Naturally occurring in fatty, cold-water fish and seaweed and also found in fish oil supplements, docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, is an omega-3 fatty acid. It plays a critical role in the development and health of the human central nervous system. DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid, another omega-3 fatty acid, also promote cardiovascular health and should be part of a healthy diet. Your body produces small amounts of DHA, but you must get the rest from foods or in supplement form.
Morningstar Minerals Energy Boost is an over-the-counter dietary supplement loaded, according to its ingredients list, with an array of minerals. While you need minerals in your diet to keep your bones strong, regulate organ sy...
Although contact or consumption of boric acid could result in symptoms of poisoning, medical studies show that boric acid may have benefits to your health when used in particular ways. Understanding the potential uses for boric...
N-acetylcysteine, commonly known as acetylcysteine and NAC, is a substance your body produces from the amino acid cysteine. You can take it orally in the form of supplements or through inhalation. Your body converts acetylcyste...
It is a major component in the oils from palm trees, such as palm oil, palm kernel oil and coconut oil. Many medical authorities, such as the World Health Organization, say dietary intake of saturated fats such as palmitic acid...
As a fatty acid, gamolenic acid has many potential health benefits and are essential in the normal production of chemicals and hormones throughout your body. Gamolenic acid can be isolated and placed in capsule for under the Ef...
Acid water is any water that contains a pH level of less than seven. Sometimes going under the name of electrolyzed water, acid water is marketed as offering a wide array of health benefits that, according to those selling the ...
L-amino acids can be found in foods and are also available as dietary supplements. There are numerous types of L-amino acids, and each offers distinct benefits. Although supplementation of L-amino acids can be beneficial, consu...
Some meats, dairy and oil products contain CLA, or conjugated linoleic acid. Eating foods high in CLA may be beneficial for your health. Purported benefits of CLA include weight control, reducing high cholesterol and cancer pre...
Arachidonic acid functions to keep cell membranes flexible and permeable. It is also a precursor to prostaglandins, the molecules involved in inflammation. Food sources of omega-6 fatty acids include safflower, sunflower, soybe...
Small amounts are present in cow's milk and goat's milk, but it is abundant in tropical oils such as coconut oil and palm kernel oil. Capric acid, together with other medium-chain triglycerides, is responsible for the health be...
Hyaluronic acid, a large molecule made up of glucose, amino acids and polysaccharides, is a component of nerves and connective tissue found in skin, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. Hyaluronic acid forms part of the synovial f...
Exposure to industrial compounds that contain acetic acid, which is used in paint, pesticides, plastics, and textiles, is hazardous to your health. However, acetic acid is generally recognized as safe for use in foods. Acetic a...
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are common conditions that affect the knee, hip, shoulder and other joints. These conditions can cause inflammation and the loss of the natural protective substances of the joints such as...
It is also often touted as a cure-all, especially when it is in the form of apple cider vinegar. While anecdotal evidence suggests that acetic acid may help many health conditions, research shows that it primarily assists with ...
Sauerkraut is made by combining shredded cabbage and specific seasonings, storing them away and allowing them to ferment -- a process by which the sugars break down into acids. Sauerkraut is frequently served as an accompanimen...
When you add these microbes to milk, they cause fermentation. The end product is the tangy, acidic beverage known as kefir. The increasing popularity of probiotics -- microorganisms that grant positive health benefits when cons...
If you obtain adequate amounts of protein in your diet, your body will have enough amino acids to produce all the proline your body needs to function properly, making proline deficiencies rare. The structure of proline is made ...
Folic acid is a form of vitamin B needed for several basic bodily functions. While many associate it with a vitamin that pregnant women take to help prevent birth defects, folic acid is important to another demographic: the eld...
Citric acid is an alkalizing agent: It is able to decrease the level of acidity in body fluids. It acts as an anti-oxidant and is also able to chelate -- binding to excess calcium and allowing it to leave the body. Despite its ...
Caprylic acid, also known as octanoic acid, is a fatty acid compound that has an eight-carbon structure and is sold commercially as a nutritional supplement in capsule or liquid form. In nature, caprylic acid can be found in mi...
Dietary sources include animal and human milk, dairy products, nuts, seeds and their oils. Like other saturated fatty acids, such as butyric and capric acids, lauric acid possesses properties that are beneficial to your health....
It's both a blessing and a blight. The chickweed plant confers health benefits, despite its reputation as a garden nuisance. Common chickweed or Stellaria media is native to Europe, but naturalized in temperate zones worldwide....
The body doesn't naturally produce L-amino acids, but they are contained in a number of foods and can be manufactured in a laboratory. L-amino acids are suggested to promote heart and bone strength along with various other heal...
Often categorized under the generic term humic acids, both humic and fulvic acids are used in gardening and landscaping to improve soil conditions and plant growth. Both acids are also currently being studied for potential heal...
Fulvic acid is a byproduct of the decomposition of certain fungi in soil, which can help plants absorb essential minerals from the soil more effectively. Plants with a high concentration of fulvic acid have increased enzyme act...
In addition to these possible benefits, N-acetylcysteine may also provide some help with eye conditions. If you think NAC may help you, talk with your doctor and she will help you evaluate any potential associated risks to dete...
The nutrient coenzyme A is involved in numerous metabolic processes, including the release of energy from food, the synthesis of steroid hormones and the synthesis of heme, a component of hemoglobin. Consumption of adequate amo...
Humic acid supplementation to soil can increase the yield of organic crops, and humic acid content in food is thought to have a number of effects on the body. Specifically, humic acid consumption and treatment has been linked t...
Synthetic supplements of nicotinic acid are also available and are generally well tolerated, although a flushing reaction leading to redness, burning and itching of the face, arms and chest may occur. Nicotinic acid may have im...
