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The Science Behind Fasting and Bad Breath
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Fasting is a practice that has been followed by various cultures and religions for centuries. It involves abstaining from food and, in some cases, beverages for a defined period. While fasting can have several physical and mental benefits, it is not uncommon for individuals to notice an unpleasant odor in their breath during fasting periods. Let's explore the reasons behind this phenomenon and uncover the science behind why one's breath may smell when they've fasted. When we fast or restrict our carbohydrate intake for an extended period, our body undergoes a metabolic state called ketosis. During ketosis, the body shifts its primary source of energy from glucose (derived from carbohydrates) to ketones, which are produced when the liver brea ...
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1859 |
bio_man |
A year ago |
What is the purpose of stress?
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The stress response exists for the purpose of survival. When we experience stress, our sympathetic nervous system activates, blood pressure and heart rate increase, and often we begin to sweat. These physiological reactions prepare us for "fight or flight." Our bodies are at optimal physical performance and alertness levels, and we are therefore optimized for survival in a physically challenging situation. Sometimes we use this physiological activation to our advantage: Consider a champion weightlifter who, prior to lifting an extremely heavy weight, "pumps himself up." By doing this, the weightlifter is attempting behaviorally to elicit a stress response from his brain and body in order to achieve the highest level of physical performance ...
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3786 |
bio_man |
A year ago |
Strange disease that causes fibers to grow underneath the skin
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Imagine a disease whose presence is marked by a feeling of something crawling along your skin, stinging every part of your body as if there is insect or parasite infestation that doesn't go away. Not only that, but your skin is plagued with the presence of multicolored filaments that lie under, are embedded in, or project from skin. Morgellons disease (pronounced with either a hard or soft "g") is a highly misunderstood skin condition that was first reported in the USA in 2002, although may have a longer history depending on where you look. The characteristic filaments described earlier are microscopic, visually resembling textile fibers, and are white, black, or a more vibrant color, such as red or blue (left image). In addition to fiber p ...
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3825 |
bio_man |
2 years ago |
Wholphin: a fertile hybrid
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A wholphin is a rare fertile hybrid born from mating a bottlenose dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus) (mother), and a false killer whale ( Pseudorca crassidens). Although they have been reported to exist in the wild, the first captive wholphin was born in 1945, where a bottlenose dolphin and a male false killer whale shared a pool. The wholphin's size, color and shape are intermediate between the parent species. For example, an adult wholphin has 66 teeth - intermediate between a bottlenose (88 teeth) and false killer whale (44 teeth). They are smaller than a false killer whale but are larger than a normal bottlenose. Normally, when two different, yet similar species mate, such as a female horse and a male donkey forming a mule, the progeny is expec ...
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6612 |
bio_man |
2 years ago |
Four color theorem
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The Four Color Theorem is a famous mathematical theorem that states that no more than four colors are required to color the regions of any map so that no two adjacent regions have the same color. Adjacent means that two regions share a common boundary curve segment, not merely a corner where three or more regions meet. Unlike other proofs before its discovery, computers were used to resolve this long-standing mathematical conjecture that was first proposed in 1850 by Francis Guthrie. After more than a century later, mathematicians, Kenneth Appel and Wolfgang Haken, finally derived its proof in 1976, and determined that it is practicality impossible for humans to verify it without the use of a computer. According to the four color theorem, a ...
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5367 |
bio_man |
2 years ago |
Child with ADHD vs. one who is simply more active
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What's the difference between a child with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and one who is simply more active than other children?Many children are rambunctious, to an extent that their parents or teachers find somewhat worrisome. Figuring out how to distinguish between normal high-energy levels and pathological overactivity can be quite difficult. Furthermore, the distinction can be complicated by parental tendencies to be permissive and to fail to set up clear rules, reprimands, or restrictions for when a child steps outside the limits. Figuring out how to make this distinction is not a trivial issue. Children diagnosed with ADHD are usually prescribed methylphenidate (Ritalin) or other medications that lessen their activity ...
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4454 |
bio_man |
2 years ago |
What do chiropractors do?
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Chiropractic medicine is an approach that is derived from the Greek roots " cheir," meaning hand, and " praxis," meaning practice, and was formulated by the founder of chiropractic, Daniel David Palmer (originally of Canada), to mean " done by hand." The emphasis in chiropractic is on the use of physical manipulation or adjustments to correct misalignment of the spinal vertebrae and other musculoskeletal joints to improve the function of the related organs and musculature. The main treatments used by chiropractic physicians are adjustments, or physical manipulation of the musculoskeletal system. Chiropractors also use heat and/or cold therapy, immobilization (with splints, for example), hydrotherapy, ultrasound, and massage. Chiropractic treatme ...
