Potassium is a mineral and electrolyte that is essential in the functioning of all cells, tissues and organs. It plays a key role in good heart health and is important for normal digestive and muscular function and bone strength. An abnormally low...
The body mass index is a method you can use to determine if you are at the appropriate weight relative to your height. Your physician can use BMI to determine indicators about your health. Some research studies have linked a woman’s BMI at...
Several studies have raised questions about the effect cycling has on bone density. Though a good form of physical activity for your child, growing concerns have been raised that cycling might expose them to the risk of reduced bone mineral density.
Osteoporosis is a common condition, especially among the elderly. A bone mineral density test can tell you whether or not you have this condition even before you break a bone. Those with low bone mineral density can take precautions and start...
For women, managing body weight can be an ongoing battle. Fluctuating hormone levels throughout the month can induce food cravings, water retention and emotional instability. To stay in control, we often step up our workouts while restricting our...
Cola contains phosphoric acid. This acid can destroy the pH balance of your saliva and promote tooth erosion. It also lowers your body's pH balance. Your bones release minerals to buffer the low pH, bringing it back to a healthy level. Because...
Americans drink excessive amounts of soft drinks. According to the book, "Healthy Habits," published in 2003, the average American consumes over 30 gallons of soda per year. This is more than 200 times the amount that people drank when...
Your bones are made of calcium and other minerals important for bone strength. Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones, causing them to break more easily. Osteoporosis typically progresses as you get older and catching it early allows for...
The bones' becoming weak and brittle is a telltale sign that the mineral density of its skeletal structure is deteriorating. Many diseases can wreck havoc on the skeletal system and when it happens, its effects can be devastating. The visual...
Exercise is beneficial for cardiovascular health, for building muscle strength, and for losing weight and maintaining proper weight. Exercise also has benefits for the skeletal system, such as building bone density and decreasing the risk of...
Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin that helps the blood clot. It has also been shown to play a role in bone health, according to the National Institutes of Health. Vitamin K can be found in a variety of vegetables including spinach, asparagus, and...
The market for carbonated soft drinks, diet and nondiet, was worth nearly $73 billion in the U.S. in 2008, according to "Beverage Digest." Many of these beverages contain phosphoric acid, a substance that has a possible link to several health...
Inhaled steroids are long-term controller medications which are used on a daily basis to help reduce airway swelling and inflammation; and improve lung functions. Inhaled steroids, such as corticosteroids, help air passages in the lungs to remain...
Osteoporosis is a degenerative skeletal condition that derives from the Greek words "osteon," or bone, and "poros," or small holes, according to "Osteoporosis" by Pierre Meunier. Doctors identify osteoporosis by measuring bone mineral density,...
Your bones are in a constant balance of formation and breakdown. Many vitamins, including vitamin K, can influence the buildup of your bones. An adequate intake of vitamin K, promotes the action of osteocalcin, a major player in the mineralization...
Testosterone is a hormone that is present in high amounts in males and small amounts in females. The main function of testosterone is for the development of sexual characteristics at puberty and sex drive as you age. If your levels of testosterone...
Growing tall is part of the body's normal development. Several factors, including gender, health, nutrition and genetics, affect human growth. Growth spurts begin around age 11 for girls and age 13 for boys, according to the Human Growth...
If you've undergone gastric bypass surgery, you have a high risk of developing nutritional deficiencies. Because your food "bypasses" part of your stomach and small intestine as it passes through the gastrointestinal tract, you may not absorb a...
Many people associate vitamin D only with bone health. While vitamin D's role in your skeletal system is important, it's only one of the many roles that vitamin D plays in your body. Unfortunately, vitamin D deficiency has reached epidemic...
More than 30 percent of women over the age of 50 will suffer from osteoporosis at some time in their lives, the International Osteoporosis Foundation states. Osteoporosis is the result of low bone mineral density, which causes weak and brittle...
Your bone mass changes throughout your life. When you are young, you build up bone mass. When you get older, you start to lose bone mass. There are steps you can take, however, to help maintain healthy bone mass levels no matter what age you are,...
Many people turn to diet soda to get their carbonated beverage fix without the calories that high-calorie sodas bring to the table. However, research shows that diet soda isn't benign and may lead to significant health problems if consumed...
Depression is an illness affecting how you feel, think and behave -- and it may lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. Many women experience depression at some point in their lifetime. Some women may suffer from postpartum...
Hip fractures are sustained by more than 306,000 Americans each year, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. It is the most common orthopedic condition requiring hospital admission. Prevention of hip fractures involves...
Testosterone replacement therapy may be an option if you are experiencing symptoms of a low testosterone level, or hypogonadism, including depression, decreased libido and difficulty concentrating. If you are experiencing these symptoms in...
The factors people attribute to their graying hair range from the day-to-day stress of working, raising a family or inheriting the tendency from a family member. Usually the normal process of aging begins to add a few gray hairs later in life. As...
The International Osteoporosis Foundation says that 1 in every 3 women will experience a fracture related to osteoporosis after age 50. Osteoporosis is a serious, worldwide, and growing health issue. More than 75 million people in Japan, Europe...
Bones are continually being built and broken down throughout your life. When you are young, bones are built faster than they are broken down, which increases your bone mass. Most people reach their maximum bone mass around age 30. Around 30 as you...
If you are lactose intolerant, your body does not make enough of the enzyme lactase to break down the lactose found in milk and most dairy products. When you consume dairy products, you may experience symptoms such as diarrhea and stomach cramps....
