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Authentic spicy Mexican Carnitas served for a meal. Image Credit: lyulka/iStock/Getty Images Carnitas are a Mexican dish consisting of small pieces of pork that are cooked in their own fat, salt, and sometimes oranges. They’re typically considered a special occasion food, served often at celebrations within the Mexican culture and at most Mexican restaurants. Advertisement Calories and Macronutrients According to the website My Fitness Pal, carnitas contain approximately 102 calories per 2 oz....

Push-ups can be adapted in several ways to maximize activation of the back muscles. Image Credit: Wavebreakmedia Ltd/Wavebreak Media/Getty Images Push-ups are a perennial exercise for a very good reason: they activate multiple major muscles all up and down the front and back of the torso. If you’re trying to strengthen your back muscles, push-ups can help when you make certain adjustments. Keep in mind that no push-up will comprehensively train this area, however....

Bananas, kiwi, pineapple, passion fruit, pomegranates and strawberries all contain serotonin. Image Credit: AnnaPustynnikova/iStock/GettyImages Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, or a chemical messenger in the body that helps stabilize mood, improve sleep, inhibit pain and improve the sense of well-being. Some foods are rich in serotonin, although these foods do not increase the brain’s serotonin levels. Advertisement Other foods may play a role in boosting serotonin levels, but certain lifestyle measures — such as exercise and mood therapy — are a more effective and predictable way to improve brain levels of this neurotransmitter....

Although many people choose to peel their carrots before chopping them into carrot sticks or cooking them, you don't have to peel your carrots. Image Credit: Michelle Arnold / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages Carrots’ nutrition is known to include vitamin A, but these healthy vegetables contain other essential nutrients too. Peeling your carrots can affect their nutrition, because different nutrients are found in different parts of the carrot. Carrots are healthiest unpeeled. Advertisement Tip Although many people choose to peel their carrots before cutting them into carrot sticks or cooking them, you don't have to peel your carrots....

An abdominal sweatband won't give you flat abs. Image Credit: Jacob Ammentorp Lund/iStock/Getty Images People sometimes wrap an abdominal sweatband around their stomach in the hope of burning abdominal fat and flattening their tummy. There isn’t any scientific evidence to support this practice, however, and it can have some adverse effects, so it isn’t recommended. Advertisement In fact, sauna belts and body wraps, which are similar to abdominal sweatbands, are listed as being unproven and potentially dangerous weight-loss aids on the Michigan state government's health and wellness website....

Hyperkalemia, or excess potassium in the blood, is a potentially fatal medical condition. Normal blood potassium levels range from 3.6 to 4.8 mEq/L. Blood potassium levels above 6.0 mEq/L are dangerous and merit immediate medical attention, according to MayoClinic.com. Hyperkalemia usually results from underlying renal disease that inhibits the kidneys’ ability to remove excess potassium from the body, but excessive potassium intake, either from food or supplements, can also cause dangerously high blood potassium levels....

references AARP: "Supplements to Take in Your 50s, 60s and 70s" Harvard Health Publishing: "Should You Take 'Senior' Multivitamins?" Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University: "Micronutrients for Older Adults" National Institute on Aging: "Vitamins and Minerals" Johns Hopkins Medicine: "Is There Really Any Benefit to Multivitamins?" National Council on Aging: "Healthy Eating Tips for Seniors" USDA ChooseMyPlate: "Healthy Eating As We Age" Journal of Nutrition in Gerontology and Geriatrics: "Potential Dietary Supplement and Medication Interactions in a Subset of the Older Adult Population Attending Congregate Sites" Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences: "The Neuropsychiatry of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Elderly Patients" International Psychogeriatrics: "Cognitive Impairment and Vitamin B12: A Review" Journal of Aging and Gerontology: "The Role of Vitamin D in the Aging Adult" Cleveland Clinic: "Increasing Dietary Calcium" National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: "Omega-3 Fatty Acids" American Cancer Society: "Choosing and Using Dietary Supplements Safely" National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: "Vitamin D" National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: "Calcium" Harvard Health Publishing: "The A List of B12 Foods" ConsumerLabs: "Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplements Review" Office of Dietary Supplements: "Magnesium" Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: "Special Nutrient Needs of Older Adults" Mayo Clinic: "Iron Supplementation Typically Not Recommended for Postmenopausal Women" American Academy of Ophthalmology: "Vitamins for AMD" FDA: "Mixing Medications and Dietary Supplements Can Endanger Your Health" Office of Dietary Supplements: "Vitamin B12" Mayo Clinic: "Vitamin B-12" StatPearls: "Vitamin D Deficiency" Mayo Clinic: "Mayo Clinic Q and A: How much vitamin D do I need?...

The Best Foods for Smokers Image Credit: Rimma_Bondarenko/iStock/GettyImages Smoking is not the wisest choice, but many people make that decision when they’re too young to really understand the consequences, or during times of great emotional stress. Whatever your reasons for starting, quitting can be miserably difficult. While not smoking at all is the healthiest option, if you’re not ready to quit, you can do your best to minimize the damage to your body by planning your meals around food good for smokers’ lungs....

