Foam cells are a variety of macrophages, or immune system cells, that try to cope with excessive cholesterol. They are found in blood vessel walls and are filled with fatty material. Foam cells are often found in cases of atherosclerosis.
The National Cancer Institute describes a leukocyte as a type of cell belonging to the immune system. When microbes such as bacteria or viruses infect the body, leukocytes respond to attack the microbes and clear the infection. Leukocytes are also...
Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of senile dementia and is characterized by short-term memory loss, reduced cognitive abilities and inappropriate behavior. The American Health Assistance Foundation cites that over 26 million people are...
The spice turmeric is a member of the Zingiberaceae (ginger family). Most usage of turmeric is in the form of powder from the roots, for color, and its medicinal value. Curcumin is the orange-yellow bioactive component of turmeric used to make...
Acidophilus lives naturally in the small intestines and vagina. Supplements and foods with acidophilus are available, such as some yogurts, and they may provide health benefits to your immune system, according to scientific evidence. However, talk...
According to Dr. Schwartz at the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, one of the most common ways for scratching to lead to hyperpigmentation is postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). The epidermis, the top layer of the skin, can become inflamed as...
White blood cells are part of your immune system and are found in your blood and tissue. Your body has several different types of white blood cells that fight infections by producing antibodies and cytokines, killing infected cells and removing...
COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a progressive disease, meaning it gets worse over time. According to a March 2009 article published in "Medical News Today," it is the fourth major cause of death in the United States. More than...
Aloe vera is a tropical succulent plant that grows in arid areas in Asia and Africa. It contains a myriad of medicinal benefits. Considerable pilot data and clinical experience suggest that an aloe vera juice might help to prevent cancer in...
Once uncommon in the United States, the number of tuberculosis (TB) cases starting growing again in the 1980s along with the spread of HIV as the two diseases spurred each other on. Tuberculosis remains a major cause of sickness and death in less...
White blood cells, also called leukocytes, are the cells responsible for fighting infections by protecting the body from foreign invaders. Unlike red blood cells, white blood cells do not contain hemoglobin, therefore they are clear-colored. New...
C-Reactive protein, CRP, is commonly tested in patients with cardiovascular disease. The levels of CRP in your blood are greatly elevated when an area of your body is inflamed. Inflammation can occur as a result of injury, infection or an ongoing...
Asbestosis is a respiratory disease that occurs due to prolonged exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that prior to the 1970s was used in a variety of products, including vehicle brakes and building materials. The fibers in asbestos...
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system fails to properly recognize its own tissues and tries to destroy them. MS is believed to target its attacks on myelin (the sheath that wraps around filaments...
The function of the immune system is to identify and eliminate foreign viruses, bacteria and fungi. In some cases, the immune system forms a reaction against a seemingly harmless particle. This abnormal reaction is termed as an allergy. Allergies...
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...
The immune system is composed of specialized cells called lymphocytes that use proteins to target, kill and remove infectious agents from the body. The proteins are either attached to the outside of the cell or secreted by the cells, where they...
The formation of fatty deposits in your arteries can lead to the development of atherosclerosis, commonly called hardening of the arteries. The risk factors for this condition include not only a diet high in cholesterol and fat, but obesity, high...
Quercetin, a flavonoid found in plants, is a potent antioxidant that can scavenge harmful free radicals in the body, possibly helping to prevent cell damage and chronic conditions, such as heart disease and cancer. Some natural healers advise...
Xanthones were first discovered and isolated in 1855 by a German scientists performing research on dysentery. Xanthones were named after the Greek word for yellow, xanthos. Xanthones are actually a yellow pigment with the highest concentrations...
Many cancer chemotherapy medications decrease bone marrow production of red blood cells and white blood cells, an effect called myelosuppression. A low level of white blood cells can leave you vulnerable to serious bacterial infections that may be...
The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues and organs working together to defend the body against foreign invaders. The workhorse cells of the immune system are the white blood cells (WBC). They consist of both specific and...
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...
Prostate cancer affects more than 233,000 men in the United States each year. Advanced prostate cancer is commonly treated with hormone therapy, as the male hormones feed the cancer, allowing it to spread. Many times the cancer will respond to...
Produced from ground beans of the coffee plant, coffee actually contains more than 1000 different plant-derived chemical components. Polyphenols are one family of plant compounds that are abundant in coffee as well as red wine, fruits and fruit...
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...
Wounds can exist as small as a scratch to a large gaping area down to a bone or organ like the intestines. Consequently, any opening in the top layer of skin constitutes a wound. A wound bed constantly changes to repair the exposed injured tissue....
The immune system protects the body against infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. It also plays a very important role in defending the body against certain types of cancer. Some of the most common defender cells of the...
Echinacea is a perennial flowering plant that has long been used for medicinal benefit. It has stimulating effects on the immune system, among other properties. There are numerous types of Echinacea, although the angustifolia species is considered...
