Aloe vera is a clear, gel-like liquid within the leaf of the Aloe barbadensis plant. Aloe vera contains minerals, vitamins, sugars, enzymes and lignins, among other nutrients, which all contribute to its vast medicinal properties. A primary...
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly called GERD, is a serious disorder that can affect the health of your esophagus. Acid reflux, or heartburn, occurs when the contents of your stomach enter your esophagus. Unlike occasional heartburn, GERD...
Medical studies suggest that eating nuts regularly may exert a strong and specific protective effect on the heart, helping to prevent heart attacks and clogged arteries. Some health authorities have advised people to be wary of nuts because of...
There are several sections of the intestine, and each can have its own diseases. The intestine is usually divided in two, the small and the large intestine. The small intestine is further subdivided into the duodenum, the jejunum and the ileum....
Tulsi, also known as tulasi, holy basil and Ocimum sanctum, is a fragrant shrub with purplish flowers native to the tropics. It's been used for thousands of years in South Asia and by Ayurvedic medicine as a medicinal plant, with scientists today...
Cholesterol is a biological molecule that is extremely important for a number of cellular and tissue related functions. According to the American Heart Association, you get about 25 percent of your total cholesterol from your dietary intake and...
People have practiced yoga for thousands of years. While it may have evolved as a way to achieve greater self-understanding, researchers today recognize its health benefits as well. A 2010 study by the University of California found yoga to be an...
A test to see how much citric acid is in your urine is used to help evaluate your risk for kidney stones or to help diagnose other health conditions. Low levels of citric acid are risk factors for kidney stones, but higher levels may have a...
A herniated or slipped disc can be a painful and debilitating injury in which the inner portion of a vertebral disc protrudes through a small opening in the disc and presses on spinal nerves. The spine is composed of multiple stacked, hard bones...
Ibuprofen is a generic drug developed by the pharmaceutical company McNeil Consumer and approved as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory by the FDA in 1974. Ibuprofen is now a common over-the-counter pain medication used primarily for headaches,...
According to the American Pain Foundation, pain results in close to 40 million annual doctor visits. Chronic pain refers to pain that persists for more than six months or after an injury has healed. Neuropathic pain, or nerve pain, results from...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that as of July 2011, about one-third of adults in the United States were obese. A weight loss of 10 kg, about 22 pounds, improves high blood pressure, lowers blood lipids and decreases fasting...
Tendons and cartilage are both connective tissues aiding in the movement of limbs. Tendons usually function to connect muscle to bone for mobility and stability purposes. Cartilage is different from other connective tissues in that it does not...
Synvisc is an injectable substance approved for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in patients who have failed previous non-surgical treatments. It is made from hyaluronan, a complex carbohydrate, which is the main component of joint fluid....
Diverticulitis is a fairly common bowel disease that is linked to diet. Diverticulitis can lead to serious complications, such as a rupture of the intestine. Taking probiotics may help diverticulitis. You can get probiotics from foods such as...
If you have high cholesterol, your doctor may recommend several treatment options, like prescription cholesterol medications, supplements and lifestyle changes. The latter can put a substantial dent in your cholesterol level, according to...
Many disorders cause painful inflammation that interferes with daily activities. One of the most common is arthritis, which affects about 46 million Americans, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Inflammation in arthritic joints involves an...
Antioxidant flavonoids, called silymarin, in the milk thistle plant may help protect the liver from damage from toxins. Maximum milk thistle, which is milk thistle combined with phosphatidylcholine, may have a better absorption rate than milk...
Sublingual tablets are tablet medications designed to be administered through the mucosal membranes lining the floor of your mouth. Sublingual tablets differ from oral tablets because sublingual tablets are generally absorbed more quickly than...
Pantethine is a derived form of vitamin B5, also called pantothenic acid. Vitamin B5 is an essential coenzyme in numerous reactions needed to sustain life. This vitamin is available in an array of foods from fish to dairy products to vegetables to...
Alcoholism is a form of substance abuse that can wreak havoc on a person's health and quality of life. Patients who suffer from alcohol abuse often benefit from live-in treatment programs, as they are better able to regulate the patient's...
Stevia, a natural sweetener used to replace sugar, was approved in December 2008 by the Food and Drug Administration as a dietary supplement. Used as a sugar alternative by the Coca Cola Company and PepsiCo in their products, it's considered 300...
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) strikes in early childhood, often lasting through adulthood. People diagnosed with ADHD face significant challenges, often receiving pharmacological treatment or therapy for relief. It is also...
Depression is a widespread problem in society. The National Institute of Mental Health suggests that at any given time 6.7 percent of the adult population in the United States is suffering from major depression as of the time of publication....
Your digestive system has evolved to break down the complex molecules you consume as food into small, simple units of amino acids, sugars and fats. These basic molecules are then used to build organs and tissues throughout your body. The process...
Cocaine, an illegal drug, stimulates the central nervous system, which increases the levels of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine triggers the portion of the brain associated with pleasure and movement. Over the long term, cocaine use may lead to...
Turmeric root is one of the most widely used medicinal herbs in Indian Ayurvedic medicine. Turmeric root is often dried and ground into a yellow powder, then added to curry spices and consumed in numerous Asian dishes. The biologically active...
Your body relies on a number of signalling molecules, called chemical messengers, to allow for communication between cells. One type of chemical messenger is nitric oxide, a compound important for the function of a number of organ systems,...
Most babies have some degree of reflux, which is the involuntary passage of stomach content back into the esophagus. A group of babies will develop gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), where they'll have symptoms of pain, colic-like crying,...