Preventing cancer through medication is termed chemoprevention. Cancer is thought to be caused by mutations in the genetic material, DNA. These mutations accumulate and eventually will result in the cell becoming cancerous. Abnormal cells must be...
DHEA, which is an abbreviation for dehydroepiandrosterone, is a hormone made by the adrenal glands that is sometimes touted as an anti-aging supplement. DHEA production peaks between ages 20 to 30 and drops to 5 to 15 percent of young adult levels...
The prostate is a male sex gland that produces semen. Semen is a white or gray liquid that's emitted from the urethra (tube in the penis) during ejaculation. According to the Mayo Clinic, the prostate gland at the time of birth is no larger than...
Hirsutism is a condition that affects women and is characterized by excessive hair growth on areas of the body that are normally hair-free in women, such as the chin, chest, nipples and abdomen. If you have hirsutism, your body may be producing...
Diet drinks are artificially sweetened beverages marketed towards diabetics and health- or weight-conscious people. They are usually sweetened by one or more artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, cyclamates, saccharin and sucralose. Since...
Dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, is a natural metabolite of the male sex hormone testosterone. DHT occurs naturally in both men and women, since both genders have testosterone, although in sharply varying amounts. DHT plays a significant role in...
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, ranked pomegranate juice as the world's healthiest juice in 2008. However, though pomegranate juice is indeed filled with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, evidence is lacking that it...
Conditions that affect the body can also affect hair growth. That's because your hair health reflects your overall health. In some cases, exercise boosts body health and thus promotes a strong hair growth cycle. Exercise can be especially helpful...
Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a common disorder involving the digestive system. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse reports that IBS affects as many as one in five Americans and women appear to be more susceptible to it....
Stress, long hours at work and poor sleep can conspire to make anyone tired at times, but diet and nutrition may also play a role. Vitamin D is important for several functions in your body, and evidence has linked a vitamin D deficiency to various...
Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin found in limited food sources, is necessary for bone and immune-system health. A lack of this essential vitamin can produce symptoms such as brittle bones and mild-to-severe fatigue. A link may exist between low...
Moderate physical activity among children is beneficial for growth. In fact, exercise in childhood is critical for maximizing bone growth and preventing osteoporosis in later years. However, when exercise levels increase to vigorous and extreme...
Phytoestrogens are plant hormones chemically similar to the estrogens found in humans. An example of a phytoestrogen is soy. Phytoestrogens treat a variety of health conditions and affect breast tissue. There are claims that phytoestrogens may...
Infertility patients often start treatment with their obstetrician or gynecologist but move on to treatment by doctors with a specific interest in infertility. These doctors are usually, but not always, doctors with a background in OB/GYN...
Dr. Louis Arrone is a major purveyor of the notion that body weight is genetic, and he outlines in his book, "The Skinny on Losing Weight Without Being Hungry", that weight is attributed to hormones. The Super Skinny Diet restricts the intake of...
As of 2010, there were no official recommendations for using black cohosh as an alternative to hormone replacement treatments for reducing menopause symptoms. At the same time, the National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements...
Anxiety is a normal emotional and physical response to fear and stress. However, if you experience constant anxiety, you may be suffering from a clinical anxiety disorder. While a number of biological, social and psychological factors are thought...
The sport of gymnastics requires athletic skill, balance and coordination. Gymnasts perform acrobatic tumbles, vaulting and other maneuvers on beams and bars, while keeping balance and not falling to the mats below. The training and competition...
Sarcoidosis is an immune disorder that causes inflammation in different organs of the body. The chronic disease has no cure, but treatment options do exist. Often, physicians prescribe medications to control the inflammation. Although no research...
The prostate plays a crucial role in male reproduction as it manufactures seminal fluid, the carrier for sperm. Prostate problems are more openly discussed now because of prevalence and increasing mortality rates. Although benign prostate...
Ovarian cysts are common in women during reproductive years. Ovarian cysts are usually functional meaning they develop from the egg containing follicle that matures during the menstrual cycle, according to "A Gynecologist's Second Opinion," by...
Anyone looking to add muscle seeks a diet that fuels her workout routine and helps support strong muscle tissue. For female teen athletes, crafting a proper diet is especially challenging. Girl teens looking to build up their muscles need to not...
Endocrinology is the study of the endocrine system. The system is made up of all of the glands throughout the body, including the thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, ovaries, testes, adrenal, pituitary and hypothalamus that are responsible for...
When Rockefeller University scientists first introduced leptin to the world in 1994, the thinking was that the newly discovered hormone represented a breakthrough in treating obesity. However, subsequent research showed that excess leptin and...
Anabolics or anabolic steroids have a variety of side effects on different organ systems. Dr. Harm Kuipers, Department of Physiology, University of Limburg, Netherlands says that the frequency and severity of the side effects varies according to...
Lemon juice, despite its sour taste, reduces acids that contribute to many digestive ills. Water hydrates your body and may boost your metabolism. But does a lemon water diet help you lose weight, and is it safe to try? The lemon water diet is...
Naturally present in all humans and animals, hormones are chemical messengers that regulate many functions essential to life. Some artificial hormones, such as recombinant DNA insulin to treat diabetes, are used for quite noncontroversial medical...
Healthy eating habits lead to good nutrition, which leads to good overall health. The link between what we put in our stomachs and our health is the endocrine system, which is directly affected by nutrition. Healthful eating habits can help...
