Bile is produced exclusively in the liver. It may then be stored in the gall bladder so that it can be released during digestion of a fatty meal. No bile is produced in the stomach, nor the duodenum. The vast majority of bile is cholesterol-derivatives that stick to dietary fiber and are excreted along with the fiber. Thus increasing fiber is (mainly soluble) is an effective way to decrease cholesterol.

Manganese, found in oats, brown rice, chickpeas, and spinach, is a cofactor for the enzymes that produce the amino acid proline. Proline is essential for collagen shape and integrity, and is an amino acid, not a cofactor. Other important minerals required for collagen production include copper, zinc, vitamin C, and iron.

Children ages 1-18 are at the highest risk for physiological changes due to malnutrition. Significant nutritional deficiencies at this age can cause failure to thrive, stunted growth, long-term brain damage, and increased incidence of cardiovascular and metabolic disease later in life.

Prolonged laxative use can lead to hypokalemia and hypocalcemia. This is due to alterations in gastrointestinal absorption and excretion of potassium and calcium. Magnesium can also be depleted during long-term laxative use, but chromium is unlikely to be affected. Zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium are also not generally impacted by normal laxative use.

Dark leafy greens such as kale, collard greens, and chard have among the highest levels of vitamin K of any food. The other foods listed: beets, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin all have very low vitamin K content, and are safe for a patient on a warfarin diet.

Grapefruit can decrease the activity of cytochrome P450, one of the body's most important detoxification pathways, by as much as 30%. Consumption of grapefruit while on certain medications, including atorvastatin, can lead to toxic levels of the drug. All other foods listed are safe for patients to consume while taking atorvastatin.

Patients who are taking potassium sparing diuretics must be counseled to eat a diet low in potassium. This is due to the fact that consumption of potassium-rich foods, such as orange juice, can lead to dangerously high potassium levels. Excess potassium levels can cause heart arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death.

The kidney is the main route of potassium excretion in the body. During kidney failure, the kidneys are unable to remove excess potassium from the blood. This can lead to hyperkalemia, which can cause nausea, weakness, numbness, arrhythmia, and cardiac arrest.

Allicin is found primarily in garlic, and has a variety of properties that are beneficial to the health. It is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, it can reduce atherosclerosis, decrease blood pressure, and act as a mild antioxidant.

Half an ounce of ground flax seeds provides over 130% of the dietary reference intake (DRI) of omega 3 fatty acids. An equivalent serving of shrimp is able to provide 15% of the DRI. Wheat germ oil and grapeseed oil are both good sources of omega 6 fatty acids but are not significant sources of omega 3 fatty acids.