Kidney, or renal failure patients require special diets because their kidneys cannot function properly and remove waste. Typical renal diets avoid foods high in protein, potassium, sodium and phosphorus in order to promote healthy electrolyte and...
Retaining water can make you feel bloated and cause your hands, feet and ankles to swell. Water retention occurs for different reasons, including hormonal changes, the consumption of sodium, high blood pressure or other medical conditions. See...
Convenient foods aren't all bad for you, but most fast foods and many packaged foods just happen to be at the top of the list of those that can harm your health. Large amounts of sugar, sodium, fats and cholesterol contribute to the development of...
Your liver is such an essential organ that you would survive no longer than two days without it. It is the largest internal organ of your body, and it serves as the "engine" that keeps all the body's systems running smoothly. Because of its...
Your doctor may prescribe a diuretic if you have high blood pressure or a disease involving your heart, kidneys or liver. Diuretics cause your kidneys to eliminate excess water and sodium through your urine. In addition to water and sodium, some...
Some foods are good for your health, and some foods are not. Knowing the difference between the two and choosing the healthy foods can be rewarding as these foods contribute to health, beauty and well being. When we eat well, we look well. We feel...
The never-ending selection of foods in supermarkets can make it difficult to choose the most healthy options when it comes to feeding you and our family. Generally, it is best to sacrifice convenience and steer clear of high-fat, highly processed...
Sodium provides many health benefits, but it's easy to consume much more than your body needs to survive. Most Americans are at risk for high blood pressure due to their daily sodium intake. Eating low-sodium foods and eliminating unnecessary salt...
Following the proper diet after heart bypass surgery is crucial in preventing a further worsening of your condition. Following a cardiac diet helps ensure a healthy heart through reducing fat intake, reducing sodium intake and following a...
Bloating, a common digestive condition, results from a build-up of gas in the stomach. It may be caused by the foods we eat, stress, medications or premenstrual syndrome, and typically passes in a few days. However, chronic bloating may occur from...
You may not realize it, but you are probably consuming 5 tsp. or more of salt a day, notes the University of California at San Fransisco. While you may not be adding salt to your food, most of the sodium in your diet comes from processed and...
High blood pressure, or hypertension, afflicts approximately 50 million Americans. It is known as the "silent killer" because, typically, there are few signs or symptoms. Lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, play a role in controlling...
The job of the kidneys is to remove waste from our bodies. When the kidneys are not properly working, it is important to follow a diet that helps keep the waste from building up, prevent the progression of the disease as well as maintain the best...
The kidneys maintain balance of the body's fluids and electrolytes and serve as the body's blood filtration system. The kidneys filter approximately 1,600 L per day of blood and this produces 180 L of fluid. This fluid is then reabsorbed or...
Electrolytes are important for your body to function normally. Some electrolytes are used by nerves while others are used by your muscles for contraction and expansion. Electrolytes can be lost through sweat during intense exercise, and...
Getting down to your perfect weight may not be possible in just six weeks, but slimming down is achievable and possible. The National Institutes of Health recommend that any weight loss goals you set should be realistic, measured and time bound....
Glucose, or blood sugar, is a source of energy supplied to your body by foods that contain carbohydrates. Glucose is processed in your small intestine, then released into your bloodstream, where it stimulates the release of insulin from your...
Losing 10 lbs. does not always require hours in the gym and torturous diets. You can lose weight quickly and easily by losing water weight. Several factors cause water weight gain, including unhealthy eating, menstruation and dehydration. By...
Potassium is a mineral that is very important for your body's functions. It promotes nerve and muscle function and it may also help control blood pressure. There are various dietary sources of potassium, including chard, Lima beans and spinach. In...
The majority of Americans consume too much sodium. The typical adult's daily requirement is 500 mg of sodium, but the average intake is 4,000 to 6,000 mg. The primary cause is poor eating habits, which can start early in life. To avoid the...
Depending on your goals, you can target your resistance training to buildup your physique or focus on conditioning your muscles for strength and a compact, toned body. A woman won't bulk up from lifting weights -- unless she works hard at it....
Water is the principal component of the body, making up about 60 percent of your total weight. Water is not only instrumental in cleansing the body by flushing out toxins accumulated in the kidneys, bladder and other vital organs, it also...
Water retention, also known as edema, is the accumulation of fluid between the cells in your body, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center. It is not a disease in itself, but rather a symptom of an underlying disorder. Causes of water...
Physical activity helps you manage your weight, strengthen your heart and reduce stress levels. Exercising can help you control your blood pressure. Blood pressure is comprised of two important numbers called the systolic and diastolic pressure...
Water retention occurs when the body stores excess fluid in the tissues. Some women may experience mild water retention in the days or weeks before their menstrual cycle starts. More severe forms of water retention, or edema, occur when the body...
When dining at a restaurant, there is no shortage of decadent dishes, entrees and desserts that can well exceed the 1,000 calorie mark. This means good news for your appetite and bad news for your belt line. Eating out does not have to be feared...
Diabetes is a chronic disease of insulin deficiency or resistance in which disturbances in carbohydrates, fats and proteins metabolism lead to high blood sugar levels. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to help control blood sugar...
You may suffer from hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, but either way, you need to avoid certain foods. Both of these opposite ends of the disease process need medical and dietary attention. Your thyroid does not secrete enough thyroxine to...
Diet plays a major role in how well you function during and after dialysis treatments for kidney dysfunction. All nutritional factors vary according to each individual and the involved treatment plan. It is important to consult with a dietician...
Get the facts about hypertension and tips for living with high blood pressure in this video.
Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans so a proper diet is important. Learn about the foods you should be eating for a heart healthy diet in this nutrition video.
