Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) occurs to some women in the week before they begin menstruating each month and continues until menstruation begins. It may even last one or two days after the period begins. Emotional...
Monthly Archive: October 2010
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), also known as Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is an endocrine disorder in which multiple cysts may develop in the ovaries. Affecting 5 to 7 percent of women, PCOS can have very serious...
Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism
Hyperthyroidism The thyroid gland is the body’s internal thermostat. It regulates temperature by secreting hormones that control how quickly the body burns calories and uses energy. Hypothyroidism occurs when there is an excess of...
Homocysteine, Fibrinogen, Lipoprotein (A) and C-Reactive Protein
Homocysteine Homocysteine is an amino acid that promotes free radical production. It also elevates trglycerides and cholesterol levels. Studies have indicated that high homocysteine levels are directly related to strokes, peripheral vascular disease, and...
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne infectious disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus. It is the leading cause of liver transplants in the United States. In the first six months of...
Food Allergies, Gall Bladder Disorders and Gout
Food Allergies Scientists estimate that 60 percent of the US population suffers from food allergies. There are many different foods to which people are allergic, with the eight most common being eggs, fish, milk,...
Fibroids
Fibroids, which are also known as leiomyomata, are benign (non-cancerous) growths on or within the walls of the uterus. These tumors can be a variety of different sizes and quantities. The resulting symptoms depend...
Estrogen-Related Problems
Although estrogen is primarily thought of as a “women’s hormone”, it is actually present – and necessary – in the bodies of both sexes. It has many vital responsibilities, including proper brain function and...
Eczema
Eczema is a noncontagious, inflammatory skin condition that is characterized by patches of dry, flaking skin that can become cracked and leathery, or blistered and oozing. Severe itching can occur in the affected areas....
Depression
Depression is a state of intense sadness, melancholy, or despair that lasts for a prolonged period of time – sometimes for months. In some cases, it does not seriously affect the individual’s ability to...
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disee is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. It affects the gastrointestinal tract by causing inflammation and selling. The cause is unknown, but many doctors believe that the inflammation is due to a misdirected...
Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure, also called congestive cardiac failure or simply heart failure, is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump an adequate amount of blood throughout the body. The failing heart...
Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. Lenses are composed largely of water and protein, with the protein being arranged in a precise...
Candidiasis
Candida albicans, a yeast, is part of your gut flora – the microorganisms found in your mouth and digestive tract. It is found in your genital area, intestines, mouth, throat, and urinary areas, and...
Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, is a progressive deterioration of the brain. It affects memory and thought, as well as communication and the ability to make decisions. Although the symptoms are...
Adrenal Fatigue and Exhaustion
The adrenal glands – triangle-shaped glands that sit on top of the kidneys – are chiefly responsible for regulating the body’s short-term stress response through the production of hormones such as cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone...
Cancer Prevention
Cancer is a group of diseases caused by an uncontrolled growth of cells. The following is a list of recommendations for steps to take to avoid cancer. It is adapted from a list found...
Vitamins
Vitamins are substances found in food that are essential to children’s normal growth and development and to all people’s lifelong health. There are 13 vitamins that your body needs. They are vitamins A, C,...
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease refers to any infection of the tissues that support the teeth. It begins just below the gum line, where it causes the tooth attachment and the gums to break down. This type...
Arginine, Asparagines, and Aspartic Acid
Arginine Arginine is a standard amino acid that can by synthesized in your body from ornithine. (Arginine can also be synthesized into ornithine). Some bodybuilders take arginine supplements because it increases muscle mass while...
Amino Acids Supplements
There are 40,000 proteins in your body. They are a main source of energy, promote repair of damaged tissue, and function as the building blocks of muscle. They also perform a variety of other...
Ginkgo and Ginseng
Ginkgo Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) is an herbal extract that comes from the leaves of the ginkgo tree. This tree, also called the maidenhair tree, grows in China. Ginkgo is said to improve circulation and...
Garlic
For thousands of years, garlic (Allium sativum) has been known to have a variety of medicinal benefits. It contains amino acids, vitamins, trace minerals, flavonoids, enzymes, and 200 additional compounds. Garlic’s main active ingredient...
Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis
Osteoarthritis Also known as osteoarthrosis, degenerative arthritis, and degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis is a gradual wearing down of cartilage – the firm, elastic tissue that connects bones with muscles and protects the joints. This...
High cholesterol
Cholesterol is a wax-like fatty substance (lipid) found in the cell membranes of all body tissues. About 75 percent of it is synthesized by the body, with the rest being of dietary origin. Despite...
Fatty Acids
Many people regard fat as an adversary to their good health. It is true that excessive intake of certain fats can result in serious medical problems. However, not all fats are the same. In...
Buying Herbal Supplements
Dietary supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so it is up to you (and your doctor) to be fully aware of what you are putting into your body. Familiarize...
Cause of Acne
An inflammatory skin condition, acne is characterized by clogged pores, blackheads, and pimples. It is caused by a problem with the oil-secreting sebaceous glands, which lubricate the skin and are found in large numbers...
Enzymes
Enzymes are proteins that are catalysts for chemical activity. In fact, they are involved with nearly all of the biochemical reactions in your body. The molecules on which enzymes provide their reactions are called...
Complications of Diabetes
When you have diabetes, it is vitally important to take good care of yourself. When diabetes is not carefully managed, the resulting complications can be serious, as shown by the following list. · Diabetic...