In the age of super-strength pesticides and genetically modified foods, it is no surprise that foods claiming to take you back to the basics of nature are appealing. According to a 2010 studies review in "The American Journal of Clinical...
Non-athletes and athletes both need the same basic nutrients. Both groups of people need vitamins and minerals, especially when exercising. However, athletes need more calories and more fluids to replenish their supplies. Because they participate...
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is well-known for its anti-hemorrhagic factor, or ability to prevent blood clots and hemorrhages in the body. This vitamin is vital for assisting the body in several necessary functions. A deficiency in this...
The body requires an adequate amount of oxygen to function properly. The heart is the organ that supplies oxygen throughout the body, through blood vessels. When the blood vessels are obstructed and blocked, a condition known as angina arises,...
When your child is disorganized, it's frustrating--as a parent, you might consider his clutter-strewn bedroom floor and disheveled backpack to be a deliberate act of defiance. However, your child's poor organizational skills may be just as...
The thoracic spine extends from the shoulders to the upper abdomen and articulates with the ribs and shoulders. It consists of 12 vertebrae separated by cartilaginous discs that serve as shock absorbers and facilitate movement between the...
The heart provides blood to the lungs to collect oxygen to expel carbon dioxide, then pumps the blood out to the organs to supply them with oxygen and other nutrients. The organs need a continuous but variable supply of blood. The local blood...
An embolism occurs when material travels from one part of the body through the blood stream to another part of the body. When this material reaches blood vessels too small for it to pass through, it can block the blood supply through that vessel...
Nerves are the body's communication system. The brain uses nerves to send messages to the muscles, glands and organs, telling them what to do. The body sends messages back to the brain, communicating any unusual sensations or needs that must be...
Creatine is an organic acid that supplies energy to the muscles. It is available in supplement form, which is often used by athletes to increase creatine levels in order to boost muscle mass. Like most supplements, creatine should be approached...
Arginine is an amino acid, one of 20 organic compounds your body uses to synthesize different forms of protein. First isolated in 1886, arginine is a semiessential nutrient. This means that although your body can manufacture arginine, you may...
Chicago's Michigan Avenue stretches nearly 8.4 miles from North Lakeshore Drive to the north to East 63rd Street to the south. Known for its Magnificent Mile on its northern end, Michigan Avenue runs through The Loop, by Millennium and Grant parks...
Normal blood pressure is maintained at readings below 120/80. Within this range, the heart and blood vessels are at their best in supplying precious blood to vital organs. When blood pressure readings exceed 120/80, the risk of injury to the...
Atherosclerosis is a form of hardening of the blood vessels, caused by fatty deposits and local tissue reaction in the walls of the arteries. Blood supply beyond the affected parts of the artery is usually compromised by the narrowing and,...
"Going Green" is more than just a trendy lifestyle choice. Going green is a decision to change your activities and behaviors in order to help reduce your potentially negative footprint on the earth and its environment. By going green, you are...
Diet and nutrition information is everywhere, making knowing where and what to look for important. Food is fuel for the body, and making good choices provides energy and nutrients for the body. Learn to spot food fads and avoid them to make...
Wherever you take a baby, there is a good chance you will have to change his diaper. It is easy to make a portable diaper changing station that will include everything you need to change your baby's diaper. It can include sanitation products to...
The selection of brands and flavors of protein bars in a grocery store can be overwhelming. Some of the protein bars have an extensive list of ingredients and preservatives to prolong shelf life. Organic protein bars, however, contain 100 percent...
To grow a healthy lawn, you need a healthy soil. When you use an organic lawn fertilizer, the microorganisms it supplies add life to the soil by fixing nitrogen from the air, generating carbon dioxide, breaking down mineral nutrients from rock and...
Macrovascular disease refers to atherosclerosis, or hardening, of the large arteries. Diabetes is a major risk factor for development of atherosclerosis, though the mechanism by which it does so is unclear. According to "Harrison's Principles of...
C-ANCA and p-ANCA are two tests used in the diagnosis and evaluation of rheumatologic diseases. These conditions often result from a dysfunction in the immune system, which triggers an attack on certain tissues in the body that it mistakes as...
The body stores energy in a variety of places and in different forms for use. Some forms of energy can be stored for longer periods than other types of energy. The energy source used will vary depending on the demands placed on your body. Your...
You can get too much of a good thing, but when it comes to vitamin B-12, that's not likely to be the case. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, there are no toxic effects associated with large dosages of vitamin B-12 and thus no established...
While there have been great advances in the prevention of HIV transmission and AIDS progression over the course of almost 30 years, it remains vital to understand the facts because there is no cure for this disease. Despite major advances in...
The modern pentathlon takes place on one day, making it one of the more grueling Olympic events. The athletes receive points based on their times and performances in each event, which leads to the crowning of a winner. The elements that make up...
Placenta previa, which occurs in one in 200 births, can be a serious complication of pregnancy. Placenta previa means that the placenta, the organ that supplies nutrients to the growing fetus, implants low on the uterine wall, partially or...
Although low-fat diets are often recommended for weight loss, eliminating fat altogether is not advised. Fat is an essential macronutrient that serves many critical functions -- insulating vital organs, supplying energy and aiding in the...
With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimating that more than 72 million American adults are obese with a body mass index score of 30 or greater, exercise is continually being pushed as a necessary and important part of your weekly...
The digestive system is the set of organs responsible for taking in nutrients in the form of food, and then mechanically and chemically extracting the molecules from that food that the body cells can use to produce energy. The system consists of a...
