Essential minerals (nutrients) are crucial for the function of the body. There are 17 essential minerals: Calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, iron, zinc, iodine, chromium, copper, fluoride, selenium, manganese, sulfur, cobalt, and Molybdenum. 1. Calcium What does Calcium in the Body? Calcium is essential for muscle contraction, blood clotting, nerve impulse, building strong bones…
Vitamins are essential for the maintenance and function of cells, tissues, and organs of our body through their roles in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Deficiency in vitamins results in disorders and diseases such as: I. Types of Vitamins and Their Function in the Body There are two types of vitamins: water-soluble and…
Due to the high levels of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields that are emitted by mobile phones, there are concerns about their potential association with brain cancer. Although several studies have been published on this subject, these remain highly conflicting and sometimes controversial, and therefore, require further investigations. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) considered this issue…
When we exercise or follow a training fitness program, it is believed that the pituitary gland in the brain releases endorphins that block pain receptors named opioid receptors leading to a state of euphoria and a reduction in anxiety levels (anxiolytic effect). However, a study reported that the sense of well-being (euphoria) after exercise referred…
Zinc is an essential mineral that is naturally present in a wide variety of food from plant and animal origins. It plays an important role in growth and development, taste, smell, wound healing, immune function, protein synthesis, and the maintenance of skin and hair. Deficiency in zinc is common in older people and is associated…
Magnesium (Mg) is one of the most abundant cations in the body, and it is involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions, including adenosine triphosphate (ATP) metabolism. Magnesium deficiency has been linked to various adverse health outcomes, including the development of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and headaches [1]. Magnesium and Cardiovascular diseases Most reports…
Aging is the natural process of getting old and is characterized by physiological changes that affect the cardiovascular, osteomuscular, digestive, and urinary systems. Memory and thinking skills, sexuality, and weight are also affected by this process. However, with the advances in genetic techniques, several research groups have shown that single genes can have a dramatic…
White matter is parts of the brain that comprise myelinated axons, while grey matter comprises neurons bodies, axon terminals, dendrites, and synapses. Myelin that covers the white matter axons is essential for the fast transmission of electrical signals to the grey matter nerve cells, and therefore, plays a key role in learning and brain function…
The gut flora (microbiota) plays an important role in human health through their metabolic function in breaking down ingested food to provide nutrients to cells and organs of the body. Among the metabolic products that are generated by the gut flora, proteins are critical for the function of the nervous system, such as serotonin, which…
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as aging-related neurodegenerative diseases and brain injuries result in severe cognitive deficits that are associated with atrophy of the hippocampus, a brain structure involved in short-term and long-term memories, and in the processing of spatial memory that controls navigation [1]. Exercise and physical activity have been shown to reduce or slow down these cognitive…
