Creatine is a molecule that your body naturally produces as an intermediate energy source in muscles. Supplemental creatine is often used for performance improvements in sports that require strength and is generally considered safe when taken by...
Rhabdomyolysis is a condition of rapid muscle breakdown. It can be caused by trauma, infections and medicines. The major complication of rhabdomyolysis is acute renal failure, in which the breakdown products of muscle cells, specifically a protein...
Your body's liver secretes a protein into your blood during the blood filtration process, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Abnormal levels of this protein, however, might be linked to heart disease or other cardiac...
Taurine and guarana are two compounds that are commonly added to energy drinks and other supplements. Both taurine and guarana are approved as additives to these energy drinks. In general, it appears that no significant adverse effects are...
A cardiac infarction, otherwise known as a heart attack or myocardial infarction (MI), occurs under a myriad of circumstances. Lifestyle, environment and disease process can all play a part in whether or not an infarction occurs. Fortunately,...
Good nutrition is critical during the teen years to support growth and development. Getting enough vitamins and minerals will help you stay alert during school and perform well in sports and other activities. In addition, the eating habits begun...
Potassium is a dietary mineral that also serves as an electrolyte, which is capable of conducting electricity. Potassium supplements in the U.S. contain no more than 99 mg of potassium per tablet by law and are available in many different forms,...
Located in the neck, the thyroid gland secretes hormones that control the body's metabolism. Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, can cause irritability, nervousness and anxiety, tremors and sleeplessness, among other symptoms, according to...
Initial treatment for your baby's omphalocele depends on how severe the condition is and whether there are any other associated conditions that take priority. If your child also has a cardiac defect or poor lung development, these conditions may...
Zinc is an essential nutrient, which is available in foods. Supplementation may be needed, however, if you do not get enough in your diet or are not able to absorb or retain enough zinc. Increasingly, zinc supplements are being recommended for a...
During cardiac rehabilitation, patients often follow a customized program consisting of exercise and education revolving around nutritional counseling. At times, cardiac rehab patients need to lose significant amounts of weight before surgery or...
Flaxseed oil and salmon oil both provide natural omega-3 fatty acids known to help reduce your risk of cardiac disease while providing extensive auxiliary healthy benefits. However, flaxseed oil may not provide an effective level of the most...
If your doctor recommends getting a pacemaker, then it is definitely time to quit smoking. While smoking is hazardous to anyone's health, if you have a pacemaker this habit is especially dangerous. Heart disease that has advanced to the point of...
The American Heart Association says that coronary heart disease, which causes heart attacks, remains the leading cause of death in women. Several risk factors help determine a woman's likelihood of developing heart disease or having a heart...
Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric illness that is also known as manic depression. It most commonly appears in the late teen or early adult years and is characterized by a mood state that alternates between depression and mania. Bipolar disorder...
The factors that influence our food preferences and dietary choices are complex, and are not always associated with good health. Traditions, habits, emotions and even food addictions can govern our daily dietary consumption. But continued failure...
A low fat-high fiber diet, commonly called the Asian diet, is often associated with low cancer incidence; while a high fat-low fiber diet, referred to as the Western diet, is associated with increased cancer. Although it is estimated that...
Green tea is made from the young, green leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The National Institutes of Health reports that green tea has positive effects on several health conditions, including cancer, heart disease, Parkinson's disease, blood...
According to the National Institutes of Health, diabetes is caused by a problem in how the body makes and uses insulin. The high levels of blood sugar and fats seen in diabetes adversely affects several organ systems, leading to health...
Growth hormone stimulates growth and regeneration. It is secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain. A synthetic form of the hormone exists called somatropin and can be administered to treat growth disorders. Effects on growth hormone-deficient...
Having a high cholesterol level is a risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis of the cardiac arteries. In this disorder, the arteries become hard and thick. It will not only be hard for the blood to flow through the atherosclerotic...
Vitamins and minerals are important parts of a well-balanced diet and an important part of your health. Adequate intake assures the health of all your vital organs, including your heart. Specific vitamins and minerals, including vitamins C, E and...
Potassium is an electrolyte, an electrically charged mineral that is essential for conducting electricity throughout the body. Nearly one in five people hospitalized in the U.S. have low potassium, states eMedicineHealth.com. Potassium, along with...
Changes in your heart rate relative to your baseline and maximal rates can be a valuable measure of how hard you're pushing yourself in training, and the results you can expect for your efforts. The heart rate also reflects your aerobic fitness...
The term Vitamin E describes a family of eight fat-soluble antioxidants that protect the body from the damaging effects of free radicals, the unstable substances that can harm and compromise the integrity of individual cells. Vitamin E food...
The endocrine system controls and regulates the complex functions of the human body. Complex bodily functions are controlled by special chemicals called hormones which are secreted by glands. The glands which comprise the endocrine system include...
Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure, almost always presents as a chronic condition, although sometimes it develops suddenly, according to Medline Plus, a service of the National Institutes of Health. The heart is a muscular organ...
Adults take omega-3 fish oils to reduce cholesterol, improve heart health, treat depression and improve concentration. Parents may wonder if their children would also benefit from omega-3 fish oil supplementation, particularly if they rarely eat...
Congestive cardiac failure, also called heart failure, occurs when the heart is unable to pump sufficient levels of blood through the body. The complications of congestive cardiac failure can be life-threatening. Nearly 300,000 people die from...
