Have you ever given thought to exactly what butter is? Is butter dairy? Let’s do a little butter 101. Real, grass-fed butter is a dairy product made from cow’s milk also known as milk fat. It's composed of about 80 percent fat, which is the part that has been separated from the carbohydrates and protein…
Citric acid: It's one of the most common food additives found in our food supply today, yet for many of us it remains a mysterious ingredient. In some countries, citric acid has been used as an additive in foods, cosmetics and many other products for more than 100 years, mostly as a preservative and flavor…
Dysuria is the term used to identify pain when urinating. While more common in women, men and women of any age can experience painful urination. It is most often caused by some sort of an infection like a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a sexually transmitted disease (STD), but it can also be the sign…
It is estimated that over 300 million people are living with hepatitis B. In 2015, it resulted in 887,000 deaths worldwide. Although many people with hepatitis B don't experience any symptoms, it's a chronic infection that can lead to severe liver conditions like cirrhosis and liver cancer. The scary part is that it is 50–100 times more…
Ganglion cysts are quite a common issue amongst many people, and sometimes they don't even realize there's help out there for them. What is a ganglion cyst? What are ganglion cyst symptoms? Is ganglion cyst removal possible? This guide has everything you need to know, from diagnosis all the way through to treatment. Read on…
You've probably heard about the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, which can be partly attributed to the healthy fats found in olive oil. Well, did you know that oleic acid, the fatty acid that's the most abundant component in olive oil, is what allows for these benefits? Oleic acid is an omega-9 fatty acid…
Have you ever experienced "chicken skin" on your arms or legs? If so, you're not alone. Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition, affecting nearly 50–80 percent of adolescents and 40 percent of adults. (1) It looks like tiny, rough-feeling bumps on the skin that may be mistaken for small pimples. But, it's a completely…
Have you ever heard of the mask of pregnancy? It refers to a skin condition that's triggered by hormonal changes and develops around your forehead, lips, nose and cheekbones. It's actually common for pregnant women to develop dark, blotchy spots on their face — a condition known as chloasma or melasma. Changing hormone levels stimulate…
Myositis is a general name for a group of conditions that cause muscle inflammation. The diseases are also known as inflammatory myopathies and can cause muscle weakness, pain and damage. In most cases, the disease responds to medical treatment. Myositis is rare, and most people with this type of muscle inflammation require medical care. However,…
Wondering what the ingredient called "gum arabic" that's found in foods like cake, candies, ice cream and soft drinks really is? Gum arabic is a type of plant-derived fiber. You can think of it as an edible "glue," natural thickening agent and binder that helps hold ingredients together. Gum arabic's structure allows it to dissolve in…
