Amino acids, if not used for protein synthesis or other purposes, lose their nitrogen (amino group) and are metabolized for energy. The body get rid of ammonia, which contains the nitrogen (from amino groups), by converting it to urea in the liver. The blood carries the urea to the kidney, where it is excreted in the urine. Some amino acids are also used for synthesis of hormones or other chemical compounds. Tryptophan can serve as a precursor for serotonin, a neurotransmitter. Tryptophan can also be converted to a vitamin, niacin. Certain amino acids are also converted to glucose, if the body does not receive sufficient carbohydrates. Starving or fasting people make their glucose this way.

Essential amino acids

We cannot make essential amino acids in sufficient quantities for optimal nutrition in our own body. We therefore need to get them from food. Eight amino acids are essential for adults; nine are essential for children. The remaining amino acids are just as important for protein synthesis, but our body can synthesis them from the carbon skeletons of fats, carbohydrates, other amino acids, and the nitrogen from amino acids already present.

Complete protein is a colloquial term for proteins of high nutritional quality. High quality proteins are dietary proteins that provide all the essential amino acids in the right proportions. Animal proteins usually resemble our own proteins more than plant proteins, and therefore are usually of high quality. Many plant proteins are of lower quality. These differences are not surprising because plants have different needs and properties than animals and, therefore, need different types of protein.

Plant seed proteins, such as grains, rice and corn, are usually low in one or two essential amino acids. Most animal proteins, gelatin is an exception, contain all the essential amino acids in the proper proportions.

Egg protein is one of the highest quality proteins. Other protein sources are therefore compared to egg protein regarding their nutritional value. The relative quality of protein, or its usefulness for the human body is called the “biological value.” A high quality protein would have a high biological value.

Proteins with the required proportions of essential and non-essential amino acids have a high biological value, and can be used for protein synthesis with little waste.We can get good quality protein by combining different plant proteins. This is especially important for vegetarians. For example, one plant protein may be low in one amino acid, while another plant protein may be high in that amino acid. If these two plant proteins are combined and eaten together, they complement each other, delivering all essential amino acids in sufficient amounts. Some examples:

Rice is low in lysine , an essential amino acid. Beans are low in methionine, another essential amino acid. Since both contain reasonably balanced proportions of the other essential amino acids, rice and beans complement each other to make better quality protein. Rice and beans are staple foods of many countries and of vegetarians.

(A paragraph of this article was place on my site at www.topchoices.com along with a link back to isnare.com for a complete reading of this article).

Alphonso Smith is the author of “Good Health Matter” which is to be finished mid-2008. Mr. Smith is the founder of Prosperity Nation Institute. Go to: http://www.prosperitycitizen.blogspot.com We want to hear your advice,hints and tips on prosperity. Go to http://www.essential-eresources.com

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Cholesterol is a lipit, or insoluble fatty substance, that your body manufactures to build the outer membrane of each of your cells as well as certain hormones. Because it doesn’t mix water, cholesterol cannot travel alone. To gain passage through the bloodstream, cholesterol combines into little packages with high-density lipoproteins, (HDL, or so-called good cholesterol), low-density lipoproteins (LDL, or bad cholesterol), or very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL).

The amount and the kind of cholesterol in your blood are a reflection of the fats you eat. But, as always, there are exceptions to the rule. Some people can feast on high-fat food and still have acceptable cholesterol levels, while others trim their fat intake to the bare minimum without achieving any significant decrease in blood cholesterol. Many premenopausal women with elevations in their cholesterol levels still remain relatively safe because their HDL (good cholesterol) levels are at work protecting their arteries.

New ways of checking levels on in the works now. Don’t let that stop you from checking you levels now. Where you stand can be realized by having blood work done

Research has provided much evidence about the association between diet, cholesterol, and heart disease. A very high level of blood cholesterol increases the risk of coronary artery disease in the group most studied—men between the ages of 25 and 60. The higher the cholesterol, the greater the risk. A very low level of cholesterol doesn’t carry any risk by itself.

While we don’t have all the answers, it’s best to take a prudent course: be familiar with the cholesterol and saturated-fat content of foods and apply this knowledge to your food choices.

Fats

Fats are a group of various highly concentrated substances that don’t mix with water. Dietary fats are carriers for fat-soluble vitamins. If there were no fat in the diet, it could eventually lead to a vitamin deficiency. Some fats are crucial for maintaining the structure of each cell in your body and producing hormones. While fats are essential to good nutrition, they are beneficial only when you consume certain types in limited amounts.

Several fats fall into a group of oily substances, some of which bear such familiar names as cholesterol, saturated and unsaturated fat, and triglycerides. There are three kinds of dietary fat, all of which affect your health differently:

Saturated Fat: raises your cholesterol level. Butter, lard, and meat drippings contain mostly saturated fats. Most of these saturated fats, which remain solid at room temperature, come from animal sources. The only exceptions are such tropical plant oils as coconut oil and palm kernel oil, which are liquid at room temperature.

Monounsaturated fat: gets it name from its molecular structure. It contains two fewer hydrogen atoms than saturated fat and, by virtue of being one step removed from saturated status; monounsaturated fat merits a place on the recommended list. Olive oil and canola oil are excellent sources.

Polyunsaturated fat: has even less hydrogen than monounsaturated fat and helps lower cholesterol in the bloodstream. Polyunsaturated fat remains liquid at room temperature. Good sources include safflower oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, and soybean oil.

