The type of almond oil you'll find in U.S. stores is sweet almond oil, which is generally recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, even for pregnant women. Bitter almond oil is toxic due to the presence of amygdalin, also found...
The Invisible Glove is meant to protect your skin against chafing, irritation and dryness and to protect your hands from man-made agents such as solvents and detergents. It's often used as a barrier cream by nurses, outdoor workers, military...
Hemp oil mostly is marketed in the United States and Canada for use in cosmetics and for personal use via health food stores. While hemp and marijuana are both from the genus Cannabis, not all plants have high levels of THC or...
Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism have been associated with bipolar disorders. The relationship is complex. Michael Escamilla, M.D., of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Health Science Center, stresses that the...
Though it may seem like magic when yesterday's razor nick is gone tomorrow, wound healing is actually a very complex tissue response that involves regeneration and scar formation. In order for a wound to heal efficiently and regain functionality,...
Pectin is a material found in plant cells in the area between the cell wall and the intercellular space. A carbohydrate, the amount of pectin contained within a plant, depends upon a number of factors, including plant type, age, tissue makeup and...
Cardiac muscle shares similarities and differences with other types of muscle. Cardiac muscle constitutes most of the heart's walls. Like skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle is striated, which means that its fibers possess alternating light and dark...
Proteins serve many purposes in the body, including supporting and maintaining growth, building enzymes, antibodies and hormones and maintaining intercellular and interstitial fluid and electrolyte balance. In your diet, proteins can help satisfy...
Pectin is a dietary soluble fiber that can lower serum cholesterol and help regulate insulin, according to the website Dietaryfiberfood. Pectins, complex polysaccharides found in the walls and intercellular matrix of plant cells, is made up of...
Slim Fast branded products are used as snacks and meal replacements in weight loss plans. The Slim Fast shakes bill themselves as a low calorie way for dieters to still get their daily intake of key vitamins and minerals. The shakes come in eight...
Medications used to treat lice are called pediculicides. Available products may contain permethrins or pyrethins (pyrethroids). These substances are insecticides derived from chrysanthemum flowers. Permethrin 1 percent is a synthetic pyrethroid...
Body wraps are popular hydrotherapy treatments that utilize your body heat for a number of purposes including detoxification, stimulating circulation, treating dry skin and warming skin prior to massage or simply for relaxation, says Marybetts...
The term glyconutrients refers to a group of eight sugars (monosaccharides): arabinose, fucose, galactose, glucosamine, glucose, mannose, rhamnose and xylose. These sugars are the building blocks for two molecules known as glycoproteins and...
Calcium, the most abundant mineral in your body, is present in your blood, bones, teeth, muscles and intercellular fluids. Widely known as a critical building block for strong bones, calcium is also necessary for muscle contraction and growth,...
Chrysanthemum plants have a history of popularity for having a hardy nature and not requiring extensive care. The plants come in a variety of colors, but people who use supplements typically use white chrysanthemums. Commonly, white chrysanthemum...
Cellulite refers to the appearance of unsightly dimples predominantly on the thighs, but also on the stomach and buttocks. It is more common in women, but men can have cellulite. Formed out of fibroid protein masses that collect in the empty areas...
Many wrinkle creams claim to be able to take years off a woman's face or instantly make her appear younger. While most creams can help moisturize skin and plump cells, none can completely eliminate wrinkles. However, the Mayo Clinic says that,...
Anxiety is an emotion that is functionally related to fear. These emotions originate in a small part of the brain's temporal lobe called the amygdala. Overactivity in the amygdala can lead to anxiety and affective disorders, according to a review...
You may have heard that enzymes, particularly papaya enzyme, are good for helping prevent and treat acid reflux. However, there's no scientific evidence to back up this claim. While you need digestive enzymes to break down your food, taking...
Pilates is a method of exercise that involves a series of deep breathing exercises and controlled movements. The exercises tone and strengthen the body while the accompanying rhythm of breathing improves the flow of oxygen to the body's tissues....
Glycerin is a compound that can be made from natural products such as vegetable oil, or can be synthesized from propylene alcohol. The result is an alcohol-based product that is an ingredient in many skin-care products. Glycerin, also called...
Cancer treatment poses a great challenge since it involves developing drugs which could, in most instances, be toxic to some other cells of the body, apart from the targeted cancer cells. Vincristine is one such drug. Vincristine is FDA approved...
Magnesium is classified as a major mineral, which is an inorganic compound that your body needs in large amounts to function properly. Approximately half of the magnesium in your body stays in your bones, while most of the remaining magnesium is...
Fiber is very important to overall health, yet most Americans don’t get enough. While the American Dietetic Association recommends 25 to 30 grams of fiber daily for adults, average intake is 14 grams a day, according to the Colorado State...
Ligaments are dense fibrous connective tissues that join bones. Ligaments occur throughout the body wherever there are joints, and they can be very complex. Ligaments are formed through excretion of collagen and elastin by fibroblasts and are...
The theory behind alkaline diets is that eating more alkaline-producing foods prevents metabolic imbalances and illnesses that result from eating too many acid-producing foods, according to "Today's Dietitian" magazine. The effectiveness of an...
Carbohydrates are the most abundant organic molecules in nature. They have a wide range of functions. They provide a significant portion of the energy in your diet, acting as a storage form of energy in the body, and serve as cell membrane...
Blood pressure signifies the resistance produced each time the heart beats and sends blood through the arteries. Between beats, the heart relaxes, and blood pressure drops. A normal blood pressure reading for an adult is 120 (systolic) / 80...
Carnitine, a compound biosynthesized from the amino acids lysine and methionine, is necessary for the transport of fatty acids from the intercellular fluids into the mitochondria of your cells. This transportation is part of the breaking down of...
