Low-carb diets have been shown to be effective for weight loss, resulting in about double the weight loss--21.6 lbs. versus 10.6 lbs.--when compared to low-fat calorie-restricted diets, as shown in the "Annals of Internal Medicine." Low-carb diets...
Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance but is also a common additive in foods and beverages. Because it is a stimulant, caffeine is considered to ergogenic, that is, a substance that may enhance athletic performance. The NCAA actually lists...
Beta-sitosterol is one of several plant-derived sterols that is structurally similar to cholesterol. It is found in high concentrations in unrefined plant oils, seeds and nuts. It is also sold as a dietary supplement. It is thought that...
Garlic, which is a familiar food commonly used as a spice in a wide range of cuisines, may also help prevent and treat disease. For people with high blood pressure, or hypertension, garlic may be a safe way to lower blood pressure and prevent...
Topamax is the brand name of Topiramate. It is prescribed to treat epileptic seizures and migraines. It may, however, interfere with birth control, especially hormone-based birth control pills, notes the Mayo Clinic. It is classed as a category C...
Domingo Ghirardelli opened a general store in 1849 during the California Gold Rush. His success in chocolate began in 1852 with his original confectionery company. Ghirardelli chocolates squares are available in milk and dark chocolates, with a...
The labels on supplement bottles are often bewildering. However when it comes to omega-3 supplements, there are two important ingredients you should be concerned about because these are the source of omega-3 health claims. Those ingredients are...
Two New Zealand-based clinical studies have raised questions about the safety of calcium citrate supplements, widely used to treat or prevent osteoporosis. Although both studies indicate heavy use of calcium citrate and other calcium supplements...
You are what you eat. This is a powerful statement when discussing certain diseases and conditions that are highly influenced by diet. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It is characterized by painful, inflamed and stiff joints....
Eggs can provide you with a variety of nutrients, including high-quality protein, vitamin D, iodine, selenium and vitamin B12. The yolk part of an egg is often avoided since it contains a high amount of cholesterol that people fear will increase...
Many people and agencies claim to have treatments and cures for anxiety and depression. Scientists and mental health professionals judge the quality of a treatment using the scientific method, a systematic way of gaining knowledge by gathering and...
Having high levels of LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, cholesterol in your blood can put you at an increased risk of developing atherosclerosis and heart disease. Atherosclerosis occurs when cholesterol builds up in the walls of the arteries,...
A pacifier can be an important part of a new parent's arsenal. It helps soothe your baby, and a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics and published in a 2005 issue of "Pediatrics" found that pacifiers significantly reduced the risk of sudden...
There are variables in the execution of chest exercises such as the bench press and push-up that impact their effectiveness in strength training. The bench press and push-up work the same muscles of the chest, shoulders and arms. The primary...
Green tea, made from unfermented leaves of Camellia sinensis, contains higher levels of polyphenols and lower levels of caffeine than black tea, which comes from the same plant. The polyphenols in green tea are responsible for its bitter flavor...
Hydroxyapatite is the crystalline form of calcium phosphate salt that is found in the human skeleton. Hydroxyapatite has been used for surgical implantation and as a source of supplemental dietary calcium. Supplemental hydroxyapatite is sometimes...
Blood pressure is often referred to as the "silent killer" because it has no symptoms. Regular blood pressure checks by a doctor is the only way to know if a person has high blood pressure. A blood pressure of 140/90 is considered a high blood...
Multivitamins are dietary supplements that come in tablet, capsule or pill form and provide you with an array of essential vitamins and minerals. You can find them in most grocery stores, as well as health food stores. Taking a multivitamin every...
Mycobacterium tuberculosis primarily infects the lungs, but the bacteria may move into the blood stream and seed other organs. Quick diagnosis is critical for infections of vital organs, such as the brain or heart. The gold standard for diagnosis...
According to the National Institutes of Health, selenium is a trace mineral required in small amounts for good health. In the body, selenium is synthesized into antioxidant enzymes, which are important free-radical scavengers. It is selenium's...
An estimated 40 percent of women and 25 percent of men in the U.S. are trying to lose weight, spending more than $40 billion each year to do so, according to Eleanor Whitney and Sharon Rolfes in "Understanding Nutrition." Although weight loss...
Aerobic exercise elevates your heart rate and quickens your breathing. It takes many forms -- dance-based aerobics, jogging, cycling and swimming are just a few -- but all forms of aerobic exercise share the ability to burn excess body fat. While...
Streptococcus pharyngeus is a common cause of throat infection. The infection, commonly called "strep throat," is usually treated with antibiotics. Some evidence suggests that probiotics, which are tablets containing harmless bacteria...
Psyllium husk is native to Iran and India, and traditional medicine typically uses the seeds of the plant. In the West, most people use supplements made from the husk, a rich source of soluble fiber that can ease constipation and lower...
In 1970, a book released by Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling, titled "Vitamin C and the Common Cold," claims that vitamin C is an effective strategy against the common cold. However, these claims may not be all they are cracked up to be. Vitamin C...
Cholesterol often gets a bad rap, but it's involved in several key functions in the body, including vitamin D synthesis and hormone production. Excess low density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol increases the risk for heart disease and stroke by...
Cholesterol medications, or statins, can be very effective at reducing cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered a "bad" cholesterol because it circulates in the blood vessels and can cause a buildup and obstruction in blood flow....
Tonalin CLA is a supplement that may be able to help users reduce body fat and lose weight. It is manufactured by the Cognis Group, and contains conjugated linoleic acid -- CLA -- as its active ingredient. Although conjugated linoleic acid may...
The World Health Organization defines probiotics as living microorganisms, such as bacteria or yeasts, that provide a health benefit when taken in sufficient amounts. Probiotics are available as dietary supplements and in foods such as yogurt,...
