Myelin, a fatty substance, insulates your nerves and makes nerve impulse conduction faster and more efficient. Trauma and some health conditions can degrade or damage myelin.

Eighty-five percent of the corn produced in the United States is genetically modified, according to the Center for Food Safety. Much of the genetically modified corn has been engineered to produce a soil bacterium called bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, which is an effective insecticide.

Whether you're following a low-carb diet for weight loss or to manage seizures, you know the goal is to stay in ketosis, which is when your body is using fat for fuel in the form of ketones instead of glucose.

Humans produce about 1,000 milligrams of sulfites each day, but sulfites are also used as a food presevative for several foods, including wine and dried fruit. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies sulfites as "generally recommended as safe,"

Nerve cells use chemicals called neurotransmitters to communicate. When an impulse reaches the end of a nerve, it releases the neurotransmitter into the gap, called a synapse, between two nerves. The neurotransmitter passes the message from the first nerve across the synapse to the next nerve.

Recombinant bovine growth hormone, or rBGH, is a synthetic hormone commonly injected into cows in the commercial dairy industry to increase milk production.

Your gallbladder is an often overlooked organ, unless something goes wrong. It plays a major role in helping your body digest dietary fat by storing and releasing a digestive juice known as bile.

Preparing foods ahead of time, such as when you chop and slice vegetables the day before you need them, can save time and help you get a quick meal on the table. You might not cut your onions the day before, however, because there is a myth circulating that it's dangerous to eat onions that have been prechopped.

If you experience malabsorption, your body has trouble absorbing some of the nutrients in the food you eat. This could involve vitamins, sugars, proteins or fat or just food in general. Check with your doctor if you think this is a problem for you, because certain serious medical conditions can cause malabsorption.

Losing belly fat not only makes it easier for you to fit into your pants, but it also improves your health. While diet and exercise are the tried-and-true ways to trim your middle, recent research shows that tart cherries may be of some assistance. Consult your doctor before starting any weight-loss diet.

Your body needs fuel in the form of food every day, but the wrong kind of fuel can lead to health problems. A balanced diet consists of fruits, vegetables, low-fat or fat-free dairy, whole grains, protein and fats, but it limits cholesterol, saturated fats, trans fats and sodium.

While vinegar does provide a number of health benefits for the body, you don't need to drink it to get those benefits. Vinegar helps you fight against free radicals, is good for digestion, and may help you get to a healthy weight.