Hormones are very much involved in pregnancy, from conception through labor. Birth control pills, or oral contraceptives, can prevent pregnancy by adjusting certain hormone levels. They are among the most popular and effective means...
Low vitamin D3 levels Within the last decade, in addition to its protective attributes for bones, vitamin D3 has also been recognized as a key protector against heart disease. A study from 2004 showed...
HOPE BEATS THE statistics and will help you overcome the threat of cardiovascular disease. In the United States, over 800,000 people a year die from disease related to the cardiovascular system. Nearly another 150,000...
Officially, the onset of menopause is marked by the one-year anniversary of the last day of your last period. But you might start to feel the effects of dwindling hormones during perimenopause, the months...
Lots of supplements promise “escape”, “relief”, or “support” for sufferers of PMS and menopause. And they’re pretty tempting – who wouldn’t want an easy fix for cramps, mood swings, hot flashes, seating, and all...
A lab check was performed to check out the contents of 21 multivitamins, including name brands and store brands from Costco, CVS, Dollar General, Rite Aid, Target, Vitamin Shoppe, and Walgreens. Testers analyzed the...
Lots of multivitamin labels advertise that they’re specially formulated – for women, men, teenage girls, teenage boys, menopausal women, people who have high cholesterol, or even people who want more energy. Do those multivitamins...
Here’s a list of supplements you probably aren’t taking, but you might want to check them out if you have any of the conditions they’ve been shown to help. Just remember to check with...
Fish oil What you need to know – It has a reputation as a heart helper. Evidence supports the idea that higher intake of fish or fish-oil supplements, with their omega-3 fatty acids, probably...
10 of the most popular vitamins, minerals, and herbs, and what they can – and can’t – do for you It seems like a no-brainer: Pop a pill and – poof! – you can...
Ulcerative Colitis Ulcerative colitis is a disorder that causes inflammation of the inner lining of the digestive tract, along with sores (ulcers). This disorder is referred to as an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which...
Also called a cerebrovascular accident, a stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, and the brain is deprived of the oxygen it needs to function. An ischemic stroke, the most...
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue and joints, resulting in chronic inflammation. It is a debilitating disease because it can create a severe lack...
A common skin disorder that affects 2 percent of the population, psoriasis is characterized by thick patches of raised, reddish skin that is covered by what looks like silvery-white scales. In this condition, the...
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...
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 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 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 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 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, 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...
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 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 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 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, 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...