Cysteine is an amino acid, which cells use to make substances they need. The cells can also make cysteine, but they need a particular amino acid and two enzymes to do so. If you do not have enough of either enzyme, you can develop disorders and...
Green tea is a rich source of potent antioxidants called polyphenols, which are associated with fighting free radical production that may lead to disease and illness. The main type of polphenolic compound in green tea is catechins, particularly...
Nitric oxide acts as a chemical messenger in the nerves, immune system and blood vessels. Cells in the skin layers release nitric oxide to protect and help heal damage to the skin. Slowed blood flow in the area under the eyes results in dark...
Vitamin B-12 is unique in the class of water-soluble vitamins, because your body stores it for extended periods of time in the liver. Vitamin B-12 also has an unusually large and complex chemical structure. Similar to the other vitamins of the B...
HDL or high-density lipoprotein is good cholesterol. This is the type of cholesterol that you want, as it can actually help protect you against health issues such as heart disease by cleaning up LDL -- low-density lipoprotein -- otherwise known as...
Some types of cardiovascular disease affect about 79 million Americans, according to the American Heart Association. These disorders include coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure and heart attack. Nitric oxide is a...
Vitamin B-12, a water-soluble vitamin, is the largest and most complex of all 13 essential vitamins. It functions to keep your nerve and blood cells healthy. Deficiencies in vitamin B-12 pose health risks, including anemia and nervous system...
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,...
Pomegranate is a fruit of the Punica granatum tree that has been used for thousands of years to treat indigestion and improve heart health. People often drink pomegranate juice instead of fresh pomegranate, and drinking pomegranate juice might...
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is found at high levels in red meat, fish, poultry and eggs. Its structure includes a cobalt ion that gives it specialized biochemical functions. In the body, vitamin B12 is present in two forms:...
At room temperature, nitric oxide is a toxic gas, so it might seem surprising that this poisonous compound could play any part in normal human physiology. Remarkably enough, however, your body actually uses nitric oxide in several different...
Proper growth and development of a fetus while in utero is crucial to later health. A variety of factors may interfere with proper growth and development, and garlic has been shown experimentally to provide protective benefits. Clinical studies...
Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin found in animal protein. It is required to produce red blood cells. Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to impaired red blood cell production and to a condition called anemia, which is characterized primarily by...
Nitric oxide is a gas molecule released by the smooth muscle of your blood vessels. It signals them to dilate, or widen, which increases blood flow and improves your blood vessel function. Although nitric oxide isn't found directly in supplements,...
The muscle cells are functional units designed to shorten which produces contraction of the muscle and movement. Since muscle cells are highly metabolically active, they depend upon the activity of many different enzymes. Skeletal muscle, in...
Homocysteine is a metabolic modification of the essential amino acid methionine, which is derived from proteins you consume in your diet. Vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin that occurs naturally in certain foods, predominantly...
Of all the vitamins necessary for your health, B-12 has the most complex molecular structure, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. It is sometimes referred to as cobalamin, because of the presence of a cobalt ion within its structure. The...
What you eat can be just as important as the amount of physical activity you get. When you exercise, you can deplete your body of precious nutrients stored as energy. Equally important is the adaptations your body makes in response to regular...
The human brain naturally produces the organic compound dimethylaminoethanol, also known by its acronym DMAE. DMAE, both in the brain and as a supplement, closely resembles the molecular structure of choline, an essential mineral related to the B...
Fatty liver, also called steatosis, is caused by a fat build up within liver cells. In this benign condition, excess fat deposition does not cause liver damage. Rarely, patients develop deep jaundice. Steatosis is often an alcohol-induced...
To sustain muscular strength over the course of extensive weight loss or other medical conditions, steroids are often used. However, steroids can have undesirable side effects, especially for women. As such, your best option for sustaining...
When shopping for muscle supplements, it is important to consider the ingredients in each option closely. With so many options available, some are more effective than others, and many fail to meet the claims made in their advertising. To assemble...
Nitric oxide is involved in many important functions in your body, which is why it was dubbed Molecule of the Year in 1992 by the journal "Science" and the 1998 Nobel Prize for medicine was given for research into the role nitric oxide plays in...
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a medical condition that makes it difficult for arteries to pump blood throughout the body. Uncontrolled or untreated hypertension can weaken arteries and increase the risk for other diseases, including...
Building muscle and losing fat are both tasks that can be accomplished without supplemental aid. There are, however, supplements that can accelerate either process when used correctly in conjunction with an effective program of exercise. If you're...
Vitamin B12 helps your body maintain healthy nerve and red blood cells. Your body requires B12 to produce deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA, the genetic material in all your cells. The Mayo Clinic website suggests that you can get your daily supply of...
Amino acids are nitrogen-containing molecules that serve a variety of purposes in your body. One of their most important functions is in the construction of proteins, which are complex molecules composed of long chains of amino acids. Amino acids...
The terms folate and folic acid are sometimes used interchangeably. Folate is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin. Common dietary sources of folate include cereals, leafy green vegetables, asparagus, legumes and organ meat. Certain medical...
Vitamins B-12 and B-9, the second of which is also known as folic acid, are members of the B-vitamin complex. Both vitamins affect the synthesis of DNA and the regulation of cellular metabolism. They are also related in other ways. A deficiency of...
