Potassium is an essential mineral, meaning that it is necessary for you to consume adequate amounts of it to sustain life. Unlike some biochemical compounds, your body cannot synthesize potassium; you must obtain it through your diet. If you think...
The body naturally makes cholesterol, which is a vital substance. Cholesterol is the starting agent for vitamin D and hormones, and it is used in the cellular membrane for structure. Many foods also contain cholesterol, and while some dietary...
Cholesterol is a biomolecule used in the cellular membrane of the cell. It provides structure for the cell, and it prevents certain fluids and substances from entering the cell. Cholesterol is synthesized by the liver, but it's also available in...
Lipids are a group of biological molecules that all share two distinct characteristics: they are insoluble in water, and they are rich in energy due to the number of carbon-hydrogen bonds. Lipids perform a number of functions, including serving as...
Cholesterol is an essential biomolecule that is used as a building block for vitamin D and hormones and it is used in the cellular membrane for structure. Cholesterol levels are also linked with heart disease and hypertension, but high "good"...
The heart functions as the motor of the circulatory system, which consists of the heart, blood vessels and blood. The heart pumps approximately 2,000 gallons of blood through the body each and every day, according to the American Heart...
The cell is the basic unit of life. Organisms can consist of one cell, known as unicellular organisms, or many cells. There are two basic classifications of cells: prokaryotes, which mostly consist of bacteria, and eukaryotes, which are more...
Cholesterol is a steroid produced by the liver that is essential for several body processes, such as cellular membrane fluidity and the creation of steroid hormones. Cholesterol is also associated with heart disease. High levels of "bad"...
Monera is one of five kingdoms of life, the others of which are Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Anamalia. The Monera kingdom includes both cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, and true bacteria, also called eubacteria. The discovery of...
Trampolines are not just for kids anymore. Jumping on a rebounder trampoline is one of the most effective exercises you can do to improve your overall health. The exercise has been advocated by health enthusiasts for its positive effects on the...
Fish oil is a convenient source of omega-3 fatty acids that the modern diet is lacking. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies the intake of up to 3 g of fish oil per day as GRAS, or generally regarded as safe. As the supplementation of...
Angiogenesis is a common term used in cancer research. Angiogenesis occurs when a tumor creates new blood vessels from the existing ones, stealing nutrients from healthy cells and providing the oxygen and blood it needs to survive. Similar to...
Antibiotics can kill bacteria by interfering with their normal intracellular functions (RNA, DNA and protein synthesis) or by weakening the bacteria's cellular structure, causing the cell to break open or lyse. Unlike animal cells, bacterial...
A stress hormone manufactured in the adrenal glands, cortisol can seriously marginalize the efforts of bodybuilders. Robert Kapolsky PhD, a researcher and the author of the best-selling book on stress "Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers," explains that...
Your body needs glucose to make the energy that allows you to think straight, keep your heart beating and your muscles healthy, and much more. With the help of insulin, your cells absorb glucose from your bloodstream. The amount of glucose in your...
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests in childhood and it often continues into adulthood, The symptoms of ADHD include inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity that are...
Respiration is a metabolic process by which an organism obtains energy. Aerobic respiration is a specific type of respiration in which oxygen reacts with glucose to provide water, carbon dioxide and energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate...
Nystatin is a medication used to treat fungal infections of the Candida species in areas such as the skin, mouth, vagina or intestinal tract. Candida is a yeast fungus that primarily causes infections such as oral thrush, vaginal yeast infections...
A healthy blood sugar level depends on your body's ability to effectively metabolize sugar. Too much sugar in your blood can be harmful to your health, since it puts stress on your organs and nervous system. Your blood sugar level often depends on...
Cholesterol is used by the body to support many functions, including the production of hormones such as cortisol and estrogen, as well as the maintenance of cellular membrane integrity. The liver makes approximately 75 percent of the cholesterol...
According to the University of Chicago, as men age, their cholesterol level goes up. A high cholesterol level is a risk factor for hypertension, heart disease and stroke. Hereditary factors also play a role in the risk for elevated cholesterol...
The structure and function of the body depends on fats, or lipids. Lipids are comprised of fatty acids, which appear in two forms: saturated or unsaturated. Saturated fats mainly come from animal sources like diary and meat products. Unsaturated...
Leucine is a chemical building block known as an amino acid. There are 20 amino acids that exist within nature; all of them demonstrate a wide array of chemical versatility. Amino acids form the molecular foundation of proteins, a class of...
Living beings grow because their cells divide and multiply. Even though bacteria only have one cell, their growth is also defined as an increase in number of cells, not an increase in their size. Bacteria have specific requirements for their...
Cholesterol is a biomolecule that is used in the body for hormones and cellular membrane permeability. The liver produces cholesterol, but it is also found in animal products in the diet. Even though too much cholesterol can lead to health...
Potassium is a minerals your body depends on in order to survive and thrive, but your body can't synthesize potassium on its own. You have to obtain it through the foods you eat. In most cases, get potassium through your diet rather than by taking...
Triglycerides are fat molecules that circulate in the blood. Triglycerides are transported back and forth from the cholesterol produced in the liver. Triglycerides are stored in fat tissue around the organs and under the skin. This gives the body...
You've seen all the mothers pouring sanitizing gel into their little ones' hands, and you've noticed automatic sanitizer pumps popping up on the walls of hospitals, zoos and malls, but you wonder if the alcohol solution really measures up to hand...
Phosphorus ranks second only to calcium in its abundance in our bodies. In fact, the majority of phosphorus in our bodies, nearly 80 percent, occurs as the compound of calcium phosphate in our bones and teeth. Aside from making up bony...
