The Importance of Hormones in Glucose Homeostasis

Diabetes, commonly treated with insulin, is a widespread ailment for many people, but insulin treatment only provides one of the compounds used in glucose homeostasis. This article discusses the importance of several hormones in glucose homeostasis.

Diabetes is treated with insulin, but evidence shows that there are many compounds that impact glucose homeostasis besides just insulin. Diabetes was seen as a mono-hormonal deficiency until the discovery of additional glucoregulatory hormones known as glucagon, amylin and incretin hormones. The interconnection of these hormones and the hormone insulin is now known to be the governing factors affecting glucose homeostasis. These hormones come from both the gut and the pancreas, and they work together to regulate glucose homeostasis.

A combined effort of all of these hormones is needed to effectively treat diabetes and improve glucose homeostasis. Regulating glucagon is still a common problem and research has focused on therapies to regulate this hormone. Amylin suppresses the secretion of glucagon by working with insulin; this hormone also helps regulate gastric emptying. Incretin hormones play a large role in glucose homeostasis by regulating the appearance of glucose and improving the secretion of insulin. These hormones are being studied, but researchers are only now becoming able to develop therapies to help with amylin and incretin hormones. The importance of a balance of all the hormones needed for glucose homeostasis is obvious when the negative effects of only insulin use is considered. Using only insulin to combat deficiencies can lead to weight gain, hypoglycemia, and many other complications.

"Glucose homeostasis is governed by the interplay of insulin, glucagon, amylin, and incretin hormones," and the necessity of these hormones in treatments for diabetes is obvious (Aronoff, Berkowitz, Shreiner, and Want). Understanding the interplay of these hormones is necessary when trying to treat glucose deficiencies. Further research and application of this information can provide "new pharmacological agents to promote better clinical outcomes and quality of life for people with diabetes" (Aronoff, Berkowitz, Shreiner, and Want).

For a very long time insulin has been the only treatment for diabetes, but further research has determined the complexity of glucose homeostasis as well as the role that other hormones play in this process. It is important to develop therapies that help with other hormones besides insulin in order to fully treat people who suffer from these ailments as well as regulate glucose homeostasis.

Reference

Aronoff, Stephen L; Berkowitz, Kathy; Shreiner, Barb; Want, Laura Diabetes Spectrum 3(2004):183. eLibrary. Web. 16 May. 2011.

The Importance of Food Biochemistry and Metabolic Processes

Metabolic processes are influenced by the biochemistry of food. This article discusses food biochemistry, the major components of diet, and how they are metabolized by the body; it also discusses common diseases and research related to these concepts.

Food biochemistry is the production of energy from the breakdown of food in the cell. Nutrients are used by the cell to create energy, and vitamins and minerals are also essential for proper metabolic processes. The nutrients are carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. Carbohydrates can come in a variety of forms from simple to complex, and the carbohydrate molecules are composed of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. Lipids are solid fats and liquid oils, the molecules are primarily made up of carbon and hydrogen, and lipids are broken down into three major groups known as triglycerides, phospholipids, and sterols.

Proteins consist of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, and they form chains of amino acidbyjuios. These chains are formed using a variety of the twenty different amino acids that exist. They are used as a catalyst for biochemical reactions in the cells, and they also act as transport molecules and add structure to cells. Vitamins and minerals are necessary for the body's metabolic functions; vitamins are either water-soluble or fat soluble, and they are necessary for enzymes. Major minerals are calcium phosphorus magnesium, sodium chloride sulfur, and potassium, and they 100 milligrams are necessary for proper function per day. Trace elements are also important, but they are needed in smaller doses; trace elements are iron, zinc, iodine, fluoride, copper, selenium, chromium, manganese and molybdenum.

Biochemistry of food plays a role in common diseases, and researchers have been studying this concept for a long time. Overconsumption and malnutrition commonly cause disorders because the body needs certain amounts of the previously list nutrients, vitamins and minerals to function properly. Too much of these components in a diet can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol; a deficiency of these components can lead to a metabolic disorder known as beriberi, rickets, and other disorders and diseases. Researchers have been studying the biochemistry of food in relation to the metabolic processes of the body since Aristotle's time, and the study of the biochemical make up of food paired with diet and nutrition has helped scientists determine the causes and methods of prevention for many disorders and conditions. These studies have also led to the creation of the recommended dietary allowances, and these theories influence how many humans eat on a daily basis.

The biochemistry of food is important to the lives of all individuals. The information found in this article provides essential information about the body's needs and use of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. "Since the 1970's, research has consistently associated nutritional factors with six of the ten leading causes of death in the United States;" this article discusses how overconsumption and under consumption can cause these nutritional factors to occur. Understanding how cells "convert the nutrients of the food one eats to energy and other structural components of the body" is essential to having a healthy diet. Understanding how food is processed can lead to healthier choices and a healthier life (Food biochemistry).

"Food biochemistry." Magill's Medical Guide, 4th Rev. ed.. 2008. eLibrary. Web. 15 May. 2011.

