Most people know that having too much or too little body fat can cause health problems. Too much body fat leads to an increased risk of major chronic diseases, including hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. Too little body fat can increase...
Body fat, also called adipose tissue, is loose connective tissue. The amount of body fat dictates whether a person is obese or not. Fat can appear under the skin, called subcutaneous fat; around organs, called visceral fat; in bone marrow; and in...
Fats, which are one of your body's sources of energy, come from food. They are organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Fats provide the essential fatty acids linoleic acid and linolenic acid, which your body cannot produce....
Having a healthy body fat is important because there are many healthy risks associated with having excessive amounts of fat on the body. However, body fat is absolutely necessary to have for your body to function properly. Understanding what...
Having a low body fat level makes you appear lean and fit. Athletes and bodybuilders often have body fat levels in the single digits or teens. While a low body fat level is desirable, body fat levels that are too low can affect your health. You...
Your body needs essential fatty acids, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated, to build specialized fats that aid in the normal function of all body tissues. You get essential fatty acids from foods that are high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids,...
Essential fatty acids are those necessary for human health that the body does not produce itself. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats rather saturated fats. Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in brain function and may...
Your body uses fatty acids to make eicosanoids, special compounds that are essential to almost every organ and process in your body. Your body can assemble some fatty acids on its own, but you must get the ones it can't manufacture from food...
Essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats that are considered essential because the body cannot produce them and they must be obtained via diet. Consuming essential fatty acids has been associated with reduced risk for chronic disease such as...
Schizophrenia is a severe chronic brain disorder in which patients interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia makes it difficult to think logically, have normal emotions and behave appropriately in social situations, according to PubMedHealth....
Dandruff due to a dry scalp can be an annoying and embarrassing condition. The best treatment for dry scalp dandruff depends on the cause. People are especially prone to developing dandruff during the winter months when turned-up heaters sap air...
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to a person's diet. Research has shown that they are crucial for heart health, inflammation, skin health, brain development and vision. Omega-3 fatty acids should be balanced with Omega-6 fatty acids in an ideal...
Linolenic acid, an omega-6, and alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3, are essential fatty acids your body cannot produce, so you must get them through diet. These important fats play an integral role in immune and nerve function, as well as in...
Serotonin is a hormone that acts as a neurotransmitter conveying messages between nerve cells. Serotonin levels in the brain affect mood -- low levels are associated with depression while healthy levels convey a sense of well being. The body...
The term "essential oil" refers to aromatic, concentrated liquids derived from plants. It may also describe essential fat sources the body requires for optimum health. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are examples of essential fats, prevalent in...
Essential nutrients keep you healthy and energized. Ideally, you get these nutrients from the foods you eat. But for one reason or another, you may not have a balanced diet. That's why you could benefit from a multivitamin and omega-3 supplement....
The body can make most unsaturated fats from other food components. To deprive your body of unsaturated fat, you would need to observe a very strict diet or be in a state of starvation. Some fats are essential, however. Essential nutrients are...
Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that is also known as "pyridoxine." When it comes to the body, B6 is pivotal for the synthesis of norepinephrine and serotonin, it helps with cell function, it helps break down carbohydrates and it helps with...
Swimming is a demanding sport with a high energy requirement. A swimmer in a period of heavy training needs to consume enough calories to fuel training and eat a variety of foods to meet his need for nutrients to help recover from the demands of...
High in fiber, in heart-healthy essential fatty acids, and in certain vitamins and minerals, nuts have a lot to offer nutritionally. Walnuts and almonds are especially nutrient-rich, beneficial to many parts of your body, including your skin. If...
The life of a bodybuilder revolves around two major things--eating and lifting weights. To gain size, build nice guns and shred the midsection, regular weight training is a must. This sometimes entails two workouts a day. For the body to properly...
The goal in a bodybuilding diet, especially during training season, is a focus on building and shaping the muscles. The importance of the diet accounts for about 50 to 80 percent success rate for building muscle at a steady pace. Calorie intake...
Breakfast not only provides you with energy to jump start your day but it offers a variety of other health benefits. Eating in the morning enables your brain to concentrate and stay focused throughout the day. It may also help you lose weight or...
Many children are not crazy about fish but fish is a great source of brain food. At a time when the brain is developing, fish is an important part of a diet. Omega-3 fatty oils have multiple nutritional benefits and are essential for a balanced...
Fish oils are a type of omega-3 fatty acid essential to a person's diet. These fats are essential in that they are necessary for health, but they are not made by the body. Skin is a major organ that requires omega-3 fatty acids for protection and...
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that are needed by the body to perform several functions. According to the World's Healthiest Foods website, these fats reduce inflammation in the tissues of the body, decrease the accumulation of platelets...
Managing stress involves a number of changes in your daily routine, but one key component is your diet. Watching your diet and the foods you eat can help to relieve stress and prevent stress from harming your health, according to health writer,...
Strength training, which includes bodybuilding, stimulates muscle growth, improves balance and increases the health of your cardiovascular system. If you're trying to add more lean muscle mass to your body, you need a program that includes a...
Flaxseed is a blue-flowering plant with an oil-rich seed that has a nutty flavor. The seed contains vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein and essential fats that have many health and disease-fighting benefits. Flaxseed can be ground but also...
The Ornish diet resembles vegetarian or vegan diets, prohibiting meats, egg yolks, and allowing only fat milk or cheese. Try these tips for weighing the Ornish diet in this healthy shopping video.
There are such an enormous variety of supplements available that it may be confusing. Learn how to get started taking correct supplements from a registered dietician in this video.
