Mixed connective tissue disease, or MCTD, is an autoimmune disorder that produces overlapping symptoms of polymyositis, scleroderma and lupus. In addition, individuals with MCTD may experience features of rheumatoid arthritis.

Native to southern Asia, the roots of the turmeric plant have been used medicinally for thousands of years. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, turmeric is a powerful antioxidant that also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Beets have rich vitamin and mineral content. Juicing beets allows you to take in vitamins A, B-1, B-2, B-6 and C, as well as folic acid, potassium, calcium, iron and fiber. Beet juice also contains antioxidants to combat cell damage and disease.

If you enjoy baked goods but have a yeast allergy do not despair – you can substitute a formulation that contains baking soda instead when making breads, rolls and other baked goods. Also seek “quickbread” recipes that call for baking soda and eschew the use of yeast.

Eating properly before a workout helps enhance your energy and performance. While the proper type of food prevents hunger and fatigue, the wrong food can cause digestive distress. Beets are a nutritious vegetable that you can enjoy either raw or cooked.

There's no secret to getting a flat stomach — it takes proper diet and regular exercise, a combination that creates a daily caloric deficit to help you lose total body fat.

Taste, nutrition and personal preference are the three main considerations for deciding whether or not to skin your apples. Juices made from skinned apples typically contain fewer amounts of vitamin C and dietary fiber, two essential parts of a balanced diet.

In moderation, fresh juice can be a nutritious addition to your diet. It's a concentrated source of essential vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that can help you meet your recommended intake of fruits and vegetables. In the long term, however, juice fasting is not a healthy approach to nutrition.

If you're having trouble getting pregnant, you're willing to try just about anything to increase your chances of success. A rumor that pops up frequently on fertility forums states that drinking pineapple juice can increase the uterine lining thickness and improve chances of implantation.

Turmeric, or curcuma domestica, is an Ayurvedic herb that comes from South Asia. Turmeric is best known for being a key ingredient in curry powder, but it also has therapeutic uses. Many proponents of juicing, such as Cherie Calbom, author of "The Juice Lady's Guide to Juicing for Health,"

If you're looking to up your fruit intake, consider incorporating 100 percent fruit juice into your diet. Concord grape juice -- the dominant type of grape juice on the market -- and cranberry juice both fit into a healthful diet, and both juices offer nutritional value in the form of phytonutrients and vitamin C.

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a collection of symptoms rather than a disease. The causes of IBS are not well understood and sometimes multifactoral, but the symptoms usually involve abdominal bloating and pain, flatulence, diarrhea and inflammatory reactions.