A fatty acid molecule consists of a chain of carbon atoms with hydrogen atoms attached. The end of the molecule with three hydrogens (H) attached to the carbon (C) atom is called the methyl end. The other end is known as the carboxyl end. The chain has an even number of carbon atoms which stretches [...]

Lifestyle and diet play an important role in this holistic approach. A poor diet can result in mineral deficiencies which can burden the lymphatic system with waste. Often the food we eat does not have the nutritional quality necessary for good health. If you don’t have access to organically grown fruit and vegetables (and being [...]

Many women are told by their doctors that the cure for endometriosis is pregnancy. Unfortunately, this is a myth which continues to be perpetuated in medical as well as popular literature. The mistaken belief that pregnancy cures endometriosis appears to have arisen from the impressions and speculations of some of the early gynaecologists who had [...]

Varicose veins — unsightly, often painful raised and knotted veins — usually occur in the legs and may lead to leg ulcers and blood clots. They are caused by the sluggish flow of blood combined with weak walls of veins and faulty valves. You may be more likely to suffer from varicose veins if your [...]

An old advertisement for an over-the-counter cold medication observed that you can’t take every cold to a doctor, and proceeded to plug the medicine in question. The advert was right. It is not sensible to go to the doctor with every cold – or, for that matter, whenever you feel blue, down in the dumps [...]

Once all the variables of the environment have been controlled and the patient is feeling better and has found a compatible water, he is ready to begin his food tests. Generally speaking, the patient breaks his fast with some form of fish, if he has no known allergy to it. It can be either fresh [...]

It has long been known that pregnancy can hasten the onset of deafness in members of certain families who have a tendency to gradual hearing loss in middle age. Known as otosclerosis, this common type of deafness is due to overgrowth of bone around the inner eardrum, which becomes rigid and unable to vibrate in [...]

Signs and symptoms The development of breasts is obvious except when the boy tries to hide gynaecomastia out of embarrassment. If this happens, the parents may not be aware of the problem. Home care It is very important to be understanding and to reassure the child that the condition will disappear. In more obvious cases, [...]

Suitable for frying, baking and roasting: This expression is often found on a bottle of vegetable oil. The same oil will usually claim to be cholesterol free and/or free of saturated fat. Health authorities slam saturated fat as the main cause of high cholesterol levels, therefore if an oil is monounsaturated or polyunsaturated it must [...]

The temperature rise around the middle of the cycle confirms that ovulation has taken place, though it cannot predict it in advance. But charting your temperature each day tells you that you are ovulating and when. So this is another way to identity when you are likely to be fertile in future cycles. If your [...]