White blood cells, also called leukocytes, function to protect the body from foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. Five major types of white blood cells exist, each performing important functions in the immune system. An adult's normal...
Graviola, known scientifically as Annona muricata, is a tree that grows in the rain forests of sub-Saharan Africa, South America and Southeast Asia. Folk medicine practitioners in those areas have long used extracts from the graviola's bark,...
Intestinal human parasites can be grouped into two categories---protozoa and helminths. Protozoa are single-celled organisms capable of reproducing inside the body, resulting in potentially serious infections. Protozoan parasites are typically...
Leucine is a chemical building block known as an amino acid. There are 20 amino acids that exist within nature; all of them demonstrate a wide array of chemical versatility. Amino acids form the molecular foundation of proteins, a class of...
Graviola, also known as guanabana and soursop, is a tropical evergreen tree. It produces a tasty fruit that is sold in Caribbean, Southeast Asian, and South and Central American markets. Herbalists treat cancer, diabetes, spasms, anxiety,...
Nitric oxide, or NO, is a messenger molecule that plays a role in your muscular and immune systems. NO signals the smooth muscles surrounding your blood vessels to relax and dilate, increasing blood flow and relieving disorders like angina and...
Turmeric is known for its culinary, cosmetic and commercial uses, but it also contains medicinal properties that help to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. The beneficial effects of this herb are provided by curcumin, its main active...
Protozoa are one-celled organisms that can cause diseases ranging in severity from mild to deadly. These organisms can be classified as parasitic or free-living. Parasitic protozoa are found in organisms such as ticks, flies and mosquitoes....