Fish is promoted for its beneficial effects on the heart, joints and brain, but the amount in a single serving can sometimes be confusing. Image Credit: Kanawa_Studio/iStock/GettyImages Fish is promoted for its beneficial effects on the heart, joints and brain, but the amount in a single serving can sometimes be confusing. Different organizations have differing definitions of fish serving size. Advertisement However, general recommendations of how much fish you should eat over the course of a week are fairly well-established....

Fresh salmon and tuna sashimi on a plate. Image Credit: rakratchada/iStock/Getty Images Fish represent a healthy part of a balanced and nutritious diet. For many people, fish provide a source of lean animal protein, and provide the body with the building blocks required to maintain and repair human tissue, as well as omega-3 fatty acids – the healthy fats that play a role in regulating blood cholesterol and supporting proper brain functioning....

Consider excluding citrus fruits from your GERD and IBS diet. Image Credit: fcafotodigital/E+/GettyImages Having a diagnosis of both irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can make figuring out what to eat a huge challenge. But you can manage symptoms and enjoy food by following a few key guidelines and paying attention to which foods trigger reactions in your body. Advertisement Read more: The Do's and Don'ts of Eating With GERD Video of the Day Understanding IBS and GERD IBS affects the large intestine, according to the Mayo Clinic....

Row of elliptical machines Image Credit: ER09/iStock/Getty Images Elliptical trainers are stationary cardiovascular exercise machines that use a variety of measurements for gauging your workout. Often found on the LED console, the distance measurement on an elliptical trainer helps exercisers translate their workout into miles, similar to distance runners. For selecting the intensive exercise, compare the number of miles you complete in of 30 minutes of elliptical training with 30 minutes of jogging and gauge the exertion of one exercise over the other....

If you have lymphedema, limit processed foods and load up on high-fiber fruits and vegetables. Image Credit: fcafotodigital/iStock/GettyImages Lymphedema is a type of swelling that occurs, usually in an arm or leg, when the body’s lymph system s damaged or blocked, says the National Library of Medicine. Experts say diet is a key part of managing lymphedema. Avoiding salt, eating a balanced diet and staying hydrated can help. Advertisement ​Read more:​ Exercises for Lymphedema in the Legs Video of the Day What Is Lymphedema?...

Cottage cheese with strawberries Image Credit: Марина Пестерева/iStock/Getty Images The Rotation Diet is designed to raise metabolism by alternating low and moderate caloric intake for faster weight loss. As a result of the rotation of foods and amount of calories allowed, the Rotation Diet is less demanding and easier to stick with than other low calorie diets that test one’s will power to the max, contributing to weight loss failure. The Rotation Diet consists of all foods with a focus on fruits and vegetables....

Fruit is full of fiber and antioxidants, but you need to fill your diet with other types of food, too. Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages Fruits are full of plenty of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants, which are nutrients that are good for your immune system, helping protect against disease. Of course they’re a healthy addition to your diet, although they shouldn’t be the only thing you eat. Consuming only fruit could disrupt your digestive tract, make it difficult for you to maintain your weight and possibly leave you malnourished....

Side view of a group of people running on treadmills in a gym. Image Credit: Monkey Business Images/Monkey Business/Getty Images Just about every type of exercise entails an increased need for oxygen and, therefore, an increase in ventilation, or breathing. As fuel demands increase – particularly in sustained, high-intensity aerobic activities such as running, cycling, or swimming – both the rate and depth of breathing increase as the body strives to supply more oxygen to the working muscles....

Lifting with poor technique can cause back pain. Image Credit: Wavebreakmedia/iStock/Getty Images Back pain is very common. In fact, according to a study published in 2014 by “BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders,” 80% of people will have back pain in their lifetime. The goods news is, there are many effective treatments for back pain that don’t require surgery or medications. Advertisement Williams flexion exercises are one type of treatment for back pain. These exercises focus on a bending movement in your lower back....

Get plenty of protein to help maintain muscle. Image Credit: tbralnina/iStock/Getty Images Having a body fat percentage that’s higher than recommended can put you at an increased risk of heart disease and other health problems. Losing 1 percent of your body fat may mean losing just a couple of pounds if you’re only slightly overweight. Improving your diet and increasing your exercise can help you lose body fat and improve your health....

A bed ridden man eats a low calorie meal. Image Credit: Wavebreakmedia Ltd/Wavebreak Media/Getty Images Weight loss, whether you are bedridden or not, is achieved when you create a deficit between calories taken in through food and calories used up through activity. When you are bedridden, you can limit your calorie intake according to your doctor’s instructions and you can perform isometric, non-movement, exercises to maintain your muscle tissue. These exercises will help you use calories and if you restrict your calorie intake by approximately 500 calories each day....

A plate of pasta topped with creamy Alfredo sauce and chicken is a hearty meal option. To speed up dinner, instead of making your own sauce, use a jar of prepared Alfredo sauce to simplify the dish. As Alfredo sauce is typically high in fat and calories, compare nutrition labels to find the healthiest option. Adding vegetables to the dish and using lean breast meat also increases the health value of chicken Alfredo....