Breastfeeding

Definition

Breastfeeding is the practice of feeding an infant milk through the mother’s breast. According to La Leche League International (LLLI), human milk is ‘a living fluid that protects babies from disease and actively contributes to the development of every system in baby’s body”’. Breastfeeding stimulates babies’ immune systems and protects against diarrhea and infection. Description

The mother’s body prepares for breastfeeding…

Battle Creek Sanitarium, Early Health Spa

The Western Health Reform Institute, which opened in 1866, was originally a residence belonging to Benjamin Graves, a judge of the Michigan Superior Court. Set on eight acres of land, this farm house gave no hint of what it was to become, but already there were ideas and propositions for the building that would…

Antioxidants

Definition Antioxidants are molecules that prevent oxygen molecules from interacting with other molecules in a process called oxidation. In the body, antioxidants combine with potentially damaging molecules called free radicals to prevent the free radicals from causing damage to cell membranes, DNA, and proteins in the cell. Common antioxidants important to human health are vitamins A, C, E, beta-carotene, and…

Amino Acids

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. The body has twenty different amino acids that act as these building blocks. Nonessential amino acids are those that the body can synthesize for itself, provided there is enough nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen available. Essential amino acids are those supplied by the diet, since the human body either cannot make…

Africans, Diets of

Africa, the second largest continent in the world, is rich in geographic and cultural diversity. It is a land populated by peoples with histories dating to ancient times and cultures shaped by innumerable tribes, languages, and traditions. Because it is the birthplace of Homo sapiens and the land of origin for much of the world’s population, the…

Adult nutrition

Definition Nutrition describes the processes by which all of the food a person eats are taken in and the nutrients that the body needs are absorbed. Good nutrition can help prevent disease and promote health.

Vitamins and minerals are an important part of nutrition. Vitamins are organic substances present in food. They are required by the body in small amounts…

Adolescent nutrition

Nutrition describes the processes by which all of the food a person eats are taken in and the nutrients that the body needs are absorbed. Good nutrition for adolescents can help prevent disease and promote proper health, growth, and development.

Adequate intakes of vitamins and minerals are an important part of nutrition. Vitamins are organic substances present in food….