A well balanced, nutrient-rich diet and lifestyle are beneficial for your long-term health benefits. By simply understanding how many calories you need to consume and expend to maintain a healthy weight depends on portion control and eating whole...
Sitting down to enjoy a freshly cooked meal with your family is now less common in the United States than ever before. Longer work hours reduce the time available for home cooking, and prepared meals are a quick and easy solution to the time...
As you try to lose weight, what you eat is just as important as how much you eat. Foods high in calories, fat, and sugar, and with low nutrient value, are considered empty calories. Empty calories act like rocks, slowing your body's ability to...
Many vitamin diet plans have been marketed, but the vitamin diet plan recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture allows food to provide essential vitamins. Medical conditions, or lifestyle or weight loss goals sometimes can affect your...
The immune system is the first line of defense against infections to the body. Infections are caused by bacteria, parasites and viruses. They range from causing a common cold to more debilitating diseases. It is important to keep the immune...
Vitamins are the essential substances that help the human body grow and develop. Overall, the body needs 13 vitamins. These vitamins are Vitamins A, C, D, E, K and the eight B vitamins: biotin, folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin,...
Melasma is a skin condition that commonly occurs after sun exposure and during pregnancy in women. In pregnant women, fluctuating hormone levels usually cause pigmented skin patches. This is sometimes referred to as the mask of pregnancy. Melasma...
Eating fresh food is not always an option, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your healthy meal choices for a quick, convenient bite to eat. By using the nutrition labels on packaged foods required by the FDA, you can identify ingredients...
Vitamins A and C are nutritional powerhouses for our body. These antioxidants promote healthy growth and development, protect us from infections and viruses, repair our damaged cells, protect our eyesight and skin, heal our cuts and wounds, and...
Vitamin B-12 is required to develop and maintain red blood cells and nerve cells, as well as to make genes. Without enough vitamin B-12 through diet or supplements, you may develop health conditions associated with a deficiency in this vitamin,...
Sodium is a mineral found in the diet. Sodium is used in the cell as a way for the body to passively absorb fluids. However, when too much sodium is contained in the diet, the individual retains water and feels bloated and heavy. Nutrition labels...
Niacin, also broadly referred to as vitamin B-3, is a nutrient found in certain foods and packaged in vitamin supplements. In its supplemental form, the vitamin is primarily used to treat specific health conditions, including high cholesterol and...
If fatigue seems to be your constant companion and your mother keeps telling you how pale you look, you may be anemic. Other symptoms include headaches, forgetfulness, nausea and fainting. The cure for anemia is taking in more iron; however, iron...
Starch is a carbohydrate, which is the main source of fuel for our bodies. Carbs help our bodies function properly without exhaustion and provide essential fiber, minerals and vitamins. To eliminate starch from your diet, you must be sure to...
Individuals who don't use dairy products must look elsewhere for significant food sources of calcium. The USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans consider the best dietary calcium sources those with the least fat, cholesterol, sugar and salt. These...
Multiple sclerosis is defined as a chronic disease of the central nervous system. Many different symptoms can develop, from tingling numbness of the fingers and difficulty in balancing, to blurred vision and fatigue. Individuals who have multiple...
Vitamin B12 is needed for healthy neurological functions, red blood cell formation and synthesis of DNA. The recommended daily intake for vitamin B12 for adolescents and adults is 2.4 micrograms, notes the Office of Dietary Supplements. Because...
The number of overweight children has tripled during the past two decades, bringing with it harmful psychological and physical effects, according to the U.S. Surgeon General's Office. But kids are not likely to be worried about things like high...
Nutrition and fitness go hand-in-hand, and they help patients avoid illness and obesity. Nutrition is a part of the diet, but fitness also requires exercise and daily activity. Using proper nutrition and fitness, a patient can lose weight and get...
Vitamin K is an important nutrient that aids in proper blood clotting and maintaining healthy bones. Bacteria present in your intestines help make vitamin K in your body, but you can also find it in many dietary sources. Adult males require 120...
Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by the gradual thinning of bone tissue and reduced bone density. Osteoporosis poses serious risks for bone fractures, particularly in the hips and wrists, and permanently stooped posture. In addition to...
Although whey only makes up about 20 percent of cow's milk, a person with a whey allergy should avoid all dairy products, according to Kids Health. The other 80 percent of milk is considered curd and may not cause an allergic reaction in someone...
The human body requires a whole host of nutrients to function properly, and many of these cannot be made in the body and must be obtained through the diet. Without insufficient or excess intake of nutrients, the body is more susceptible to...
The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) recommended vitamin dosages are expressed as "daily values" (DVs). These figures are averages of vitamin amounts considered by scientists to adequately support body function in people 4 years of age and...
The foods you eat can significantly affect your health and the way you feel. Protein foods such as meat serve to build a strong body, but certain cuts of meat are healthier to eat than others. Fruits and vegetables offer a healthy variety of...
Vitamin B-12 is an essential nutrient important for red blood cell production, DNA, metabolism and the body's nervous system. According to MayoClinic.com, low levels of vitamin B-12 have been linked to depression. A vitamin B-12 deficiency or...
The Slim-Fast 3-2-1 Plan is a program for weight loss that includes a meal plan and online support. As you consider whether to use the Slim-Fast diet, think about aspects of the meal plan, such as whether it will satisfy your hunger and provide...
Based on an age-old Pennsylvania Dutch recipe, Stroehmann Dutch Country potato bread, hamburger and hot dog buns have a slightly sweet taste and light texture. Stroehmann labels each bread product as a "good" source of vitamins and minerals, with...
The best source of natural vitamins and minerals is from whole foods. Dietary supplements are not the same as whole foods. Whole foods have micronutrients that vitamins lack along with the essential fiber and other protective substances missing in...
