Beet juice boosts endurance for many (but not all) people, according to a series of studies over the past five years or so. The active ingredient appears to be nitrate, which somehow reduces the ...

Muscle cramps are a common and often uncomfortable phenomenon that many individuals experience. These sudden, involuntary contractions can occur in various muscle groups, causing sharp pain and ...

Researchers were able to control heart muscle function in a new way after discovering the previously unknown role of two enzymes in heart muscle contraction. Although in the early stages, the research ...

The contractile responses of esophageal smooth muscle (SM) induced by platelet-activating factor (PAF) involve the activation of L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels (L-type VDCCs), ...

The sarcomere is the most basic contractile unit in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins give rise to heritable myopathies, although muscle function is more ...

A new molecular pathway has been identified that is critical for maintaining the smooth muscle tone that allows the passage of materials through the digestive system. Researchers at UMass Medical ...

Ferulic acid suppresses ileal smooth muscle contraction by inhibiting calcium ion influx through voltage-dependent calcium channels. This action may help prevent or treat excessive intestinal motility ...

Calcium is crucial for strong bones at every age, and it also aids kidney function, respiration, blood clotting, and vitamin B12 absorption. Some calcium-rich snacks include roasted chickpeas and kale ...