Posts

Unlike many saturated fatty acids, lauric acid has various health benefits. Image Credit: Julia_Sudnitskaya/iStock/GettyImages Lauric acid is a medium-chain saturated fatty acid, also known as a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT). Typically, saturated fats are considered to be bad for your health. However, lauric acid has a variety of health benefits, including antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anticancer properties. Advertisement Lauric Acid and its Benefits Lauric acid is the most predominant saturated fat in coconuts and is found in many fruits and seeds....

Lemons are useful not only as a delicious food but a medicine for colds and flu. Lemons are useful for everything from flushing the kidneys, protecting them against the formation of kidney stones, to alkalizing the blood. Most home remedies to treat a cold or flu are simple mixtures of lemon juice and other foods; however, when you use food for the treatment of disease, you should always alert your health practitioner first....

Ginger snaps are tasty and they might also help ease nausea. Image Credit: SageElyse/iStock/Getty Images If you must have a cookie from time to time, a ginger snap is among your best options, compared to other varieties such as chocolate chip or sugar cookies. Most ginger snaps are lower in fat and sugar than other types of cookies, and you’ll also get a good dose of certain vitamins and minerals, as well....

Pilates benefits men just as much as it does women. Image Credit: Photology1971/iStock/GettyImages A look around any Pilates studio or class reveals a not-so-surprising truth: In general, more women gravitate toward Pilates than men. But it’s time that changes. It’s an effective workout that help can help everyone, regardless of gender, improve cardiovascular fitness, flexibility and core strength Advertisement And lest we forget: Pilates was developed by a man. Joseph Pilates created the original Pilates system in the early 1900s, combining principles from dance and yoga and focusing on full-body movements controlled by the core, an area of the body also known as the "powerhouse....

Popcorn is often hailed as a great snack because it’s made from whole grain, so it’s high in fiber and other nutrients. Image Credit: Steve Cukrov / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages When you’re on a restricted diet, it’s normal to find yourself wanting a snack. You want something satisfying and tasty that still fits in with what you’re “allowed” to have, so low-calorie, low-carb popcorn could be a great option, but you need to be careful with how it’s prepared....

Tight tibialis anterior muscles can contribute to shin pain. Image Credit: Jay_Zynism/iStock/Getty Images Some muscles are easily overlooked with stretching programs. The tibialis anterior is one of them. This muscle is located at the front of your lower leg, next to your shin bone. If you’re a runner, endurance athlete or if you’ve ever been diagnosed with “shin splints,” you might have tightness in your tibialis anterior. Advertisement Stretching this muscle can help prevent lower leg pain and decrease it if you're already suffering....

Get fit for summer by building lean muscle with strength training and HIIT. Image Credit: iprogressman/iStock/GettyImages As summer approaches, lots of people are starting to think about getting in shape and sporting a swimsuit. But let’s be clear: Your body is always “beach ready.” All it takes is slathering on sunscreen and plopping your buns on a stretch of sand, and ​voila!​ you have a beach body. Advertisement Still, if you want to get fitter and stronger before it's time for fun in the sun, you can build strength and muscle (and lose weight if that's your goal) between now and summer....

The best exercise machines for arthritis help you strengthen your muscles for better joint health, and without causing discomfort. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com How We Chose Strength Machines Cardio Machines What to Look for Visit Page https://corehomefitness.sjv.io Image Credit: Nautilus/LIVESTRONG.com Image Credit: Nautilus/LIVESTRONG.com ​Buy it: ​Corehomefitness.com; ​Price: ​$299 Visit Page https://www.bootysprout.com Image Credit: Bootysprout/LIVESTRONG.com Image Credit: Bootysprout/LIVESTRONG.com ​Buy it:​ Bootysprout.com; ​Price:​ $169 Want to Age Well? Do This Hip Exercise Every Week by Amy Marturana Winderl Hip Thrusts Are the Best Exercise to Build Your Glutes, According to Trainers by Amy Marturana Winderl, CPT The 8 Best Standing Glute Exercises for Healthy Aging by Amy Marturana Winderl Visit Page https://www....

Grab a rope and get hopping! Image Credit: bernardbodo/iStock/GettyImages So many times, people overthink their workouts. Are you burning the most calories? Maximizing your muscle-building efforts? Don’t stress over what type of exercise is best. Just ask yourself: What type of exercise am I most likely to do consistently? Advertisement Too many people get caught up in the specifics, feel overwhelmed and stop soon after they've started. Here's a solution: Use a jump rope....

references ACOG: "Nutrition During Pregnancy" BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth: "Plasma Volume Expansion Across Healthy Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies" NIH: "Vitamin B6 Fact Sheet" American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology: Nutrition During Pregnancy Nutrients: Large Variability of Iodine Content in Retail Cow’s Milk in the U.S. USDA Food Data Central: Milk The best foods to eat while pregnant offer important nutrients for you and baby. Image Credit: GMVozd/E+/GettyImages...

