The guava is a plant in the myrtle family. It is primarily known for its edible fruit that is used for many culinary purposes. The leaves of the guava plant are tough, dark colored and range in size from 5 to 15 cm. The guava leaves can be...
Kelp are a variety of brown, large algae found growing around rocky shorelines across the world. Scientific evidence has found kelp to provide liver health benefits. Specifically, kelp has the ability to interact with chemicals within the liver to...
Honey is a natural sweetener that bees manufacture for food. For humans, honey offers many delicious health benefits as well. According to WHFoods, raw honey contains propolis, the substance bees use to seal off parts of the hive. Propolis is...
Heart disease kills more men and women in the United States than any other illness, according to the American Heart Association. High cholesterol levels are a risk factor for heart disease. You can reduce your blood cholesterol and risk of heart...
Soya lecithin, or soy lecithin, is derived from soybeans. It is the gummy substance that is removed during the soybean oil de-gumming process. Lecithin is edible and digestible, and food product manufacturers use it as an emulsifier. Lecithin is a...
Zetia (Ezetimibe), first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2002, is an anti-hyperlipidemic drug, prescribed to lower cholesterol levels. It works by blocking the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine. It is used alone or...
According to the "Textbook of Family Medicine" by Dr. Robert Rakel, women spend approximately 1/3 of their lives in menopause. This part of the female life cycle begins on average around the age of 51. Resulting from a decrease in estrogen and...
Spirulina, blue algae, is often called a super food because it contains large amounts of vegetable protein and more than 100 nutrients. Spirulina provides the largest source for natural vitamin B complex, beta-carotene and gamma-linolenic acid,...
Eating strawberries may provide benefits to your health. Specifically, scientific evidence indicates strawberries affect several pathways related to heart health. Strawberries may also provide anti-cancer benefits, due to the antioxidants in them.
Krill, a shrimp-like marine animal is the main food for fish and marine mammals. The oil extracted from krill contains omega-3 essential fatty acids and chemical substances called phospholipids that increase the absorption of omega 3 in the human...
Barley is a grain used in soups, cereals and other dishes. Barley grass is the leaf of the plant that develops before the grain. Barley grain historically has been the most prized part of the plant, but more interest is developing in the leaf for...
High-density lipoproteins, or HDLs, are molecules of lipid and protein that travel throughout the blood. HDLs are considered to be a healthy type of molecule since they function to clear out unhealthy types of fat, such as saturated fat,...
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol is a weapon against heart disease, as it removes plaque in artery walls caused by excess low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Garlic may increase HDL cholesterol levels, but research shows conflicting results....
More than 40 million people in the United States turn to a diet to help them shed their excess pounds, according to the University of Colorado. However, less than 1 in 20 of these dieters maintain their weight loss over the long haul. The...
Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside -- or SDG -- is a type of phytochemical, or plant chemical. It is found in flax, sunflower, sesame and pumpkin seeds. SDG may help boost your health. However, talk to your doctor before trying to prevent, treat or...
Honey has been used for centuries for various medical functions, including wound healing and the treatment of various ailments, including bacterial infections. Besides containing the sugars fructose and glucose, honey also has several nutrients,...
Soy and whey protein are by far the two most common types of supplements available on the market today. You can find either one in bar form or in powder form to be blended into shakes. While there are some relatively minor differences between the...
The combination of apple cider vinegar and honey has been used in many home remedies for centuries. Organic brands like Bragg are used because they contain no additives. Some research shows vinegar and honey as having an effect on health, though...
Approximately 50 million adults in the United States attempt to lose weight by dieting every year, Colorado State University Extension reports. Consuming adequate dietary protein in your diet can aid in weight control by curbing your appetite and...
Cinnamon and honey have long histories of being used as a folk medicine and in the kitchen. Today, research indicates that both cinnamon and honey indeed possess compounds that can work to prevent or heal a variety of ailments. Both are essential...
Cilantro is a leafy green herb with a pungent flavor and distinct fragrance. It is a part of the coriander plant, and is frequently used in Mexican, Asian and Caribbean cooking. Cilantro is available year round in most grocery stores, and can be...
Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables leads to an improved nutritional status and is associated with a decreased risk for chronic diseases. Guayabas, more commonly known as guava, is a tropical fruit native to Latin America. Known by its...
Breakfast is an important part of a healthy day. Eating breakfast means to literally break your fast. After not eating all night, the body requires nutrients and energy to get going. Breakfast can be an excellent source of energy, protein, calcium...
Triglycerides are a form of fat found in food and in the body. In the body, they are usually found in the blood along with cholesterol, forming plasma lipids. Triglycerides are formed when fats are eaten in the diet. They can also be synthesized...
The low carbohydrate diet fad enjoyed popularity in the early 2000s. Many people swore by its ability to shed pounds at a very fast rate. These diets emphasized intake of proteins with little to no intake of carbohydrates. High intake of protein...
Reducing your carbohydrate intake has been shown to be a useful way of eating to lose weight. The theory behind low-carb diets is that carbohydrates, by breaking down into sugar, increases your blood sugar levels, which makes your pancreas release...
Nuts have many health benefits and are a source of protein, fiber, monounsaturated fats, vitamins and minerals. Use nuts in place of saturated fat sources like meats and cheeses for greatest health benefit. In 2003, the Food and Drug...
Grape seed extracts and grapes or vitis vinifera have been used for thousands of years as treatments for inflammation, bleeding, sore throats and heart disease. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the Egyptians and Greek...
Taurine is a common ingredient in energy and sport drinks, leading many to believe that it somehow contributes to energy or concentration. There is evidence that taurine can improve overall feelings of well-being, concentration and memory, but...
