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.
Water retention is most common in the feet, ankles and legs, although it can occur anywhere in the body, including the face. Edema, the medical term for water retention, can have a wide variety of causes -- from excessive salt intake to pregnancy to certain prescription medications.
Read more →
An ongoing debate rages regarding the health effects of coconut oil. This oil has been said to possess various health benefits, but it is also very high in saturated fat -- a type of fat linked to coronary heart disease, according to the American Heart Association.
Read more →
Balanced nutrition is crucial during childhood to support normal growth and cognitive development. When children are fed unhealthy foods, certain behavioral problems can begin to arise. Among the most common of these are attention deficit hyperactive disorder, irritability and aggression.
Read more →
Vegan diets, when planned properly, are healthy and can even lower the risk of certain diseases, according to the American Dietetic Association. They can be appropriate for individuals in all stages of life, including infancy, childhood, pregnancy and lactation.
Read more →
Garlic and ginger are two herbs that possess many little-known therapeutic uses and health benefits, alongside their more common uses in the kitchen. Both of these herbs have been studied for their effectiveness in fighting infections, preventing cancer and reducing inflammation and various other applications.
Read more →
People have eaten soy for nearly 5,000 years. One of the most notable advantages of soy is that its protein content and quality is comparable to that of animal foods.
Read more →
While caffeine can be used in a wide variety of foods and beverages, it is derived from a few main sources. Those sources include tea leaves, cocoa beans -- which are used to make chocolate -- kola nuts and coffee beans.
Read more →
Lipids are fatlike substances that include fatty acids (fats), oils, waxes and steroids, such as cholesterol. These compounds are within and between cell membranes, and they help protect nerves. Different forms of fatty acids include unsaturated fats, saturated fats and trans fatty acids.
Read more →
Although you can follow different avenues to boost your energy levels, vitamins, consumed through food and supplements, may be among the safest. B-complex vitamins and vitamin D have proved useful in staving off fatigue and promoting healthy energy levels.
Read more →
Because of the variety of potential causes for water retention, there is no single therapy that can be used to treat each case. However, for cases of water retention caused by high levels of sodium in the body, increasing dietary potassium can be an effective treatment.
Read more →
Hydrogenated oil is a man-made food substance that is used widely throughout the food supply for its cost efficiency and technical advantages. Also known as trans fats, these oils have become more known for their damaging health effects.
Read more →
A GMO, or genetically modified organism, can be defined as a plant or animal that is created or modified through genetic engineering. This technology allows DNA from one species to be transferred into another species. Several major U.S.
Read more →
Many people consume coffee as a way to improve energy, mental focus, alertness and wakefulness in the morning. Caffeine in coffee can have these beneficial effects, but it can also increase levels of a stress hormone known as cortisol.
Read more →
Soy protein and whey protein are both dietary supplements that can help increase your total protein intake. While each form of protein has its own health benefits, for exercise, muscle building and weight loss purposes, research has shown that whey protein is superior.
Read more →
Caffeine is the bitter substance that boosts the central nervous system to supply the energy that so many people rely on each day. While coffee may be the most familiar source of caffeine, guarana, an herb that comes from the Amazon rain forest, can provide the same energy-enhancing benefits.
Read more →
DMAE, or 2-dimethylaminoethanol, is a chemical substance used most often for improving alertness and mental clarity. Similar to many other mind or mood-altering substances, DMAE may work by increasing the production of a neurotransmitter.
Read more →
Fish is a high quality protein rich in essential nutrients, omega-3 fatty acids and low in saturated fat. While fish is an important part of a healthy diet, nearly all fish and shellfish contain trace amounts of elemental mercury, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Read more →
Coffee creamers are commonly packed with unhealthy ingredients such as hydrogenated oils, known as trans fats, sugar and artificial additives. Typically, these are thought to be healthier than other natural coffee creamers that may contain more calories and fat.
Read more →
Many cultures have used both garlic and cayenne pepper in traditional medicine for thousands of years. Each of these medicinal foods possesses antioxidant properties that can help protect against cancer.
Read more →
Edema, also known as fluid retention or water retention, is caused by the accumulation of excess fluids in the circulatory system and areas between the body's cells. It can cause different body parts to swell, with the face, hands, feet, ankles and legs being most common.
Read more →