Wheatgrass and barley grass are green plants associated with numerous health benefits. Many of the proclaimed benefits lack scientific evidence. Proponents of both plants, however, believe that they contribute remarkable amounts of vitamins, minerals, fiber and chlorophyll and can significantly enhance wellness.
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A diagnosis of lactose intolerance means that your body lacks the ability to digest lactose, a sugar that occurs naturally in cow's milk. An estimated 30 million to 50 million Americans have lactose intolerance, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
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If you've been diagnosed with psoriasis, you may have surfed the internet looking for suggestions to help improve this condition. This autoimmune disorder manifests on the skin as red patches with possible itching and burning symptoms (See Reference 1).
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Your intestines make up most of your digestive tract. Much of your digestion takes place in your small intestine, while your large intestine absorbs water and excretes waste. Inflammation of the intestines is the primary characteristic of inflammatory bowel diseases, or IBDs, which include Crohn's disease and colitis.
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A healthy diet can help manage conditions that cause an enlarged thyroid gland, also called a goiter. These include hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, and hypothyroidism, when your thyroid is underactive.
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Fatty foods can cause immediate side effects such as gas, bloating, acid reflux and heartburn, and long-term effects such as increased risk for heart disease. While some fats are necessary for wellness, other should be limited.
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What you eat before bed can influence your ability to sleep and your wellness in positive and negative ways. According to the National Institutes of Health, eating large, high-fat meals or drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages before bed can cause discomfort and interfere with a good night's sleep.
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While many gallstones are harmless, some cause gallbladder inflammation, triggering pain and infections. While a healthy diet won't dissolve gallstones, it can help lower your risk of developing the stones and reduce symptoms once they form. Healthy eating can also help by promoting weight control.
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Menstrual pain affects most women to some extent. If you're part of the up to 15 percent of women who experience severe pain, according to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, it interferes with work or other activities for one or more days per month.
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Head colds, also called simply colds or "the common cold," cause bothersome symptoms such as a runny nose, coughing, sneezing and sore throat, for up to two weeks.
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Most everyone eats late at night on occasion. In some cases, eating during the late-night hours is harmless or even helpful. Excessive food quantities and eating particular foods, however, can cause problems.
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Many people undergo surgery of some kind during their lives. In 2007 alone, an estimated 45 million inpatient surgeries were performed in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Urinary tract infections are common infections caused by bacteria that travel up the urethra, the tube that allows urine to flow out from your bladder. Left untreated, they can spread to your kidneys, causing an infection known as pyelonephritis, which requires antibiotics.
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Fibroids are tumors that form in the uterus and affect one in five women. While the word "tumor" can seem scary, fibroids are benign, or noncancerous.
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Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, is a chronic condition that causes cartilage deterioration in your joints. The most common form of arthritis, according to MayoClinic.com, osteoarthritis most often affects your hands, neck, hips, lower back and/or knees.
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A healthy diet can't cure or treat lung cancer, but it may lower your risk of developing the disease and help manage your symptoms once you have it. Eating well can also improve the effectiveness of certain cancer treatments and guard against side effects, such as undesirable weight loss.
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Tuberculosis, or TB, is a disease caused by bacteria that primarily affect your lungs. TB is uncommon in the U.S., thanks to effective medications and vaccinations, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. However, more cases have appeared since the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
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Eczema is a chronic condition characterized by flaky, dry and itchy skin. Your symptoms may come and go episodically and worsen in response to stress, exposure to water or allergens and temperature changes.
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Often caused by diabetes, fibromyalgia, shingles or nutrient deficiencies, nerve pain is one of the most difficult and uncomfortable pain types, says Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, a board-certified internist, researcher and contributing writer for "Psychology Today." It's also highly manageable, given proper care.
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Foods can help or hurt when you're experiencing loose, watery stools known as diarrhea. Typically caused by a viral, bacterial or parasitic infection, sudden -- or acute -- diarrhea usually passes on its own within a couple of days.
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