Under jurisdiction of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, food supplement labels cannot claim to cure or prevent disease -- but they can be worded in any other way feasible. Food supplement manufacturers make medicinal claims that can be...
Vitamins are organic compounds that are essential to all functions in the body. The 13 types of vitamins each perform different functions. Some regulate hormones, while others help the body absorb and utilize nutrients from food. While vitamins...
Nearly one-third of all Americans use herbal medicine, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center website, but almost everyone uses many of those same herbs everyday in their food. Some medicinal herbs, such as saw palmetto and gingko...
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the U.S and the major cause of disability, according to MedlinePlus. The narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries causes this condition. Other arterial passageways can also become clogged leading to...
The term gluten refers to a number of storage proteins found in grains such as wheat, rye, barley, oats and corn. When people with celiac disease, or CD, ingest foods made with specific forms of gluten, their bodies launch an autoimmune response...
Medicine that is used to speed up or improve digestion is often referred to as pancreatic extracts, digestive enzymes or HCl supplements. Fiber supplements in the form of pills or powders can also be used as a medicine to assist digestion, however...
There are a variety of ways for you to improve your hair-growing capabilities. Getting the proper nutrition, including getting adequate amounts of protein and iron, is one of the natural remedies you can use to make your hair grow and improve your...
Synthroid is a man-made form of thyroxine, which is one of the two hormones produced by the thyroid gland. A person with an underactive thyroid gland or hypothyroidism takes a daily dose of Synthroid as replacement therapy. The drug is also used...
Uric acid is a chemical your body creates that breaks down natural substances called purines. Certain medications, obesity, genetic factors and illnesses, such as leukemia and hypothyroidism, and a high-purine diet can lead to excessive uric acid...
Blood pressure is measured as a larger number over a smaller number, with 120/80 considered normal and healthy for most people. The top number represents the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart is contracting, and the lower number when it...
Sensitivity to gluten comes in the form of a wheat allergy or gluten intolerance. Both conditions result from an abnormal response to gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, and the treatment involves removing all...
When it comes to managing diabetes, much of the focus is on insulin and the level of glucose circulating in the blood. Yet diabetes affects many body systems, including the digestion system. Both the disease and a certain class of diabetes drugs...
The thyroid gland is located in the neck and is responsible for the production of a hormone that helps control metabolism. This hormone is also necessary for the optimal functioning of almost all the cells in your body for protein creation,...
Most blood pressure medicine has diuretic properties to lower blood pressure. The medication causes excretion of excess body fluid through the urine. Less fluid volume means the heart does not have to pump as hard. However, when more fluid is...
High blood pressure is defined as the condition in which your blood courses through your veins at a higher pressure than is normal or recommended. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is measured through millimeters of mercury. The...
A diet low in saturated fat, cholesterol and total fat that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products reduces blood pressure. Choosing raw foods within these categories can help to reduce blood pressure....
Cholesterol is vitally important to a number of human functions including the production of several hormones and is used in cell membranes. However, high cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, the nation's number one cause of death....
To lose weight, you need to eat less and exercise more. Hence if you are on a weight loss diet, it is important to choose foods that contain few calories but are filling at the same time. It is also important that you get the necessary amounts of...
Greek mountain tea is popular in the Mediterranean region and used as a tonic for a variety of health complaints, from colds to upset stomachs. The Sideritis family of tea plants from which the tea is made have been studied in the lab to...
Variety may be the spice of life, but spice adds variety in cooking. Many people uses spices on food to enhance the taste and boost the flavor profile. Some spices have other health and nutritional benefits as well. Never consume spices as a...
Selenium is a trace element required in small quantities for good health. According to the “Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine,” selenium is a component of enzymes in your body that have antioxidant functions. These help to protect...
GoChi juice, also known as Himalayan goji, is a type of berry that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine. Scientific studies show support for the use of GoChi juice for a number of health-related issues. However, consult your doctor before...
Punica granatum, better known as pomegranate, is a small tree that produces tasty red fruit. Pomegranate juice has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and laboratory studies indicate it inhibits the progression of prostate and breast...
You'll find coconut oil in many skin care products as well as on grocery store shelves. It has emollient, antioxidant, antifungal and antibacterial properties that lead to potential benefits for your skin. It is frequently found as a moisturizing...
For athletes who need to perform at their best, optimal nutrition is essential. One small nutritional change that may have modest benefits is switching traditional sugar for honey. Not only is honey low in calories and a good source of...
Mushroom extract comes in both pill and liquid form and you can find this substance derived from a variety of mushroom types, from reishi to shiitake. Each mushroom's extract provides a variety of benefits, but do not introduce this natural...
Passion flower is taken for insomnia, gastrointestinal tract problems, anxiety, seizures, high blood pressure, asthma, fibromyalgia and pain relief. Passion flower was originally used as an over-the-counter medication for insomnia in America until...
Chrysin is a dietary flavenoid found in honey, propolis and plants, including the Passiflora. Bodybuilders take chrysin supplements to increase testosterone production, in part through the reduction of estrogen production, according to the...
Thermogenesis is the process of your body turning energy into heat, leading to an increase in body temperature and metabolism. Although there are many supplements on the market claiming to be thermogenic, only a few are backed by science as being...
Relieving migraine symptoms and pain is a common goal of acupuncture for many patients; learn how to treat migraines with acupuncture in this acupuncture video.
