Adequate consumption of fiber helps you maintain colon health by reducing constipation, hemorrhoids and other gastrointestinal diseases, according to a fact sheet provided by the Nutrition Department for the University of California at Davis....
N-acetyl cysteine, also known as N-acetylcysteine, is a form of the amino acid cysteine. It's a powerful antioxidant that may protect against liver damage in cases of drug toxicity. It also may be useful for delaying fatigue and boosting athletic...
The use of marijuana to treat medical conditions has been debated by health care experts, both having significant clinical claims for and against its use. Medical marijuana can help to stimulate appetite in cancer and AIDS patients. It also helps...
The rise in obesity has led some people to choose diet soda instead of regular soda to reduce calorie and sugar intake. However, concerns have been raised about the effects of artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, or NutraSweet, on overall...
Vitamin B-12 plays a role in numerous functions in the body, from manufacturing DNA and RNA to aiding immune function. It's also essential for breaking down carbohydrates and proteins. The stomach produces intrinsic factor, a protein that is...
Soy products contain compounds called isoflavones, which have estrogen-like properties. Higher levels of estrogen are associated with lower levels of testosterone, an androgen that builds and maintains muscle mass and increases libido. As a...
According to the National Institutes of Health, selenium is a trace mineral required in small amounts for good health. In the body, selenium is synthesized into antioxidant enzymes, which are important free-radical scavengers. It is selenium's...
Every nationality has its warm drink tradition. Americans and Europeans have their coffee houses, while the British and Asian have their teas. In South America, the tea called yerba mate plays a key role in the local culture and lifestyle. Rumors...
More than 33,000 men die annually as a result of prostate cancer, according to statistics from the American Cancer Society website. Like all types of these malignancies, prostate cancer is influenced by lifestyle factors such as diet and physical...
Selenium is a trace mineral, meaning that it is required in very small quantities for good health. Selenium is used by the thyroid gland and is important to the proper functioning of the immune system. It is involved in antioxidant defenses...
Cholesterol is a type of fatty substance that plays an important role in the production of bile acids, steroid hormones and vitamin D. It's also an essential structure component that gives permeability and fluidity to the membranes that surround...
Ubiquinol, a form of coenzyme Q10 usually referred to simply as coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10, is a fat-soluble compound and a vital component in energy production within each cell. CoQ10 is not an essential nutrient; however, it is widely available in...
A soy diet includes a variety of foods made from soybean, a legume that contains a complete protein of all essential amino acids, healthy fats, fiber and isoflavones, an antioxidant with estrogen-like properties. Cancer is the second-leading cause...
The health of your respiratory and urinary systems keeps your body functioning as it should. Your respiratory system includes your lungs and heart, and your urinary system includes your kidneys and bladder. Your physician may recommend other...
From fresh, juicy peaches to crunchy carrots, raw foods offer a hefty dose of both taste and nutrition. Because they retain their original vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and other protective compounds, raw foods provide a number of health...
Stomach cancer kills more people worldwide than any other malignancy except lung cancer, according to a September 2007 article in "Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention." Stomach cancer and the treatments prescribed for it can affect your...
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among American women and, according to the American Cancer Society, affects 12 percent of the female population. Research has indicated that vitamins and nutrition may play a protective role in breast...
Folic acid protects the lungs from cancer, according to a 2003 article in the "Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention." Folic acid is a type of water-soluble B vitamin that helps your body produce and maintain cells. Folic acid is...
The second most prevalent cancer among American women, breast cancer affects approximately one in eight women, according to the American Cancer Society. Research conducted over the past decade suggests that vitamins and diet may modify breast...
Selenium is a chemical element and an essential trace mineral needed only in small quantities. The cells combine selenium and proteins together into a molecule called selenoproteins to help regulate thyroid function and the immune system. As an...
For women living in the United States, breast cancer death rates are higher than for every other cancer except lung cancer, according to BreastCancer.org. Understanding the causes and risks of breast cancer is an important way to decrease the...
The relationship between nutrition and lung health has recently become more apparent. Epidemiological studies suggest that dietary habits may have an influence on lung function and associated risk of common lung diseases such as asthma, chronic...
Lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer in the United States, according to MayoClinic.com. As part of your treatment, your doctor may recommend working regular exercise into your daily routine. Exercise may also reduce the risk of forming lung...
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow. Certain chemicals are suspected as a cause, although the risk remains ill defined. Because multiple myeloma is rare, if a study is not large enough, it may lack the statistical power...
Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is an evergreen shrub native to Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil. The leaves and twigs of the plant are dried and steeped in hot water until a tea is formed. Yerba mate acts as a central nervous system...
Between 80 and 90 percent of ovarian cancers originate in epithelial cells that cover the female reproductive glands, or ovaries. The National Cancer Institute reported the estimated cases of ovarian cancer in 2010 in the United States is 21,880...
Packed full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber, vegetables are a valuable component of a healthy diet. Because some forms of cooking -- especially high-heat methods -- can damage nutrients and beneficial compounds, raw vegetables may...
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is the enlargement of the prostate gland that commonly occurs in aging men. In some men, BPH can cause problems in the urinary system, including infection or impaired kidney function, but the majority of men...
Men who chug milk or chew numerous antacid tablets containing calcium may want to assess their total calcium intake. Consuming large amounts of calcium daily may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer, although not all studies have...
