Nutrition

Glutamic acid is one of 20 protein-building amino acids that naturally occur in plants and animals. However, it is a nonessential amino acid in humans, meaning that the body is capable of managing...

Magnesium glycinate and magnesium gluconate are magnesium salts of an organic acid and magnesium. Both can be used to provide magnesium in the diet.

The human body is comprised of about 70 percent water, according to Trans4mind.com. In this vast amount of fluids, there is a level of acidity. The pH, or potential of Hydrogen, is the measure of...

Low-acid diets are considered easy to digest, easy to process, and preventive for those with mild indigestion to more serious gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Low acid eating however, is not just...

Purines are found in every cell in the body and in most foods. Certain food elevates purines, which produce uric acid. When uric acid levels are elevated it brings on an attack of painful gout....

Linoleic acid and cetyl myristoleate are essential fatty acids. An "essential fatty acid" means that the body doesn't produce it so it must be obtained from the diet. Linoleic acid is found in...

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body, found in highest concentration in the eyes and joints. It has been described as a long, sticky chain of sugar that acts as a...

Hyaluronic acid is a nutrient made in the skin and found in certain foods. Many health spas use topical hyaluronic acid treatments to improve skin tone, texture and elasticity. When taken...

Serotonin, an important neurotransmitter, helps control such vital areas of life as appetite, sleep/wake patterns, mood and general emotional state. Most antidepressant medications aim to...

Although omega 6 is an essential fatty acid (EFA) and, along with omega 3, is necessary for good health, it can be harmful at high levels.

Acid alkaline balance is an often overlooked concept that can inadvertently lead to a number of health conditions, such as acid reflux disease and even osteoporosis. While you might have...

Uric acid is a natural byproduct that occurs when the body breaks down purines, a protein found in food sources such as meat, fish, beans, wine and beer. Normally, the body is able to flush out...

While the American Heart Association does not consider elevated levels of homocysteine--an amino acid found in the blood--to be a major risk factor for heart disease, it does recommend that...

Enzyme-rich foods are the best foods for stomach acid. Enzymes are needed to metabolize and digest foods. These foods help produce stomach acid that destroys harmful bacteria and parasites, while...

Stomach acid can cause pain and discomfort in many. The list of foods that contribute to stomach acid is well known. The list of foods that can help to decrease stomach acid is not as well known....

Oxalic acid occurs naturally in many fruits, vegetables and other foods. High levels of oxalic acid in the body can cause calcium oxalate kidney stones, calcium deficiency or gout. People prone to...

Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide found in the joints, cartilage, skin and eyes of animals. It serves many purposes within the body and has been studied as a remedy for arthritis. It is known...

Those who choose to eat mainly alkaline foods are usually doing so in an attempt to reduce the amount of acid in their body. Too much acid has been associated with conditions such as diabetes and...

If you have ever wondered what it is that makes biting into a cold, crisp apple or peach so satisfying, chances are you have never heard of malic acid. Aside from the good, slightly sour taste,...

About 11 percent of a raw egg, by weight, is protein. Just slightly more than half the egg's protein is in the yolk. The rest is in the albumen, or egg white.

Many of us love to savor a slice of sourdough bread, relishing its chewy crust and tangy flavor, but baking with wild yeast and whole grains provides benefits that run deeper than taste.

Vinegar, the product of fermentation, is made from many grains and fruits, including rice, sugar cane, coconut, grapes and apples. Acetic acid is what makes vinegar sour. Alternative health care...

The citric acid cycle is the first stage of a two tier process called cellular respiration. It is also known as the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) and, more commonly, as the Krebs Cycle. Cellular...

People who suffer from acid reflux tend to experience mild to severe heartburn, often at night, as well as pain and discomfort in the stomach region. The symptoms can arise after a large meal or...

Fruit smoothies are an easy and tasty way to get a big nutritional impact into a little glass. Smoothies have become synonymous with health and convenience, and recipes encourage creative...

