Diet & Nutrition

Overview Living a healthy lifestyle involves the way you eat, how much exercise you get each day, even sleep. This good balance is essential to keep your body strong, happy and healthy. You can learn how to get the right…
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Caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, energy drinks, dietary supplements and certain foods. Though caffeine may pose some benefits, such as mental sharpness and increased energy, it can also pose dangerous risks. People respond differently to…
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Commonly sold under the trade-name Pycnogenol®, pine bark extract is an herbal antioxidant supplement derived from the French maritime pine tree (Pinus maritima). Advocates of pine bark extract suggest that this compound and similar related compounds have protective effects against…
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The U.S. National Library of Medicine defines antioxidants as substances that may protect cells from the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are toxins produced when your body breaks down food or toxins absorbed from the environment such as tobacco…
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The main food sources of vitamin B12 are animal products and fortified breakfast cereals. Most plant foods do not contain vitamin B12. According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, adults should consume at least 2.4 micrograms…
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Apple cider vinegar is a popular natural supplement used for many conditions. It is made by fermenting pulverized apples. The breakdown of sugars by bacteria and yeast forms alcohol, and if the alcohol is allowed to ferment further, then vinegar…
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Burning fat is central to so many fitness pursuits, from weight loss to muscle toning, but it sometimes is difficult to sort out useful tips from current fads. Look for resources that are based on expert insight and medical research….
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Overview L-theanine is an amino acid derivative found primarily in tea that has been shown to reduce stress and increase alertness. Because L-theanine is chemically similar to the the amino acids glutamine and glutamate, it is able to cross the…
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Burning fat and shaping great abs requires a combination of diet and exercise, but new research suggests that simply standing up, drinking water and even eating more healthy fat may help you lose the jiggle from your middle. Using the…
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Cranberry is native to North America and was originally used as both a food and a medicine by the Native Americans as a way to treat bladder and kidney diseases. Today, in addition to food and juice, cranberry is added…
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Overview Saw palmetto, an herb that grows along the southeastern coast of the U.S., has been used as a medicine since the times of the ancient Mayan Indians. Currently, the herb is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug…
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The acai berry has been all the rage since early 2000, when it was first introduced to the United States. This “wonder berry” has been added to juices, powders, frozen pulp, ice cream, smoothies and supplements, to name a few….
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Overview Natural Standard ranks goldenseal as one of the top five selling herbals in the United States. In the late 1990s, goldenseal flew off the shelves so rapidly, the plant that had grown uncultivated in such abundance became endangered. Goldenseal…
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The health of your hair and scalp is affected by the presence of certain vitamins, each of which contributes to the scalp’s overall health. Because of the effects on the scalp, certain vitamins are often components in medications and supplements…
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Aloe vera plants are often grown as houseplants or ornamental specimens, but these green succulents are good for more than mere aesthetics. Juices extracted from aloe’s fleshy leaves contain substances that have both medical benefits and side effects. Never attempt…
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The difference between simple and complex carbohydrates is the way your body processes them: Simple carbohydrates, also known as single or double sugars, can be absorbed and digested more quickly than complex carbohydrates, which contain three or more sugars. Because…
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Folk remedies are traditional treatments for common ailments that have been passed down from generation to generation before the widespread use of medication. Although many of the remedies have truth to them, others are useless or, in the worst cases,…
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Overview Royal jelly is a milky-white viscous substance secreted from the hypo pharyngeal and mandibular glands of worker bees. It is eaten by bee larvae for the first two to three days during their maturation. The queen bee eats royal…
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A cherry, by any other name, may still be an acerola cherry, as it is also referred to as a Puerto Rican cherry, Antilles cherry, West Indian cherry and Barbados cherry. The cherry is produced on a small shrub that…
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A healthy diet throughout pregnancy can help ensure a woman’s health and the wellness of her baby. The American Dietetic Association suggests a balanced diet, sufficient in nutrients, in addition to regular exercise and vitamin supplementation. Paying mind to food…
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Overview Unless you are familiar with their benefits, you may see dandelions as the enemies of a perfect lawn, and even more so the roots that promise the plants will come back year after year. It may also seem funny…
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When it comes to taking care of your skin, all foods are not equal. Though there is no scientific correlation between specific foods and smooth, healthy skin, there are definitely some groups of foods that are better for overall skin…
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Glucosamine is an over-the-counter supplement that is commonly taken with chondroitin, a cartilage matrix, to reduce the symptoms of arthritis. According to the Mayo Clinic, glucosamine is a natural compound that is found in healthy cartilage. This compound is composed…
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A high level of fitness can be attained through various modes of physical activity. Exercise modes such as treadmill walking or running, resistance training and group exercise classes have become traditional means by which people improve their general fitness levels….
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Bragg’s apple cider vinegar is made from organically grown apples that are fermented according to United States Department of Agriculture guidelines. The finished vinegar is certified organic by two companies: Oregon Tilth and Organic Certifiers. It is also certified as…
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Overview Herbs used in complementary and alternative medicine derive their medicinal properties from various active ingredients. Curcumin is the active agent in turmeric, a common spice used in food. It gives mustard, cheese and butter a golden color and gives…
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The juice of the noni (Morinda citrifolia) fruit, also known as hog apple, has long been used in the Pacific region as a healthy tonic, reports the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Before taking noni juice as a…
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The gnarled root of the ginseng plant is the source of an extract that has been revered by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Panax ginseng consists of two varieties, commonly distinguished by their names, Asian ginseng…
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Fucus vesiculosus, a type of seaweed known as bladderwrack, has a role in alternative medicine for treating many health disorders. Fucus vesiculosus is available as a supplement in tablets, capsules and extract, and people also use this vegetable in salads,…
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Overview Ginseng has been used in herbal medicine for centuries. Its scientific name, Panax quinqufolium, has roots in the Greek word, “Panakos,” which means universal cure. Once believed to be native only in China, it is known to be a…
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