Optimal nutrition throughout life promotes anatomic and physiologic function of the pulmonary system. The respiratory structures include nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveolar ducts and alveoli. Gas exchange is the major function of the pulmonary system. The lungs enable the body to obtain the oxygen needed to meet its cellular metabolic demands and to [...]
Anemia occurs when there is a shortage of red blood cells, the blood often referred to as “tired blood”. It is not a disease but a condition that results if there are not enough blood cells to supply oxygen to the tissues of the body. Oxygen is essential for life. A lack of oxygen can [...]
What is Cancer? Cancer involves unregulated cell growth. It is of two types; Malignant (with metastasis which means cancer cells spread and affect tissues and organs) and Benign (tumor cells which are localized to an organ and do not grow uncontrollably or spread to other tissues or organs in the body). Benign tumors are not [...]
Deficiency of Vitamin D can cause rickets in young children, osteoporosis and osteomalacia in adults. Rickets A pot belly and beaching of ribs (the rachitic rosary) may pass unnoticed in a plump yet malnourished baby. Deficiency occurs in 3rd or 4th month of life. The structure of the head will be larger than normal with [...]
Alternative Names of Vitamin D: Cholecalciferol; Vitamin D3; Ergocalciferol; Vitamin D2 Vitamin D Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body’s fatty tissue. Dietary vitamin D requires moderate amount of bile salts and fat for absorption. The body uses the two minerals – Calcium and Phosphate which are essential for [...]
Alternative Names of Vitamin A: Retinol; Retinal; Retinoic acid; Carotenoids Vitamin A and Carotenes Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin which requires bile salts and fats for absorption. It is stored in the liver. There are two categories of vitamin A, depending on whether the food source is an animal or a plant. In [...]
What are Omega-3 fats? Omega 3 or n-3 fatty acids are a type of PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) that need to be supplied through the diet since the body cannot manufacture it. Important dietary omega-3 fatty acids (FA) are α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). There are also omega-6 (n-6) FA [...]
What is Anger? Anger is a natural healthy emotional response to intense dislike, criticism or frustration or anything that we perceive as a threat. It is normal to experience anger. There are varying degrees of anger ranging from mild irritation to full blown rage. Anger problems arise when we don’t know how to control anger. [...]
Always tired? While it is okay to feel tired after a long day, if you’re feeling weakness and fatigued all the time you need to pause and think why am I so fatigued Causes of fatigue There are numerous causes for fatigue and exhaustion signs and often there may be one or multiple factors. Insomnia [...]
Vitamin Excess and Deficiency, Bioavailability and Anti nutritional Factors in Food Effects of Vitamin Overdose 1. Direct toxic effects of vitamin A, vitamin D, pyridoxine 2. Dependency and withdrawal An example has been observed in newborn infants when the mother ingested about 200 mg vitamin C per day during pregnancy. In utero, fetal tissues become [...]