The Importance of a Healthy Breakfast for Busy Moms

 

A healthy breakfast is usually far from the busy mom's mind first thing in the morning, but this choice can have a huge impact on your health. It is important to understand the value of a healthy meal as well as the importance of the various nutrients. This article will discuss the factors that impact personal food choices, a healthy breakfast recipe and how to proportion the recipe to suit different age groups.

There are many factors that affect personal food choices throughout the course of life. Work and school schedules are usually a large factor in diet and health, and it may seem like eating breakfast and other healthy meals may consume too much time. There are many breakfast choices that are quick, easy and suitable for people at different stages of life. Busy moms often forgo breakfast, but it is important to make this a part of the daily routine. Creating a healthy meal that both parents and children can enjoy is a good way to spend time with children instead of spending extra time preparing meals.

An excellent healthy breakfast idea that suits the dietary needs of the whole family includes a mixed berry smoothie, a slice of whole grain toast and an egg cooked over easy or any other way you like. This recipe can be made for multiple people at the same time by doubling the ingredients per person. The meal can be made all at the same time by using cookie trays for the toast and a large frying pan for the eggs. Smoothies can be processed together and distributed evenly. The ingredients for this recipe are as follows:

½ cup of milk

½ cup of ice

½ cup frozen raspberries

½ cup frozen blueberries

1 egg

1 piece of whole grain toast

1 tablespoon olive oil

To create this meal, you will need a blender as well as a frying pan, oven and spatula. Start by heating the oil in the frying pan on medium. Also, put the broiler on and place the bread under the flame to be toasted. Then crack the egg into the pan of heated oil. Add the ice, milk and berries to the blender. Let the egg cook until it is done and place it with the piece of toast on a plate. Make sure the lid is securely on, and turn the blender on medium. Then process the food in the blender until the mixture is smooth. Pour it into a glass and you are ready for breakfast

According to Canada's Food Guide for Healthy Eating, there are four main food groups are meat and alternatives, dairy and alternatives, fruits and vegetables and grains. These four food groups are all present in this menu item and they can be adjusted to suit the age and gender of the person eating. For instance, a busy mom between the age of 19-50 needs 7-8 fruit and vegetable products (How much food do you need every day) . The use of ½ cup of raspberries and ½ cup of blueberries is 2 servings of fruit. A young child between the ages of 2-8 needs only four fruits and vegetables per day. They can have half of the adult sized smoothie and still have plenty of fruits and vegetables later.

Eating right is important, and any healthy diet and lifestyle starts every day with breakfast. Creating healthy menu items can be fun, and they can be adjusted to suit any part of the life cycle.

Reference:

" Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating - Health - Government of Saskatchewan ." Health - Government of Saskatchewan . N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2011.

"How Much Food You Need Every Day - Canada's Food Guide - Health Canada."Welcome to the Health Canada Web site | Bienvenue au site Web de Sant© Canada. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2011. .

The Importance of Nutrients in the 4 Food Groups

 

The importance of nutrients in the four main food groups is huge. These nutrients provide the body with everything it needs to grow and maintain healthy function. This article will discuss the four main food groups, nutrition's affect on the body and image, and how to prepare and store foods to maximize nutrient retention.

The four main food groups all provide important nutrients for the body. Grains provide fiber, iron and b vitamins, which are important for several reasons including lower cholesterol, oxygen blood levels, and the nervous system (Nutritional importance of each food group). Fruits and vegetables provide potassium, folate, fiber, vitamins A, E, and C. Meat provides zinc, iron, vitamin E and magnesium, and the dairy group provides calcium and vitamin D. All of these nutrients help the body function and grow. They maintain health by preventing heart disease, cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes and many other serious health conditions. It is important to consume these nutrients to maintain health and a healthy body image. Eating right will enable you to feel and look better. Knowing what you are putting into your body will help to serve it instead of hinder it. It is a healthy lifestyle choice everyone should make.

Nutrition, lifestyle, health and disease are all interrelated because the choices we make in nutrition and lifestyle will impact our health and ability to fight disease. Nutrients provide the body with the substances needed for growth and maintenance of our bodies and minds. When preparing and storing food, it is important to maintain nutrition retention. Boiling and steaming are good ways to preserve nutrients, but raw foods are usually the healthiest choice (How to maintain food nutrients). When storing foods, you can preserve nutrients by freezing or canning them. When freezing, it is important to blanch many fruits and vegetables first, and when canning using a pressure canner ensures that the seal will be airtight.

Getting the nutrients our bodies need is important to maintain health and wellness. Meat, dairy, grains and vegetables and fruits are all important to a healthy diet and lifestyle. These foods provide the body with the nutrients it needs to grow and support life.

Reference

" How to maintain food nutrients." The Catalunya Chronicle | An English Newspaper for Tarragona and beyond . N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2011. .

"Nutritional Importance of Each Food Group." Care in Containers -Providing Meals for Elderly. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2011. .