nutrition

If you are like many of us, you probably look at slim people and are jealous because you can’t be that slim. But some people are actually too thin, and that can lead to as many health complications as being overweight, including body weakness and tiring easily.

Your body is an incredible feat of science. You probably know that it is made up mostly of water (about 60%), but did you know that the second most abundant component of your body is protein? Yes, protein counts for approximately 20% of your body’s mass. Protein is an extremely important macronutrient that is found in everything from organs and bones, to your hair and bodily fluids. It is a vital substance that affects how your body functions and whether or not you will grow and develop at a normal rate. When your body is deprived of protein, it can wreak havoc on your system. The good thing that you should know is that protein deficiency is not extremely common within the United States. Sources of protein for us to eat are readily available and, for the most part, are relatively inexpensive. However, that does not mean that all sources of protein are equal. Some sources are better for us as a whole than others are. In this article you will be informed on the benefits of protein, sources of protein

Hypertension or high blood pressure can either be a condition on its own (primary hypertension) or can come as a symptom or a byproduct of another condition (secondary hypertension). High blood pressure affects about 27% of American women that are aged eighteen to 74. The number rises with age however and 70% of women ages 65-75 have some level of high blood pressure. The condition affects African Americans at a higher rate than other ethnicities. (Source: Ammer 2005)

There are a number of diseases and conditions that can leave a person unable to physically or mentally care for themselves any longer. There are several options for the person and the family that is dealing with these conditions: they can seek long-term care facility placement, they can hire professional caregivers who give drop-in or live-in care or they can care for the family member on their own. A 2005 survey showed that between 1.3 million and 1.4 million children between the ages of eight and 18 provide at least some care for a chronically ill or disabled family member.

The number of people who are medically defined as obese (weighing more than 20% over their ideal weight) is near 34 million. (Source: www.med.Stanford.edu) The number of people who are currently on, have recently completed, have given up on, or are about to kick off a diet of any kind is 20 million at any given time. Dieters will spend around one billion dollars every year on fitness and nutrition plans, pills, supplements, and equipments. (Source: www.thriveonline.com)

During the early stages of most kidney diseases, the patient will be advised to limit protein intake to some degree. Because protein is so vital to the entire body, this limitation should only be made under doctor’s orders and with the guidance of a dietician or nutritionist. The protein that is left in the diet at this point will be high-quality with certain additional restrictions as well. However, once the patient reaches end stage kidney disease, the restriction on protein will not only end but the patient will also need to increase intake (Source: The National Kidney and Urologic Disease Information Clearinghouse).

The largest organ of the human body is not inside of it, it covers it. Skin covers an area of approximately twenty five square feet and weighs, on average, about six pounds. The skin is vital to our health and well being by providing a protective barrier against germs, bacteria, and viruses. It also protects the more delicate tissues and organs beneath it from harm, regulates the temperature of the body, and helps to rid the body of some of its waste products. The skin also protects the body from some of the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation and transforms sunshine to Vitamin D. (Source: MacLean, editor, 1993)

Eating when you are not feeling well is not always easy, whether you have the common cold or you have a more serious, chronic illness like cancer or depression. In some cases, it is not just the illness that is the problem but the treatment that you must endure as well. You may be nauseous or lack an appetite completely. You may also be so tired that you won’t be able to eat at all.