Body systems rely on a balance of electrolytes, enzymes, and hormones like cortisol. Understand fat metabolism, urinary output, and energy system functions.
New studies appear almost daily on the benefits of exercise, from lowering your risk of heart disease to improving memory. Whether you exercise for strength, endurance, or flexibility, the functioning of the body is related to physiological functioning.
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The human body has 11 major organ systems, each with specific functions and energy needs. The cardiovascular system, or CVS, serves all of them, delivering vital nutrients, picking up and distributing metabolic products and carrying away waste for elimination.
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A powdered-sugar doughnut and a chewy, whole-grain baguette are both carbohydrates, but they are broken down differently by the body. Carbohydrates fall into three basic categories: sugars, starches and cellulose. Simple sugars, or monosaccharies -- such as might be found in your doughnut -- are digested very quickly.
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Ten main body systems work in concert to maintain your health. These systems rely on a healthy diet to supply the specific nutrients required for optimum performance. Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins and minerals all provide your body systems with the building blocks and fuel required to stay healthy.
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Weightlifting for males involves getting stronger and sometimes bigger. A certain level of muscle soreness will come from intense workouts with weights, and that can include discomfort with the nipples. There are several ways nipple soreness can develop.
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White dots on the skin can appear on anyone after any type of exercise. People who have certain medical conditions or are taking medications or wearing certain types of fabric may be more likely to develop white spots while exercising.
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The body has two lines of natural defense to protect against infection. The first are physical barriers, such as the skin, body secretions and mucous membranes. The second line of defense is the immune system.
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AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is the potentially fatal disease caused by HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus. HIV causes severe damage to the immune system.
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The cells of the human body require a constant supply of oxygen to produce the energy necessary to accomplish their life-sustaining functions. Oxygen derived from the air is delivered via the bloodstream to the body organs and tissues.
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While you might be tempted to grab a sweetened beverage or sugary snack for energy, several hours later you may feel worse. Simple sugars cause spikes in blood sugar, resulting in feeling lightheaded or weak.
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Preservatives are chemicals used to keep food fresh. Although there are a number of different types of food preservatives, antimicrobials, antioxidants, and products that slow the natural ripening process are some of the most common.
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When your potassium and magnesium levels are too high or too low, complications can arise. Supplements may be appropriate if you are deficient in either mineral. Deficiencies should be closely monitored and corrected under the care of a health care professional.
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Before your body can use the food you eat for fuel, as well as for cell and tissue growth, the food has to go through the process of digestion. The digestive process begins in the mouth and continues in the stomach, where certain enzymes begin to break down foods into their basic components so cells can use them.
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Dehydration occurs when your body doesn't have as much fluid as it needs. You lose fluid through breathing, sweating, urinating, bowel movements and, when you're sick, through vomiting or diarrhea.
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Calcium and phosphorus are essential minerals found in the bone, blood and soft tissue of the body and have a role in numerous body functions. Phosphorus levels can affect calcium levels in the body, and vice versa.
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As part of a urinalysis test, urine may be examined under a microscope to check for the presence of crystals. Urine contains many chemicals, some of which can form solid particles, or crystals, under certain conditions.
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Humans--and all other living organisms--need nucleic acids. The nucleic acids, which include deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, and ribonucleic acid, or RNA, encode genetic information and allow humans and other organisms to follow their genetic instructions.
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Your immune system forms a barrier against infectious disease. Lymphocytes, a class of white blood cells, play a key role in recognizing and fighting harmful pathogens.
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