Health Science

health science

What is TEK? Characteristics

TEK, or Traditional Ecological Knowledge, refers to the understanding and insights gained by indigenous and local communities about their environment, cultivated over generations. It encompasses knowledge of local ecosystems, species interactions, and sustainable harvesting practices.

Preparation methods

paste, poultice, juice, powder, chewing, infusion, decoction

Codonopsis

fresh or dried roots, in tea, capsules or cooked into food, used to replenish energy and slow the growth of cancer cells

Chinese ginseng

the root, eaten raw or lightly steamed, good for immune system, lower blood sugar, help with anxiety, insomnia and fatigue

astragalus

the root, made into liquid extracts, teas and powders, boost immune system, improve kidney and heart function, improve blood flow

Western medicine

based on the physical signs and symptoms of a patient, determining the cause of disease and treating the cause

complimentary vs alternative (CAM)

refers to treatments used alongside conventional medicine versus those used instead of it, often focusing on holistic healing. uses natural products like herbs and vitamins, or doing yoga and meditation

chiropractic

treats back and neck pain, headaches, and hand and feet problems by applying force to a joint and moving it out of its usual range of motion. based on the fact that the spine has the central nervous system, and you can realign the vertebrae. risks include herniated disks and a stroke after movement to the neck

cupping

ease pain by placing cups on back, stomach, arms and legs and using a vacuum force to pull the skin up (dry and wet) wet has been shown to help back pain. it might overall help sports related injuries. it can cause scars or infections

osteopathy

treat and prevent health issues by moving and stretching muscles and joints. can be effective for neck and shoulder pain, and some headaches. not recommended for serious injuries

ethics and morals

ethics refers to rules provided by an external source. we follow them because society tells us its the right thing to do.

morals refer to an individual’s own principles regarding right and wrong.

autonomy

what does the patient want? patients must be educated by the health pros. in order to make an educated decision for their own well-being

beneficence

will it benefit the patient? weigh benefits against possible risks of an action

non-maleficence

will it harm the patient? health pros. must consider side effects and risks

justice

health practitioners need to treat patients equally and fairly. resources must be distributed in a way that benefits the most people.

placebo effect

confirmation bias. you think something is going to work, so whether it did something or not, you believe it did. you account any changes you may notice to that thing.

1 Calorie=

1kcal = 1000 calories

aspects of food (nutrition basics)

consumption: chewing and swallowing solids or liquids

digestion: breaking down food into smaller pieces

absorption: smaller molecule are taken up into the body

metabolism: breaking down molecules and releasing energy that is stored in the chemical bonds

storage: containment of excess nutrients until they’re needed

excretion: removal of waste, maintaining fluid balance

the macronutrients

carbohydrates, proteins and lipids (fat)

micronutrients

vitamins, minerals and water

simple carbohydrates

monosaccharides (glucose, fructose (fruit sugar) and galactose)

disaccharides (maltose, sucrose (table sugar) and lactose (dairy))

complex carbohydrates

polysaccharides (starch and glycogen)

carbohydrates - general

contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen

primary source of fuel, for the brain (contains glucose) and physical activity

4kcal/g

rice, legumes, seeds, nuts, wheat, bread

proteins

made up of amino acids (20)

contains carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen

not a primary source of fuel, but is used to build and maintain body

4kcal/g

meats, nuts, milk, cheese, legumes, beans

lipids

glycerol backbone with fatty acids attached (3 fatty acids, 2 saturated, 1 unsaturated)

contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen

energy source for when you’re at rest

insoluble in water

9kcal/g

butter, oil, cheese, avocado, fish, nuts

unsaturated fats

healthy fats

double chains in one of the fatty acids

avocado, vegetable oil, olives, seeds, almonds

saturated fats

unhealthy fats

no double chains present within the molecule

butter, cheese, coconut oil, coffee cream, beef burger, bacon, salami, doughnuts, margarine

omega-3 fats

the essential fats

salmon, walnuts, non-hydrogenated margarine

vitamins - general

organic molecules, contains oxygen, carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen

regulates bodily function

supports the immune system

water soluble vitamins

vitamins B and C

transported in blood, excreted in urine

must be replenished daily

avocados, yams, citrus, berries, meat

fat soluble vitamins

vitamins A, K, E and D

stored in liver and fat tissue

released from cells as needed

daily intake is not required

fish, legumes, meats, sun, milk

minerals - general

inorganic, composed of single elements

maintains fluid levels, builds cells and bones and nerve/muscle function

major minerals

more than 5g in the body

need at least 100mg per day

calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium

trace minerals

less than 5g in the body

need less than 100mg a day

iron, zinc, copper, iodine

water

makes up 60% of the human body

balances fluids in and outside our cells

regulates nerve impulses, body temp, muscle contractions, nutrient transport and excretion

scurvy

lack of vitamin C

goiter

iodine deficiency

rickets

lack of vitamin D

osteoporosis

calcium deficiency

metabolism

the process that involves both catabolism and anabolism.

anabolism is the building up of body tissues and energy stores

catabolism is the breaking down of body tissues and energy stores to get more fuel for body functions

dehydration synthesis

this is the removal of water molecules to join 2 molecules together (anabolism) (removing water allows for the connections to be made)

hydrolysis

the opposite of dehydration synthesis

the adding of water molecules to break up a large molecule into a smaller one (catabolism)

polymer

a substance made up of large molecules(which are each made up of smaller units) (e.g. glycogen is a blank of glucose)

enzymes

they are proteins

they help with the process of building and breaking down molecules.

they are specific to the molecule it is breaking or building

homeostasis

the process of keeping everything in our body constant and in balance

functions that need this include levels of blood sugar, iron, water and ph levels, as well as body temp

steps to homeostasis

stimulus: produces change in a variable

receptor: this change is detected by the receptor

input: information sent along different pathways to control centre

control centre: determines the appropriate response and course of action

output: information is sent to effector

effector: releases the response

response: balances out the original stimulus to obtain homeostasis

negative feedback loop

the original stimulus is inhibited

many body processes rely on this (e.g. blood sugar)

positive feedback loop

the original stimulus is encouraged

much less common (e.g. labour and contractions)

pancreas

releases insulin and glucagon when needed (depending on if the blood sugar is too high, insulin, or too low, glucagon)

liver

stores glycogen and glucose (depending) and releases it when needed to lower or raise blood sugar

insulin

hormone released from the pancreas when blood sugar level is too high

promotes the movement of glucose into the cells and stimulates the formation of glycogen polymers from glucose to lower the blood sugar level (happening in the liver)

glucagon

a hormone released from the pancreas when blood sugar level is too low

breaks down glycogen into glucose that is released into the blood to raise blood sugar level (happening in the liver)

type 1 diabetes

diagnosed at a young age

immune system attacks the pancreas, and body stops producing insulin

blood sugar stays high and you need insulin injections

genetic component

type 2 diabetes

can get at any age, more common in older people

body can still make insulin but the body does not respond to it

caused by a high starch/sugar diet

blood sugar stays high

can control it by losing weight and exercising

pituitary glands

makes the growth hormone, which regulates growth

oxytocin

a hormone released by the pituitary glands that increases contractions during labour and stimulates the ejection of milk into the ducts of the breasts

cholesterol

is a lipid that is used to build cells

too much is bad for you

how to “treat” diabetes

avoid foods high in sugar and starch

exercise, this move your muscles and your muscles use sugar for energy

sleep, too little sleep and your fat cells become resistant to insulin

insulin injections imitate what your pancreas would produce

taking the drug metformin stops the liver from releasing sugar when it doesn’t need to (like after meals when your blood sugar is already high)