When you exercise, many physiological changes take place to make sure your muscles have enough oxygen to do their job. You blood vessels are able to widen and narrow to redirect the flow of oxygenated blood to your exercising muscles.
Read more →
Running is a high-impact exercise that puts significant stress on major joints such as your ankles, knees and hips. Sturdy running shoes that offer plenty of cushion and support and that fit your feet well are important for any runner.
Read more →
Sugars are the simplest form of carbohydrates found in fruits, dairy products, candy and table sugar. There are several different types of sugars, including fructose, lactose, sucrose and galactose. Your body uses specialized enzymes to digest sugars and produce energy.
Read more →
Every morning when you wake up, instinct takes over, and you feel compelled to stretch out your body. Why do we do this? Aside from feeling good, it actually does help to wake you up. Stretching works to increase flexibility and range of motion in the muscles and joints.
Read more →
Stinging nettles suffer from a problem of perception -- consuming anything whose name includes "stinging" does not sound like a good idea. Thin hairs on this plant may irritate your skin if handled without gloves, and there is even a stinging nettle eating competition to test contestants' pain threshold.
Read more →
The effect of caffeine on fertility has been debated through the decades. While the connection between heat and reduced sperm count seems clear, there is no similarly clear relationship for caffeine.
Read more →
Plantar warts are benign growths that occur on the sole of the foot. They are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), which enters through small cracks in the skin, according to the Cleveland Clinic. HPV can be picked up by walking barefoot in public areas, such as gyms, pools and dormitory showers.
Read more →
The soleus muscle is located on the back of your leg just above the Achilles tendon, extending up to the main calf muscle. Because it's used to generate power for pushing off the ground with the foot, it's subject to injury, overuse and fatigue if not stretched properly.
Read more →
Glucose powder is an abundant, simple sugar derived from corn. It is more cheaply produced but not as sweet as high-fructose corn syrup and cane sugar, according to “Time" magazine. In humans, glucose is produced when ingested carbohydrates are broken down to be used as the basic fuel in the body.
Read more →
Typhoid fever is a life-threatening bacterial infection caused by a bacteria called Salmonella typhi. Typhoid is contracted through consumption of food and water that has been contaminated with Salmonella typhi. According to MedlinePlus, typhoid occurs less frequently in the U.S.
Read more →
The human body is comprised of trillions of cells. Over 200 types of cells make up the organs, bones, muscles and nervous system. All the cells have similarities, such as a membrane on the outer surface and organelles--structures that perform cellular functions--within the cell.
Read more →
The liver plays a vital role in most metabolic processes. One of these processes is the detoxification of ammonia in the blood. Ammonia is a by-product of normal protein metabolism and is produced by bacteria in the intestines.
Read more →
Lymphomas are cancers of the white blood cells called lymphocytes, part of the body's immune system. In lymphoma, the lymphocytes morph into a cancer cell and accumulate in the lymph nodes and lymphatic system, where they crowd out normal lymphocytes.
Read more →
Alternative health practitioners believe that by cleaning out the liver, the body will be rid of toxins that cause a variety of ills from digestive problems to weight gain to depression.
Read more →
Your heart has a right side and a left side. Each side consists of an upper chamber called the atrium and a lower chamber known as the ventricle. Blood normally flows from an atrium to a ventricle and then out of the heart.
Read more →
Dieting is a serious endeavor that requires conscientious effort and dedication. Just like any other challenge you face, there is a right way to approach a diet and a wrong way. Unfortunately, improper dieting can cause permanent damage to your physical and mental health and can even endanger your life.
Read more →
Hydrogen sulfide is a toxic substance produced mainly during industrial processes. Breathing in hydrogen sulfide gas can cause shortness of breath or even death. Small amounts of hydrogen sulfide are also produced by bacteria in your gut after digestion of certain foods.
Read more →
Diatomaceous earth is a chalky natural sediment. It is available in food-grade forms and approved for use in the manufacturing and processing of many common food products. The International Programme on Chemical Safety reports no toxic effects from ingestion.
Read more →
Your doctor may have prescribed a fasting blood test to reveal your health status or risk factors for disease. If you’re not used to fasting, this seemingly simple requirement can raise many questions about what you can and can’t eat, drink or ingest.
Read more →
Foods don’t cause or cure tinnitus, but a change in diet may help, depending on the underlying cause of the problem. Tinnitus isn’t a disease or condition itself. It’s a symptom of an underlying condition.
Read more →