Copper is the third most abundant trace mineral in the human body. Most Americans readily identify it as the dark reddish, malleable metal used in cookware and plumbing. Numerous foods contain copper, although the particularly rich sources such as liver and oysters are not commonly consumed. In fact, most Americans get too little of this important nutrient.
Category: Knowledge Base
Conjugated Linoleic Acid
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a slightly altered form of linoleic acid (LA), an omega-6 fatty acid important to human health. Omega-6 fatty acids are derived from the foods we eat (primarily from meats and dairy products). The average American ingests probably less than 1 gram of CLA a day.
Complex Carbohydrates
Complex carbohydrates, primarily starches, are long chains of glucose molecules. These large glucose molecules are also known as polysaccharides which can be composed of various numbers of monosaccharides and disaccharides. Complex carbohydrates are polymers of simple sugars (monosaccharides) that are branched and may contain lipid or protein groups.
Coltsfoot
Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) may qualify as the world’s oldest cough remedy. Folk healers have been using the bright yellow flowers, roots, and hoof-shaped, wooly leaves of this daisy family member for centuries to suppress dry coughs and soothe sore throats. In fact, part of the plant’s scientific name (Tussilago) stems from the Latin word for “cough.” Shop owners in eighteenth century France painted an image of the plant on their signs to let passersby know that they sold healing herbs.
Colloidal Oatmeal
Sold in pharmacies and other drug outlets, colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) is not intended for a saucepan on the stove. Instead, this natural product is more suited to the water in the bathtub, where it helps soothe and soften dry skin and relieve itchy skin rashes.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
One of the world’s most popular supplements, the chemical coenzyme Q10 has generated great excitement as a heart disease remedy and a cure for countless other conditions. The body naturally produces this compound, which has been dubbed “vitamin Q” because of its essential role in keeping all systems running smoothly. In fact, the scientists who identified coenzyme Q10 in 1957 initially honored its ubiquitous presence–it’s found in every human cell and in all living organisms–by naming it “ubiquinone.” Small amounts are also present in most foods.
Chromium
Chromium is an essential trace mineral that the body needs to grow properly and remain healthy. It is necessary, among other things, for the breakdown of protein, fat, and carbohydrates.
Chondroitin
A natural component of the cartilage that cushions joints, chondroitin sulfate seems to block the enzymes that can destroy this crucial tissue. For this reason it has become a popular dietary supplement for the treatment of arthritis. Some studies indicate that it may even be as effective at relieving osteoarthritis pain as aspirin and other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)–without posing the same risk for gastrointestinal problems.
Chitosan
The shells of crabs, lobsters, and other crustaceans contain a nondigestible fiber called chitosan. Extracted and taken in supplement form with meals, chitosan reportedly encourages weight loss by binding to fat molecules in the digestive tract, preventing the body from absorbing the fat.
Cherry Fruit Extract
Consuming plentiful amounts of cherries–or a cherry extract made from the juicy, red-blue summer berries that grow on Prunus trees–can provide remarkable health benefits, ranging from fighting inflammation to preventing gout, a painful joint condition. This is because the cherries most of us love to eat–including both the sweet and tart varieties–are rich in potent antioxidants called flavonoids that have various therapeutic effects on the body.
Chasteberry
In medieval times, the chasteberry (botanically known as Vitex agnus-castus) was thought to suppress the libido of both males and females. Legend has it that monks once chewed on the dried berries in an effort to adhere to their vows of celibacy. Today, it’s clear that the herb does not affect sexual drive, but chasteberry does have an important role to play in treating women’s reproductive-tract disorders and menstrual-related complaints. In Europe, chasteberry is now recommended more often than any other herb for relieving the symptoms of PMS (premenstrual syndrome).
Chamomile
One of the safest medicinal herbs, chamomile is a soothing, gentle relaxant that has been shown to work for a variety of complaints from stress to menstrual cramps. This herb has a satisfying, applelike aroma and flavor (the name chamomile is derived from the Greek kamai melon, meaning ground apple), and it’s most often taken as a delicious, mild therapeutic tea. Concentrated extracts of chamomile are also added to healing creams and lotions or packaged as pills and tinctures.
Celery Extract
Despite appearances, the green ribbed celery (Apium graveolens) stalk offers more than a mild-flavored crunch. Seeds collected from the white flowers that bloom in summer are steam-distilled to produce special tonics. These so-called “celery cures” were wildly popular in the late 19th century for treating bladder and kidney ills. Animal research indicates that celery extracts do encourage the kidneys and bladder to pump out more urine; this is called a diuretic effect. But whether this happens in any consistent way in humans needs confirmation.
Cayenne
Thought to have originated in Cayenne, French Guiana, cayenne is a spice derived from several varieties of dried hot peppers in the Capsicum species. Cayenne is a relative of the mild bell pepper used in salads and also of the fiery peppers found in chili powders and hot sauces, but it has no connection to black table pepper. Used for centuries by cooks around the world to add “heat” to traditional dishes, cayenne has gained a solid reputation both as a painkiller and digestive aid.
Cat’s Claw
Cat’s Claw, also known by its Spanish name as Una de Gato is a high-climbing, woody plant that grows profusely in the upper Amazon regions of Peru, Columbia, Ecuador, and other Latin American countries. Its botanical name, Uncaria, comes from the Latin uncus, for “hook.” And it is the vine’s clawlike stems that allow it to climb trees and other vegetation up into the forest canopy. Two species of cat’s claw are harvested for medicinal purposes, Uncaria guianensis, used mainly in Europe and Uncaria tomentosa, the one most commonly imported into the United States. Among the herbal practitioners of South America, the two species are considered interchangeable.
Catechins
Catechins are flavonoid phytochemical compounds that appear predominantly in green tea. Smaller amounts of catechins are also in black tea, grapes, wine, and chocolate. Four polyphenol catechins in green tea include gallocatechin (GC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin (EC), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Due to their potent antioxidant capabilities, catechins, often referred to as “tea flavonoids,” are being investigated for their ability to prevent cancer and heart disease. In experimental models, catechins show a wide range of protective effects, including cardioprotective, chemoprotective, and anitmicrobial properties.
Cascara Sagrada
Cascara sagrada is a natural laxative made from the reddish-brown bark of a tree (Rhamnus purshiana) native to the Pacific Northwest. It was used by various Native American tribes, who also passed their “sacred bark” on to Spanish explorers (cascara sagrada means sacred bark in Spanish).
Carotenoids
Carotenoids are the pigments that color some fruits and vegetables red, orange and yellow. Recent research has shown that, acting as antioxidants, these natural plant compounds can boost the immune system and possibly lower the risk of heart disease, prevent the onset of some cancers, and protect against such age-related diseases as cataracts and macular degeneration.
Carnitine
Carnitine is an amino acid-like compound that helps the body produce energy. While readily abundant in meats and dairy foods, some people take carnitine in supplement form to increase vitality. Carnitine transports fatty acids to the “factory” portion of cells, which then convert the fat into energy that the heart, muscles, and other body tissues can use.
Caprylic Acid
Caprylic acid is a fatty acid that has antifungal properties. It is produced by the body in small quantities and can be extracted from plant fats, such as coconut oil and palm oil. Nutritionally oriented doctors commonly recommend taking caprylic acid in supplement form for Candida overgrowth syndrome.