Human Health
Keywords:
Health
Inherited Factors
Enzymes
Hormones
Environmental Factors
Lifestyle Choices
Nutrition
Human Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Health is affected by inherited factors and environmental factors.
Inherited Factors
Inherited factors are controlled by DNA and can be influenced by the environment
Genotype + Environment = Phenotype
Enzymes and hormones are controlled by genes, so they may impact our inherited health conditions.
For example, if someone cannot produce the enzyme lactase, they will be lactose intolerant.
For example, lack of human growth hormone will cause stunted growth.
Inherited Genetic Disorders
Cystic Fibrosis
Sickle Cell Anaemia
Mutated Gene
The gene that makes a protein to control salt coming out of cells.
Symptoms
Respiratory system can become clogged with mucus
Treatment
Physiotherapy
Antibiotics
Lung Transplant
Mutated Gene
Gene for haemoglobin
Symproms
Loss of red blood cells
Treatment
Blood transfusions
Environmental Factors
Human health is affected by the following environmental factors:
Where you live
The air you breathe
The food you eat
Drinking water
Alcohol intake
Drugs Intake
Radiation Exposure
Smoking
Physical activity
Stress/Relaxation
Nutrition
Human nutrition is concerned with the foods that are essential to the body and how the body uses those foods to support life and health.
A balanced diet includes the correct amount of protein, carbohydrate, fat, minerals, vitamins and water a person needs depending on their age, gender and activity levels.
Minerals and Vitamins
We need to include vitamins and minerals in our diets in order to prevent deficiency diseases
Deficiency diseases are diseases caused by the lack of a particular food.
Water
Brain is 90% water
Transports nutrients and oxygen into cells
Moisturises the air in our lungs
Muscle is 73% water
Bone is 22% water
Water protects and moisturises our joints
Blood is 83% water
Helps to flush out toxins and maintain body temperature at 37°C
Food and Energy
The amount of energy that you get from food is known as its energy value.
Energy values are measured in kilojoules (kJ) per gram.
There are many health benefits to regular physical activity such as:
Strengthens muscles
Reduces body fat
Decreases stress
Oxygenates body
Strengthens heart
Reduces risk of diabetes
Boosts mood
Boosts immune system
Strengthens bones
Increases lifespan
Maintains mobility
Lovwers blood pressure
Half of all smokers die from smoking-related diseases such as cancer, circulatory diseases, respiratory diseases and digestive diseases.
Apart from these killer diseases, smoking also has these unpleasant effects:
Wrinkly skin
Smelly breath
Yellow teeth and fingers
Fuzzy tongue
Dry, brittle hair