Branched chain amino acids or BCAA are three essential amino acids namely valine, leucine, and isoleucine. These are called essential because these cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained from food. There is a total of 20 amino acids in our body. Out of these nine are essential. Out of these three […]
Health
Breast Engorgement: Causes, Prevention and Treatment
Breast engorgement is the painful condition of breasts that occurs after 2-3 days of childbirth when the breasts start producing a larger quantity of milk. It occurs due to both increased production of milk and increased blood flow to the breasts. The breasts become hard, firmer, fuller and painful. Physiology of Breast Milk Production The […]
Is Fructose Bad For your Health
Sucrose [glucose] and fructose are two different kinds of sugars that make part of our diet. Sucrose is the common sugar we consume, fructose is consumed in the form of sweetening syrup. Fructose consumption is part of Western diets but is on the rise in other parts of the world too. Apart from common sugar, […]
50 Iron Rich Foods You Can Add to Your Diet
Iron is a major constituent of blood and is one of the minerals we should eat regularly in our diet. There are many iron rich foods available across the food groups. Read more about the Dietary requirement of iron Iron deficiency leads to anemia and oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is reduced. It leads to […]
Dietary Iron Requirement and Sources
Iron is a mineral vital for performing various functions in the human body. Its most important function is that it is one of the components of hemoglobin, the protein present in red blood cells that helps the blood to carry oxygen throughout the body. Therefore, it becomes essential to know about dietary iron, our main […]
Dwarfism – Types, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment
Dwarfism is the term applied when the patient’s height is far less than normal for his age and sex. The generally accepted definition is a height less than 147 cm or 4 feet 10 inches. Most of these people have an average life expectancy and remain productive. The reported incidence is 1 per 25,000 births. […]
Lactose Intolerance Types, Symptoms and Treatment
Lactose intolerance is a condition resulting from an inability to digest lactose (which is a carbohydrate present in milk and milk products). This results in gastric symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, etc. Pathophysiology Lactose intolerance occurs due to decreased levels or absence of enzyme lactase in the body. Lactose (a disaccharide) can’t be directly absorbed through the […]
Metabolic Syndrome – Causes and Treatment
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic disorders which when present increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. It arises from insulin resistance accompanying abnormal adipose deposition and function and is also a risk factor for diabetes, fatty liver, and several cancers. Metabolic syndrome occurs when a person has three or more of the following Abdominal […]
Palpitations Causes and Treatment
Palpitations are defined as abnormal perception of the heartbeat and are described by patients as a disagreeable sensation of pulsation or movement in the chest and/or adjacent areas. Normally, the activity of the heart is not perceived by the individual in resting condition. During or immediately after intense physical activity or emotional stress, one may […]
Enteral Feeding Indications and Complications
Enteral tube feeding or enteral feeding refers to the delivery of a nutritionally complete feed (containing protein or amino acids, carbohydrate +/− fibre, fat, water, minerals and vitamins) directly into the gut via a tube. The tube is usually placed into the stomach, duodenum or jejunum via either the nose, mouth or the direct percutaneous […]