Food has a big role in culture, society and quality of life -- obviously, it's delicious! -- but, ultimately, food is fuel. The carbs and fat in food both serve as sources of fuel for your cells and tissues, and help you power through your day-to-day activities, including tough workouts.

Your total body weight is comprised of anywhere from 45 to 70 percent water according to the National Strength and Conditioning Association. The more you exercise and the more muscle tissue you have the more water you have in your body because muscle is 70 percent water and 20 percent body fat.

All chemicals, natural and otherwise, have a pH level, which is a measurement of hydrogen. The pH scale ranges from zero to 14, with zero being purely acidic, 14 being purely alkaline and seven being neutral. According to "The Complete Book of Enzyme Therapy" by Anthony J.

To reduce body fat and stay at the same weight, you would need to build muscle at the same time as you lose fat, which isn't possible for most people.

Professional ballet dancers must follow a diet precisely crafted to provide the nutrients necessary for optimum performance while maintaining the ballet aesthetic. True professionals have distinct nutritional needs.

Venlafaxine, sold under the brand name Effexor, is an anti-depressant medication. Effexor is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, or SNRI. It's a class of drugs that target the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain.

Your body mass index, or BMI, is calculated using your height and weight to help your doctor estimate the amount of fat on your body. If your BMI dips below 20, he may show concern that you're underweight, and if it's below 18.5, he may diagnose you as severely underweight.

Knowing the average BMI -- body mass index -- for your age group can help you determine how you compare to other people of the same age, but, even if you have an average BMI, it doesn't necessarily mean you're healthy. In fact, for many age groups, having an average BMI may classify you as overweight.

Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the active ingredient found in marijuana or cannabis. Marijuana smokers have long wondered if THC increases metabolism.

Although standing on a scale can let you know whether you're losing weight, it's not always reliable, especially if you've made strength training part of your exercise routine. Muscle tissue weighs more than fat, and when standing on a scale, you might think you've gained weight.

While you might be more familiar with other health-related ratios -- like weight-to-height ratios or waist-to-hip ratios -- the foot-to-height ratio can be helpful in some situations.

Underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, is a condition that significantly slows your metabolism. Your thyroid gland, located at the front of your neck below your voice box, is part of the endocrine system.