The herbal remedies referred to as “ginseng” are derived from the roots of several plants. Panax ginseng, usually known as Asian or Korean ginseng, is one of the most widely used and researched ginsengs. The main active components of Panax ginseng are ginsenosides, which have been demonstrated to provide a variety of beneficial effects, including[Read…]

FOOD SUPPLEMENTS FOR WEIGHT LOSS Overweight and obesity cause more deaths worldwide than underweight. The overweight and obesity states are more likely to develop hypertension, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, sleep apnea, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular diseases, various types of cancer, and premature death. Therefore, the importance of prevention and treatment of obesity is widely acknowledged [1]. There[Read…]

EVIDENCE-BASED HEALTH BENEFITS OF COCONUT OIL Coconut is one of the world’s most significant tree crops, providing food and shelter to millions of people in the tropical region. Virgin coconut oil was introduced to the world at the end of twentieth century. Because of its wide range of applications in medication, food, cosmetics, and hair[Read…]

THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF ZINC SUPPLEMENTS Zinc is a trace element that is required for living organisms and their biological processes. Because the body cannot accumulate zinc, it is essential to take this element consistently in the diet [1].  In the human body, zinc is found in muscles (60%), bones (30%) and skin (5%). Zinc[Read…]

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF COENZYME Q10 Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an essential compound of the human body which is synthesized in the mitochondrial inner membrane. The molecule of CoQ10 has a highly lipophilic character and the base of its structure belongs to quinone chemical group. Because it has a “tail” of 10 isoprenoid units attached[Read…]

HEALTH BENEFITS OF VITAMIN B Vitamins are a group of organic compounds which are essential for normal physiological functioning but are not synthesized by the body and therefore be obtained from the diet in modest amounts. Humans require adequate 12 vitamins in total: four fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and eight water soluble[Read…]

HEALTH BENEFITS OF FISH OIL Fish oil is a rich source of long chain omega-3 fatty acids which are polyunsaturated fats that primarily include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Initially, these compounds were suggested as a daily omega-3 fatty acid supplement for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Consequently, fish oil supplements are[Read…]

THE ROLE OF MAGNESIUM Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral and the second most abundant intracellular divalent cation. It is a cofactor in over 300 metabolic pathways. Magnesium is found in 50% of the bones, 50% of the tissues and organs, and 1% of the blood[1]. Magnesium is also necessary for structural function of[Read…]

THE ROLE OF GLUTATHIONE Glutathione, a tripeptide consisting of γ-l-glutamyl-l-cysteinyl-glycine, is the most important low molecular weight antioxidant synthesized in cells[1]. It plays a pivotal role in reducing oxidative stress, maintaining redox balance, enhancing metabolic detoxification, and regulating the immune system. Suboptimal or insufficient glutathione levels have been associated to a variety of chronic, age-related[Read…]

What are the pharmacological properties of garlic extract? Garlic (Allium sativum) has been used as a spice, food, and medicine for over 5,000 years, and is one of the earliest documented herbs utilized for the maintenance of health and treatment of disease[1]. Garlic and their active components are reported to reduce the risk of diabetes[Read…]