Food & Nutrition: Culinary Techniques, Diets & Metabolic Health

Nutritional health is achieved through the therapeutic use of whole foods, safe culinary preparation, and understanding the metabolic impacts of specific dietary frameworks and ingredients.

Child pouring a bucket of water over his head

Can the Human Body Absorb the Minerals in Water?

Natural spring and mineral water contains numerous minerals that your body needs in small amounts for a wide variety of functions, including nerve conductance, muscle tone and bone growth and repair. Commercially bottled varieties sometimes add minerals for taste and health purposes.

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Child in trouble.

Caffeine & Autism

Autism is a term used to describe a group of developmental problems. Autism Speaks reports that about one in every 110 kids is diagnosed with a disorder on the autism spectrum – a number that could be increasing by up to 17 percent annually.

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Injection

Can I Drink Alcohol After Novocaine?

Novocain, which is the brand name for procaine, is a local anesthetic that desensitizes the skin and mucous membranes. It is perhaps most known for its use during dental work to numb pain caused by contact with nerves in the mouth and gums.

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Salt and Pepper

Differences Between Sodium Bicarbonate & Table Salt

Many products you can buy have similar-sounding names and ingredients, but are quite different in their use and safety. Sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride, or table salt, have the sodium atom in common. Both are used to prepare food. Both have health and household applications.

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Mature man holding potatoes at market stall

Are Potatoes Acidic or Alkaline?

Depending on the compounds they produce when metabolized, all foods — with the exception of pure water — are either acid-forming or alkaline-forming in the body. Consequently, each food you eat has a temporary and minuscule effect on your body’s pH balance.

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Can Orange Juice Irritate the Urinary Tract?

Urinary tract infections and inflammation of the bladder wall can cause frequent urination, discomfort and pain and even incontinence in severe cases. Although it's not always clear why these conditions occur, in some cases food triggers take some of the blame.

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Traditional milk bottle with a glass full

Will Drinking Soy Milk or Cow's Milk Cause High Uric Acid?

Uric acid is a waste product that forms from the degradation of genetic material such as DNA and RNA. Uric acid is benign at normal levels. However, if excessive levels of uric acid build up and form needle-like crystals in the joints, it can cause a painful inflammatory arthritic condition known as gout.

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Handsome male in kitchen

How Much Vitamin C Should You Take for Periodontal Disease?

Signs of vitamin C deficiency can appear within one month of little to no vitamin C intake. Your risk of developing periodontal disease, a severe form of gingivitis, increases with low serum levels of vitamin C. Symptoms of periodontal disease begin with inflammation of the gum around the tooth.

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Hands with pills and glass of water isolated on white

Should Magnesium Be Taken Separately From Food & Other Minerals?

Magnesium is an important mineral that your body needs for a variety of functions, from building strong bones to regulating your heart rate. Whether you are taking magnesium supplements due to a deficiency or for an experimental migraine treatment, magnesium can usually be taken safely with food and other minerals.

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close-up of a teenage girl drinking cola with a straw

Caffeine and Throat Tightness

Throat tightness is an alarming symptom after consuming caffeine that may warrant medical attention. Caffeine is a stimulant drug that can affect various parts of your body. The substance is found naturally in tea, coffee and chocolate and may be added to soda beverages and athletic drinks.

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Coffee and Coffee Beans

Caffeine and Warfarin

Approximately 80 percent of adults have caffeine every day, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. While many people consume caffeine for its positive effects, adverse reactions can occur. Caffeine has the potential to interact negatively with certain supplements and medications.

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Organic Strawberries

The Disadvantages of Strawberries

Strawberries are a common type of fruit that can be eaten as a nutritious and refreshing treat on hot days or used as a topping for desserts such as ice cream and cake. Strawberries offer numerous nutritional benefits, such as supplying essential vitamins and minerals, but they aren't ideal for all diets.

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cherry juice with berries on the table

Is Cherry Juice Good for Bladder Infections?

Bladder infections -- also referred to a urinary tract infections or cystitis -- are bacterial infections of the bladder than can affect anyone, but are most common in women. The University of Maryland Medical Center indicates at least 50 percent of women will experience a bladder infection at least once in their life.

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Cucumber Juice for Acne

Cucumber juice is a natural remedy used in many Middle Eastern and Asian countries to help calm and cool the skin. Cucumber juice is also effective for the treatment of acne. This juice is beneficial when ingested, due to the large amounts of nutrients found in the cucumber including vitamin A and potassium.

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Green smoothie with heart of seeds

Benefits of Blending Spinach Juice

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends 2 to 3 cups of vegetables per day for adult men and women. Blending fresh vegetables, such as spinach, to make juice is a simple way of meeting your recommended daily vegetable requirement.

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composition of gel capsules

How to Take Vitamin D With Synthroid

Your body makes its own vitamin D and you also get it from dairy sources and supplementation. Vitamin D stimulates your bones to absorb calcium and also helps control your blood pressure. Synthroid is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone prescribed for a condition known as hypothyroidism.

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Portion of Soy Meat (on wood)

Soy Protein & Constipation

There is some debate regarding the role of soy protein in constipation. Soy protein is being researched for beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, insulin resistance and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Large doses of soy protein can cause constipation or make it worse in some people.

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Grilled sardines on wooden plate.

What Are the Healthiest Sardines?

Sardines, with their reputation of having a fishy taste, may be off-putting to some people. However, these small, oily fish are packed with nutrients, including healthy fats. When properly prepared, sardines are cost-effective and flavorful.

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