Adenosine 5' monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an enzyme that is known as the body's "master regulator of energy metabolism." Why? It works as an energy sensor within our cells. Researchers believe that as we age, AMPK activity significantly decreases. This is one reason why we experience changes in appetite, body weight, energy levels, etc.…
Despite its sweet flavor and pleasant aroma, coumarin is a chemical that can have serious effects on health when consumed in high amounts. In fact, high doses have been linked to liver damage, impaired cognitive development and even cancer formation in both animal and human studies. However, coumarin is found distributed throughout the food supply…
In the United States, every year roughly 100,000 people will develop primary hyperparathyroidism. (1) If you're over the age of 50, a woman or have a history of kidney stones, calcium or vitamin deficiency, you're at an increased risk for developing this condition. What are the symptoms of parathyroid disease? Not everyone with hyperparathyroidism will…
The thought of having a heart murmur may seem scary and confusing. You may be wondering what this means and what's causing it. Is a heart murmur dangerous? Unfortunately, there's no one answer to this question. Some heart murmurs are completely innocent, while others indicate that there's a bigger issue that needs to be addressed.…
Costochondritis is inflammation of the cartilage connecting your ribs to your sternum (breastbone). The pain can feel like the sharp, stabbing or pressing, aching pain of a heart attack. You should seek emergency medical care if you have any heart attack symptoms. However, if your diagnosis is costochondritis, it is generally considered a harmless condition.…
When someone has low white blood cells present in their blood, this makes them very vulnerable to developing infections, viruses and other illnesses. Leukopenia, or a low white blood cell count, can be the result of a wide range of health problems — for example, aplastic anemia, radiation or chemotherapy, leukemia, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, influenza, tuberculosis or…
Polymyalgia rheumatica causes stiffness in the shoulders, neck and hips, especially in the morning or after a long rest. It almost exclusively affects adults 50 and older, with the average age of diagnosis around 70. The condition has no known cause, but it responds very well to simple medical treatment. In addition, there are natural…
By now, you've probably heard all about the benefits of green tea. A cup or two per day is said to lower your blood pressure, alleviate inflammation, reduce the risk of heart disease and even give your memory a boost. Other types of tea like black tea, dandelion tea or hibiscus tea are also well-known…
You're probably heard of fava beans before — whether you're a movie fan, health nut or just familiar with these types of beans — but have you ever eaten them? Also known as broad beans, fava beans are pretty amazing given the amount of nutrition they contain. In addition to being a lean protein choice…
There's a pretty good chance that you've seen a mulberry tree or two pop up in your local park, neighborhood or even your own backyard. This tree produces a tart and tasty fruit that looks similar to a blackberry and can be used to sweeten up just about any dish. The mulberry fruit may be…
