Oats, barley, and certain medicinal mushrooms all contain beta-glucan, a natural substance that's widely available in supplement form. Touted as a natural remedy for a host of health problems (from allergies and asthma to major diseases like diabetes), beta-glucan is also purported to protect against some forms of cancer.

Although there is currently a lack of research on the potential benefits of taking beta-glucan supplements, a number of studies suggest that dietary intake of beta-glucan may help enhance your health. For instance, studies show that the beta-glucan found in oats may help reduce cholesterol levels. There's also some evidence that including beta-glucan-rich foods in your diet may help manage diabetes by controlling blood sugar levels and lowering blood pressure.

In addition, preliminary research in animals indicates that beta-glucan may help strengthen the immune system and fend off colds and flu. And while some laboratory research suggests that beta-glucan may possess anti-cancer properties, it's too soon to recommend beta-glucan for cancer prevention. Read the full article: Beta-Glucan - What You Need to Know.

A vibrant purple berry that grows wild in some regions of South America, maqui shows promise as a natural means of keeping cholesterol in check. Rich in potent antioxidants known as anthocyanins, maqui has been found to reduce cholesterol, fight oxidative stress, and protect against atherosclerosis in laboratory research.

Since scientists have yet to test the cholesterol-lowering effects of maqui in humans, it's too soon to recommend this inflammation-fighting berry for cholesterol management. To curb your cholesterol--and, in turn, boost your defense against heart disease--make sure to follow a balanced diet high in fiber and low in saturated fat, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking. Some research suggests that sipping green tea, adding flaxseed to your diet, and getting your fill of fish oil may also help manage cholesterol levels. Read the full article: Maqui - What You Need to Know.

Practitioners of traditional Indian medicine have long used a natural remedy known as caralluma to suppress appetite. Now, caralluma supplements are marketed as a natural weight loss aid, with many proponents claiming that the herb can fight fat formation in addition to alleviating hunger.

To date, there's very little scientific evidence that caralluma can help you slim down. While some preliminary research suggests that caralluma can curb hunger and prevent weight gain, it's too soon to recommend caralluma supplements for weight loss.

If you're looking for a natural way to tame your hunger, try adding chili peppers to your diet. Studies show that capsaicin (the compound that gives hot peppers their spicy kick) may help ease your appetite and reduce levels of ghrelin (a hormone that plays a key role in promoting hunger). Read the article: Caralluma for Weight Loss.

An herbal remedy extracted from the leaves of the Lagerstroemia speciosa tree, banana may help fight diabetes. In animal-based research, scientists have shown that banaba extract may help keep blood sugar in check (as well as reduce cholesterol levels). Banaba is rich in both corosolic acid (a substance found to offer blood-sugar-lowering and anti-inflammatory benefits) and ellagitannins (a class of compounds with antioxidant effects).

For more help in boosting your diabetes defense, try spicing up your meals with cinnamon (another natural substance known to aid in blood sugar control). There's also some evidence that drinking tea on a regular basis and maintaining ample levels of vitamin D may help with diabetes prevention. Read the article: Banaba - What You Need to Know.