How does the food we eat give us energy? From the anti-inflammatory benefits of a garlic-rich diet to the digestive impact of oatmeal and berries, understanding nutrient synergy is the foundation of an effective detox diet.
It's likely you don't think much about your digestive system unless it gives you problems. When working properly, it breaks food down into smaller components so that your body can absorb and use nutrients from your diet. If healthy, your body produces the enzymes you need for proper digestion.
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Paleo diet followers attempt to mimic the proposed dietary pattern of early humans from the pre-industrial paleolithic era. This diet consists primarily of meat, seafood, nuts, seeds, non-starchy vegetables and fruit. The typical Paleo diet is high in protein and fiber, low in carbohydrates and moderate to high in fat.
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Dietary supplements that promise to reverse gray hair may sound tempting, but the truth is scientists have found no way to reverse gray through nutrition. While there isn't much you can do nutritionally to reverse gray hair, you may be able to reverse grays by applying certain substances topically.
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Health care providers and patients are recognizing the role diet may play in treating certain conditions. While men and cancer patients seek to lower aromatase -- an enzyme that helps the body produce estrogen -- women with menopausal symptoms or other hormone imbalances may benefit from increasing aromatase.
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Having hypertension raises your risk of heart disease and stroke. In many cases, lifestyle changes can prevent or control it. The dietary factor most commonly cited as contributing to high blood pressure is sodium intake.
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Some people mistakenly think that because diet drinks usually contain sugar alternatives, they are low-glycemic -- have a low impact on blood sugar and don't cause rapid blood glucose increases like high-glycemic foods.
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If you're familiar with the excruciating pain of a migraine, you are likely motivated to identify factors that increase your chances of experiencing a migraine attack. Various things can trigger a migraine in vulnerable individuals, depending on their unique sensitivities.
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Joint pain occurs for many reasons and is a common musculoskeletal issue many Americans suffer from. When joints become inflamed, you can experience pain, stiffness and reduced mobility. Fish oil is commonly marketed for joint health, among other things.
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A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach moves up into the chest cavity and presses through an opening in the diaphragm. The most common type is a sliding hiatal hernia, which is when part of the stomach slides in and out of the chest cavity.
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Your body requires a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to function optimally. Vitamin B-6 and vitamin B-12 are two of eight B vitamins your body needs. While these vitamins work together, they also provide their own benefits individually.
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Shingles is a rash caused by a type of herpes virus that also causes chicken pox. If you've had chicken pox, you're at risk of getting shingles at some point during your lifetime.
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Clarinol is a brand of conjugated linoleic acid -- a substance found in dairy -- marketed for weight control. Clinical data suggests CLA may help reduce body mass if you are obese, according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
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Oligofructose is a form of dietary fiber found in vegetables and other plants, but it's available as a supplement also. A prebiotic, it serves as food for "friendly" bacteria that live in your intestines. In addition, it's a soluble fiber, which means it dissolves in water.
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The Weight Watchers PointsPlus plan allows you to lose weight without counting calories or purchasing special diet food. The program is based on a point system that assigns points to everyday foods, as well as recipes and meals in the Weight Watchers database.
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A reduced appetite is a natural part of aging and extremely common among the elderly, according to MedlinePlus. Because malnutrition is a major health concern for older adults, however, you may worry when your loved one experiences a decreased desire to eat.
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If you cruise the aisles of your local health food store, you'll likely find noni supplements lining the shelves. Noni is commonly used for conditions such as diabetes and as a general health tonic. Manufacturers make a wide variety of claims, many of which lack clinical support.
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Building a meal plan consisting of easy-to-digest foods helps relieve digestive stress. Your doctor recommends such a bland diet when you have gastric distress resulting from acid reflux, a hernia, ulcer or intestinal surgery.
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The Feingold diet eliminates certain chemicals in a way that helps you identify food intolerances. Food additives have been linked to hyperactive behaviors in some children, according to a review published in the August 2011 edition of the journal "Pediatrics and Child Health."
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Xylitol and sorbitol are sugar substitutes commonly found in foods labeled "sugar free" or "no sugar added." People on a diet, or those with diabetes, may be inclined to choose food and snacks containing xylitol or sorbitol as a way to reduce their sugar intake.
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Bergamot is commonly used to make Earl Grey tea, which is composed of black tea and bergamot oil. The oil is extracted from the rind of the bergamot orange -- a citrus fruit native to Italy -- giving Earl Grey its characteristic flavor. As with other teas, it's likely safe for healthy adults.
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