The electrolyte potassium is an essential mineral. Your body needs it in small amounts for proper skeletal, heart, muscle and digestive function. Dietary sources of potassium include bananas, some types of fish, meat, dairy products, avocados, citrus fruit, tomatoes, cantaloupes, lima beans and potatoes.
Read more →
It may surprise you, but chewing gum can cause intestinal bloating and gas. Bloating is the result of trapped gas in your digestive system that can cause your waist line to increase up to three inches, according to ABC’s Good Morning America.
Read more →
Your morning cup of coffee may be a pleasant ritual, but the effects of the caffeine in your coffee may not occur to you. Like all drugs, caffeine has a variety of effects on the human body. Estrogen, the best-known female sex hormone, is affected by caffeine.
Read more →
Sake is an alcoholic Japanese beverage made from rice wine. The benefits of sake are due to the fermentation process and ingredients used; it can improve sleep and reduce inflammation.
Read more →
Immunoglobulins play a critical role in immune function: they act as antibodies that prevent you from becoming ill. Your B cells produce immunoglobulin, and sometimes your body can slow the manufacturing process.
Read more →
Nori seaweed, also known as roasted seaweed, often comes in large, flat sheets suitable for use in making sushi. You may also crumble it into your favorite recipes to add flavor without adding fat. Eating roasted seaweed provides you with a variety of nutritional benefits.
Read more →
Low alkaline phosphatase is a rare finding on a blood test. It usually results from some sort of malnutrition and is treated by correcting the underlying nutritive cause. Supplements for protein, B vitamins, vitamin C and thyroid hormones are the usual treatment for a low alkaline phosphatase.
Read more →
Allergies and food intolerances can be the cause of your chronic urticaria, which is characterized by the presence of reddish and itchy welts on your skin. Working with a registered dietitian experienced with food intolerances can help you identify what compounds in food trigger your chronic urticaria symptoms.
Read more →
Brewer’s yeast is derived from the Saccharomyces cerevisiae fungus, which is a common yeast for beer making. The University of Maryland Medical Center states this form of yeast is a good source of B-complex vitamins, protein, chromium and selenium.
Read more →
Joint pain is a common complaint that can make you feel like avoiding your favorite activities and staying home all day. Although a number of factors can contribute to or exacerbate joint pain, research has found that a magnesium deficiency can also cause abnormalities in your joints and lead to joint pain.
Read more →
High insulin levels could be responsible for the increased prevalence of acne in Western societies because of how they trigger inflammation and stimulate the release of acne-promoting hormones, according to a 2003 review in "Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology."
Read more →
Lentils -- a grain legume botanically known as Lens culinaris -- are believed to be among the first crops grown by humans. Historians say they were cultivated as early as 6,500 B.C. A mainstay of Eastern European and Indian cuisine, lentils feature an earthy, nutty taste, and are commonly used in casseroles and soups.
Read more →
Magnesium citrate is a form of the mineral magnesium. It is commonly used to correct a severe mineral deficiency, but is most commonly used as a constipation-relief aid.
Read more →
Several varieties of junipers are native to the United States, from tall trees to bush-like formations. All have lacy, leathery evergreen foliage. Junipers produce dusky blue berries that are actually cones containing seeds. Birds, foxes and other wild animals eat juniper berries.
Read more →
Raisins are a nutritious snack and a tasty topper for salads and oatmeal, but only if you balance your diet with a variety of other healthy foods. By including raisins as part of a diet that includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein, you'll stay full, satisfied and healthy.
Read more →
Juicing may not be the way to go to lose the belly fat. Fresh juice is high in sugar and low in fiber, and that combination may actually cause fat gain, according to Rush University Medical Center.
Read more →
Genital herpes, caused by the herpes simplex virus, is a common sexually transmitted disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16.2 percent of Americans 14 to 49 years of age have genital herpes type 2.
Read more →
Fiber is an indigestible type of carbohydrate that is not broken down like other carbs. Instead, it travels through your digestive tract, relatively intact, aiding in digestion and keeping you full.
Read more →
A plant native to the mountains of the Mediterranean, lavender today is cultivated around the world. Known for its delicate scent and calming effects, it is a common ingredient in soaps, hair products and sachets, and can also be applied to your body as an essential oil.
Read more →
Referred to as "sweet root," licorice is used in both Eastern and Western medicine to treat conditions such as peptic ulcers.
Read more →