Your body uses many different types of proteins for metabolism, including maintaining your bones and muscles, supporting your immune system and providing energy.

While finding mucus in your stool can be alarming, some mucus in the stool is normal. Mucus has a jelly-like quality and can be either white or yellowish in color. Its function is to coat and protect our gastrointestinal tract, lungs, sinuses, and throat.

Native to North America and some parts of Europe, cranberries have been cultivated for centuries. While these tart berries can be consumed in their natural form, they are often processed and sold as juice. Cranberry juice provides a number of important health benefits -- especially for women.

It turns out that texting while standing has its health drawbacks. Here's what bending our necks forward to look at our smartphones does to our spines.

Some finger swelling during a run is normal, but excess swelling may indicate hyponatremia or other serious conditions.

A little-known fact about caffeine is that it can cause breast soreness, along with a few other women's health issues.

Anaerobic respiration in humans is a biochemical process whereby cells -- primarily muscle cells -- generate energy from glucose in the absence of oxygen.

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.

The benefits of regular exercise are plentiful. Both aerobic and anaerobic exercise are proven to help control weight, increase stamina, boost the immune system and improve mood.

While it may look fashionable, lip jewelry is not without drawbacks. Lip rings, barbells and studs can have both immediate and long-term adverse effects on the lips, teeth and gums. At least 50 percent of people with lip rings experience injury to their teeth or gums.

Collagen is the most common protein in the human body, comprising about 30 percent of the body's total protein content, according to Medical News Today. Collagen offers a wide variety of skin benefits, but the benefits vary depending upon environmental factors and how your body accesses collagen.

Lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruits are tangy, nutritious and delicious. Vitamin C gives these fruits their nutritional punch and the citric acid content gives them tang and great taste. Citric acid is added to many foods and beverages because of its ability to boost flavor.