There are two types of polyunsaturated fats: omega-6 oils, which is common in safflower, sunflower, corn, and soybean oil and omega-3 oils, is found in cold water sea fish, such as mackerel and salmon.

Alphonso Smith, is in need of all the assistance he can get learning the business of internet marketing. If you know the business and care to share,be generous. e-mail me at alphonso511@aol.com Go to: http://www.prosperitycitizen.blogspot.com-give me a shout out,and visit http://www.essential-eresources.com

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However, recent studies point to the value of moderate and even low levels of physical activity in reducing the risk of early death. People who stand to gain the most from modest amounts of exercise are those who move from the sedentary category to moderate activity. For inactive people, that’s the equivalent of taking brisk half-hour to 45 minute walk six or seven days a week.

About a third of the population can be classified as regularly active, engaging in at least three 20-minute sessions of moderately intensive activity each week. Many in this group do not achieve and maintain the heart rates previously recommended by experts, but the mere fact that they have been making some of the right moves in terms of physical activity, bodes well for them. Just by virtue of the exercise they have undertaken,they may collected more health benefits than they were promised.

So regardless of how you do it and the extent to which you’re able to take it, get moving on getting fit. Whether you choose moderate or vigorous levels of physical activity, there are many well-establish health benefits,including a stronger heart and lungs, weight loss and maintenance of an appropriate weight level, a lower blood cholesterol level, reduced stress, and stronger bones.

In order to be physical fit, you must first be physically active. Fitness is a measure of four basic elements: cardiovascular-respiratory endurance,body composition, muscular strength and flexibility.

Many people have negative perceptions about “exercise”; it’s inconvenient, it can hurt, it’s expensive. In contrast,”physical activity” is more likely to be viewed as something that brings pleasure. Physical activity encompasses the entire range of possible motion from such vigorous activities as bicycling, swimming, and football to more moderate modes of movement such as walking,gardening,playing pool,raking leaves,mowing a lawn,climbing stairs,and ballroom dancing. Do something.

The amount and the quality of exercise you need to attain health-related benefits may not be the same as what is recommended for attaining cardiovascular fitness. In other words, levels of physical activity lower than those recommended may reduce the risk of certain chronic degenerative diseases, yet may not be intensive enough to raise your capacity to take in more oxygen. Also, just how much physical fitness is necessary for optimum health is unknown.

Remember, fitness is for people in all age groups. In a broad sense, it’s the ability to perform moderate to vigorour levels of physical activity without becoming fatigued and being able to maintain this capability all of your life.

Before you begin a program of physical activity, consider your age and how long it’s been since you were last physically active. If you have been sedentary for a long time, or are over 45, get medical clearance from your doctor before taking up any kind of intense physical activity.

Alphonso Smith is working on a series of books: GOOD HEALTH MATTERS, GOOD CREDIT MATTERS, PROSPERITY MATTERS. For hints,advice,tips and strategies on the contents of the series: http://www.essential-resources.com also http://www.goodhealthmatters.blogspot.com - http://www.prosperitycitizen.blogspot.com

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Polyps are abnormal growths in the mucosal lining of the large intestine. There are various kinds of polyps; some are benign, others may be the precursors of colorectal cancer. Although the presence of polyps is not always apparent,signs to watch out for include blood in the stool, and rarely, watery diarrhea. If your doctor suspects polyps,diagnosis is usually made via barium enema and colonoscopy examination. Polyps are removed with a specially equipped colonoscope and examined for the presence of abnormal cells.

There are two different preparations depending on your physician’s choice:

(1) You may be put on a clear liquid diet for a day or two before the test and you are instructed to take a laxative the night before the examination.

(2) You may be instructed to drink a gallon of special liquid which is prepared by a pharmacist. Enemas may be given before the test.

An intravenous line will be started in your arm before the test begins. You must tell the nurse if you have any allergies and what medications you take.

The test is done in a special room called the Endocopy Room or in the X-ray suite.

You will take off all of your clothes, fold them, place them in a laundry bag and put them away securely. You then put on the hospital “Johnny” with the opening in the back. You will be placed on a special table lying on your left side with your knees drawn up towards your chest. The scope, a fiber optic tube, will be inserted though your rectum and passed into your large intestine. Air may be introduced so that your doctor can see the folds of the lining of your intestine. Because your cooperation and responses are important, it is essential that you be awake during the test. (I honestly don’t remember anything during the examination.) You are given medication thru the IV to relax you before the scope is inserted and if necessary during the test to keep you comfortable. As the scope is inserted you may have the urge to move your bowels. (Don’t worry about it, it’s mostly air.) There will also be some crampy feeling if air is introduced. Both of these will pass when the air is expelled and the scope removed. Otherwise this is not a painful procedure.

You should have no discomfort but you might feel tired from the examination. If a biopsy is done or a polyp removed you may have some slight bleeding. This is usually of no consequence. Your physician may want to observe you for a short time after the test before sending you home.

It is important to make arrangements for someone to accompany you to and from the hospital as you will not be able to drive after the test because of medication.

Alphonso Smith, flegdling author with two books in the works. GOOD HEALTH MATTERS AND PROSPERITY MATTERS,Go to; http://www.prosperitycitizen.blogspot.com Mr. Smith is attempting to understand the workings of the internet. Hints,tips,advice made available free at http://www.essential-eresources.com

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