Foods rich in magnesium, potassium, and calcium are essential for heart health and muscle function. Discover the best dietary sources for iron and B12, and learn how steaming vegetables compares to boiling for nutrient preservation.
Low blood sodium or hyponatremia is a condition in which there is low sodium content, or salt, in the blood, states Medline Plus of the National Institutes of Health. Hyponatremia is usually caused by drinking too much water or not taking in enough salt.
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Folic acid, also known as folate or vitamin B-9, is a water-soluble substance responsible for helping the body convert carbohydrates into glucose, for use as energy. Folate can be produced by intestinal bacteria, so if colon health is ideal, the body itself is a source of folic acid.
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There are several natural sources of lithium. Your lithium intake may depend on the foods you eat and the soil where these foods are grown. A study in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition"
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Nucleic acids are the compounds that make up nucleotide bases, the molecules that bind together to form DNA. Your genome, the collective term for all of your DNA, is made up of billions of nucleotide bases, creating specific sequences that code for thousands of genes.
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Gray hair is an inevitable part of the aging process. As you age, your body produces less melanin, the pigment that provides hair color, causing your hair to revert to its natural white color.
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Although magnesium is found in a variety of different foods, many Americans may not be getting enough of it in their diet, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Every organ in your body needs magnesium to function properly, and the mineral plays an essential role in energy production.
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Red potatoes provide you with essential vitamins, minerals and energy you need to fuel your busy day. They're a root vegetable that makes a healthy addition to any well-balanced diet. You'll get the most nutritional benefits from red potatoes by eating their thin skin, along with the white flesh.
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Our bodies form lactic acid naturally. It forms as the body converts carbohydrates into energy during periods of low oxygen levels, which can occur with intense physical exercise. In foods, lactic acid either occurs naturally, or a synthesized form is added as a flavoring or preservative agent.
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The acidity and alkalinity of foods takes the spotlight in many diet plans. According to the theory behind the acid-alkaline balance diet, often known simply as the alkaline diet, most people eat too much acid-producing food.
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Although many foods contain potassium, fruits are excellent sources of this mineral. Potassium is necessary for metabolism, muscle tissue regulation, blood pressure control and proper functioning of body cells.
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People suffering from chronic kidney failure, which leads to hyperkalemia, or high potassium, often have to severely regulate their diet to control potassium intake.
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First discovered in the mountain ash tree, potassium sorbate is a variation of sorbic acid, a polyunsaturated fat. As a potassium salt, potassium sorbate is used as a food preservative and is now produced synthetically.
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Casein and whey are two types of protein naturally found in milk. Both proteins are extracted and used in large quantities to make protein powders and supplements. Sodium caseinate also contains extracted casein protein, but itβs used as a food additive.
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A skin rash can result from either eating or touching highly acidic foods, such as tomatoes, peanuts or citrus fruits. If you develop a skin rash after you consume the food, you may have an allergy to that specific food.
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People require certain nutrients for optimum health during all stages of life. While infancy and early childhood are times of rapid growth and development, puberty provides a subsequent portal to maturity. During puberty, adolescent bodies go through many changes that require special nutritional needs.
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Free radicals created from oxidation can harm the cells in your body. Antioxidants protect you from the destruction of free radicals by binding together to decrease their harmful effects. To some extent, antioxidants can reverse damage already caused by free radicals.
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Iron and zinc are essential minerals in your diet. Iron is a component of healthy red blood cells, and zinc is necessary for a strong immune system. Eating a variety of foods can help you meet your daily requirements for both minerals.
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Selenium, a mineral available from diet, may help in preventing heart disease, stroke, atherosclerosis and certain types of cancer. In addition, it may help in relieving symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, mood disorders and cataracts. Iodine is also a mineral important for proper body functions.
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Unless you're careful to include plenty of iron-rich foods in your diet, you might not be getting enough iron. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that nearly 10 percent of 12- to 49-year old women and girls in the United States are deficient in the mineral.
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Minerals, like vitamins, support your normal growth and development. Your body needs them to perform vital functions. Two kinds of minerals exist: macrominerals and trace minerals.
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