Rooibos, a native plant of Southern Africa, is a member of the legume family. The name rooibos means "red bush" in Afrikaans and aptly describes the leaves and tea made from them. Rooibos tea is a traditional beverage in South Africa and has in...
African rooibos red tea is made from an indigenous bush that grows in South Africa. Unlike black or green tea, African rooibos tea contains no caffeine, making it an alternative for those sensitive to caffeine's effects. The tea has also attracted...
Bovine colostrum is the milk secreted during the first few days after a cow gives birth. A thin, yellowish fluid, it carries immunities that are transferred from mother to calf. Bovine colostrum, with an identical chemical structure to human...
Blue-green algae are actually not algae, but various types of Cyanobacteria. Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, Spirulina maxima, Spirulina platensis, or a combination of the three are the typical ingredients in blue-green algae products. The U.S. National...
Humic acid is a family of related organic acids, commonly found in soil, peat, and in lake and ocean water, as well as soil-grown foods. Humic acid supplementation to soil can increase the yield of organic crops, and humic acid content in food is...
Amino acids are small molecules that serve as the building blocks of proteins. Carbohydrates, which are molecules of variable sizes, consist of starch and sugars. Both amino acids and carbohydrates are nutrients essential for good health, although...
Antibodies, proteins that identify and destroy foreign particles such as bacteria, are produced by the white blood cells of the body. There are five different types of white blood cells, also called leukocytes, that provide the body with immunity...
Cancer affects one to two children for every 10,000 children in the United States and is the leading cause of death by disease under the age of 14, according to the National Cancer Institute. Of the 12 major types of cancer in children, over half...
Epimedium grandiflorum, also referred to as horny goat weed, or yin wang huo, refers to a Chinese herb derived from 21 related plant species of herbaceous flowering plants in the Berberidaceae family. Horny goat weed products are comprised of one...
Spirulina is a microscopic blue-green algae that has been around for millions of years. It's used as a food source due to its high protein content. Spirulina also contains a wealth of vitamins, minerals and carotenoids. It's related to kelp but is...
White blood cells are part of your immune system and are found in your blood and tissue. Your body has several different types of white blood cells that fight infections by producing antibodies and cytokines, killing infected cells and removing...
Proteins are one of the three main classes of macronutrients in your diet, meaning they provide a major source of energy and structural components for your cells. Proteins are second only to water in your body's overall composition. Despite their...
The human body is like a machine. If you provide it with quality sources of energy and maintain it regularly, it can perform optimally, which means minimizing illnesses. Quality foods are those that are natural, uncooked and minimally processed....
Carbohydrates, lipids and proteins are called macronutrients. These three classifications of molecules are used in your body for metabolic fuel, construction material and energy storage. When you consume them, they are digested into their basic...
Immunotherapy is used to boost the immune system in the treatment of disease like cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), it includes monoclonal antibodies used in targeted therapy, vaccines and other treatments that boost...
Biological therapy is a newer cancer drug treatment that is quickly gaining in recognition as of 2010. Administered in pill or injectable form, biological therapy provides a much needed boost to the immune system while slowing cancer progression....
Enbrel (etanercept) is used to treat multiple types of arthritis, each affecting different joints. Enbrel effectively treats rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondilytis and psoriatic arthritis. It is one of the few...
A type of blue-green algae that typically grows in brackish lakes in Mexico and Africa, spirulina is a supplement that's rich in minerals, proteins, vitamins and antioxidants. Spirulina is commonly used as a nutritional supplement, but early...
The Arthritis Foundation states that arthritis is not the name of a single disease, but represents a group of more than 100 conditions that affect over 46 million adults and 300,000 children in the United States. All of the conditions classified...
A joint is the location at which two or more bones make contact. The joint allows movement and provides mechanical support. Joint discomfort is a common physical ailment affecting millions of Americans. Joint pain due to osteoarthritis,...
The immune system is composed of specialized cells called lymphocytes that use proteins to target, kill and remove infectious agents from the body. The proteins are either attached to the outside of the cell or secreted by the cells, where they...
Spirulina is a one-celled, blue-green algae that thrives in warm, alkaline fresh water. Its name comes from the Latin for "helix" or "spiral" because of its microscopic, swirling strands. Spirulina is rich in proteins, vitamin E, B complex...
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease characterized by red patches covered with white scales. This chronic allergic inflammation is not contagious or malignant but people often scratch continually to relieve itching sensation of the skin. Psoriasis...
Dietary protein is a macronutrient, a food component you need in large amounts for optimal health. Proteins consist of small molecules called amino acids. When you consume protein, your body breaks it down to its individual amino acids and then...
Allergies are the result of an overreaction by your immune system; symptoms are caused when your body misidentifies a substance as dangerous, and releases antibodies normally reserved for attacking bacteria, viruses and toxins. The main types of...
Blue-green algae refers to a large group of plant-like organisms. You can find them in salt water and some fresh water lakes. Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae. It contains protein, vitamins and minerals, which include B vitamins, zinc,...
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder in which the bronchial tubes narrow and restrict the flow of air, making it difficult to breathe. Aside from avoiding known triggers, long-term control medications can help reduce the frequency and...
Millions of people in the United States suffer from allergies year-round, causing many to wheeze, sneeze, cough, and worse. Still others may experience changes in mood, irritability and even depression. While for some these reactions may be an...
According to the reference book "Midwifery: Best Practices" by Sara Wickham, 24 million Americans suffer from a food sensitivity, allergy or intolerance. As per Dr. Keith Berndtson, writing in "The Autism and ADHD Diet," at least 3 million people...
