The body needs some sodium to transmit nerve impulses and control muscle contraction and relaxation. Sodium also works with potassium to regulate the body's water balance. Excess sodium is linked to high blood pressure, a risk factor for heart...
Along with proper hydration and stretching, proper diet is also important for runners. A runner's diet not only impacts his ability to perform during his run but also how he will feel after running. Eating the correct foods before running should...
The ability of the human body to lose weight is a simple equation: the amount of calories taken in vs. the amount of calories expended. For weight loss, a deficit of calories is necessary. The trick is to nourish the body appropriately without...
More than 56,000 people died last year from high blood pressure, the American Heart Association reports. Maintaining a healthy weight and staying physically active are important lifestyle factors that reduce high blood pressure risk. Additionally,...
"Endorphin" is usually a buzzword that is thrown around when people are talking about the general benefits of exercise, but some don't really understand what endorphins are. Endorphins are neurotransmitters found in the brain that activate and...
It is a common occurrence to experience cramps while working out. While cramps can be caused by different variables, they can also be prevented by following a few simple steps before, during and after your workout. Avoiding cramps will make your...
You hate to wake up with puffy eyes. It makes you look older, tired and worn out before you even start your day. Whether the culprit is genetics, too little sleep or an excess of sodium-rich foods the day before; you can combat puffy eyes with one...
Eye problems are a common complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Upward of 45 percent of diagnosed diabetics have mild to severe vision problems, the National Eye Institute reports. The condition is also known as retinopathy and results...
Doctors often order an electrolyte panel as part of the routine blood tests you might expect with an annual physical. The test can help your doctor determine the state of your health, especially during an illness, such as the flu, or if you have a...
Impaired blood flow in your legs can cause several symptoms, such as leg cramps, calf pain and leg numbness. Report these symptoms to your doctor, as impaired circulation often indicates a serious underlying disorder. For example, atherosclerosis...
Congestive heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. CHF is mainly caused by coronary artery disease, which is the narrowing of blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. CHF...
Used in Chinese cooking, oyster sauce is made from oyster extract. Oysters are boiled in water and the cooking liquid is reduced. Caramel darkens the sauce, cornstarch thickens it and soy sauce adds a smoky saltiness.The result is used in meat and...
Most people in today's society are stressed. The adrenal glands are the organs that must deal with this increased stress load, and adrenal fatigue may affect up to 80 percent of the population at some point in their life, according to adrenal...
End-stage liver disease is also known as cirrhosis and is the irreversible scarring of the liver. Progressive liver damage and scarring is mainly caused by factors such as long-term alcohol abuse and chronic liver infections. The liver is a vital...
Found anchored on rocks by the shoreline, mussels have long been a coastal staple, particularly in New England. Steamed in their inky-blue shells, a bowlful of mussels is an economical and nutrient-rich meal. Once extracted from the shell, the...
Hypertension, known more commonly as high blood pressure, is a condition marked by a resistance to blood flow in person's arteries. It is can be caused by stresses on the body, genetics or a buildup of cholesterol. Because it develops slowly over...
More than 74 million adults have high blood pressure, the American Heart Association reports. Following a salt-restricted diet can help you manage your blood pressure levels. A 1,500 mg daily sodium limit can be a challenge if you regularly...
Cholesterol is an essential compound in the body. But in excess, it can prove detrimental to a person's health. "Good" cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein, and "bad" cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein, differ in chemical structure,...
Although you may not be able to feel it, your lungs are almost constantly under attack from inhaled pollutants, airborne pathogens and free radicals. Also, your lung cells are high-maintenance, requiring large amounts of vitamins and minerals to...
Factors such as aging, heredity and obesity can lead to the hanging fat under the jawline known as a double chin. This feature does not cause any major health risks, but it can certainly cause self-consciousness. To help reduce your double chin,...
A gallon of water weighs just over 8 lbs. Even if you consume that much, however, it doesn't mean you'll gain 8 lbs. Water is vital to keeping your body's systems running properly -- but it's constantly working its way through the body, flushing...
When you're trying to lose weight, it helps to consider every aspect of your present diet to assess whether it helps or hinders your goals. Salt is far too prevalent in American diets. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest,...
Some foods contain substances that might naturally elevate heart rate or interact with body chemicals or medications to raise the pulse. In most cases, the stimulation isn't harmful. However, over time, cumulative effects of certain foods or types...
Eating too much salt, or sodium chloride, leaves too much sodium in your bloodstream. If your kidneys fail to regulate this imbalance, your body can sustain damage to the cardiovascular system and kidneys over time. In healthy people, a single...
Smoked sausage patties are popular for breakfast or as a snack. Since smoked sausage patties are usually made from beef, they are a good source of protein. However, like other sausages, they are also high in sodium and fat. Therefore, smoked...
Reducing your risk for heart disease and high blood pressure is a primary reason most people want to lose weight. Overdoing it on sodium-rich foods or reaching for the salt shaker at every meal counteracts your efforts to eat healthy, and it can...
A renal diet may be necessary for individuals with impaired kidney function or kidney disease. The degree to which kidney function is impaired determines the degree of diet restriction. Typically, on a renal diet, three minerals should be limited:...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 31 percent of all adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure. Another 25 percent have prehypertension, in which your blood pressure is higher than normal but not yet considered...
Menstrual cramps occur when the muscles of the uterus contract to expel endometrial tissue and blood during a woman's menstrual period. While a medical professional should evaluate some cases of cramps, many women can use home relief methods to...
