Nutritional health is achieved through the therapeutic use of whole foods, safe culinary preparation, and understanding the metabolic impacts of specific dietary frameworks and ingredients.
Ginseng is a popular supplement because of its touted health benefits, but the ginseng root that packs the most powerful medicinal punch is Panax ginseng. Also called Asian or Korean ginseng, it is native to Korea, China and Russia.
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Tulsi is the Sanskrit name for the holy basil plant. It is a member of the mint family and grows wild in India (ref 1). The traditional medicinal uses for tulsi are many, particularly in the Indian Ayurvedic tradition, but it is primarily known today as an adaptogen -- meaning it helps the body cope with stress.
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Water is often a good beverage choice, especially when you’re trying to avoid added sugar and maintain a healthy body weight. Drinking plenty of water may even help prevent constipation and clean out your digestive tract when coupled with a well-balanced, nutritious diet.
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If someone tells you they never pass gas, don't believe them. Everyone has gas -- air that passes through the mouth as burps or through the anus as flatulence. Carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and sometimes methane make up this gas, which can be quite noxious if the gas contains a lot of sulfur.
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Eating a nutrient-poor diet is a lifestyle choice than can have dire health consequences. On the other hand, a balanced diet furnishes your body with a variety of foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, lean meat, poultry, nuts, legumes and unsaturated fats.
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Potassium bicarbonate is a bubbly medication that is used to neutralize acid in the stomach and boost potassium levels in those whose bodies are experiencing severe potassium deficiencies. Because the body requires potassium for a number of functions, it is very important to maintain normal potassium levels.
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For centuries, honey has been used for its antibacterial ingredient, hydrogen peroxide, derived from the enzyme bees add to the nectar. New Zealand bees swarm the manuka bush and bring back an additional ingredient, called UMF or “Unique Manuka Factor,” that appears to have additional healing properties.
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Wonton soup is a salty brew containing vegetables, egg, spices and its eponymous Chinese dumplings. Wonton soup is a staple at many Chinese restaurants. Each restaurant or prepackaged supply house has its own variations on the basic nutritional theme. But information from the U.S.
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Amino acids are building blocks of protein. L-tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid, meaning you don't need to obtain it from diet as long as you consume enough L-phenylalanine, which the body converts to tyrosine.
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The Japanese enjoy one of the longest life spans in the world -- in part because a traditional diet is comprised of fresh, unprocessed foods. In addition to eating healthfully, the Japanese also have different attitudes toward food than many Americans. In Okinawa, for instance, residents practice "hara hachi bu"
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Even though you're trying to eat healthy, it's OK to give in to your sweet tooth once in a while. In fact, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans allow for discretionary calories, which are calories from foods with added sugar or fat.
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Whether you are a vegetarian or not, soy is an excellent source of protein. Soy protein powder is made by the separating the soy protein from the soybeans, leaving the powder "nearly carbohydrate and fat-free," and containing up to 95 percent protein, says the Soy Foods Association of North America.
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The electrolytes potassium, sodium and chloride help ensure your heart functions, your muscles contract and your nerves transmit important messages throughout your body. Sodium and chloride are usually present together in foods as sodium chloride, or salt. Eating too much salt may increase your risk of heart disease.
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After gallbladder surgery, or cholecystectomy, your body needs time to heal. Upon discharge from the hospital, your doctor may recommend following a low-fat diet for the first month to help reduce indigestion and digestive discomfort. After that, you typically can resume normal eating without any restrictions.
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Originating in Southern China’s Fujian province, oolong is a traditional Chinese tea whose oxidation level lies somewhere between green and black tea. When processed, these teas are either rolled into long, curly leaves or pressed into a ball-like form.
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Splenda, an artificial sweetener, contains three different sweetening ingredients. While the manufacturer's website contends that many studies over the past 20 years prove the safety of its main component, sucralose, consumer groups argue just the opposite.
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Taco Bell is a fast-food chain serving a menu of low-priced Mexican-influenced items. It is possible to make good food choices there. Recent menu changes include more nutritious meals that are low in fat and calories.
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Any successful weight-loss routine means watching your calorie intake and getting regular exercise, but a protein-rich diet is also beneficial. Protein makes you feel full longer, keeps levels of blood sugar steady and temporarily boosts your metabolism more than carbs or fats.
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When you consume the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables, you get the variety of nutrients and phytochemicals needed to help lower your risk of heart disease, prevent cancer and other illnesses and maintain optimal health, reports the Harvard School of Public Health.
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The great thing about a low-carb diet is that it’s quite compatible with a low-sodium plan. Low-carb diets eliminate or restrict some of the top sources of sodium, like bread, pasta and snacks.
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