Food for Health: Anti-Inflammatory Diets & Nutrients

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.

patient complaining of pain in the abdomen  doctor

About the Enzyme Alpha Galactosidase

Everyone experiences gas at one time or another. Gas in the digestive tract can cause abdominal pain, discomfort, flatulence and burping. Most people experience mild symptoms related to gas, which is normal. Others have an intolerance to complex carbohydrates.

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Stack of citrus slices

Diet for Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

Planning meals and making healthy food choices typically centers around nutritional benefits. However, some individuals must make additional considerations when planning meals.

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Surgeon Preparing for Surgery

Post-Surgery Gallbladder Diet

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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Hamburger with fries and onion rings

Does Fast Food Cause Heart Disease?

Fast food may seem like a convenient, inexpensive meal option, but it often contains excess calories, fat, salt, refined carbohydrates and cholesterol. Interest has grown in determining the health implications of fast-food consumption.

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Bowl

Side Effects of Consuming Cream of Tartar

Food, supplements and medications are all capable of causing side effects. In the case of cream of tartar, a common item used in cooking, you don't have to worry much about food sources. Side effects are unlikely when consumed in typical amounts found in food.

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Fresh Lychees on wooden background

Which Foods Contain Salicylic Acid?

A number of chemicals that occur naturally in some foods can cause problems if you have a sensitivity. Food intolerance occurs when your body has trouble absorbing certain substances from the foods in your diet. Salicylic acid is an example of a chemical that causes food intolerance in sensitive individuals.

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Psyllium Seeds Background

Acacia Fiber vs. Psyllium

Acacia and psyllium are two dietary fiber supplements marketed for various purposes. Psyllium is most commonly used to relieve constipation, and acacia -- though less common -- appears effective for this purpose as well.

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sliced cheese

Sorbic Acid in Foods

Sorbic acid is a natural compound that is also made synthetically. First isolated from berries in the 1800s, it became commercially available for use as a food preservative in the 1940s and 1950s.. Due to its antimicrobial properties, it's added to a variety of foods to preserve freshness.

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Avocadon salad

Foods With Oleic Acid

The quantity of fat in the diet is a serious health issue for most Americans. While the Institute of Medicine recommends you limit fat to 20 percent to 35 percent of your daily calorie intake, the average American consumes more than this. On the upside, the right types of fat in the proper amount benefit your health.

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avocado

What Foods Contain Latex?

Most people need not concern themselves with foods containing latex -- a substance naturally present in some plants. However, latex-sensitive individuals might have an allergic reaction to certain foods. This is known as a cross reaction.

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Close-up of head of lettuce

Lettuce Allergy

A food allergy occurs when your immune system responds abnormally to proteins in certain foods. When you think of food allergies, foods such as nuts, eggs and shellfish most likely come to mind. While a lettuce allergy is uncommon, it does exist.

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Toast in wood dish

Three-Day Colonoscopy Diet

Your gastroenterologist may recommend following a three-day protocol in preparation for your colonoscopy. Following a low-residue diet before your colonoscopy improves bowel cleansing, allowing a more thorough exam, according to Gastroenterology Associates of Tidewater.

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Chicken chow mein

A List of Foods With MSG

Checking labels and paying close attention to ingredients is a way of life if you have a sensitivity to food ingredients or additives. Monosodium glutamate reportedly causes a cluster of symptoms in sensitive individuals, although it has not been proven that MSG is the cause.

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Mushroom soup with bouillon in bowl, close-up

Foods to Stay Away From After Gall Bladder Surgery

It's common to feel concerned about your what foods you can eat following gallbladder surgery. Your gallbladder is a small sack that stores bile -- a substance that aids in fat digestion. If you develop a serious gallstone or other blockage, your doctor may recommend gallbladder removal surgery.

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Homemade Soft Pretzels with Salt

Foods to Avoid for Cystic Acne

For years, dermatologists asserted that diet had no influence on acne vulgaris, known simply as acne. However, recent research suggests certain foods may trigger or worsen this skin condition. Talk to your dermatologist about dietary changes that may help if you have cystic acne -- a severe form.

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Fresh juice

How to Quickly Reverse a Sugar Crash

Your body, especially your brain, depends on a consistent level of blood sugar. Things can go awry when the amount of sugar in your blood is outside of the normal range. A sugar crash is when your blood glucose drops below normal. It occurs in people with diabetes, as well as those who don't have diabetes.

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Hot dogs

Does Eating Fast Food Cause High Blood Pressure?

Reducing blood pressure is a major health concern in the United States, where more than 30 percent of adults have high blood pressure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke, and dietary choices play a role.

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Woman reading label of organic product

Why Is Monosodium Glutamate Bad for You?

Monosodium glutamate is a food additive that enhances the flavor of savory foods. It's added to a wide variety of foods and found naturally in foods such as tomatoes and cheese. Eaten in typical amounts, MSG is considered safe, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

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Aluminum can

Can Soda Cause Bladder Infections?

If you have a history of bladder infections, it's a good idea to steer clear of soda until your condition improves. While soda does not cause bladder infections, it can aggravate your symptoms.

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