Overview Nopal is the fleshy lobe-shaped part of a Native North American cactus, including many similar species in the genera Opuntia or Nopalea, and commonly known as the prickly pear, or prickly pear cactus. Many cultivated varieties, including a spineless…
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Royal jelly is a gelatinous substance secreted from the glands of worker honey bees for consumption by the queen bee. Queen bees grows larger and live longer than worker bees. Royal jelly is the substance responsible for the queen’s growth,…
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Overview Brown sugar is table sugar that contains molasses. The higher molasses content, the darker the sugar’s color. Golden brown sugar, also known as light brown sugar, indicates a molasses content of about 3.5 percent. The generic term “brown sugar”…
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Overview Ginkgo biloba supplements are regulated as dietary supplements by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which cannot attest to their safety and effectiveness. This leaves it up to you, the consumer, to do your homework on the “all natural”…
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Dandelions, the bright yellow flowering plants that grow abundantly in many parts Europe and North America, have been used for years in both food and medicine. Also known as blowball, Irish daisy, puffball, wild endive and cakerwort, according to Purdue…
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Overview Hoodia gordonii is the botanical name for a succulent that grows in a small region in South Africa. The cactus-like hoodia plant was traditionally used by Kalahari bushmen, who consumed the stems to suppress their appetite before going on…
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Royal jelly is made by worker bees to feed the larvae of bees, especially those who may become the queen of the hive. It’s harvested from the cells of those developing queens and is therefore somewhat rare, although it is…
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Snap peas are characterized by a small spherical seed pod called a legume. With several peas in each pod, the sweet and crunchy pod from snap peas can be cooked, prepared and added to a number of dishes. Snap peas…
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Winning the battle of the bulge–the one around your waist, that is–is one that requires hard work and dedication. But if you want to see advanced results as soon as possible, you’ll probably need a helping hand in the form…
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Overview If you have ever eaten a chicken wing so spicy hot that it made your forehead sweat, you have likely encountered Capsicum annum, or cayenne pepper. Used for centuries as a food spice and for a variety of medicinal…
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Sodium bicarbonate is a chemical compound that is commonly used in over-the-counter antacids. According to Healthline.com, it is used to treat heartburn and indigestion that occurs because of an acid imbalance in the stomach. Although sodium bicarbonate is generally regarded…
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Shark liver oil is a supplement most commonly linked to heart health. Because this natural remedy includes omega-3 fatty acids and alkylglycerols, the American Cancer Society also associates it with other benefits such as an improved immune system and cancer…
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Overview Palm kernel oil comes from the seed of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). It is a common cooking oil in tropical regions such as southeast Asia and central Africa. Palm kernel oil is also becoming more popular in other…
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Milk thistle has been used to purify and protect the liver since A.D. 23. Science seems to back tradition, though results of human studies are mixed, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Germany’s regulatory agency for herbs called…
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Overview Adolescents need healthy diets and regular physical activity to support cognitive and physical development. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention young people with healthy eating habits have a lower risk of dental caries, constipation, anemia, eating…
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Overview Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, belongs to a class of nutrients known as eicosanoidal fatty acids. Those fatty acids are called that because they all contain a total of 20 carbon atoms in their chemical structure and eikosi is the…
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Overview A few substitutions can make tuna casserole more nutritious. Teff noodles, plain yogurt and fresh, organic peas add nutrients while increasing the casserole’s anti-inflammatory properties and lowering its glycemic index. If you carry the ingredients dry and prepare your…
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Sodium is an abundant mineral in the diet, derived mainly from consumption of salt. Within the body, sodium takes on a positive electrical charge becoming an electrolyte–a chemical capable of transmitting electrical messages. Sodium is the most abundant, positively charged…
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Overview More than a simple graphic that illustrates food groups, MyPyramid for Kids includes interactive learning tools and age-appropriate lessons to engage and inspire youngsters to make healthy choices. The USDA created MyPyramid for Kids to tailor health messages specifically…
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Most health food stores, Asian grocery stores and some local super markets sell ginger juice, made from ginger roots. People typically add ginger juice to baked goods, salad dressing and Asian dishes. You can also substitute it for ginger spice…
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An allergic reaction occurs when a harmless substance causes an immune response in your body. Although an individual can be allergic to any food or more than one food, the most common culprits causing food allergies are milk, eggs, wheat,…
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Overview The word diet conjures up a plethora of visions and ideas concerning restricted caloric intake and weight loss, but in reality, the word “diet” typically means food choices you habitually make. The dietary choices you make affect not only…
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Vitamin C serum provides benefits for your skin. It has properties that stimulate collagen synthesis, which helps prevent premature aging. Vitamin C serum also helps protect your skin against sun damage. Check serums periodically for a yellowish hue, which indicates…
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Milk thistle extract has long been used as an herbal remedy. According to Whole Health MD, the folklore includes its use as a liver tonic to treat melancholy. Today, you would take milk thistle to treat chronic liver disease, a…
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Overview Making even a few small changes in your current diet and exercise plan can result in a notably positive difference. According to the Mayo Clinic, exercising regularly can help you manage or lose weight, improve your mood, boost your…
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Overview Magnesium is an element, with the chemical symbol Mg. The human body needs magnesium to function properly. Humans contain about 25 grams of magnesium with about 60 percent found in the skeleton and 27 percent found in muscles. The…
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Acai berry supplements flooded the diet market in a huge surge, and many consumers got caught up in the hype. It seems that people are busier than ever, and the time it takes to exercise and prepare healthy meals is…
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The Brazilian acai berry is often touted as the world’s greatest superfood. Manufacturers of acai berry drinks, pills and powders claim the fruit can help you lose weight, detox your body, build muscle and improve male stamina. The berry is…
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Manufacturers of Hoodia 90 claim that their product is made with the natural African Hoodia Gordonii plant. The hoodia gordonii used to make diet pills is a cactus bush that has been used by San Bushmen for generations to control…
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Rose essential oil has numerous uses in aromatherapy. In her book “The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy,” aromatherapist Valerie Ann Worwood points out that sixty thousand rose blossoms are required to produce one ounce of rose oil, making…
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