Beta alanine is a non-essential amino acid that has is popular with athletes and bodybuilders. The Internet is rife with claims that this amino acid can boost your performance and increase your muscle mass. While some claims are unsubstantiated by...
Respiratory acidosis is a condition in which the lungs are not working properly. This results in increased levels of carbon dioxide being present in the blood. The extra carbon dioxide then is converted into carbonic acid, lowering the pH of the...
Under normal conditions, your body's acid-base balance is slightly on the alkaline side of neutral and is reflected by a pH level of approximately 7.4. Many factors can lead to an increased level of acid in the body, a condition known as acidosis,...
Lactic acidosis, which occurs when athletes push themselves beyond their abilities, is temporarily debilitating but usually not long-lasting. It is the result of overproduction of acid resulting from metabolic cellular processes carried out in the...
Metformin, or glucophage, is an oral diabetes medication that is commonly prescribed to control blood sugar levels. This medication makes it easier for your body to absorb available glucose in the bloodstream. Metformin is generally a safe...
Potassium is a nutrient that helps support the normal function of the muscles and nerves in your body. If the amount of potassium in your bloodstream exceeds the recommended 3.6 to 4.8 milliequivalents per liter, or mEq/L, your doctor may diagnose...
Your thighs are made up of two large muscle groups, the quadriceps on the front of your thigh and the hamstrings located on the back of your thigh. These muscles are engaged when you walk, run, lift weights and play sports. It is common to feel...
The discomfort that occurs during and after intense fitness training is part of the process of getting in shape. But the old adage, "no pain, no gain" has been debunked by safety gurus who warn that pain can indicate impending injury. Learning to...
Intense exercise results in increased, not lowered, levels of lactic acid. Lactic acid, or lactate, is a product produced from sugars in overworked muscles that are low in oxygen. Lactate that is made is taken to the liver where it can be reformed...
Acidosis is a state where the blood is too acidic. There are two kinds of acidosis. Metabolic acidosis describes a condition where the kidneys cannot remove enough acid, or the body cannot regulate the acidity of the blood due to a chemical...
The kidneys function as the primary site for maintaining chemical balance in the body. The maintenance of a normal acid-base balance occurs within minute kidney structures termed the renal tubules. Renal tubule malfunction that leads to excessive...
Lactic acid, or lactate, is a substance produced in your muscles when you need to move quickly or engage in certain other types of physical exertion. The buildup of this substance triggers pain in active muscles and decreases your chances of...
If you've run, biked, swum or lifted weights at high intensity, you're familiar with the sensation of lactic acid flooding your working muscles -- the "burn" that some exercise impresarios and personal trainers exhort you to strive for. Lactic...
The acidity of the blood is tightly controlled by the kidneys, respiratory system and chemical buffers in the blood. Normal blood pH levels are 7.4. If blood pH drops below 7.35, symptoms of acidosis may occur. A study in the May 2010 issue of the...
Beta-alanine is a beta amino acid found naturally in foods and herbs. Unlike the 20 standard amino acids, beta-alanine is not involved with building protein. It is a precursor of carnosine, a chemical that helps prevent excess muscle acidity,...
The body has a natural pH level, but dietary factors, age and health can alter that level and skew the body toward acidity. As a result, alkaline-based diets attempt to bring down the acidity of the body and promote health. Discuss any specialized...
Citrulline malate is a supplement form of l-citrulline, an essential amino acid found in foods such as watermelon. This supplement is common in the bodybuilding community because it is thought to decrease body fat and promote release of human...
The significance of acid-base balance in patients with advanced kidney disease was first appreciated in 1931 when D.M. Lyon et al. published a seminal paper in the "Lancet" titled "The Alkaline Treatment of Chronic Nephritis." Since that time,...
Naicin, also known as vitamin B3, is common in foods including meat, eggs and green vegetables. Deficiency in niacin can result in an illness known as Pellagra. Treatment involves providing the patient with supplements of niacin, often in a...
When you're working out and trying to build your lean muscle mass, lean sources of protein can help provide the building blocks for muscle growth and tissue regeneration after a workout without dosing you with fat and empty carbohydrates. The...
Epivir (generic name: lamivudine) is a medication used to manage the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). According to MedlinePlus, Epivir belongs to the class of medications called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. It prevents HIV from...
Alcohol is one of the most frequently abused substances. Because it is easily obtainable and legal in most countries, many people think it is safe. In fact, there are many short-term and long-term physical, psychological and emotional...
The familiarly painful feeling in muscles after an intense workout is commonly referred to as the "burn." Some people feel that they have only had a sufficient exercise session when they feel this "burn." What they are actually feeling is lactic...
Hyperkalemia is a condition that occurs when there's too much potassium circulating in the blood. Normally, low levels of potassium circulate in the bloodstream. These levels are controlled by the kidneys. Potassium is required for the proper...
Actoplus Met is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent). Typically, your pancreas makes the hormone insulin to lower your blood glucose levels. In type 2 diabetes, your body doesn't respond to it. According to Drugs.com,...
The original Paleo diet is based on the idea that the optimal diet consists of foods that were consumed during the Paleolithic Era, prior to agriculture and animal husbandry. The Paleo diet is a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. "The Paleo...
Diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are inadequately controlled. While most patients with diabetes can control blood sugar levels with diet and exercise alone, metformin may be needed to improve those levels. An additional benefit...
The human body constantly strives to remain in homeostasis, and one of the major regulators of this process is the body's pH range, a measure of bodily acidity and alkalinity measured on a scale of 1 to 14. A rating of 7 on the pH scale indicates...
Your body requires energy to fuel the muscle contractions that produce movement. This energy is produced by your body in a number of ways. One such mechanism is called the "anaerobic process," meaning it does not utilize oxygen. However,...