When shopping for the best type of medicine ball, ask yourself: Do you want it to bounce, slam or have handles? Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Best Overall Best Budget Best With Handles Best for Slamming Best Grip Best Leather Shopping Tips Visit Page https://www.roguefitness.com Image Credit: Rogue/LIVESTRONG.com Image Credit: Rogue/LIVESTRONG.com ​Buy it: ​Rogue.com; ​Price:​ $79.95 - $399.95 Visit Page https://www.amazon.com Image Credit: CAP/LIVESTRONG.com Image Credit: CAP/LIVESTRONG.com Image Credit: CanDo/LIVESTRONG....

Overview We sifted through some of the most popular yogurt brands you can find in the market to find the best and worst. Image Credit: Gracie Wilson/LIVESTRONG.COM Yogurt in its purest form is inherently simple and healthy. You take milk, add some probiotic bacteria — and voila! Unfortunately, buying yogurt at the supermarket isn’t quite so easy. You have to sift through products made from all different kinds of milks (cow, sheep, almond, etc....

Resistance workout machines can strengthen your lower back muscles. Lower back pain can be debilitating not only in the weight room but in your daily life. Walking, standing and even sitting can be made difficult, particularly if you have an office chair with poor lower back support. According to SpineUniverse.com, 85 percent of people experience some form of back or neck pain, and this can be difficult to heal. Certain exercise machines provide the right kind of exercise for your lower back to strengthen the muscles and reduce pain....

Ensure and Ensure Plus shakes provide a good source of nutrition in a variety of flavors. Image Credit: pavlinec/iStock/Getty Images Ensure and Ensure Plus are often used in diets to gain or maintain a healthy weight. Both types of shakes provide adequate nutrition to support normal body growth, development and maintenance. The shakes are often recommended for people who are malnourished, at nutritional risk or experiencing involuntary weight loss. Advertisement Shake Vs....

Over-consumption of refined sugar may be hazardous to your health. Image Credit: ddukang/iStock/GettyImages The American Heart Association is sounding the alarm about the effect refined sugar is having on health, and the FDA is committed to food labels that include added sugars — all in an effort to curb intake. It’s a response to the American diet, which is rich in refined sugar and excess calories. Advertisement What Is Refined Sugar?...

Black coffee is low in calories, but it isn't a magic bullet for weight loss. Image Credit: Robert Jordan Neil Sanchez/iStock/GettyImages Black coffee is low in calories and high in antioxidants, but drinking it with every meal won’t necessarily help you lose weight. The 3-Day Diet, also known as the egg diet, the grapefruit diet or the black coffee diet, is a fad diet that has circulated around the internet and involves drinking black coffee for every meal....

Drinking too much soda can damage your teeth and make you gain weight. Image Credit: Cavan Images/Cavan/GettyImages Your favorite soft drink might be tasty, but you should check the nutrition facts to see what it’s actually made of and how much sugar it contains. Advertisement Sugar in Soda The problem with sugary drinks is the sugar itself and the calorie content. A 12-ounce can of one of the leading cola brands has 140 calories and 39 grams of sugar....

The thoracic spine refers to the middle and upper areas of the back. Image Credit: Filip_Krstic/iStock/Getty Images The thoracic spine refers to the middle and upper areas of the back, extending from the base of the cervical spine and extending about 5 inches below the bottom of the shoulder blades where it connects to the lumbar spine. The ribs that connect to the thoracic spine, which contains 12 vertebrae, protect a number of vital organs....

There are two reasons you might be constipated on a vegan diet, but both are easy to fix. Image Credit: PeopleImages/E+/GettyImages Don’t get us wrong: Switching to a vegan diet has its benefits. We know it’s better for the environment, it can be less expensive (plant-based proteins tend to be cheaper than animal proteins) and, if done properly, a vegan diet does a body good. Advertisement The downside, though? It may also require a big shift from the way you were eating before, which can have a big affect on your digestive system....

A skin rash can occur from an allergy to vitamin E. Image Credit: Voyagerix/iStock/Getty Images Taking vitamin E should not cause a skin reaction. If it does, you may be experiencing an allergic reaction. Drugs.com states that an allergic reaction to vitamin E can cause hives, which is a common symptom of anaphylactic shock, a rare but life-threatening medical condition. Taking too much of vitamin E can lead to serious complications....