Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter -- a chemical in the brain that helps transmit electrical impulses generated by nerves. Acetylcholine plays a vital role in the peripheral nervous system by activating muscle cells. It also plays a role in the...
Clostridium botulinum is a bacterium that produces neurotoxins, which at very low doses cause muscle paralysis. Clostridium botulinum contamination can cause foodborne, infant and wound botulism. According to the Centers for Disease Control and...
Chlorella is a single-celled algae that contains magnesium, carotenoids, and chlorophyll. Lemons contain vast amounts of vitamin C, as well as B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Both of these supplements contain nutrients that can be...
Snail cream is made from snail mucous, or slime as it is commonly called. Snail slime is the fluid that snails' excrete, which allows them to glide along and climb walls without falling. Snail slime has some unique medicinal properties that are...
Fly baits come in a variety of styles and have many varied ingredients. Fly paper, liquid traps and spray baits are available. These may be organic or nontoxic, or they may contain chemicals that are dangerous in high enough concentrations....
Algae are single-celled organisms that multiply rapidly in warm, oxygen-rich water. These organisms group together into "blooms" that float on the water's surface. Algae thrive in both freshwater and saltwater conditions and can prove detrimental...
Jaundice is common in newborns--it typically begins on the second or third day of life, and goes away after one to two weeks. However, some children experience persistent jaundice, which can damage the liver and other organs. For these children,...
Wrinkles are an unavoidable natural effect of aging. Fortunately, advances in technology have given dermatologists a new set of tools to help reduce wrinkles. Although there are many over-the-counter products available, the most effective wrinkle...
Most skin care lines marketed to adult women will have at least one anti-wrinkle product in their arsenal. Merle Norman is no exception. Its Luxiva line contains a series of products called wrinkle smoothers that are designed to address many...
You may have heard that some kinds of wild fish -- salmon, for instance -- are heart-healthy. While salmon is definitely good for you and can benefit your heart, it doesn't do so through changing your HDL levels. However, eating certain wild fish...
There are many foods that you may enjoy that you should avoid during a pregnancy. There are two reasons for this: Some foods may have bacterial contamination and some foods may contain toxins. Certain kinds of sushi are not safe to consume during...
The issue of whether or not to eat certain fish -- including tuna -- during pregnancy can be quite confusing. On the one hand, you may have heard that tuna is a good source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. On the other hand, tuna can be...
MSG, or monosodium glutamate, is a flavor enhancer responsible for the umami taste and is commonly added in some restaurants and processed foods. Dietitian Katherine Zeratsky explains that although MSG is recognized as safe by the FDA and has been...
The National Institutes of Health characterize aspartame as an artificial sweetener that's 220 times sweeter than sugar. It's a combination of phenylalanine and aspartic acid. Both of these ingredients are considered amino acids, which can make...
Noxzema skin cream was introduced by Noxell in 1911 as a sunburn treatment. The Noxzema brand has expanded over the years, adding various other skin care and shaving products for both men and women. Some of the ingredients in Noxzema original skin...
More complaints have been filed with the Food and Drug Administration on aspartame than any other food item in its history, yet incredible amounts of aspartame are present in our food every day, according to Linda Page, Ph.D., naturopathic...
You wouldn't think that the fish on your plate contains neurotoxins, but many popular types of seafood exhibit moderate to high levels of mercury. Though moderate consumption isn't a danger for healthy adults, pregnant women should avoid eating...
Arthritis is a chronic disease in which inflammation of the connective tissues and muscles surrounding joints causes pain, stiffness and swelling. Arthritis may also cause bone loss and permanent disfigurement of the joints. Typically, the...
The Alzheimer’s Prevention and Research Foundation in Tucson, Arizona, found that exercise and a balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fresh fruits and vegetables can support healthy brain function, according to Live in the Now. The...
Botulism is a deadly type of food poisoning that affects the nervous system. According to Medline Plus, about 110 people in the United States contract botulism each year, mostly infants. Avoiding potentially contaminated food can prevent this...
Camphor oil comes in three varieties: white camphor, brown camphor and yellow camphor. Due to negative effects associated with the brown and yellow types, only white camphor oil is used rarely in aromatherapy. Produced from tall evergreen trees...
Green tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. It is usually consumed as a beverage, although it is also available in capsule form. Green tea preparations contain caffeine, which makes them unsuitable for infants and children....
Organic peanut butter is a satisfying comfort food that has many health benefits when eaten in moderation. It is a healthier option than conventional peanut butter because it does not contain partially hydrogenated oils or trans fats, and the...
Raw diet proponents claim that cooking foods destroys nutrients. A step beyond veganism, the raw food movement encourages participants to "eat the life force" of living, or recently picked vegetables, grains and nuts to reap health benefits such...
Simple in form yet packed with life-giving nutrients such as protein, iron, potassium, calcium and B vitamins, the edible type of blue-green algae, or spirulina, as it is commonly called, is a single-celled cyanobacteria found in freshwater lakes...
Organic vinegar has health and environmental benefits. With increasing knowledge regarding the benefits of certified organic foods, these types of foods have become increasingly successful in not only health food stores, but in conventional...
Americans spend as much as 90 percent of their time indoors, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Furnaces, tobacco products, building materials, household chemicals and furnishings release pollutants into your home or...
Parkinson's disease is a progressive movement disorder characterized by tremor, speech problems, movement and coordination difficulties and muscle rigidity. According to MayoClinic.com, most Parkinson's symptoms occur as a result of a fall in the...
Crystal meth is the street name for crystallized methamphetamine, an illicit drug used for its psycho-stimulant properties. Crystallized methamphetamine was first synthesized in 1919 in Japan and was approved for several treatments by the American...
