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.
It might sound like an ineffective fad diet or an advertising gimmick, but a milk and cereal diet actually can be effective for weight loss. The key is using cereal and low-fat milk as a meal replacement, which works because this food is low in calories.
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Both magnesium and Lipitor affect cholesterol production in the body. But consult your doctor before taking magnesium supplements if you also use Lipitor.
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Fish — particularly oily fish — contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for the heart both in healthy people and in those who have cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association.
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Most foods marketed as microwavable can be cooked in more traditional ways as well. Microwavable rice is no exception. This is the same type of fast-cooking rice that has been around for decades, long before microwaves were a common appliance in homes.
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Lisinopril is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure and to improve survival chances after a heart attack. Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme, or ACE, inhibitor.
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The prescription drug metoprolol is used to treat high blood pressure and certain other cardiovascular conditions. A glance around the Internet might lead you to think apple cider vinegar can cure practically any health condition, including high blood pressure.
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Lorazepam, available under the brand name Ativan, is a powerful prescription medication classified as a benzodiazepine. It slows activity in the brain with sedating properties. Caffeine, in contrast, is a stimulant, and consuming large amounts may counteract some effects of Ativan.
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Prilosec, a brand name for the drug omeprazole, is available both over the counter and in a higher-strength prescription form. Prilosec is used to treat disorders involving stomach acid, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, known as GERD, and frequent heartburn.
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Escitalopram, sold as the brand Lexapro, is an antidepressant medication used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Lexapro increases levels of serotonin in the brain by preventing the reabsorption of serotonin into nerve cells and thus is called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI.
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Castor oil is derived from seeds of the plant Ricinus communis. These seeds, commonly called beans, are poisonous, but castor oil labeled as edible or for internal use is safe to consume in small amounts, as long as you buy from reputable manufacturers.
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The herb chamomile has a role in traditional and alternative health practices. Two types of this plant are used to make teas. German chamomile and Roman or English chamomile each purport to offer relief for digestive problems.
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Apple cider vinegar is a folk remedy with many purported benefits. You can drink it diluted with water or take it as a supplement in tablets or capsules to avoid the flavor. Apple cider vinegar in any form has the potential to cause side effects related to its acidity.
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Bupropion is a prescription antidepressant medication available as the brand Wellbutrin. In contrast, 5-hydroxytryptophan is an over-the-counter supplement used for a variety of health conditions, including for relieving depression. Known as 5-HTP, the supplement raises serotonin levels in the brain.
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Withania somnifera, known as ashwagandha, has a role in ayurvedic medicine for a wide range of health conditions. Ashwagandha is purported as useful for relieving stress, fatigue, pain and gastrointestinal problems, and treating diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and epilepsy.
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The plant Curcuma longa is the source of turmeric, one of the spices in curry and a substance also used as an herbal remedy for various health conditions. The chemical curcumin in turmeric provides the herb's taste, distinctive yellow color and potential medicinal properties.
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The supplement methylsulfonylmethane, sometimes called MSM, is a sulfur compound promoted as useful for health conditions involving pain and inflammation.
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The over-the-counter supplement 5-hydroxytryptophan and the prescription drug alprazolam, available under the brand Xanax, are substances people take for some similar uses, including relieving anxiety. The two have different effects on brain function, however.
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In supplements and fortified foods, vitamin D is available as either ergocalciferol, known as D-2, or cholecalciferol, known as D-3. Large doses of either D vitamin can lead to high calcium blood levels, a condition called hypercalcemia.
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The flavorful herb garlic shows promise for some health benefits, including strengthening the immune system, protecting against cancer and slowing the progression of cardiovascular disease, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
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Amlodipine besylate is a long-acting calcium channel blocker prescribed for lowering blood pressure and for preventing occurrences of certain types of angina. Some types of blood pressure medication can cause potassium levels to become too high, but amlodipine is not one of them.
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