Astaxanthin is an antioxidant compound that occurs naturally in sources like microalgae, yeast, salmon, crustaceans and basically any ocean plant or animal with a reddish color. Astaxanthin is used as a nutritional supplement and touted for its...
Calendula officinalis is a yellow-orange, daisy-like flower that is widely cultivated in warm, temperate climates. It has successfully escaped from gardens and can often be seen growing along roadsides. Calendula has long been revered for its...
Nabumetone, a nonsteroidal compound of the naphthylalkanone class, helps reduce pain and swelling associated with inflammation. It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, that belongs to the same category as common painkillers...
Human immunodeficiency virus infects and kills white blood cells. The decrease in the number of these cells, called T cells, affects the immune system, leaving the body vulnerable to certain types of infections and cancers. According to the...
Acne is a common skin condition that ranges from mild cases involving non-infected blackheads and whiteheads (collectively called "comedones") to severe cases that present with cysts and nodules. Acne forms in the sebaceous glands of the skin,...
Your immune system contains a number of organs and many millions of cells specialized to defend your body against pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. It also recognizes damaged or abnormal cells and removes them, protecting you from cancer and...
Dopamine, a neurotransmitter, is manufactured in the brain and other parts of the nervous system from the amino acid l-tyrosine. Among dopamine's many functions, it serves important roles in controlling voluntary movement, cognition and...
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a prohormone secreted by the adrenal gland that is converted to the active androgen and estrogen hormones in the human body. Currently there is little known about the function of this prohormone; however,...
A healthy immune system is your body's first defense against disease, and herbs can play a role in keeping your immune system working properly. Herbs for the immune system are called immunomodulators because they modify or regulate your immune...
Exercise may improve your immune system by altering defense mechanisms and your mental states. Your immune system relies on substances in your body that detect threats and activate other immune cells that fight off invasion. Exercise may influence...
The influence of exercise on your immune system depends on the intensity of your workout. Exercise can protect and enhance your immune system by improving antibody and natural killer responses. Low to moderate intensity aerobic exercise, such as...
Eczema affects approximately 17 percent of the population, and is defined by Drugs.com as a chronic skin disorder involving scaly and itchy rashes. It is caused by a hypersensitivity reaction similar to an allergy and results in chronic...
Phytosterols are compounds found in plants. They are similar in structure and function to cholesterol without having the damaging effect to the arterial system that cholesterol has. The typical Western diet is low in phytosterols, which also...
Exercise affects the entire body, and it was once a part of our everyday lives before the advent of technological wonders changed that. Technology has also contributed to a decrease in mental and physical well being. There are many benefits to...
Your immune system recognizes infectious microorganisms and mounts protective responses against the damage they would otherwise cause. Immune responses involve functionally distinct types of white blood cells (leukocytes). Leukocytes develop from...
Lymphoproliferation describes the over-production or abnormal activity of lymphocytes. Lymph nodes are located in your neck, armpits and groin. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that make up your immune system, including antibody-producing B cells...
High WBC refers to an abnormally elevated amount of white blood cells. White blood cells, or leukocytes, are a vital part of the body's ability to fight infection. White blood cells come in a variety of types, each with a unique set of...
Hundreds of proteins in your body contain zinc or require it to function normally. Digestion releases zinc from food and intestinal cells transfer it to your bloodstream. Your cells absorb zinc and use it in a variety of ways to aid normal organ...
During lung cancer, cells in the lungs grow uncontrollably, which may form tumors. Although cigarette smoking is the proximate cause of lung cancer, people who have never smoked can develop lung cancer. Some Ayurvedic herbs possess cancer-fighting...
White blood cells are the body's defenders against bacteria, viruses, trauma and the development of cancer. The immune system identifies invaders and, through a series of complex chemical reactions, attacks and destroys these invaders. Poor...
For those with heart conditions, a simple cold needs to be treated immediately before it converts to a more life-threatening condition like pneumonia. Pneumonia makes it hard for the body to receive oxygen effectively, thereby putting additional...
Noni juice comes from the odd-looking, yellowish-white fruits of the noni shrub, which is native to the Polynesian Islands, according to the website for the National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine. Before taking noni for...
Zinc is the most common trace mineral in the body after iron, says the University of Maryland Medical Center, and is present in every body cell. It is an essential mineral and can be obtained through the diet. Along with being an antioxidant and...
Zinc assists in the functioning of more than 300 enzymes and is a factor in numerous biological processes, according to the National Institutes of Health. The recommended intake of zinc is 12 to 15 mg per day for adults. Before modifying your...
The body requires nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants, micronutrients and minerals in order to function and provide immunity to disease. When the immune system is compromised by HIV disease it is even more imperative that you get adequate vitamins...
Zinc is a trace mineral that is required for good health and proper cell function. It plays a role in your body's immune system, is essential for your taste and smell senses, and is second only to iron in its concentration in your body. Zinc also...
The benefits of garlic have been known for more than 3,000 years. It is considered the herbal wonder drug. Eating garlic appears to boost our natural supply of hydrogen sulfide. This acts as an antioxidant that protects cells from free radicals....
Soy lecithin, a by-product of the production of soybean oil, is a mixture of lipid-containing compounds known as phospholipids. In the food industry, soy lecithin is used commonly as an emulsifier to maintain the proper consistency of fatty food...
The immune system functions to protect the human body from foreign invaders, such as viruses, bacteria, parasites and cancer cells. The immune system consists of white blood cells produced by cells in the bone marrow that flow through the blood...