Nattokinase
Perhaps you’ve heard about nattokinase, a natural enzyme that recent studies have shown to have anticoagulant properties. Perhaps you’d like to know more. Any discussion of nattokinase must begin with a discussion of natto....
Author: Annie
Calcium Functions
Calcium is a major mineral that plays several important roles in the body. It’s more abundant in the body than any other mineral: most of it in bones and teeth and a very small...
Potassium and Chloride
Potassium Functions Potassium is a major mineral that’s involved in a variety of important processes in the body. It helps two other minerals – sodium and chloride – balance water levels, help the heart...
Carbohydrate – Help Regulate Blood Sugar Levels
Blood glucose (or blood sugar) levels are closely regulated to make sure your body cells have enough glucose for energy. If your blood sugar level is low, you can feel shaky or weak; if...
Functions of Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are critical components of a healthy body and a well-balanced, nutritious diet. In the Body Carbohydrates provide the body with glucose, its key source of energy. The brain, red blood cells, and nervous...
Glaucoma
During your last visit to the eye doctor, he or she probably measured the internal pressure of your eyes and then administered a few drops to dilate your pupils. Both of these tests screen...
Diabetes
Call it the epidemic of the 21st Century: one in three Americans has either diabetes or its precursor, prediabetes. The full-blown disease, also known as diabetes mellitus, occurs when the body ahs either a...
Hypertension
, is often called a silent killer, because the condition usually has no symptoms. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart disease and stroke. That’s worrisome, considering that one in three...
Mammograms
Mammograms are the best screening tool for early detection of breast cancer and other problems with a woman’s breasts. The earlier breast cancer is found, the better chance a woman has of survival and...
Acupuncture
One of the oldest healing practices in the world, acupuncture originated in China thousands of years ago. The practice of stimulating specific points on the body, often by puncturing the skin with needles, is...
Congenital Heart Disease
In 1 in 100 births, an infant is born with a defect or malformation of the heart, called congenital heart disease. This birth defect needs to be carefully monitored: Some cases require surgery, while...
Iron Supplements
Iron is essential to many proteins and enzymes your body uses to maintain good health. It is also necessary for the delivery of oxygen to your cells and the regulation of cell growth. For...
DHA and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The term healthy fat may sound too good to be true, but that’s exactly what docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and other omega-3 fatty acids are. They are monounsaturated, which means they are room temperature –...
Bone Age
Most parents can imagine how a child will look as an adult, based on what traits run in their families. But there’s a true crystal ball when it comes to height: a bone age...
Parkinson’s Disease
In his 2000 autobiography Lucky Man, the actor Michael J. Fox describes his battle with Parkinson’s disease (PD) as a “Jekyll-and-Hyde melodrama” that cycles between times when his medication is working and times when...
Acne
Every year, Americans spend more than $100 million on over-the-counter products to treat acne. That’s because this skin ailment is a frustrating and unsightly condition that affects about 85 percent of teenager and young...
Skin Cancer
A glowing, tanned complexion seems healthy, but when achieved through unprotected exposure to the sun, it an be dangerous or even deadly. That’s because changes in skin color, such as tans and sunburns, may...
Fiber
Dietary fiber is an important component of a healthy diet. It is recommended that men under the age of 50 eat at least 38 grams of fiber daily and women under 50 eat at...
Mediterranean Diet
A Mediterranean diet is generally rich in olive oil, grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and fish. It also includes a moderate amount of red wine and restricts meats, high-fat dairy products, and other types of...
Cholesterol and Fats
Cholesterol Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance that occurs naturally in your body and is made by your liver. Your body uses cholesterol for various functions, including protecting nerves, making tissues, and producing hormones....
Chiropractic
Chiropractic is an alternative form of medicine based on the theory that adjustments to the spine can treat health problems and improve general well-being. Studies have shown chiropractic to be effective in easing lower-back...
Protein
Protein is an essential nutrient for building and maintaining the bones, muscles, and skin. We get protein in our diets from meat, dairy products, nuts, grains, and beans. The protein you obtain from meat...
White Blood Cells
Without white blood cells (WBCs), or leukocytes, we would be defenseless against sickness and disease. These cells play a critical role in the immune system, fighting off the viruses, bacteria, toxins, and other foreign...
Amino acids
Amino acids are the basic units that combine to form proteins. When you eat foods that contain protein, the digestive juices in your stomach and intestines break down the protein into amino acids. Then...
Natural Sweeteners
These days, sugar is public enemy number one, blamed for the epidemics of obesity, type 2 diabetes and more. But does sugar deserve its unfavorable reputation? And even if it does, who wants to...
Turmeric, Blood Sugar and Diabetes
Diabetes is becoming an epidemic in the United States – the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports that 23.6 million American (nearly 8 percent of the population) had diabetes in...
Turmeric
What do Worcestershire sauce, mustard and Middle Eastern cuisine have in common? All feature turmeric, the yellow, peppery spice commonly associated with Indian curries. And new research suggests that turmeric may be good for...
Pomegranate
Pomegranates have been grown in the Middle East since ancient times. They have also been cultivated in the Mediterranean region, Europe, Asia, Africa and India. The pomegranate tree was introduced to California in the...
Goji Berry
The power of the goji berry is no secret in China, where the berry has been used for its many healing properties for thousands of years. According to the Ben Cao Gang Mu, a...
Superfruits
Everyone should eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Scientific evidence reveals that fruits and vegetables, which are rich sources of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other phytonutrients, can help prevent disease and boost...