Turmeric was first used in Ayurvedic medicine 6,000 years ago, according to the book "Turmeric: The Genus Curcuma." Turmeric is now gaining attention in the Western scientific community for the treatment of various conditions, including psoriasis....
Curcumin is a naturally occurring chemical compound that is found in the spice turmeric. The two words are sometimes used interchangeably, but the technical difference between the two is that turmeric is the yellowish powder used to flavor foods,...
Crystalline taurine is a colorless substance formed by the hydrolysis of taurocholic acid. According to "The Biology of Taurine: Methods and Mechanisms," medical professionals formerly classified taurine as a non-essential amino acid. However,...
The roots of the turmeric plant, which belongs to the ginger family, are boiled, dried and ground into a deep yellow powder commonly used as a spice. The principle component of turmeric is curcumin, and it has a slightly bitter, earthy and peppery...
Arthritis, which includes more than 100 related medical conditions, causes symptoms such as joint pain, swelling, stiffness and joint damage. While medications can help to treat arthritis, patients sometimes look to alternative remedies for...
Taurine is an end-product of the metabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids, the building blocks for protein. While you won't find taurine listed as one of the traditional amino acids in nutrition and chemistry books, many scientists consider...
Adrenal glands are famously associated with the fight-or-flight response that helps you respond to immediate and urgent forms of stress. In addition to this survival-mode function, your adrenal glands contribute on a moment-to-moment basis toward...
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that manifests as plaques on the skin. It occurs when the immune system speeds up the production of new skin cells. The National Psoriasis Foundation notes that while 10 percent of the U.S. population is...
Monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is a common food additive that has been used as both a flavor enhancer and preservative. MSG has been associated with the so-called "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome," which describes adverse reactions in some people after...
After nine months of allowing your body to grow and change for a healthy baby, it's time to shrink your waist. But your new schedule, paired with fatigue, can impair your efforts to lose weight. Giving yourself enough time and putting in the...
According to MayoClinic.com, although most doctors agree that red wine, in moderation, is good for your heart, they're not quite sure what component of red wine provides these benefits. Scientific research has focused the possible heart health...
Your body uses insulin to pull glucose out of the blood. If your tissues do not respond effectively to insulin, you have a condition known as insulin resistance. Alcohol intake has a complex relationship to insulin resistance, with moderate...
Blood clots are clumps that occur due to hardening of the blood in blood vessels. While blood clots formed in response to an injury or a cut can prevent excessive bleeding, clots formed in the blood vessels of hearts and lungs may be...
Obsessive compulsive disorder is a debilitating mental illness which has a significant impact on quality of life. The disorder is characterized by obsessive, distressing and intrusive thoughts and compulsive behavior. OCD may result from abnormal...
Grapes are a good source of vitamin C and potassium and also contain potent antioxidants called polyphenols. Polyphenols are responsible for grapes' color and most of its benefits. Evidence indicates that drinking grape juice daily may reduce your...
Arthritis is a leading cause of disability with symptoms that include pain, swelling and stiffness in your joints and limited joint function. The most common form is osteoarthritis, which is largely due to aging and typically affects the fingers,...
Taurine is an amino acid, also known as tauric acid, that is commonly included in energy drinks and sports nutrition supplements for its purported energy and endurance-enhancing benefits. Taurine can also be found in protein-rich foods such as...
Most people get enough of the amino acid taurine through their daily diets. A doctor can determine if you have a deficiency and prescribe a course of treatment if necessary. Although some research has been done on taurine as a treatment for...
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects numerous parts of the body, including the joints, skin, vital organs and blood vessels. Although classed as a form of arthritis, it causes a variety of symptoms aside from inflamed and swollen joints,...
L-amino acids are molecules often referred to as the "building blocks of protein" due to their structural importance in forming proteins essential for your body's functions. L-amino acids can be found in foods and are also available as dietary...
Milk contains two proteins in roughly an 80 to 20 ratio, with casein being the primary protein. When milk is processed it is combined with other materials to stabilize the protein for a longer shelf life. Sodium caseinate is a stabilized molecule...
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder characterized by swollen and painful joints. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the tissue that lines the joints. Without treatment, it may eventually damage the entire joint. In...
Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that is conditionally essential, a term used to describe nutrients that your body is capable of making but can only be obtained from diet under certain conditions. For example, taurine has to be provided...
Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble vitamins, the two main forms of which are vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. The former is formed by ultraviolet irradiation of ergosterol in plants while the latter is derived similarly by the action of ultraviolet...
Healthy fats are vital for overall health, since they support cell membranes, boost brain function and enhance immune function. Research indicates that consuming fish oil, which contains healthy omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA,...
Although training can help increase your stamina and endurance, dietary changes and supplements can also improve these attributes. Supplements can be expensive so it's important to ascertain which ones are most effective. While carbohydrates from...
Taurine is one of the most abundant free amino acids in the heart tissue and brain, with wide physiological effects. It plays an important role in the stabilization of the cellular membranes that surround and protect every single cell in your...
Red wine is often touted for its heart-healthy benefits, but purple grape juice may also have heart benefits. Both red wine and purple grape juice contain several types of antioxidants. Antioxidants reduce cell damage by destroying molecules...
Breastfeeding moms sometimes need a little help boosting their milk production to meet the demands of a rapidly growing baby. While there has been little scientific research on foods that boost milk production, there are some foods that nursing...