The pancreas and the liver both have important roles in the digestion of food. When you eat, signals from your digestive tract activate both of these organs to secrete the substances needed to digest food. These chemicals must only be secreted...
Sticking to a diet can represent challenges for many people. Weight loss diets in particular often feature a significant reduction in food intake that may be hard to stick to. A number of natural compounds can help reduce appetite without inducing...
Biliary colic is a term used to describe pain that originates in your gallbladder or in the ducts leading from your gallbladder to your small intestine. Although "The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy" reports that fatty foods are not a...
Amino acids are compounds that play key roles as the building blocks of proteins and intermediaries essential for metabolism. Each amino acid varies in the chemical effect it has on the metabolic processes within the body. The structure and...
Fats are inherently difficult to digest. In contrast to carbohydrates and proteins, fats are viscous and insoluble in water, so the aqueous environment within your gastrointestinal tract is not conducive to fat digestion. According to Dr. Elson...
The pancreas is an organ, located in the abdomen, which produces and secretes several hormones and digestive enzymes, including an enzyme called lipase that is necessary to break down fats to free fatty acids. A disease called cystic fibrosis...
Although reducing calories is essential for fat loss, it can also increase ghrelin, a hormone that boosts hunger and appetite. This might lead to food binges that impede your fat loss efforts. Research indicates that certain supplements suppress...
Fats, or lipids, are an essential part of your diet. According to nutritionist Elson Haas, M.D., lipids are part of every cell membrane and every organ and tissue in your body. Along with proteins and carbohydrates, lipids are a primary source of...
Cutting calories is a must for sustained and healthy weight loss. However, reducing your food consumption can be an uphill battle if you're always battling a raging appetite. Fortunately, you don't have to rely on willpower alone to resist...
The function of the gallbladder is to concentrate and store bile during the fasting state and then release bile to aid in the digestion of fat in the small intestines. Bile is not actually produced by the gallbladder, but by the liver. This is why...
In addition to tasting delicious, oranges are also jam-packed with nutrients, vitamins and minerals that play a crucial role in enhancing overall health. Evidence suggests that oranges provide a host of benefits, from boosting bone health to...
While many foods don't have the nutritional muscle to back up the title of 'superfood,' oatmeal is one healthy choice that does. Packed with soluble fiber and healthy carbohydrates, oatmeal has a number of key health benefits. From curbing...
Bile is a compound made in the liver and is stored in the gall bladder, which is a small pouch connected to the liver. Bile works to help the body digest fat and is secreted into the small intestines. One of the active components of bile is bile...
Pine nuts are the seeds of pine trees and are found within female pine cones. There are two varieties of pine nuts, Italian and Korean, that are harvested for commercial use. The relatively high market price of pine nuts reflects the laborious and...
Whenever you embark upon a diet, your body must adjust to new levels of macronutrients and calories. This adjustment period is not always smooth, as people on low-carb diets can experience a number of symptoms related to the diet, including low...
Protein helps build, maintain and repair your body's tissues, such as your muscles and organs. Whey protein, a type of protein derived from milk, is popular among athletes and bodybuilders to help build muscle, and has grown popular among people...
According to the University of Colorado, more than 50 million adults living in the United States attempt a weight-loss diet every year. Despite their best efforts, only about five in 100 maintain their weight loss over the long term. Oat bran...
Almonds have been used both as a food and as a medicine for centuries. They contain a wide variety of nutrients. People who regularly eat tree nuts like almonds have lower levels of cholesterol, according to an April 2011 report in "Nutrition...
Some studies indicate that pine nut oil may be an effective weight loss tool. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that a study of Korean pine nut oil showed an increase in cholecystokinin secretions when taken before meals. This...
Whey isolate is a derivative of the cheese-making process that is rich in proteins, minerals, and a number of important peptides that may help you on your journey to weight loss success. Isolated whey is almost entirely devoid of lactose, making...
Whey protein is a nutritional supplement derived from whey, the byproduct of cheese production after milk has been curdled and strained. It contains the highest level of protein of all natural food sources. Athletes, especially bodybuilders, often...
Because your brain doesn't immediately register that your stomach is full, you may be at risk of eating more than your body needs and getting too full if you are prone to eating quickly or on-the-go. You can reduce your calorie intake if you...
Cayenne pepper originated in Central and South America but has since made its way around the world, delighting people with its poignant flavor. Scientists are discovering that hot peppers may provide various health advantages including pain...
High-protein diets have developed a following, and several studies have found weight-loss benefits for calorie-restricted diets that provide 25 to 35 percent of their calories as protein. The recommended daily value of protein is 10 percent. The...
Your gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ located in your abdomen. Gallbladder disease is usually due to gallstones and can cause mild to severe abdominal pain. Since your gallbladder is part of your digestive system, gallbladder pain can be...
Hydrolyzed protein is a variety of whey protein isolate that is processed to remove all lactose leaving nothing but the protein, minerals, and peptide fractions, which allow them to be absorbed more quickly. A byproduct of cheese production,...
Physicians divide the abdomen into quadrants to evaluate symptoms such as pain. While you may be unable to pinpoint exactly which internal organs are causing you pain, you can usually distinguish among the quadrants. Pain in your upper right...
When a person suffers from an anxiety disorder, it can feel like his body is raging out of control. It makes sense, then, to consider the biological factors underlying anxiety. Biology alone does not explain why anxiety disorders occur. Anxiety...
The American Psychiatric Association uses the label anxiety disorder to classify a number of psychiatric conditions characterized by extreme fearfulness, worry or dread. These illnesses include generalized anxiety disorder, panic attack, social...
