By: Sue Seabury Although there are only 20 amino acids, they comprise the basic building blocks of life. Without amino acids, we couldn’t survive. Nine of the 20 are ‘essential’ because our bodies can’t make them–we have to obtain them from food or supplements. Tryptophan is one of those essential amino acids. What is L-Tryptophan? […]
L-Phenylalanine: An Awesome Amino Acid
By: Lisa Luciano What is L-Phenylalanine? L-phenylalanine is an essential amino acid crucial to maintaining your health. Essential means that your body can’t manufacture that amino acid by itself; you have to get it from foods or supplements. L-phenylalanine is a catalyst in the creation of tyrosine, which processes hormones. It also aids in the formation […]
D-Glucuronolactone: Benefits, Dosage & Side Effects
By: Shannicka Triplett What is D-Glucuronolactone? D-glucuronolactone, also known as D-glucuronic acid or DGL, is naturally made in our bodies when glucose metabolizes in our liver. It is also an important component of our connective tissues. Although DGL is produced naturally (it is a part of our various tendons, ligaments and cartilage), very small amounts of DGL […]
Hypromellose: Benefits, Dosage & Side Effects
By: Susan Cotter What is Hypromellose? Hypromellose, or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (say that five times fast), is a bit unique. Hypromellose is simply artificial tears that alleviate irritated or dry eyes. Dry eyes can occur when the body is unable to produce enough tears. The medical term for this condition is keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Another tongue twister, […]
Feverfew: Benefits, Dosage & Side Effects
By: Jonielle Dedman What is Feverfew Extract? Feverfew is an ancient herb that has been traditionally used to treat various forms of ailments, ranging from headaches and fevers to insect bites and infertility. Its name in Latin means “fever reducer,” and ancient Greeks used it as aspirin to relieve symptoms or calm any hot, inflamed area (x). In […]
DHEA: Benefits, Dosage & Side Effects
By: Katie Gartner What is DHEA? Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a steroid made naturally in the adrenal glands. By itself, DHEA isn’t exactly a hormone, but more of a precursor of hormones. The body uses it to stimulate the production of sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone and testosterone), which determine sexual development and reproductive function (x). […]
Elderberry: Benefits, Dosage & Side Effects
By: Julie Keating When flu season hits, it hits hard. And with the exception of antiviral medications that can lessen downtime, there is no cure. If you didn’t get your flu shot this year and are feeling awful from the flu virus, you might want to consider treating the symptoms of flu with elderberry extract. […]
Anemia Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
By: Kelli Beach What is Anemia? Anemia is a medical condition associated with iron deficiency. Many people with iron deficiency experience low energy, shortness of breath, headaches and dizziness – symptoms that develop when your red blood cell count (or hemoglobin) is lower than normal. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that enables red blood cells […]
Bearberry Leaf (Uva Ursi) Benefits & Side Effects
By: Jessica Moon What is Bearberry? Bearberry, also known as Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, a low-growing plant native to Asia, Europe, Central and North America. The herb gets its name from one of its biggest fans: bears love to eat the small red berries that grow on the shrub (“uva ursi” means “grape of the bear” in Latin). But bears aren’t […]
Fenugreek: Benefits, Dosage & Side Effects
By: Jonielle Dedman What is Fenugreek? Fenugreek is a powerful herb commonly used to spice savory, traditional Indian-style dishes. This Mediterranean plant, widely grown in India, Egypt and Middle Eastern countries, contains pods that hold, small, golden fenugreek seeds characterized by a mildly sweet, nutty taste. Both the leaves and the seeds are commonly found […]
