Richard's Health Topics & Recipes
Also known as Vitamin B5, pantothenic acid is essential for a number of basic bodily functions -from growth to reproduction. It participates in the continual breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins from food. This vitamin also produces numerous enzymes and helps maintain precise communication between the central nervous system and the brain. A deficiency of…
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Health Benefits Most of the body’s calcium is stored in the bones and teeth, where it is instrumental in keeping them strong. The small amount of calcium circulating in the bloodstream helps to produce the hormones and enzymes that regulate energy release, digestion and metabolism. Calcium also facilitates the movement of nutrients across cell membranes.…
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Probiotics literally means “for life.” The World Health Organization defines probiotics as “live microorganism which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit to the host.” Beneficial bacteria can be found everywhere in the body from the skin to the respiratory tract. However, the majority of the body’s bacteria reside in the digestive tract.…
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Most foods contain a mixture of soluble and insoluble fiber, which together make up the dietary fiber family. Soluble fibers attract water and form a gel, which slows down digestion. Soluble fiber delays the emptying of your stomach and makes you feel full, which helps control weight. Slower stomach emptying may also affect blood sugar…
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Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are fats that must be consumed through diet because the body is unable to manufacture them on its own. These fats are needed by the body in order to maintain overall health. There are two essential fatty acids for humans, Omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) and Omega-6 (linoleic acid). Omega-3 There are three…
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Many nutritionally oriented doctors consider plant-based digestive enzyme products helpful for promoting good digestion and nutrient absorption. The theory is that these plant-based compounds compensate for any disruption in the body’s natural production of digestive enzymes (those crucial molecules designed to break down foods into nutrients that the body can absorb). Digestive enzymes are typically…
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Homeopathy Homeopathic remedies are a system of medicine based on three simple principles: Like cures Like: For example, if the symptoms of your cold are similar to poisoning by mercury, then mercury would be your homeopathic remedy. Minimal Dose: The remedy is taken in an extremely dilute form; normally one part of the remedy to…
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Botanical Information Valerian, native to Europe, has been used since the 2nd century for medicinal purposes. The root of the plant is pressed into fresh juice or freeze-dried to form a powder for supplement use. Valerian is sold in extracts or in capsule or tablet form, also as a tea. Features & Benefits There is…
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Botanical Information A relative of ginger and native to Southern Asia, turmeric has been used for over 4,000 years in culinary and medicinal preparations. The roots, or rhizomes and bulbs, are the parts used for medicinal purposes. It is available in capsules or a tincture. It is used in both traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic…
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Botanical Information Native to the Mediterranean region, milk thistle preparations are derived from the seed, pod or fruit of the plant. Milk thistle gets its name from the milky white fluid that comes from the leaves when they are crushed. The active ingredient in milk thistle is Silymarin. Silymarin is a group of flavonoids thought…
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