Hypertension is a condition in which the pressure within your blood vessels increases to dangerous levels. Chronic hypertension may lead to serious medical conditions including stroke, heart attack, kidney damage and even retinal disease. Japanese...
With nearly two-thirds of American adults either overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a plethora of over-the-counter weight-loss supplements are available which promote weight loss. Fucothin is one such...
Grape seed extract comes from the seeds and skin of the red grape and is a known antioxidant that fights against free radical damage. Grape seeds contain bioflavenoids called proanthocyanidins or PCOs. These compounds, in addition to fighting free...
Your body depends upon a healthy amount of glucose, a type of sugar, to keep your cells functioning at peak performance. When blood sugar levels are too high or too low, the risk of developing other medical conditions, like diabetes, increases....
Chamomile has been used in herbal remedies since the time of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome and is sometimes called the “star among medicinal species.” In modern cultures, people drink more than a million cups of chamomile tea per day...
The skin is made up of a number of specialized cells, including melanocytes---the pigment-producing cells that provide the skin's natural color. Malignant melanoma is an advanced cancer that originates in melanocytes and then spreads to the lymph...
Indulging a bit here and there may not seem like a big deal, but the effects of overeating are serious and impact multiple areas of life. While overeating is often made easy by society, the long-term costs outweigh the benefits of that extra bite,...
Cholesterol is an important part of the body because it is an integral part of the membranes that surround cells. Cholesterol in the blood, however, can lead to atherosclerosis, a condition in which cholesterol builds up in the walls of the...
Some of the cholesterol in your body comes from your liver, which makes cholesterol for the synthesis of steroid hormones, bile and cell membranes. Cholesterol also comes from the foods you eat. If you have high levels of one form of cholesterol...
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by inflammation of the lungs and airways. Characterized by wheezing, coughing and breathing difficulties, asthma affects 20 million Americans, according to the University of Maryland Medical...
Your lung capacity affects your stamina, endurance, energy and mental focus. It may even help determine how long you live, according to the results of the Buffalo Health Study published in the September 2000 issue of "Chest," a...
Diverticulitis is a gastrointestinal condition caused by the inflammation of pouches in your intestinal wall. Symptoms include abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Maintaining a daily fiber intake of 25 to 35 grams can help...
Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that grows on the branches of other trees. In European folklore, mistletoe is considered magical, an aphrodisiac and symbol of fertility, and it has a long history as a medicinal plant. In the modern era, mistletoe...
Your heart is the most vital organ in your body. To maintain efficient function, it requires optimal concentrations of minerals in the blood. Calcium and potassium are important minerals that affect heart function. Vitamins are also crucial to the...
Rheumatoid arthritis affected 1.29 million people over the age of 18 in 2005, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with a prevalence among women being approximately twice to three times that for men. A variety of medicinal...
Turmeric, a spice that forms the basis of many curries, is also used by Indian women to remove body hair and as a sunscreen. Widely known for its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric is commonly used to lessen the aches and pains of arthritis...
For centuries, traditional healers and herbalists the world over have used herbs in the treatment of cancer. Increasingly, research is focusing on plant-derived compounds in a search for less toxic yet effective anti-cancer agents. Although many...
Nitric oxide is a naturally occurring gas that is produced inside the body. Fitness and nutrition researcher Clayton South explains that nitric oxide is produced when your body breaks down the amino acid arginine. Because of the many purported...
There are two types of herpes virus that affect humans: herpes virus type 1, which commonly causes infections of the lips and eyes, and herpes virus type 2, which most often causes infections in the genital area. Herpes virus is highly contagious...
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks the membrane that lines the body's joints, causing stiffness, pain and inflammation. As the disease progresses, the joints and bones become permanently damaged. There is no cure for this...
Most of us want to find the fountain of youth, not only for the sake of our health on the inside of our bodies, but for the appearance of the outside as well. For our skin to maintain the appearance of youthfulness, it needs to remain firm. We can...
Resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant, has attracted much research and popular attention for its purported health benefits. Recent research has revealed considerable information on the benefits of resveratrol in the prevention and treatment of...
Considering that two out of three Americans are overweight, using your body's physiology can be an effective form of weight loss. Physiology is the branch of biology which considers how the body functions. The physiology of the human body plays a...
Bitter melon, or ampalaya, is a highly nutritious addition to your diet, and also contains potent phytochemicals that appear to inhibit cell oxidation and cancer. According to a 2009 article in "Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity," bitter...
Ayurvedic medicine is one of the oldest medical systems and originated in India. It is considered by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine to be an alternative medicinal treatment plan and utilizes herbs, massage and...
The pink, creamy or white flowers of the magnolia tree, native to North and South America, China and Southeast Asia, bloom during spring and summer. The extracts of the buds and flowers of the magnolia tree are available in decoction, alcohol...
Lecithin, also known as phosphatidylcholine, is a type of lipid-based molecule found in the outer membranes of your body's cells. Lecithin serves a number of other important health functions, such as cell signaling, nerve impulse transmission and...
Lung cancer, a major cause of cancer death among men and women in the United States, is when cells in the lungs grow out of control. There is convincing evidence suggesting that you can ward off lung cancer by supporting your lung's health with...
Lung cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer, and according to U.K. health information website Netdoctor, it is the most common cause of death from cancer in both men and women. It is closely linked with smoking tobacco--you can help to...
