The decision to start a family often involves a number of considerations for both parents. Will you move to a larger apartment or to a detached, single-family house with a yard? Will one parent stay home with the child? In addition to these common...
The flu is an unpredictable virus. Severity of outbreak depends on many factors, including which of the three types are spreading to how many people are vaccinated. Flu can also come in disguise because it can be spread by unsuspecting hosts who...
Postmenopausal women undergo biological changes than can affect disease risk and nutritional requirements. Postmenopausal women are especially vulnerable to the elevated risks of coronary artery disease, bone diseases, certain types of cancer and...
Caffeine, which is commonly found in coffee, tea and chocolate, is a central nervous system stimulant that is associated with increasing energy and alertness. Apart from these benefits, moderate caffeine consumption might have beneficial effects...
Vitamin D is critical to bone health. A deficiency is associated with rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Rickets was once widespread in industrialized cities of North American and Europe at the turn of the 20th century, due mainly to...
Green tea leaf contains a higher number of health-promoting plant compounds than other teas, due to the fact that the leaves aren't as processed. In green tea production, the young tea leaves are picked and then quickly steamed, which prevents...
Wheat germ, part of the whole wheat kernel that germinates and reproduces into a new wheat plant, contains phytosterols, compounds that have a similar chemical structure to cholesterol. Phytosterol consumption appears to lower cholesterol...
Yohimbe is an herbal supplement made from the bark of the yohimbe plant. It has a long-standing reputation as an aphrodisiac in African cultures. The active ingredient in this herb is yohimbine—available in prescription form as yohimbine...
Head lice are tiny parasites that live in human hair, relocating from one person to another either directly or through a shared surface such as a pillow or chair, and most commonly are found in children. Though they can't cause sickness, they live...
Even though an adult brain only weighs about 3 lbs., it requires roughly 10 percent of the body's energy to direct and coordinate all physical and mental functions. By improving the heart's efficiency, exercise increases the amount of oxygen and...
Wheat germ and flax are nutritious and contain dietary fiber, essential fatty acids, protein and many vitamins and minerals although there are differences in their overall nutritional content. Both wheat germ and flax provide health benefits,...
Hair loss is often a subtle disorder that happens over a period of time. Improper diet or weight-loss programs, Illness, disease or use of medications can cause mineral deficiencies that can contribute to hair loss. In some cases, supplementing...
The result of elevated blood glucose, diabetes is the major cause of heart disease and stroke and a leading cause of kidney disease, limb amputations and blindness, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Poor memory, decreased alertness and...
The first known description of fenugreek, scientifically known as Trigonella foenum-graecum, dates to 1500 B.C. and was written on a piece of Egyptian papyrus. Native to southern Europe and Asia, fenugreek has long been used as an herbal remedy....
Four-hundred-million cups of coffee are consumed in America daily. Caffeine is a stimulant that many people drink to increase alertness. Caffeine increases the functioning of many of your systems, including the central nervous system, suggesting...
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a combined 28 million Americans either suffer from osteoporosis or have low bone mass, which increases their risk of developing the disease later. Osteoporosis is a serious health condition...
Despite advances in medical research and technology, breast cancer is on the rise. According to the National Cancer Institute, there were nearly 195,000 new cases reported in 2009 alone, with more than 40,500 deaths from breast cancer. While women...
Vitamin D plays many essential roles in human health. In response to medical research, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science created new standards for vitamin D intake in 2010. Following these simple recommendations can...
If you're looking a little "long in the tooth," it may be a sign of serious gum disease. Gum disease is a common medical condition. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, nearly 10 percent of all adults living in...
Dry mouth, medically known as xerostomia, means that you are producing insufficient saliva. Informally referred to as "cottonmouth," xerostomia can cause health issues. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research points out that...
Proteins are organic substances in your body made from amino acids. There are millions of different proteins, each with a unique sequence of amino acids that your genes determine. Proteins play important roles in your body to promote health and...
Non-essential amino acids are organic substances containing nitrogen that your body can produce or obtain from certain foods to build proteins and act as metabolic intermediates. Your genes determine the precise content and sequence of amino acids...
Anxiety refers to mental, emotional or physical discord resulting from fear induced by a variety of trigger situations, like public speaking or crowded spaces. Different levels of anxiety exist depending on the individual, with stress being a...
If your mouth feels like you're munching on cotton, you may have dry mouth. Dry mouth is a condition that may occur as a side effect of medications or due to a salivary gland problem. By making changes to your lifestyle and with help from your...
If you don't seem to be able to escape cold and flu season without catching something, you have more options than over-the-counter decongestants and homemade chicken soup. The common cold, flu and other things such as cold sores are examples of...
Traditional uses for clove oil include treating skin infections and respiratory ailments and relieving pain. Medline Plus, a National Institutes of Health publication, has surveyed the current medical research on clove oil. They find that studies...
Children who are overweight are at risk for developing health problems. Children who are sedentary are much more likely to become obese, which can lead to diabetes, early puberty and other weight-related maladies. Regular exercise can help...
Ginger root's use for medicinal purposes traces all the way back to Chinese, Japanese and Indian practices during the 16th century. Easing an upset stomach and reducing nausea are two of the many traditional uses for ginger root. Medline Plus, a...
Vitamin B-12 is an essential vitamin required by the body. This vitamin aids in red blood cell production, proper neurological function, and DNA formation. In addition to a supplement, this vitamin can be obtained in animal-based foods including...
