The metabolic break down of dietary fats supports many life-sustaining functions. Metabolized fat is stored as a reserve source of energy for use when needed. Fat provides insulation to keep your body warm; the fat beneath your skin is a source of heat when skin temperature drops.

Take what they say about an apple a day and multiply it by many apples eaten over two days. Some medical practitioners believe that the apple detox diet revitalizes the body by helping to flush out toxins and giving the digestive system a rest.

Conventional ear piercings use a 20-gauge needle. That’s also the starting size for ear gauging, a modern trend that imitates the ancient tribal means of body decoration.

Blood pressure can be measured from any artery that runs the near the surface of the skin. The basic way of measuring blood pressure is to apply pressure (using an air-filled cuff) to the artery and listening to the blood as it courses through the arteries.

If your child is suffering from a fever accompanied by a rash, the underlying cause could be a number of things. The condition may be as simple as a reaction causing hives to something more serious, such as a disease known as purpura. A visit to your doctor is the best course of action.

Gliding joints are also called plane joints or arthrodial joints. The book "Fundamentals Concepts of Anatomy" describes gliding joints as flat bone diarthroses that move in a gliding action that is limited by ligaments. Ligaments are the fibrous tissues that hold bones together.

A balanced diet won't break the bank or take the enjoyment out of food. It will, however, supply your body with the nutrients it needs to maintain proper health and keep you feeling your best. Before you can follow a balanced diet, you need to understand what one looks like.

Swollen joints are often the result of an inflammatory condition. Chronic swelling, stiffness and mobility are apparent in more than 100 types of arthritis. The disease limits nearly 19 million adults in the U.S. and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports it is the most common cause of disability.

Epidurals are an effective form of pain relief and anesthesia in laboring women and patients undergoing certain surgical procedures. Epidurals are administered by specially trained doctors known as anesthesiologists.

Colon cleansing is an alternative medicine practice used to eliminate the build up of wastes and toxins in the colon. While there are many purported benefits to cleansing, there are several side effects as well. Some of the most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, bloating, cramping, constipation and fatigue.

The scary-sounding "sensory deprivation tanks" have gotten a modern makeover and now "floating" is the hot new thing. I tried it out -- this is what happened.

Surgical scars are a constant reminder of illness that has been conquered through a surgical procedure. Some scars are more prominent than others, however, and often do not diminish much after surgery. Treatments are available not only to fade surgical scarring but also to help heal the underlying tissue.