Barrett's disease, also called Barrett's esophagus, causes changes in the makeup and color of the cells lining the lower esophagus due to acid reflux. Barrett's disease is a rare complication of...

Uric acid is a byproduct of the catabolism of purines; therefore, foods that are high in purines produce uric acid in the body. If your body produces high levels of uric acid or is unable to...

Home canning is a healthy, economical and versatile way to preserve food for delicious year-round use. Though most modern families have grown away from the practice, opting for the convenience of...

According to the classic herbal medicine text "A Modern Herbal," lemons are the most valuable of all fruits for the preservation of health. Used by cultures around the world since ancient times to...

Leucine is one of the essential amino acids that the body requires daily through nutrition as the body can't produce them. This important amino acid stimulates muscle creation and is a...

Isoleucine is one of the eight essential amino acids that the body requires daily for optimal health and wellness. Amino acids make up the protein in our bodies for strength and healing. Essential...

Lemon juice is acidic because it contains citric acid, a tricarboxylic acid. Lemons are about 6 percent citric acid.

Folate is an essential vitamin also known as folic acid, in its synthetic form, or vitamin B6. Folate is crucial to the process of replicating DNA and RNA, and is therefore important during...

Changing your diet can help to control acid reflux. Acidic foods, drinks and meats are particularly bad for aggravating acid reflux and causing damage to the esophagus. These should be eliminated...

Citric acid is best known for its tart and sometimes sour taste. It is a naturally occurring acid, as well as a synthetic compound added to many food and drinks. It is also a vital component of...

Purines are present in every human cell. They're also present in every food we eat, but only a handful of foods have them in significant amounts. Eating high purine foods, says the George Mateljan...

L-arginine is produced in the kidneys for use in the body. It is necessary for the synthesis of protein in the body. The body normally produces sufficient amounts of L-arginine except in the case...

Many people consider the generic term "stomach acid" synonymous with the more specific chemical commonly known as hydrochloric acid. Although hydrochloric acid represents a major component of the...

Gout is a painful condition that typically affects middle-aged males. It is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body, which crystallizes and sits in the joints. Typically the big toe is the...

Benzoic acid was discovered during the 16th century and used during the 19th century to preserve fruit, because it helped prevent the growth of fungus. Since then, benzoic acid is used regularly...

Salt is a natural food preservative that has been used in home canning and preservation for thousands of years. In today's commercial food manufacturing, additional substances are used as...

Citric acid is an organic acid produced in nature, and is a natural preservative. Found in citrus fruits, citric acid has hundreds of uses in the food industry, in science and in heavy industry....

Diet is an integral part in controlling acid reflux, especially when it's in the form of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). When this condition occurs, your upper esophageal sphincter struggles to...

Uric acid is produced by the body after consumption of foods containing purine. Meats, alcoholic beverages, legumes and some vegetables contain purine. While increased uric acid levels are usually...

A normal uric acid level in the body ranges between 3.0 and 7.0 mg/dL, according to Milton S. Hershey Medical Center at PennState Hershey (see Resources). Anything lower or higher can cause...

Preservatives are used in a variety of items from package goods to meats to wine. The general idea of products having preservatives is to preserve shelf life and prevent items from spoiling. The...

Cashews are small beige seeds that grow from the bottom of a fruit called a cashew apple. You can snack on these seeds raw, roasted, or as a cashew nut butter spread. Cashews are a primary...

Gout is a painful condition that usually attacks the big toe, but can affect other joints like the elbow, wrist, finger, knee, heal, instep and ankle. If you suffer from gout, you know that it...

Reading the ingredient list on a package label can be as confusing as looking at the control panel of a 747. It is hard to know what ingredients are natural and good for you, and which are...

Folic acid is a B vitamin that reduces the risk of heart disease, some cancers and other medical conditions. It's also important during pregnancy to prevent birth defects. Folic acid is the most...