Eight substances make up the vitamin B complex, including thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. Poor absorption of these substances can result in diseases caused by vitamin B deficiencies, like beriberi, pellagra and pernicious anemia.

Plasma is a component of blood that some medical procedures require. When donating plasma, a technician draws blood with a needle. A specialized machine then separates the red blood cells and plasma and returns the blood to you. The body often replaces donated plasma within 24 to 48 hours.

You can convert the percentages of fats, carbohydrates and proteins of your diet into the number of grams of each of these calorie sources. This will also require you to know the number of calories you can consume each day.

The foods you eat play a key role in your ability to perform at your best during exercise. Bananas represent a healthy source of carbohydrates and give your body the fuel that can help you stay active for longer periods, including during swim competitions or weightlifting or other physical activities.

Pineapple can flatten your tummy, prevent stomach distention and help your body burn a few extra calories. Pineapple is a nutrient-rich fruit containing vitamin C, manganese, thiamine, copper, fiber and vitamin B-6.

B vitamins help your body generate energy from the foods you eat and assist with the formation of red blood cells. A lack of certain B vitamins, specifically B-12 and B-6, can lead to diseases such as anemia, respiratory infections and eczema.

Fig lovers often include Fig Newton cookies, a Nabisco product, in their diet. This cookie features paste made from figs inside a soft dough. You may find similar cookies sold under generic and brand names.

Low-carb diets help you shed pounds rapidly in the first few weeks, but you aren't magically dropping fat. A reduction in carbohydrates and an increase in protein causes your body to lose excess water weight naturally.

Preventing nausea from protein shakes may require some detective work to learn what's triggering your queasiness. Cutting calories excessively, pregnancy, food poisoning, lactose intolerance, food allergies, exercise and certain medical conditions, medications or medical treatments can cause nausea.

Experienced or beginner, if you find your average heart rate while running, you will get better, healthier results. Using your heart rate when running is an effective way to gauge your intensity effort.

Exercise is supposed to make you feel energized — not exhausted. But if you're feeling lethargic after your workout, you're not alone. When you exercise, you burn calories and expend energy.

You've heard that to lose weight, you must eat less and move more. But understanding just how much more to move can be confusing. The exact number of calories you must burn weekly to lose weight depends on many factors -- including your weight loss goal, how much you're eating and how you're burning those calories.