Glossary and facts containing definitions of terms and pertinent facts related to diet nutrition vitamins and supplements.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Baileys Health Store wants you to enjoy and benefit from our products. All diet nutrition supplements and herbal remedies carried in our store are believed to be safe and efficacious. All products are manufactured in accordance with very high quality control standards. However, every person is different. Each person has different needs and may react to products differently. Because we want every one of our customers to realize the most benefit, we recommend that you always consult your medical provider/physician about any products you are now or, are contemplating, using. Only a licensed medical provider/physician is qualified to render medical opinions. Please enjoy our products - safely.

To see published articles related to our products, visit the specific Articles Page from the Library (return to Library).

Aloe Vera - Aloe Vera products are derived from the Aloe Vera plant, a succulent found in many places around the world although it does not naturally occur in any specific location. A variation of the commonly used plant is believed to have originated in Northern Africa. It has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. Aloe Vera is believed to be an effective topical treatment for wounds and burns although studies differ in actual findings of effectiveness. Additionally, Aloe Vera has been cited as being effective in improving blood glucose in diabetics and lowering blood lipids in hyperlipidaemic patients. Other indicated potential benefits include reducing symptoms and inflammation due to ulcerative colitis, providing antibacterial and antifungal benefits (including inhibiting the growth of tinea) on the skin. Aloe Vera inner-leaf gel has been shown to inhibit growth of Streptococcus and Shigella, in vitro. Aloe Vera contains biologically active compounds including acetylated mannans, polymannans, anthraquinone C-glycosides, anthrones, anthraquinones and various lectins. Aloe Vera products found at Baileys Health Store include:

Amino Acid - Amino Acids are necessary for building and maintaining all body tissues. Known as the "Building Blocks of Protein" they are essential components of enzymes, hormones and body fluids, also responsible for regulating growth, digestion, and helping maintain the body’s immune system. We have numerous products containing amino acids. Among them are:

For a complete list of products containing amino acids, type in "amino acid" in the search box on any of our pages or CLICK HERE.

Antioxidants - Antioxidants are the specific vitamins and nutritional factors (bioflavonoids, carotenes, vitamins C and E, polyphenols, etc.) needed to keep the immune system strong. They help the body to fight infection and assist the healing process. Known as the anti-aging nutrients, antioxidants work to protect the cell membranes and DNA from free-radical damage (see ORAC for more information about free radicals). These protective nutrients also benefit the cardiovascular system and are an integral component of the body's natural detoxification system. The products we carry that provide antioxidant benefits are too numerous to list. They can be found in our Vitamins and Minerals, Natural Food Supplements, Physical Fitness and Sport Nutrition, Targeted Diet Nutrition Kits and Healthy Chocolate and Herbal Tea Blends (where our healthy chocolate products are among the most potent antioxidants on the market).

Black Cohosh - Native to eastern North America, black cohosh was used by Native Americans to treat gynecological disorders as well as other maladies such as sore throats, kidney problems and depression. Recent investigations have identified some beneficial effects of these compounds on physiological pathways underlying age-related disorders like osteoporosis. The extent to which black cohosh benefits each person remains a topic of much discussion with varying opinions. Products that we carry containing black cohosh include:

For a complete list of products containing black cohosh, type in the words "black cohosh" in the search box on any of our pages.

Cayenne Capsicum - Harvested from Cayenne pepper plants, this herb is believed to provide several benefits. The primary element at work is capsaicin. Cayenne works to increase stomach secretions and saliva which contain enxymes and acids that aide in the metabolism of carbohydrates and acting as a digestive aide. It is also used by many to relieve chronic muscle and joint pain and may reduce occurrences of headaches. Cayenne and other red pepper derived herbs are reported to reduce cholesterol levels thus making it a heart healthy herb, as well. Pregnant women and women nursing babies should not use this product. Products containing Cayenne include

For a complete list of products containing cayenne, type in the word "cayenne" in the search box on any page.

ORAC - Abbreviation for Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity. A method developed by scientists at the National Institute on Aging in the National Institute of Health (Bethesda, MD) to measure the antioxidant capacity of foods. There are at least a couple of different independent laboratories that measure ORAC values of food. One is the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Nutrient Data Laboratory and another is Brunswick Laboratories. The units denoted for ORAC values are expressed as micromoles TE (Trolox Equivalents) per gram. Some comparative ORAC values (from Wikipedia Encyclopedia - additional references cited at www.wikipedia.org) in descending order:

The Xocai brand of healthy chocolates have been evaluated by the Brunswick Lab. The various products available can be found on the Healthy Chocolate and Herbal Tea Blends product page and the associated ORAC values per serving are shown for each product. For even more details about ORAC, visit the Brunswick Lab site at http://brunswicklabs.com/index.shtml

Probiotic - means “fit for life,” or “pro life." Probiotics are living microorganisms which, when administered effectively in adequate amounts, confer health benefits. The adult intestinal tract is home to approximately 100 trillion microorganisms. More than 400 different bacterial species have already been identified in the intestinal tract.

First, in order to be effective Probiotics must contain bacteria which are resistant to stomach acids and bile salts. Secondly, the bacteria must have the capacity to compete successfully with the indigenous intestinal bacteria. So, either the bacteria must be protected by the use of encapsulation techniques, or new types of foods must be developed which offer increased protection for the bacteria. The key to the effectiveness of probiotic treatment is for the bacteria to be able to pass through the stomach and the small intestines reaching the large intestines with sufficient strength to colonize and flourish.

SHIME stands for “The Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem." This in vitro system was created to simulate the activities and conditions found in the stomach, small intestines, and large intestines. This enables scientists to monitor the quantity of bacteria that survive the journey to the large intestines. And, it also enables them to monitor the development of the bacterial colonies in the large intestines.

Many, many new probiotic products have been launched in North America and Europe. But, we have a distinct advantage. Chocolate appears to be the ideal delivery system for probiotics. Chocolate has been shown to be far superior to milk as a delivery system for Probiotics. See our Xocai brand XoBiotic (probiotic) healthy chocolate product.

Vitamin A - Vitamin A is one of the 13 essential vitamins and comes in two types: pre-formed and provitamin. Pre-formed is animal derived while provitamin is plant derived. See, Vitamin A - What Is It and How Does It Help My Body? for more detailed information about this essential vitamin.

Glossary and Facts

Learn More About Good Diet Nutrition Vitamins and Minerals, Natural Skin Care Products and Herbal Supplements; How They Help Improve Healthy Living!