The name protein is derived from the Greek term proteos, which means “primary” or “to take place first.” Protein was first identified in a laboratory about a century ago at which time scientists described it as a nitrogen-containing part of food that is essential to human life. While protein has long been the darling of the weight lifting and sport community, over the past few years there has been more attention focused on the importance of protein during weight loss and general health. Consuming enough protein is vital for maintaining health. Proteins form important structures in the body, make up…
Author: Emily
Carbohydrates are a predominant source of fuel for some cells, especially in brain, red blood cells and nervous system. Muscles depend on a supply of carbohydrates to energize intense physical activity. Carbohydrates provide on average 4 kcal per gram and are a readily available fuel for all cells, both in the form of blood glucose and in the form of glycogen stored in the liver and muscles. The glycogen stored in the liver can be used to maintain blood glucose concentrations in times when you have not eaten for several hours or the diet does not supply enough carbohydrates. Regular…
Though not as well-known as many other minerals, molybdenum is a key trace mineral that plays a role in numerous different body systems. Molybdenum is needed for at least seven body enzymes to function. For example, molybdenum is required for the enzyme sulfite oxidase to work in many of the organ systems of the body, especially the liver and brain. And molybdenum is a cofactor for an enzyme called xanthine oxidase, which helps convert hypoxanthine and xanthine into uric acid. While too much uric acid is associated with the painful condition known as gout, the body requires healthy amounts of…
Iron is one of the most recognizable minerals in the body, although an adult may have a little less than a teaspoon’s amount in his or her body. However, quantity should not be associated with importance as the effects of iron deficiency are tragic and severe. Iron is a central component of very essential molecule known as heme which is part of larger protein complexes that rank among the most important in the human body. One aspect that makes animals different from plants is the presence of heme. Plants do not have it. …
Human life is not possible without iodine. Iodine is an essential part of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism. Thyroid hormones affect essentially the entire body and must be in the correct range for good health. The same is true for iodine—it must be in the correct range for good health. Found in many foods and in iodized salt, iodine is a mineral that the body requires to make thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones control the metabolism of the body as well as other functions such as bone and brain development during pregnancy and infancy. Since the body is unable to make…
Fluorides, which are usually referred to as fluoride, are minerals containing fluorine, one of the most reactive elements found on the periodic table. Unlike some minerals that are harder to obtain, fluorides are commonly found in the earth’s crust and water supply. The most common fluorides are sodium fluoride and calcium fluoride, which are naturally found in water and in some foods. Other fluorides, such as hexafluorosilicic acid and sodium hexafluorosilicate, are added to city water supplies to aid in the prevention of tooth decay. Sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride, and sodium monofluorophosphate are fluorine compounds that may be in toothpaste.…
Chromium is a mineral, tiny amounts of which are needed by human beings. In the 1950s, investigators discovered that a substance in brewer’s yeast could prevent diabetes in lab animals. It was determined that this substance was in fact trivalent chromium. Chromium is known to enhance the activity of insulin when tested in a lab (in vitro), and evidence is accumulating that it does the same in the body. There is no known natural deficiency state at the current time or clear evidence about how much chromium might cause toxicity. The FNB (Food and Nutrition Board) has only been able…
Choline, which is water soluble, plays a key role in the basic cellular functioning of the body. It is essential for liver function, normal brain development, nerve function, and muscle movement. It supports energy levels and helps maintain a healthy metabolism. Choline is a key nutrient in the production of phosphatidylcholine, an important structural building block of living cells, and it is an essential part of the process of methylation, which is needed to create DNA. Choline is also a crucial component of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Without acetylcholine, muscles cannot contract—the heart is unable to beat and the gastrointestinal track…
A vital trace mineral that is found in foods and the environment, people may also take boron as a supplement. Boron is thought to be useful for building strong bones and muscles, treating osteoarthritis, increasing levels of testosterone in the blood, and improving cognitive skills and muscle coordination. Women have used capsules containing boric acid, the most common form of boron, to treat vaginal yeast infections. They place the capsules directly in the vagina. People sometimes apply boric acid to the skin as an astringent or to prevent infections. In addition, it has been used as an eye wash. Boron…
Chloride is the ion name for chlorine. Chlorine is an atom that is most comfortable when it removes an electron from another atom and as a result takes on a negative charge (Cl−). Chloride is a negative ion found primarily in the extracellular fluid. As electrolytes, sodium and potassium often overshadow chloride, but also chloride should not be underestimated in importance. Along with sodium and potassium, chloride helps to regulate fluid balance in the body. In fact, chloride itself may be partially responsible for increases in blood pressure that accompany high-salt diets. Furthermore, chloride is involved in some interesting aspects…