotonin, which helps regulate mood and behavior....
The dietary supplement 5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, is derived from the seeds of a plant called Griffonia simplicifolia, which grows in Africa. It is a precursor of serotonin, one of the neurotransmitters found in your brain. This supplement has...
Calcium is one of the most abundant minerals in the body, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Sufficient calcium is necessary for intracellular signaling, transmission of nerve signals, muscle function, hormone secretion and vascular...
Tryptophan is an amino acid -- a building block for protein -- that occurs naturally in foods such as dairy products, nuts, poultry and fish. Your body converts tryptophan into L-tryptophan, also called 5-HTP or simply tryptophan -- a brain...
Phenylketonuria is a condition in which you are unable to break down an amino acid called phenylalanine. It is a genetic condition present at birth. If both parents carry the gene, the baby is at risk for having PKU. A simple blood test done at...
Rich in vitamin C and fiber, grapes are a nutritious and low-calorie food. With more than 50 varieties of red, black, green and white grapes to choose from, most people can benefit from incorporating grapes into their diet. There are few potential...
Anxiety disorders are common mental illnesses that are diagnosed based on specific criteria by physicians. Conventional treatment includes anti-anxiety and antidepressant medication as well as psychotherapy. Using 5-HTP, a natural over-the-counter...
Colloidal silver is an over-the-counter dietary supplement that proponents assert has beneficial medicinal properties. The Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine of the National Institutes of Health states that there are no scientific...
Bilirubin is produced during the process of red blood cell breakdown. This is a normal process that allows the body to get rid of old and damaged red blood cells. In order to remove bilirubin from the body, it must be broken down by the liver....
Successfully losing weight requires creating a caloric deficit through diet and exercise. When your body burns more calories than you eat, it turns to stored fat for energy. In order to lose a pound of fat per week, you need to eliminate 500...
Kudzu is a flowering vine native to Japan, China and naturalized to the southeastern United States. It is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat headaches, migraines, vertigo, tinnitus and other neurological disorders. It is also...
Hallucinogens are substances that cause temporary alterations in consciousness commonly called "trips." Most known hallucinogens are illegal around the world but a psychedelic counterculture persists. While hallucinogenic drugs come from a variety...
AIDS is the terminal stage of disease caused by HIV. Those with AIDS have severely damaged immune systems, making it more difficult for them to fight off disease. As a result, patients are more vulnerable to developing life-threatening...
Though the word acid may sound harmful, the nutrient malic acid is a beneficial substance found in many healthy foods. In addition to its presence in foods, this acid is also broken down to lactic acid and carbon dioxide for use in winemaking,...
Retinol, or vitamin A, is an important vitamin in the health maintenance of vision, bone growth and cell development. Vitamin A is also important in the regulation of the immune system, helping the body prevent and fight off infections. Retinol is...
Brain fog symptoms include forgetfulness, confusion and the inability to think clearly or focus. Some causes may be food reactions, nutritional deficits, hypoglycemia, candida or mineral toxicity. Brain fog describes the experience of feeling like...
Brain fog is a common condition that describes feelings of mental confusion and a lack of mental clarity. It can result in forgetfulness and disorganization and contributes to problems at work or school and in relationships. Brain fog can have...
Alzheimer's disease results in chronic, progressive and ultimately fatal dementia. The exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is not known, although genetics can play a role in its development. Patients with Alzheimer's have problems with the parts of...
Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia that is incurable and ultimately fatal. Although it is not exactly understood how Alzheimer's disease comes about and progresses, it is thought to be related to the formation of clumps of protein in the...
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin commonly found in eggs, liver and dairy products in the form of retinoids. Vitamin A is also found in the form of carotenoids in dark or yellow vegetables, and in carrots. According to the National Institutes of...
The elderberry shrub bears small purple-black fruit clusters during late summer and early autumn. Elderberry grows in moist soils near lakes, canals and ponds. Naturally, the fruit is a food source for birds and deer, but it is also harvested for...
If you are concerned about mercury in seafood, be sure to get the recommended daily allowance--RDA--of selenium. According to Laura Raymond, Ph. D and associates, in an article published in "Seychelles Medical and Dental Journal," the harm mercury...
Dental work often involves the extraction of teeth or cutting into the oral tissue. Because this can be painful dentists typically use anesthetics to diminish the pain at the time of the operation. Most dentists use local anesthesia, which is the...
Vitamin A is a necessary vitamin for maintaining immune system function, rebuilding healthy cells and preventing vision problems. It is also an antioxidant that may help prevent cellular damage caused by unstable free radical molecules. Synthetic...
Beer contains alcohol, and drinking an excessive amount over a long period of time can damage your brain. Chronic alcoholism, or drinking an excessive amount of alcohol habitually, can affect not only your personal relationships and work, but your...
Toxic side effects of chemotherapy on the brain may give rise to a number of mild cognitive impairments that are sometimes referred to as chemobrain. These effects of chemotherapy on the brain do not affect all cancer patients but may be...
A brain tumor is a mass or growth of abnormal cells in the brain. Learn about brain tumor symptoms, treatments and diagnosis in this video on health and diseases.