Sorrel, a sour-tasting, spring green, is used in salads, quiches and other dishes. While popular for use in France, you may not find it easily in your local grocery store. Its leaves are quite perishable, making the window of i...
The fruit is small and green with a hard inner seed and has pulp that tastes somewhat sour and bitter. In India, amla fruit is used to make jams and chutneys, and it is also used in dried and powdered form in traditional Indian...
Masanori Semma, researcher for the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Japan, has published research regarding the effects of trans fatty acids on health in Japan and in the United States. His research has shown that there is...
Adjusting the pH of the skin with cosmetics is one way of conditioning the skin. Malic acid is one ingredient of many that can do this. Malic acid is also used as a oral supplement for a variety of conditions. As with any supp...
A pH value under 7 indicates you have an acidic body pH, a value over 7 indicates an alkaline pH, and a value around 7 means you have a neutral body pH. Maintaining a slightly alkaline body pH through consuming alkaline foods, ...
The body process known as glycolysis is important for many different reasons. It aids the cells in producing energy, converting sugars into pyruvate acid. Without this process and pyruvate acid, it would be impossible to enjoy ...
Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is a water-soluble vitamin used in supplements. Folate is the natural occurring form of vitamin B9 found in dietary sources. The Institute of Medicine recommends a daily intake of 400 mcg o...
Foods high in ellagic acid include raspberries, pomegranates, blackberries, pecans and walnuts. In plants, ellagic acid helps protect against bacteria and pests, while in humans ellagic acid may provide many health benefits in ...
Ellagic acid is found naturally in pomegranates, blackberries, raspberries, cranberries, pecans and walnuts. The American Cancer Society recognizes that ellagic acid may be beneficial to health, although they state that more re...
Although your body makes pyruvate, it's also found in small amounts in certain foods and beverages. Taking extra pyruvate in supplement form could offer health benefits as well. Before you begin taking a pyruvate supplement, ta...
As with many substances consumed in the diet, taking conjugated linoleic acid is a mixed bag of health benefits and potential risks. Conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA, found in the fats of ruminant animals such as cows, sheep an...
Hyaluronic acid is a compound found throughout your body, including your skin, eyes and joints. It is commonly added to joint supplements and cosmetics. In sports and cosmetic medicine, physicians use hyaluronic acid injections...
Cleavers, also known as stickywilly, catchweed, bedstraw, goosegrass and by its botanical name of Galium aparine, is a low-growing annual herb native to North America and Eurasia. It is easily recognized by its unique foliage, ...
Clinical studies have shown that silica can benefit hair, skin and nails.
Since BioSil is a supplement, it is suggested to speak with your health care provider before adding it to your daily regimen to be sure that it is rig...
Hyaluronic acid exists in all living organisms. It is responsible for lubrication in the vitreous humor in the eye, in skin and in the joints. You can use hyaluronic acid for various purposes. For example, you can use it as a w...
Injuv hyaluronic acid is a brand of hyaluronic acid (HA) in capsule form. The manufacturer claims that the Injuv brand conveys a range of health benefits, primarily related to knee and joint pain, stiffness and inflammation an...
Shilajit is a significant healing herb in Ayurvedic medicine. Shilajit originated in the Himalayas but is also found in Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Tibet and Norway, where it is used for its medicinal propertie...
Kojic acid may help diminish or eliminate sun freckles, melasma or other pigmentation when used correctly, although skin conditions and their treatment should always be discussed with a health care professional before beginning...
Also called pantothenic acid or vitamin B5, pantethine is an essential vitamin that plays a crucial role in your body's ability to metabolize fats, create and release energy, as well as produce the neurotransmitter acetylcholin...
This saturated fatty acid, also known as octanoic acid, is also present in butter and palm oil. According to the Health Sciences Institute, caprylic acid is known to have numerous health benefits. One of the most well known hea...
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally-occurring substance in the body. It is used in the body in many ways as it forms the fundamental building blocks to a variety body tissues. They include connective tissue and body fluids such...
Hyaluronic acid is a gel-like substance that occurs naturally in the body, with high concentrations in soft connective tissue. Hyaluronic acid is also found in joint fluids, cartilage and skin. Hyaluronic acid treatments common...
It's sometimes added to facial skin care peels, which are designed to be smeared onto your skin and left on for a certain amount of time before being peeled off. Such peels are popular due to their benefits for your skin's over...
By absorbing and/or reflecting dangerous UVA and UVB rays, sunscreen helps protect you from skin cancers, explains the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Despite its benefits, however, suntan lotion may cause health problems...
It is mainly found in your connective tissue. Responsible for hydration, repair and regeneration, the acid plays a major role in your health. The production of the acid diminishes with age. As this happens, you can start experi
Fulvic acid's primary role is as a digestive aid in your system. There is a correlation between the fulvic acid content in your foods and the quality of soil the foods are grown in. Many mass-produced fruits and vegetables cont...
The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse describes acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux, as a condition in which stomach contents rise up into the esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may be dia...
Glutamic acid is an organic compound called an amino acid. Amino acids can combine to form protein. When you consume protein, the digestive process turns protein into amino acids. Glutamic acid is referred to as a nonessential ...
The human body requires a balance between acids and bases to function properly. The pH level is a measurement of the acid-base relationship. It is actually the number of hydrogen ions in a particular solution. As the number of ...
Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), also known as fruit acids, are chemical substances found naturally in fruit and milk sugars (or synthetically produced) that are used in many different types of cosmetics and medicinal products that ...
Omega-3 fatty acids are touted for an array of health benefits ranging from increased cognitive function to disease prevention and even weight loss. These fatty acids can be found in food sources such as fish, oils, nuts and ce...
