Wrestling down a weight can give an athlete a significant advantage during competition, notes Oregon-based wrestling coach Andy Brick. A wrestler who naturally weighs 145 pounds, who cuts out fat and water weight to weigh in at 136 pounds, is...
Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disorder in which red blood cells are hard and crescent-shaped, which prevents them from carrying enough oxygen to tissues and organs. Normal red blood cells are pliable and disc-shaped, enabling them to...
Vitamin D deficiency can create a host of problems. Lack of this vitamin is associated with higher risk for stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. It also can lead to secondary hyperparathyroidism, which means having low...
Vitamins are classified as either water or fat soluble. Excessively high intakes of fat soluble vitamins can lead to toxicities because your body has the capacity to store any excess intake. Most water soluble vitamins, on the other hand, do not...
Hormones are chemicals made in hormone-producing glands, such as the thyroid and pituitary glands. They regulate important body functions such as blood sugar levels and how fast the heart beats. Additionally, hormonal problems, such as...
Healthy hair is a combination of genetics and appropriate care. There's nothing you can do about the genes you've been dealt, but small changes in the way you treat your hair can make a big difference in its health, appearance and feel. In...
Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that is found in foods in two forms: free vitamin and protein-bound coenzyme form (biocytin). It was discovered during World War II, when chicks fed diets that were high in raw egg white developed skin rashes and...
Methylmercury is a poisonous organic compound that is formed when mercury is broken down by microorganisms, according to the New York Times Health Guide. It has been found in varying amounts of concentration in fish. The highest concentrations...
Allergies to pets are common among children and adults. Culprits for allergic reactions are urine, saliva and dander, the dead skin flakes that the animal sheds. Fur or feathers themselves do not cause allergies, but allergens get transferred to...
Vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is needed throughout the body. It plays a role in metabolism, cell formation and heart disease. Without it, the body would be unable to make DNA. Adults need a minimum of 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B-12...
Maintaining a healthful, balanced diet is beneficial in several aspects of daily life. Nutrition deficiencies can have a detrimental effect on hair health. However, the negative effects of malnutrition on hair loss can be reversed once proper...
Chromium is a micronutrient, that is, it is a mineral that is required by your body in trace amounts. It enhances the action of insulin and thus is responsible for maintaining your blood sugar levels. According to a research published in the...
Calcium plays a role in the human body's nervous system and muscular system, as well as in hormone and blood vessel functions. The body stores 99 percent of its calcium supply in the bones and teeth, according to the National Institute of Health's...
Rickets is a disorder that causes your child's bones to become weak and soft. Children with rickets may experience bone pain, muscle cramps and impaired growth. Give your child foods rich in vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus to treat or prevent...
Proper nutrition and healthy eating are important for you and your baby's health. Vitamins and minerals, such as manganese, are essential for proper body function and should be included in your diet every day. All women need a small amount of...
Vitamin D is an important vitamin in the control of calcium and phosphate levels in the body. The active form of vitamin D is necessary for the absorption of calcium and phosphate from the intestine and for their incorporation into bone. Vitamin D...
Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) basically is the backflow of urine from the bladder up into the upper urinary tract, which includes the ureters and the kidneys. Often, it can be asymptomatic, especially early on in the course of the condition. Down...
According to the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health, vitamin D plays a crucial role in the body's maintenance of calcium and phosphate levels. Vitamin D is essential for normal bone growth during development and...
When choosing a vitamin supplement you want one that contains the essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs to be healthy. Magnesium and zinc are two minerals that are added to vitamins because they support the health of your cells and...
Breastfeeding is the best way to feed and nourish your new infant. Breast milk supplies your baby with the immune support and nutrients he needs. However, breast milk is lacking in one important vitamin -- vitamin D. The American Academy of...
Foot cramps can strike at any time and normally come about as a result of dehydration, poor circulation, wearing improper shoes, low salt or a pinched nerve. However, foot cramps can also be a symptom of a vitamin deficiency. The only way to know...
Nexium, also known as esomeprazole, is a proton pump inhibitor used to treat a number conditions involving excessive stomach acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. GERD is a condition in which...
Zinc, an essential trace mineral, occurs naturally in seafood, meat, poultry, beans and nuts. Fortified cereals often contain added zinc. Zinc plays several important functions in the human body. Because the body does not have a storage system for...
Vitamin D can be obtained from food sources such as fish and vitamin D-fortified milk; it can also be processed in your body when you are exposed to moderate amounts of sunlight. Usually, preexisting medical disorders, such as lactose intolerance,...
Chronic sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses that lasts 12 weeks or longer despite treatment attempts. Sinusitis is mainly caused by an infection caused by a virus, fungus or bacteria. Healthy sinuses are clear and allow mucus to drain and...
Although severe calcium and vitamin D deficiencies are rare in the United States, many people do not get enough of these nutrients in their diets. These low-level deficiencies place them at higher risk of developing osteoporosis and other health...
Diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, hypopituitarism and Addison's disease are all hormonal diseases that involve low levels of certain hormones. These diseases could be caused by cancer, infection or autoimmune responses by the body. Hormones are...
Zinc is an essential dietary nutrient. It is best to consume zinc from food as deficiencies are rare and supplements can often lead to an overdose. Zinc deficiencies and toxicities have few exclusive symptoms, but can sometimes lead to serious...
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that helps your body maintain proper levels of calcium and phosphate. These minerals are integral in bone formation and if they become too low, then your will develop weak or soft bones, notes MedlinePlus, a...
