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Apricot oil shows promise as a treatment for psoriasis, gut problems and heart conditions. Image Credit: Yana Tatevosian/iStock/GettyImages Apricots are a small stone fruit with a kernel (or seed) inside that’s said to have great healing powers. Apricot oil comes from this seed and is used for skin applications and some processed foods. Some purchase apricot oil without fully realizing how it can be used. Advertisement Apricot oil has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and health implications....

Long distance runners on a track. Image Credit: Aduldej/iStock/Getty Images While too little exercise can be bad for your health, too much isn’t good either. Overexertion can decrease your performance and increase your injury risk. It can cause short-and long-term side effects and even lead to heart damage. Excessive exercise can be based upon duration of workouts and exercise intensity levels. Those who train for extreme physical events like marathons need to be especially aware of signs of overexertion....

The edge of your bed or armrest of your couch make great weight bench alternatives for at-home workouts. Image Credit: Antonio_Diaz/iStock/GettyImages ‘You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone’ is a pretty universal concept. Whether it’s public transportation, a dewy summer morning or even running water, there are plenty of things we all take for granted every now and again. Advertisement A closed gym will certainly make you realize that you've taken the weight bench for granted — and how hard it is to recreate a weight bench at home....

Blood samples. Image Credit: Alexander Raths/iStock/Getty Images Your body uses vitamin D for maintaining healthy bones and effectively absorbing calcium. Not having enough vitamin D in your system may raise your risk of osteoporosis, bone malformations, cancer, inflammation and suppressed immunity. A simple blood test can give you accurate results and help you determine if your vitamin D levels are in the healthy range. Advertisement The Test Your body has different forms of vitamin D....

Hanging on a bar is a great way to increase your grip strength. Image Credit: Hinterhaus Productions/DigitalVision/GettyImages Pull-ups tend to be one of the more challenging exercises. They use your body weight against you and engage multiple muscle groups at once to move your body against gravity. Instead of going straight for a pull-up, start by hanging from the pull-up bar in a couple of different positions to build the muscles you need to perform a pull-up....

Whether you're spending the weekend trekking through the mountains or a day meandering through the woods, you need fuel to keep you going. Image Credit: ysbrandcosijn/iStock/GettyImages Whether you’re spending the weekend trekking through the mountains or a day meandering through the woods, you need fuel to keep you going. It can be challenging to come up with hiking lunch ideas that are tasty yet portable, but the length of your hike and other variables determine your options....

Personalized vitamins are all the rage lately, but we don't know much about their effectiveness or safety. Image Credit: bong hyunjung/iStock/GettyImages Let’s be honest: Choosing the right vitamins and supplements is downright baffling. Who hasn’t stood in the vitamin aisle of your local drugstore or health food store staring at the endless options only to flee empty-handed because you just don’t know which one to pick? Advertisement But a new crop of companies promise to cut through all the static and recommend the right vitamin and supplement combination for you, all based on science and sent directly to your home....

A bowl of steaming white rice. Image Credit: kazoka30/iStock/Getty Images High insulin levels could be responsible for the increased prevalence of acne in Western societies because of how they trigger inflammation and stimulate the release of acne-promoting hormones, according to a 2003 review in “Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology.” White rice, if consumed in large amounts, can stimulate an exaggerated insulin release that could be responsible, at least partly, for your pimples....

references Fairtrade America: "Fairtrade Fights Poverty" Markets Insider: "Coffee" Reuters: "Storms That Slammed Central America in 2020 Just a Preview, Climate Change Experts Say" Fairtrade International: "Fairtrade Minimum Price and Premium Information" Fairtrade America: "Fairtrade Versus Fair Trade" Fairtrade America: "Behind the Fairtrade Mark" Food and Drug Administration: "Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?" Buying Fairtrade coffee helps ensure that farmers are being compensated justly for their labor and goods....

Skipping eggs and opting for a plain piece of toast at breakfast can lead to feeling hungrier later in the day. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative How Bad Is It Really? sets the record straight on all the habits and behaviors you’ve heard might be unhealthy. Protein’s touted as the key to weight loss and the main macro for muscle gains. But how important is protein ‌really‌? And does it matter exactly when we eat it?...