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3419 |
bio_man |
2 years ago |
Doctor of Osteopathy vs. Doctor of Medicine
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The United States has two kinds of physicians, the Doctor of Medicine (MD) and the Doctor of Osteopathy (DO). Both use medicines, surgery, and other standard methods of treating disease. DOs, however, place special emphasis on problems involving the musculoskeletal system, which includes muscles, ligaments, bones, and joints. Nevertheless, both doctors receive virtually identical training, and are equally licensed in all 50 states. Osteopathic medicine holds that true health involves complete physical, mental, and social well-being, rather than merely the absence of disease. In this system, the body has a capacity for health that the physician helps the individual attain. The osteopathic physician, therefore, treats the whole patient, consid ...
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18071 |
bio_man |
3 years ago |
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor
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Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are a remarkable class of drugs for treating hypertension – high blood pressure. These drugs work by interfering with the enzymes that convert an inactive chemical known as angiotensin I to an active form, angiotensin II. Angiotensin II increases the retention of salt and water in the body, raising blood pressure. ACE inhibitors interfere with, or inhibit, the formation of angiotensin II, resulting in relaxed arterial walls and lowered blood pressure. Since the release of the first ACE inhibitor in the 1980s, known generically as captopril, there are now several different ACE inhibitors available on the market. Many of them are also available in combination with other types of hypertension medic ...
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17477 |
bio_man |
3 years ago |
Why do archaeologists and geneticists reach different conclusions?
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An archaeologists is a scientist who studies human history by discovering and examining human remains and artifacts. The most common image of an archaeologists is someone on their hand and knees digging through dirt, carefully using a brush to dust off an artifact from the distant past. A geneticist, on the other hand, is someone who specializes in the science of genetics. This field of biology deals with the pattern of inheritance, molecular structure and function of genes, and gene behavior in context of a cell or organism. Both professionals are highly skilled, and use the same basic principles of science to test hypotheses, gather data, and make conclusions. However, why do archaeologists and geneticists sometimes reach different conclu ...
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16306 |
bio_man |
3 years ago |
Did birds evolve from dinosaurs?
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![](https://biology-forums.com/gallery/42/6_26_02_21_10_28_40.jpeg) We often hear people say that modern birds evolved from some dinosaurs. Apart from both being reptiles, what evidence have paleontologist discovered that validates this claim? A small bird-like dinosaur, called the archaeopteryx (left), lived in what is now southern Germany about 150 million years ago. About the size of a crow, it had a shortened tail, long hands, a perching toe slightly turned backward, and wing feathers that were adapted for flight. This creature has long been considered the most ancient bird known. However, despite its birdlike characteristics, its body more closely resembled those of small meat-eating dinosaurs than those of more birdlike dinosaurs. Many paleontologists identify the archaeopteryx as the so-called missing ...
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4115 |
bio_man |
3 years ago |
How Important are BPA-Free Products?
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Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic compound that serves as an important component in plastics. Plastics made with BPA are usually clear and tough, and can be used in a variety of common consumer goods, such as plastic water bottles, food storage containers, and certain baby bottles. Due to its versatility, an estimated 4 million tonnes of BPA-derived chemical were produced in 2015, making it one of the highest volume of chemicals produced worldwide. ![](https://biology-forums.com/gallery/42/6_01_02_21_8_52_27.png) For some time, BPA has been a popular topic in the media due to its undesirable effect on human health and the environment. In fact, back before BPA was every used in manufacturing, its first purported benefit was as an artificial estrogen. Due to its chemical structure, BPA is classified as a " ...
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4991 |
bio_man |
3 years ago |
Effect of dietary fats on high- and low-density cholesterol levels
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Here's an interesting comparison on how diets impact one's blood concentration of high- and low-density lipoproteins (HDL; LDL). In the first column, we're shown how cis fatty acids have the least impact on increasing LDL. These fats constitute the healthy fats found in vegetables, nuts, and fish. On the other hand, trans fats and saturated fats have the least desirable effect. Foods that typically contain these fats are pastries and meat, respectively. For more information on LDL and HDL, follow the links. Below is a video explaining how the consumption of eggs - albeit high in cholesterol - may actually lower blood cholesterol levels. ...
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11840 |
bio_man |
4 years ago |
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11446 |
bio_man |
4 years ago |
How to Change Behaviors to Support Weight Loss
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A few months ago, a family member of mine made the commitment to start losing weight and improve his health. From what I gathered in our conversations, he wasn't satisfied with his appearance, and the extra weight made him feel unproductive and sluggish. As a result, he decided to limit his caloric intake by taking on the ketogenic diet, which is a diet associated with low carbohydrate intake. By lowering the total number of calories, he felt he could begin to lose the weight, and start to look thinner and healthier. After a few weeks, I noticed a significant improvement in his appearance – he stayed true to his word by choosing foods that were nutritionally adequate, and had avoided excessive consumption. I was impressed, I felt he'd finall ...
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22957 |
bio_man |
4 years ago |
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