Red blood cells are the most abundant cell in the blood stream and are mostly responsible for transporting oxygen to the tissues. The cells propagate a series of chemical reactions to survive -- in other words, they have a metabolism....
An enzyme is a protein that speeds up the rate at which a chemical reaction occurs. Enzymes are substrate specific, meaning that each type of enzyme has a specific type of molecule that it affects. The human body needs enzymes to influence the...
Numerous conditions can cause decreased metabolism. According to the Kids Health website, metabolism refers to the chemical reactions in your body's cells that convert the fuel from food into usable energy. In a general sense, a metabolic disorder...
Some genetic diseases, especially sickle cell anemia, occur at a higher frequency in African Americans when compared to other populations. Genetic testing for these disorders is available so that couples can receive testing before they decide to...
Vitamin K is necessary for healthy blood clotting and for optimal functioning of enzymes needed for bone formation. It is found in green, leafy foods, such as spinach, asparagus and turnip greens, as well as in green tea and beef liver. Besides...
Metabolic disorders are inherited genetic defects that affect the way you metabolize your food. They affect about one in every 4,000 Americans, according to the Mayo Clinic. Metabolism is the process by which your body acquires energy from food....
The Merck Manual estimates that worldwide, malaria infects between 300 million and 500 million people, killing one to two million annually. Malaria spreads when mosquitoes infected with certain species of the Plasmodium protozoa inject the...
Tylenol is an over-the-counter analgesic and antipyretic; that is, a pain reducer and fever reducer. Tylenol is the North American trade name for the active ingredient acetaminophen. The use of Tylenol is contraindicated in individuals with...
Vitamin K is an important nutrient that aids in blood clotting and helps your body develop strong, healthy bones. Your age and gender dictate how much vitamin K your body needs daily, with recommended daily intakes ranging from 2 micrograms in...
Miracle Mineral Supplement, also referred to as Miracle Mineral Solution or MMS, is a 28 percent sodium chlorite solution in distilled water. The sodium chlorite solution comes with citric acid that is used as an activator when mixed with the...
Bitter melon is a plant that is commonly eaten in curried dishes in India and is widely used to treat type 2 diabetes. The fruit, seed and leaf extracts contain plant insulin, which acts similarly to human insulin. Herbal supplements such as...
Malaria is a parasitic disease consisting of four species of the genus Plasmodium: Plasmodium vivax, P. falciparum, P. malariae and P. ovale. Falciparum malaria can cause very severe, life-threatening disease and appropriate, timely treatment is...
Vitamin K is found in leafy greens and other plant foods and plays an important role in normal blood clotting to stop bleeding. Vitamin K deficiency is rare so most people do not need supplements, but the vitamin is sometimes used medicinally to...
Bactrim is grouped as a sulfa drug and goes by many brand names. Some of the other names are Bethaprim, Cotrim, Septra, Sulfatrim and Uroplus. The generic name for Bactrim is Trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole since the ingredients are two antibiotics,...
Mint oil, most often extracted from the leaves of Mentha piperita, is on the FDA's GRAS--Generally Regarded As Safe--list. It can, however, cause some adverse effects when used at high doses, according to NYU's Langone Medical Center.
Anemia is a condition where there are low levels of circulating red blood cells. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that helps carry oxygen to tissues throughout the body. Anemia is diagnosed based on the level of hemoglobin in the...
Fava beans, also known as bell, broad, field or tic beans, are cultivated for food, particularly in Mediterranean dishes. They contain high amounts of protein and fiber and are low in fat. They are not known to cause disease themselves, but can...
Acne is a skin condition that doesn't just torment us during our teen and adolescent years; it can show up all over our face, back and shoulders throughout our adult years as well. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that 40 million to...
Cold sores are painful, often itchy, fluid-filled blisters that usually appear on the lips or, sometimes, the inside of the mouth or surrounding facial skin. The University of Maryland Medical Center estimates that 90 percent of American adults...
Herpes results from infection with one of two types of the herpes simplex virus. The area where the virus enters the body dictates whether a person experiences oral herpes, also known as cold sores or fever blisters, or genital herpes. Vitamin C,...
Essential oils aren't regulated by the FDA and little is known about their true health effects, efficacy or safety, nor about the interaction of herbs with other medicines. Herbs are considered a food source rather than drugs so less research has...
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder associated with joint pain and numerous other manifestations that can affect areas of the body other than joints. The goal of therapy is to decrease inflammation and preserve the joints. According to...
Rose hips are derived from a variety of roses and generally are used as a vitamin C supplement. They have been used to alleviate gastric inflammation, reduce thirst and in a variety of medicinal purposes. There is no clinical recommendation...
Plaquenil is the brand name of hydroxychloroquine classified as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug, or DMARD. Hydroxychloroquine should be started within the first three months of the onset of symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Nitrates naturally occur when oxygen and nitrogen combine, and they are common in rural agricultural areas. Some people are highly sensitive to the substances and may suffer from a variety of health problems. When water is contaminated with...
Your metabolism is the process through which your body converts food into the energy you need to power your various biological processes, KidsHealth.org notes. Your endocrine system is involved in managing the rate and direction of your...
Spleen enlargement--sometimes referred to as splenomegaly--occurs when a large number of red blood cells and platelets get trapped inside the spleen, causing it to grow to an abnormal size. According to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, an...
Momordica charantia, more commonly known as bitter melon, is a fruit native to tropical regions of the world, including South America and East Africa. Used medicinally, Momordica charantia may help regulate blood sugar levels in people with...