How do you know when enough is enough? Image Credit: Pekic/E+/GettyImages At one extreme of the workout spectrum you have people who tackle their workout at full-intensity every time but wind up fizzling out from exhaustion before the end. At the other end there are exercisers who go through their workouts at half speed, leaving too much untapped potential on the table. Advertisement Either scenario can easily be avoided by paying closer attention to how you're handling the intensity of your workout in the moment....

If you're already eating a healthy diet, upping your protein and lowering your carbs may help you lose the last little bit of belly fat. Image Credit: gbh007/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Calories Nutrition Exercise Sleep Stress So you've made progress and lost some weight, but now you face the most frustrating part of weight loss: losing the last little bit of belly fat. You know it takes a low-calorie diet and committed exercise to drop belly fat, yet those strategies don't seem to be working any longer....

While you can cut off the domed, cracked area of the cake, steps you take during mixing and preparation — such as using cake strips — reduce or eliminate the concern. Image Credit: Anna Navarro/Photodisc/GettyImages Cakes usually rise more in the middle, creating a dome to the cake. Cracking is also among cake problems for some bakers. While you can cut off the domed, cracked area of the cake, steps you take during mixing and preparation — such as using cake strips — reduce or eliminate the concern....

The right approach to reaching your goal weight can make all the difference. Image Credit: DaniloAndjus/E+/GettyImages There’s no “download now” option for weight loss. Whether you’re looking to lose three or 30 pounds, now is as good of a time as any to get honest about setting a realistic goal weight. Advertisement Maybe you want to fit into a pair of jeans from high school or have bigger weight loss goals that revolve around better health benchmarks, like walking up a flight of stairs without losing your breath....

A traditionally glazed, roasted ham. Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images Slow roasting a ham allows you to imbue it with different flavors, which seep into the meat as it cooks. This keeps the ham moist, preserving its natural flavor and maintaining its texture. The amount of time it takes to safely roast a ham depends on its size and the type of ham you’re roasting, so calculate your roasting time a few days in advance....

A roast beef sandwich and some Fritos. Image Credit: styxclick/iStock/Getty Images Cooking bags are specially manufactured heat resistant bags usually used to cook large cuts of meat like beef, turkey or pork. They allow the heat to circulate around the meat cooking it evenly while retaining moisture. The use of cooking bags can also shorten cooking time if used correctly. Cooking bags can be purchased from most grocery stores and there are a variety of brands available....

Vitamins and vitamin bottles sitting on a bathroom scale. Image Credit: Mermusta/iStock/Getty Images Amino acids provide a wide range of benefits, from tissue repair to increased metabolism. L-carnitine comes from the amino acids lysine and methionine and helps the body burn fat as an energy source, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Glutamine is a type of amino acid that aids in immune system function and muscle repair, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center....

Although rare, excessive use of vitamin B12 supplements may cause side effects Image Credit: skaman306/Moment/GettyImages Your body needs Vitamin B12 for nerve tissue health, brain function and the formation of red blood cells. Because the vitamin is water soluble, any excess is excreted with your urine. For this reason, it’s unlikely you could get too much vitamin B12 from food alone, but you could experience side effects from taking too many supplements....

Cast-iron pans lend well to a variety of cooking techniques, and they're safe for most people. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative How Bad Is It Really? sets the record straight on all the habits and behaviors you’ve heard might be unhealthy. In This Article The Benefits Is Iron Unsafe? Cancer Myth Summary Whether you're searing scallops or baking pizza, cast-iron pans are a favorite among chefs for their versatility. But because they can be cooked under very high temperatures and may transfer iron to foods, some may be concerned about their potential health risks....

Junk food can be eaten in moderation. Image Credit: Alexander Spatari/Moment/GettyImages Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy and lean proteins — these are the foods that should be included in a healthy diet. Does this mean you have to avoid junk food completely, depriving yourself of treats you really enjoy? Not at all. The key is to enjoy those types of food in moderation. Advertisement Tip You can fit any food into your diet in moderation; however, these foods should not take the place of more nutritious foods that your body needs for proper function....