What is . . . ?

Acanthosis nigricans (pronounced: ah-kan-THO-sis NY-gruh-kans) is a skin condition. It appears gradually with thicker and dark, velvety patches of skin in body creases and folds, usually on the sides and back of the neck, in armpits, elbow pits and groin. It can be found on other parts of the body, including the face, chest, elbows, knees, and knuckles.

Acanthosis nigricans is most commonly caused by high blood insulin levels, a condition called insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is seen in people who are overweight or obese, and makes them more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. It is also associated with other endocrine conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Losing weight will help acanthosis nigricans fade.

Adipose tissue (commonly known as body fat) is found all over the body: under the skin (subcutaneous fat), packed around internal organs (visceral fat), between muscles, within bone marrow and in breast tissue.

Men tend to store more visceral fat, leading to obesity around the middle of their abdomen. However, women tend to store more subcutaneous fat within the buttocks and thighs. These differences are due to the sex hormones produced by males and females.

Adipose tissue is a very important and active endocrine organ; 𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑝𝑜𝑐𝑦𝑡𝑒𝑠 (or fat cells) play a vital role in the storage and release of energy throughout the body. In addition to adipocytes, adipose tissue contains numerous other cells that produce certain hormones in response to signals from the rest of the organs throughout the body. Through the actions of these hormones, adipose tissue plays an important role in the regulation of glucose, cholesterol and the metabolism of sex hormones.

Both too much (obesity) and too little (anorexia nervosa) adipose tissue can have severe health implications.

Apnea is a frequent disruption in sleep from blocked or constricted airflow caused by a physical obstruction in the upper airway or a missed signal from the brain to the respiratory muscles. Snoring is a major sign of obstructive sleep apnea.

If you think that merely waking up a lot — in some cases, 30 or more times an hour — doesn’t really sound that bad, here’s something to consider: Apnea is linked to irregular heartbeats, heart attacks, high blood pressure, and strokes.

About 70% of the energy we expend each day is what it takes to keep your lungs breathing, your heart beating, your blood flowing, your temperature at a steady level, and your ability to maintain many other basic functions of life when your body is at rest. This energy level is interchangeably called the 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 (BMR) or the 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 (RMR).

If you know your BMR, you know the least number of calories you need to keep your body functioning. The Harris Benedict Equation is considered the gold standard formula for figuring that out. 👇

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞
👉 https://www.omnicalculator.com/health/bmr-harris-benedict-equation

A calorie is a unit of energy. When you hear something contains 100 calories, it’s a way of describing how much energy your body could get from eating or drinking it. There are calories in each of the three main macronutrients that we eat – carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Each macronutrient contains the following calories per gram:

🔺Carbohydrate: 4 calories
🔺Fat: 9 calories
🔺Protein: 4 calories

Other macronutrients, such as fiber, may differ in calorie content depending on whether it is soluble or insoluble fiber.

. . . and, by the way, alcohol serves up seven calories per gram.

Carbohydrates are nutrients that the body uses in relatively large amounts. They are a 𝑚𝑎𝑗𝑜𝑟 source of energy for your body since they are broken down into blood glucose, which is used to make energy for cells, tissues and organs. However, if there is more sugar than the body can use, the liver may break the sugar down further and store it as body fat.

There are two kinds of carbohydrates: 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 and 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐱.

S𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐬 are made of one or two sugar molecules. These sugars are digested quickly in your body, making them a fast source of energy. Some examples of simple carbs include candy, jams, jellies, soft drinks, honey and table sugar, and other sugars that may be added when foods are processed or prepared.

C𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐱 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐬 are made from large strings of sugar molecules so they tend to be digested slowly. Complex carbs include legumes, such as peas or beans, starchy vegetables, and whole grain breads and cereals.

Are fruits simple or refined?

Fruits (vegetables and dairy) are technically made of simple carbohydrates, but because of the fiber, protein and other nutrients that naturally occur in these foods, they act more like complex carbohydrates in the body

Choose complex carbs over simple carbs because they are good sources of fiber and other nutrients your body needs.

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance present in all parts of the body including the nervous system, skin, muscles, liver, intestines, and heart. It is both made by the body and obtained from animal products in the diet. Cholesterol is manufactured in the liver for normal body functions including the production of hormones, bile acid, and vitamin D. It is transported in the blood to be used by all parts of the body.

In the blood stream, cholesterol combines with fatty acids to form high-density (HDL) and low-density (LDL) lipoproteins. LDLs are considered the “bad cholesterol,” since they can stick together to form plaque deposits on the walls of your blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis.

A good way to remember the difference between the two:

“H” = happy 😊 . . . “L” = lousy 😒

Cortisol is a hormone made by the two adrenal glands; there’s one atop of each kidney. This hormone is important in activating the immune system and processing carbohydrates. High amounts of cortisol are released in moments of stress — thus, the nickname “the stress hormone” — but unhealthy lifestyle habits, like alcohol consumption, too little sleep, and a high glycemic diet, are some of the other primary drivers of harmfully high cortisol levels.

When you have too much cortisol in your body over a long period, a disorder called Cushing’s syndrome can occur.

On the other hand, when the adrenal glands aren’t making enough cortisol and other hormones, people can develop adrenal insufficiency or Addison’s disease.