Resveratrol is a compound that is found in the skin of red grapes. It is the primary substance that is responsible for red wine's purported health benefits, and it is also found in peanuts, blueberries, cranberries, mulberries, spruce and...
Serotonin affects your sleep and your mood as well as numerous body processes such as regulating appetite and body temperature. Caffeine stimulates serotonin production in your brain. Thus, it may seem logical to drink caffeine to boost low...
Menthol and methyl salicylic acid are the active ingredients in over-the-counter creams for pain relief. Both are natural compounds from plants and can be synthesized in the laboratory. Though used for similar symptoms of joint and muscle pain,...
Obesity statistics continue to confound the efforts of health practitioners in the U.S. According to data compiled by the CDC, 68 percent of the American adult population registers a BMI over 25, meaning that over two-thirds of the U.S. population...
Kola nut extract is a natural supplement from the seeds of the tree Kola vera, also known as Cola nitida and Cola acuminate. The Kola vera tree is a member of the Sterculiaceae family of evergreens, which grow in Africa and South America and can...
A clove of raw garlic, weighing about 1 g, is a punget dietary addition that can confer numerous health benefits to those who consume it. Available in bulbs containing between 4 and 20 cloves each, garlic can be purchased fresh or pre-chopped....
According to MedlinePlus, the cranberry plant is a small evergreen shrub that is native to North America. American Indians used cranberries for a number or urinary conditions, and both the juice and fruit are used as medicine. Cranberry is also...
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease that results in the gradual loss of the myelin sheath of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Hydrangea is a herb traditionally used for facilitating the elimination of kidney or bladder...
Folic acid, or vitamin B-9, has become relatively well known for its ability to dramatically reduce the incidence of neural tube defects in newborns, which is why it is recommended for women wanting to conceive. However, folic acid supplements can...
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that carries messages about pleasure, pain and muscle movements between nerve cells. A lack of dopamine in the brain is a major symptom of Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Many of the drugs...
The incidence of obesity has increased significantly in the past decade, along with obesity-related illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the incidence of diabetes alone...
Folate is an essential B vitamin that is found in a number of fruits and leafy green vegetables. In men, consuming high levels of folic acid has been reported to boost sperm count and genetic quality. No studies indicate that excess folic acid...
Pretty geishas, ceremonies and gardens --- the beverage known as tea has a long and interesting history. According to the University of Maryland, only water is consumed more frequently than tea; hundreds of millions of people around the world are...
Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid pigment found in edible brown seaweeds like Undaria pinnatifida, also known as wakame and Hijikia fusiformis, also known as hijiki. These types of seaweed are commonly used in Japanese cuisine. An October 2009 article...
Tussionex is available approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for sale by prescription only in the United States. It is produced by UCB Manufacturing and is used for upper respiratory symptoms, especially in controlling coughs....
EpiCor's discovery as an immune-system supplement was quite accidental, and the yeast-based product has passed several human trials with no apparent side effects. EpiCor users have reported decreased incidence of colds and other illnesses. Embria...
Cytogainer contains carbohydrates to replace glycogen burned during intense training. Glycogen is the carbohydrate stored in muscles to fuel intense muscle contractions, such as resistance training requires. Replacing these carbohydrates quickly...
SlimQuick is a weight loss supplement specially designed for women. According to the manufacturer, the SlimQuick formula includes vitamins and minerals intended to specifically handle weight loss issues experienced by women. SlimQuick includes...
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that's carried in small packages in the blood, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. These packages are called lipoproteins, of which there are two types -- high-density lipoprotein or...
Vitamin B12 poisoning is so rare and the substance considered so nontoxic that a maximum daily dosage limit does not exist for the vitamin, according to the eMedTV website. However, the vitamin can produce negative side effects in certain cases,...
Spirulina is a blue algae native to the salty waters of Africa, Central America and Asia. It contains approximately 65 percent protein, significant amounts of vitamins, particularly A, B and E, amino acids, omega-6 and a well-researched protein...
A report in the December 2001 issue of the "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology" found that 44 percent of women interviewed experienced acne flare-ups prior to their periods, with women older than 33 having more frequent occurences....
Entering midlife---and menopause in particular---can be a tumultuous time for women. In her 40s, a woman's body changes considerably. Consequently, vitamins that once were sufficient no longer do the trick. Knowing (and properly taking) the proper...
Selenium is an essential mineral; selenomethionine is an amino acid-based type of organic selenium found naturally in food. Selenium supplements come in a variety of forms, including selenomethionine, used for numerous health-promoting purposes....
Emergency contraception is a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. It can be utilized if you did not use birth control, your birth control method failed, you were forced to have sex, you missed at least two or...
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Recently, a few studies reported that taking calcium supplements modestly increases the risk of heart disease; however, the data is inconsistent with other studies, especially when...
Tylenol (acetaminophen), is one of the most popular over-the-counter pain reliever in the United States. When taken as directed, your body can eliminate acetaminophen safely and harmlessly. Too much of the drug, however, overwhelms the system. The...
Acne is a skin condition that's typically due to overactive oil glands, clogged pores, blackheads and pimples. Although acne is most common in teenagers or adults under the age of 30, some older adults can experience it, especially menstruating...
As a woman, your body uses the fat-soluble nutrient vitamin D to keep your immune system healthy, reduce inflammation, regulate muscle function and cell growth, and generate strong bones and teeth. Women who don't get enough vitamin D each day are...
