Diet & Nutrition

Vitamin D, an essential pro-hormone, can be found in the diet and synthesized in the body from sunlight. According to the National Institute of Health, it has many important functions including bone formation and maintenance, immune system functions, calcium absorption,…
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Soy milk has gained a lot of notoriety, with numerous companies bringing products into the marketplace proclaiming the health benefits of soy milk. This drink, which is not really milk so much as a liquid created by a process of…
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Overview All parts of the dandelion plant are useful. The leaves in spring go in salads, summer leaves before blossoms appear go in medicinal teas and tinctures. The roots of 2-year-old plants, harvested in the fall, are used in tablets…
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According to the American Dietetic Association, well-planned vegetarian diets are healthy for all ages and can help prevent diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease and obesity. If you are a vegetarian or are considering becoming one, it’s important to…
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Authentic Hoodia gordonii grows only in parts of South Africa and Namibia, according to the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. Hoodia gordonii is a succulent plant with blossoms that smell strikingly similar to rotten meat. Consequently, flies…
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Most frequently mentioned in connection with migraine prevention, butterbur (Petasites hybridus) continues to inspire research for other conditions. The large-leaved herb has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic benefits that can be derived from both its leaves and roots, although the root is…
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American ginseng, grown as a wild perennial throughout central and eastern North America, has been cultivated for centuries, according to Washington State University. Ginseng, used as a medicinal herb, is sliced and dried before consumption. It’s often brewed as a…
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Much has been written about the elusive flat tummy and six-pack abs. Prescriptions for fad diets and fat-blasting workouts sound good, but they aren’t always applicable to real life. The truth is, if you want to get and maintain a…
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Tryptophan, an amino acid, is a precursor of melatonin and serotonin, two substances that induce calm and promote sleep. The George Mateljan Foundation states that eating a variety of tryptophan-rich foods will help regulate your appetite, lift your mood, and…
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Overview The ginkgo biloba tree is one of the oldest living trees in the world, and ginkgo supplements rank among the top-sellers in the United States, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It can grow as tall as…
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Magnesium oxide is a nutritional supplement that boosts the body’s levels of magnesium, a naturally occurring element listed on the periodic table of elements. The National Library of Medicine reports that magnesium controls the expansion and contraction of muscles, assists…
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Overview The wolfberry (Lycium barbarum) goes by many names, including Chinese wolfberry, barbary wolfberry, goji berry, kuko, the matrimony vine and red diamonds. Producing bright red fruit on woody vines, this perennial plant is a member of the nightshade family,…
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Overview A snow crab may be any crab in the Chionoecetes genus, usually Chionoecetes opilio. Its name comes from its pure white flesh, and the snow crab has other names like the spider crab and queen crab. You can catch…
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The ECA stack is a slang term for the combination of the drugs ephedra, caffeine and aspirin. These drugs, are commonly taken together as a fat burner and stimulant. Ephedra and caffeine work synergistically to stimulate the nervous system and…
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Consumers prize noni juice as a nutritional supplement because of its high antioxidant properties, according to Dr. Scot Nelson, Ph.D., and Craig Elevitch, authors of “Noni: The Complete Guide for Consumers And Growers.” The National Center for Complementary and Alternative…
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Like all vinegars, Heinz apple cider vinegar can be used for a wide variety of purposes. The Heinz brand of apple cider vinegar is notable because it is an all-natural product. It has a mild flavor when compared to other…
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Selenium may be best known as the active ingredient in some dandruff shampoos. As a nutritional supplement, the Office of Dietary Supplements reports that it is an effective antioxidant and potential preventer of prostate cancer, while studies reported in “The…
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Protein is a macronutrient which helps to strengthen muscles and allow for the creation and utilization of hormones in the body. The National Institutes of Health explans that protein also helps the immune system to function and allows for the…
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Overview All foods can be incorporated into a healthy diet in moderation according to the American Dietetic Association (ADA). Baked chicken is an excellent addition to any diet, because it uses a healthy cooking method and starts with a lean…
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Gluten is the part of the wheat kernel that is rich in protein. Although gluten is considered healthful for most people, people with celiac disease cannot digest it properly. If you suffer from celiac disease and consume a food containing…
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Red clover (Trifolium pratense), a wild perennial herb used for a variety of medicinal purposes and to feed grazing animals, grows natively in meadows and pastures throughout temperate regions of Europe, Asia and North America. The red flowers that appear…
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Worker bees ooze a goo from their head known as royal jelly, given that term because it serves as food for the queen bee. The liquid is high in dozens of minerals, vitamins, chemicals and protein. Besides the basic nutritional…
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Hoodia is derived from a plant that grows in Southern Africa. It is also sometimes referred to by its scientific name “Hoodia gordonii.” Used in Africa to help suppress hunger during long hunting trips, it has garnered interest in weight…
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Since the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection act of 2004 passed and strengthened the FDA’s ability to regulate wheat- and gluten-containing foods, these foods have been easier to find on grocery store shelves. The act requires producers to write…
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Overview The common dandelion weed, Taraxicum officionale, is often maligned as a lawn invader. But this sometimes-pest has many popular uses, including as a curative herb, culinary delicacy and beverage inspiration for wine, tea and coffee substitutes. The sunshine-yellow flowers,…
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Overview Cascara sagrada, Spanish for “sacred bark,” comes from the American buckthorn tree (Rhamnus purshiana) native to western North America from California to British Columbia. It also appears as far inland as western Montana. Used for at least 1,000 years…
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White kidney beans contain trace amounts of phaseolamin, a compound that has been repeatedly investigated as a possible treatment for obesity and diabetes. While no large-scale studies have conclusively demonstrated the benefits typically associated with these versatile supplements, preliminary evidence…
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Vinegar has been used for a variety of purposes since the ancient times of Hippocrates in 400 B.C. It can aid in weight loss, act as a household cleaner, treat insect bites and help with hair in a variety of…
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Maca is a vegetable that’s shaped similar to a radish. Native Peruvians use maca to promote sexual virility and to increase endurance and energy. Though traditionally utilized as a vegetable crop, these days you’ll see dried maca extract in supplement…
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Many people are aware that a diet high in saturated and trans-fat can be harmful to their health, especially cardiovascular health. But not all types of dietary fat are bad, and dietary fat does in fact perform important functions, such…
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