February 21, 2016

Does Berberine Fight Diabetes?

Berberine is a yellow compound found in several different plants including barberry, goldenseal, phellodendron and Oregon grape. Berberine has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and immune enhancing properties, but in recent years, much research has been published around its role in protecting against cardiovascular disease as well as treating diabetes and insulin resistance. How does It work? Berberine activates a specific enzyme called adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, or AMPK. AMPK is also sometimes called the “metabolic master switch” because it plays an important role in regulating metabolism in the body. Increased AMPK activity benefits the body in so many ways. For those with […]
October 11, 2015

Can Marijuana Treat Cancer?

Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is a plant native to Central and South Asia. Its fiber, otherwise known as hemp, has a long history of usage in rope and paper products. Equally long is the plant’s history as a religious sacrament or recreational drug, due to the effects of its psychoactive component, tetrohydrocannabinol (THC). Although its effects are reportedly mild when smoked or ingested and its rare potential for addictiveness is believed to be psychological in nature, the plant was demonized in the United States during the early part of the 20th century and classified as a narcotic, right alongside heroin. […]
August 12, 2014

Health Benefits of Folate

Folate is a member of the B complex family. It was first discovered in 1931. The vitamin got its name from the Latin word folium, which means leaf. This is directly attributed to its abundance in leafy green vegetables. Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is essential for the formation of red blood cells and DNA. It’s also crucial for normal fetal development. Folate Prevents Pregnancy Complications and Birth Defects Because the Western diet is high in processed foods, folate deficiencies are relatively common in the U.S. In 1960, it was discovered that folate is needed to prevent neural tube defects in […]