Asthma is the result of an overactive immune system. Although doctors don't totally understand what causes asthma, the unusual activity of the immune system is thought to have a genetic component. In asthmatics, a specific part of the immune...
Protein is a macronutrient you need in your diet every day for optimal health. In addition to building muscle mass, repairing damaged tissues and manufacturing hormones, your dietary protein protects you from infection by supporting your immune...
The noni tree, called Morinda Citrifolia, bears a small green fruit with medicinal uses. Noni was used extensively in traditional Polynesian culture to treat conditions including menstrual cramps, bowel problems and urinary tract infections. Noni...
Doctors refer to elevated levels of calcium in the blood as hypercalcemia. This condition occurs as a complication of cancer, particularly in cases of lung cancer, breast cancer, neck cancer and head cancer. Because high calcium levels in the...
The Immunology Department of Western Kentucky University reports on Bioweb that the body produces more than 5 million B cells every day that enter the bloodstream and lymphatic system. B cells perform the role of immune surveillance and...
Imagine yourself lined up against your competitors, waiting for the starting gun to fire. You may feel your heart beating faster and your breath quickening just imagining this scenario. Most people experience an increase in breathing before...
While originally called vitamin B16, dimethylglycine (DMG) is an amino acid found in almost all animal and plant cells; it works in the metabolism to convert choline to glycene. The chemical structure of DMG is similar to that of a water-soluble...
South Africans have consumed rooibos tea for hundreds of years. According to The Tea Muse, the native Khosian tribe gave the tea its name, which means "red bush," and Dutch settlers of South Africa chose to drink it because it was cheaper than...
Noni is a fruit from the morinda citrifolia tree or shrub that is native to Australia, Polynesia and Asia. It grows 7 to 22 feet high and bears potato size yellow-white fruit with an unpleasant odor. This fruit has been used for thousands of years...
Octagam is one of many brand names in the United States for the generically termed immune globulin. The Mayo Clinic states it is an immunizing agent that can boost the body's immune system to help it treat or prevent maladies such as chronic...
The human body has a multitude of natural barriers in place to prevent infection and disease. These barriers can be both external and internal. The external barrier is the largest organ of your body, your skin. The internal barriers are your...
White blood cells, or leukocytes, are found in both the blood and the lymphatic system. Their primary function is to battle disease and infection throughout the body. When a foreign substance or invader is encountered by white blood cells, they...
The American Cancer Society states that there will be approximately 1.6 million new cases of cancer diagnosed in 2011. They also note that 571,950 Americans will die of cancer, or about 1,500 people per day in 2011. Stage IV cancer is the last...
The human body is composed of millions of cells, myriad tissues, and numerous organs; some have unique functions, other functions are coordinated, and some functions overlap. Therefore, a classification of organ systems is not definitive. For...
According to the National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, interest in herbal supplements is increasing. In 2007, approximately 38 percent of U.S. adults reported using some form of complementary and...
If you are a diabetic who needs to keep an eye on your blood sugar levels or a dieter who is trying to lose weight, you should become familiar with the glycemic index or GI. The glycemic index may appear complicated, but it is fairly easy to...
Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, a molecule that participates in cellular energy production, also serves as an antioxidant to prevent damage caused by free radicals. CoQ10 is not an essential nutrient, but because CoQ10 is depleted by statin drugs,...
Antioxidants are naturally occurring substances that might help stop the damage caused to your body by free radicals. Free radicals are chemicals that can damage your cells and DNA. Free radicals may also increase your risk for certain health...
Panniculitis refers to the inflammation of the layer of fat beneath the dermis and epidermis of the skin. Nodular panniculitis is a rare skin disorder characterized by tender and painful bumps that occur below the skin's surface. These are called...
Immune-boosting vitamins can be beneficial even if you are not in the category of being immuno-compromised. Two varieties of these supplements are Immuno-Shield and Wellness Formula, They have both similarities and differences.
Gelsemium sempervirens, also known as yellow jasmine, is used in homeopathy, a form of alternative medicine, to treat people with anxiety-related symptoms. It is a vine native to warm temperate and tropical areas in America, from Guatemala north...
South American natives have been using the leaves of the stevia rebaudiana plant as a sweetener for centuries. More recently, scientists have begun studying the plant for its medicinal effects in vitro, on animals and in human trials. The results...
The National Institutes of Health's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) reports that the use of herbal remedies is increasing among Americans. In a 2007 NCCAM survey, nearly 40 percent of U.S. adults indicated that...
Spirulina is a nutrient-rich blue-green algae. It is available in juice drinks, energy bars, powder, flake and tablet forms. Advocates of the supplement maintain it supports immune health, discourages allergies, acts as an antiviral agent and...
Tyrosine and dimethylglycine are two of the 10 amino acids that naturally occur in the body. Unlike essential amino acids, such as valine, tyrosine and dimethylglycine don't need to be consumed from food sources to maintain adequate levels....
An important study into the health effects of traditional Asian diets, which are high in plant foods but low in fats and animal products, has resulted in an alternative model for healthy eating for the West. Marion Nestle, professor of nutrition...
Arginine is an amino acid that functions as a precursor to nitric oxide in your body. According to the New York University Langone Medical Center, nitric oxide relaxes your blood vessels and may aid in a variety of bodily functions, such as cell...
Vitamin K is responsible for proper clotting of the blood, but some people take medications to prevent their blood from clotting. If this is the case for you, you need to be aware of foods that contain vitamin K, as they may interfere with your...
The human immune system protects your body from pathological substances and organisms. Minerals play an integral role in stimulating immune response, whereas deficiencies of certain minerals can impair your immune response. Eating nutrient-dense...
Using humor is great way to relieve stress. Get advice on reducing and managing stress in this stress management video.
Glaucoma is an eye disease that can lead to blindness. Get professional tips and advice on diagnosing, preventing, and treating glaucoma in this video.
