Nutritional planning involves balancing macronutrients, understanding calorie formulas, and identifying the functional properties of whole foods to manage weight and chronic conditions effectively.
The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland that sits at the front of your throat. Your thyroid uses the mineral iodine and the amino acid tyrosine to produce two primary thyroid hormones known as T3 and T4. These hormones influence the rate at which your body uses energy -- your metabolic rate.
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Low levels of iron in the blood cause a condition known as iron-deficiency anemia, which results in fatigue, irritability and an increased heart rate. If you have anemia, you may need to introduce more iron into your diet.
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Meat of any kind is one of the richest protein sources you can find, and even thinly sliced cold cuts provide a healthy dose with every serving.
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Peanut oil, made by pressing peanuts, has a rich flavor, several health benefits, as well as some negative side effects. You can drizzle it on your salad at lunch or use it as a cooking oil to add flare to your chicken entree.
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Long considered a health food, especially if it is low-fat, cottage cheese is a rich source of essential nutrients, including calcium and protein. Because your body digests cottage cheese slowly, it is prized by athletes, fitness buffs or anyone who wants to stay well-nourished throughout a long day.
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Although the body's need for carbohydrates and protein is well-known, varying beliefs exist regarding whether you should eat them together. Carbs provide glucose -- your body's main dietary source of energy.
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In its native tropical environment, the coconut, or Cocos nucifera, is a source of food and is used in traditional medicine to treat skin infections, upset stomach, wounds, bronchitis and coughs. Coconut oil may have anti-inflammatory and fever-reducing abilities.
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From crash dieting to eating fast food on the run, teens often lack crucial nutrients in their diets. Getting enough iron is especially important for teen girls, who need more many other populations.
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Brazil nuts get their name from their host tree, the Brazil tree. A hard-shelled nut, they grow inside a round fruit that looks similar to a coconut. Also known as cream and Para nuts, Brazil nuts are a source of non-animal based protein and are rich in selenium.
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Adderall, or dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, can be a godsend for people who have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, but it may complicate things for serious athletes. If you only work out casually to stay in shape, you really don't need supplements.
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Edema is the retention of fluids in the body. Common signs include swelling, mostly in the feet, ankles and legs, and sometimes, the face and fingers may appear puffy. Edema is most common in pregnant women and the elderly, but anyone can develop this symptom.
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If you experience acid reflux, you may suppress stomach acid with antacids. Yet as long as it stays where it belongs, hydrochloric acid -- a main component of stomach acid -- is extremely important. One of its roles in keeping you healthy is protein digestion.
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Bread and potatoes aren't necessarily unhealthy, but you may choose to exclude them from your diet or eat them in small amounts if you're diabetic to help prevent blood sugar spikes. Low-carb weight-loss diets such as the Atkins diet exclude bread and potatoes because they're high in carbohydrates.
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Based on the principles of the macrobiotic diet -- a diet centered on simple eating and abstention -- the seven-day brown rice diet is a cleansing diet aimed at helping your body rid itself of toxic substances. Although the diet is called a brown rice diet, you are allowed to eat other foods.
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Lysine is an amino acid essential to human life. It can be obtained by eating animal protein, eggs, dairy products and beans. If you do not eat much of these foods, you may need to take supplemental lysine, which is often available in the form of L-lysine.
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The issue of whether vegetarians are healthier than people who eat meat is a complicated one. Many people who turn vegetarian do so for health reasons or to follow their doctorsโ recommendations. Others do so for ethical reasons, with health benefits being an afterthought.
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Acne is caused by the overproduction of sebum, an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands in the skin. Excess oil makes the skin pores sticky, allowing dirt and sebum to become trapped inside. When these bacteria stay below the skin surface, a whitehead is formed.
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Omega-3 fatty acids can be taken at any time of day. Although their side effects are minimal, it may be most pleasant to take them in the evenings.
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Centrum is one of the largest multivitamin brands in the United States. Centrum manufactures multivitamins for kids, adult women, adult men, seniors and people with special health concerns such as heart problems. Their vitamins come in capsules, tablets, chewable and liquid forms for adults and children.
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Nerve pain can be challenging to manage. The current medications used to treat conditions characterized by nerve pain often provide only partial relief. Because of this, combination therapy is sometimes recommended in the hope of providing better relief.
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