In childhood, the body produces HGH, or human growth hormone, to spur musculoskeletal growth. It produces increasingly more of this growth hormone until peaking when the body experiences its growth spurt in puberty.
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Vitamin B12 is a B complex vitamin containing cobalt, nutritionally known as cobalamin. The single source of vitamin B12 is bacteria that synthesize it in meat, dairy products and eggs.
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Caffeine is a chemical primarily found in coffee and tea, but which also appears in various sodas, sports drinks and foods. It is a stimulant, therefore causing changes in metabolism as well as increases in focus and energy. Caffeine is addictive and can cause withdrawal following cessation after frequent use.
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Green chili is a staple of Indian and South American diets. The chili is the fruit of the flowering plants Capsicum annuum and C. frutescens. Green chili is mainly used as a spice in food, although it is included in some medicines. It yields an oil that is viscous, sharp and pungent, and can also serve as a seasoning.
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Caffeine is a stimulant that occurs naturally in foods such as coffee, chocolate, tea and kola nuts -- although it is also an additive in some foods, medications and supplements. Caffeine is acidic and bears a bitter taste.
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The human body works best when it is slightly alkaline, according to Elizabeth Lipski in the book "Digestive Wellness." In order to maintain this pH, Lipski recommends eating 60 percent foods that contribute to alkalinity and 40 percent foods that contribute to acidity. Urine reflects the body's pH.
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Consuming sucrose and other types of sugar appear to raise energy levels in proportion to the amount consumed. In fact, consuming sugar in large enough amounts can result in a burst of energy known as a sugar high that ends in a sharp drop in energy levels, termed a "crash."
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Vitamin B12, or cabalamin, is water-soluble, meaning the renal system filters the vitamin from blood along with water, so it is difficult to build excess.
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As a vitamin, B-12 is distinct from iron, a mineral, in both its composition and function as a nutrient. However, they are interrelated. On the other hand, their relationship with one another is not the extent of their significance.
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The B-complex vitamins include vitamins B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5, B-6, B-7, B-9 and B-12. The respective names of these vitamins are thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, folate or folic acid and cobalamin. B-complex vitamins derive from both food and plant sources.
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One of the reasons that it is necessary to eat a variety of foods to maintain a nutritious diet is that most nutrients act synergistically. In other words, your body requires the different nutrients found in several foods to maintain health and functionality.
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Vitamin D-2, or ergocalciferol, and vitamin D-3, or cholecalciferol, are variations of vitamin D that the body procures in different ways. Specifically, ergocalciferol is dietary, whereas the skin produces cholecalciferol.
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Coconut oil supplementation has been gaining popularity. It is a tropical oil made from coconuts that is solid or nearly solid at room temperature. It is also a saturated fat that is very shelf-stable.
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Leptin is a hormone produced in your fat cells. According to Wellness Resources, leptin sends signals to your brain to let you know that you are full and should stop eating. It also signals your brain to turn on your metabolism. The presence of excessive leptin has been linked to obesity.
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The USDA RDA, or the U.S. Department of Agriculture Recommended Daily Allowance, is a set of guidelines to the recommended daily intake of a wide variety of nutrients.
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Nutrition labels list the volume of carbohydrates, fat, and protein in a food, rather than the calories derived from these nutrients. In order to ascertain how many calories come from carbohydrates, you need to know the calories per gram of carbs.
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Vitamin B-17 is an important nutrient that is gaining attention for its cancer-fighting abilities. Though conclusive evidence has not been presented, B-17 has been used in cancer treatments since the 1800s.
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Most everyone harbors fitness goals and aspirations. While many health and diet programs offer a time limit -- 30 days to your new body, for example -- it is unrealistic to believe that all shapes and sizes can reach size zero in a month's time.
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Sauna belts are a wide band of fabric that may be wrapped around any part of the body, though the stomach is the most common area of use. Unlike traditional exercise belts, sauna belts can self-heat at the push of a button. The purpose of the sauna belt is to encourage the body to sweat.
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Between 1993 and 2013, no health and wellness trainer in the country had a higher profile than Jillian Michaels. Her most popular projects include a multitude of exercise DVD's ranging from "30 Day Shred" to "Yoga Inferno."
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