Hormones are very much involved in pregnancy, from conception through labor. Birth control pills, or oral contraceptives, can prevent pregnancy by adjusting certain hormone levels. They are among the most popular and effective means...
HOPE BEATS THE statistics and will help you overcome the threat of cardiovascular disease. In the United States, over 800,000 people a year die from disease related to the cardiovascular system. Nearly another 150,000...
Officially, the onset of menopause is marked by the one-year anniversary of the last day of your last period. But you might start to feel the effects of dwindling hormones during perimenopause, the months...
Lots of supplements promise “escape”, “relief”, or “support” for sufferers of PMS and menopause. And they’re pretty tempting – who wouldn’t want an easy fix for cramps, mood swings, hot flashes, seating, and all...
Here’s a list of supplements you probably aren’t taking, but you might want to check them out if you have any of the conditions they’ve been shown to help. Just remember to check with...
10 of the most popular vitamins, minerals, and herbs, and what they can – and can’t – do for you It seems like a no-brainer: Pop a pill and – poof! – you can...
Ulcerative Colitis Ulcerative colitis is a disorder that causes inflammation of the inner lining of the digestive tract, along with sores (ulcers). This disorder is referred to as an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which...
Also called a cerebrovascular accident, a stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, and the brain is deprived of the oxygen it needs to function. An ischemic stroke, the most...
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue and joints, resulting in chronic inflammation. It is a debilitating disease because it can create a severe lack...
A common skin disorder that affects 2 percent of the population, psoriasis is characterized by thick patches of raised, reddish skin that is covered by what looks like silvery-white scales. In this condition, the...
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) occurs to some women in the week before they begin menstruating each month and continues until menstruation begins. It may even last one or two days after the period begins. Emotional...
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), also known as Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is an endocrine disorder in which multiple cysts may develop in the ovaries. Affecting 5 to 7 percent of women, PCOS can have very serious...
Hyperthyroidism The thyroid gland is the body’s internal thermostat. It regulates temperature by secreting hormones that control how quickly the body burns calories and uses energy. Hypothyroidism occurs when there is an excess of...
Homocysteine Homocysteine is an amino acid that promotes free radical production. It also elevates trglycerides and cholesterol levels. Studies have indicated that high homocysteine levels are directly related to strokes, peripheral vascular disease, and...
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne infectious disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus. It is the leading cause of liver transplants in the United States. In the first six months of...
Food Allergies Scientists estimate that 60 percent of the US population suffers from food allergies. There are many different foods to which people are allergic, with the eight most common being eggs, fish, milk,...
Fibroids, which are also known as leiomyomata, are benign (non-cancerous) growths on or within the walls of the uterus. These tumors can be a variety of different sizes and quantities. The resulting symptoms depend...
Although estrogen is primarily thought of as a “women’s hormone”, it is actually present – and necessary – in the bodies of both sexes. It has many vital responsibilities, including proper brain function and...
Eczema is a noncontagious, inflammatory skin condition that is characterized by patches of dry, flaking skin that can become cracked and leathery, or blistered and oozing. Severe itching can occur in the affected areas....
Depression is a state of intense sadness, melancholy, or despair that lasts for a prolonged period of time – sometimes for months. In some cases, it does not seriously affect the individual’s ability to...
Crohn’s disee is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. It affects the gastrointestinal tract by causing inflammation and selling. The cause is unknown, but many doctors believe that the inflammation is due to a misdirected...
Congestive heart failure, also called congestive cardiac failure or simply heart failure, is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump an adequate amount of blood throughout the body. The failing heart...
Candida albicans, a yeast, is part of your gut flora – the microorganisms found in your mouth and digestive tract. It is found in your genital area, intestines, mouth, throat, and urinary areas, and...
Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, is a progressive deterioration of the brain. It affects memory and thought, as well as communication and the ability to make decisions. Although the symptoms are...
The adrenal glands – triangle-shaped glands that sit on top of the kidneys – are chiefly responsible for regulating the body’s short-term stress response through the production of hormones such as cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone...
Cancer is a group of diseases caused by an uncontrolled growth of cells. The following is a list of recommendations for steps to take to avoid cancer. It is adapted from a list found...
Periodontal disease refers to any infection of the tissues that support the teeth. It begins just below the gum line, where it causes the tooth attachment and the gums to break down. This type...
Arginine Arginine is a standard amino acid that can by synthesized in your body from ornithine. (Arginine can also be synthesized into ornithine). Some bodybuilders take arginine supplements because it increases muscle mass while...
There are 40,000 proteins in your body. They are a main source of energy, promote repair of damaged tissue, and function as the building blocks of muscle. They also perform a variety of other...
For thousands of years, garlic (Allium sativum) has been known to have a variety of medicinal benefits. It contains amino acids, vitamins, trace minerals, flavonoids, enzymes, and 200 additional compounds. Garlic’s main active ingredient...