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Try walking after varicose vein surgery to get back into working out. Image Credit: Hero Images/Hero Images/GettyImages If you live with varicose veins, you might be wondering if a medical procedure is the best option to get rid of these twisted and enlarged veins. But if you’re active, the decision to go in this direction might hinge on when you can get back to exercise after varicose vein surgery. Advertisement Tip Always follow your doctor's recommendations for physical activity after varicose vein surgery....

While you need at least one rest day a week, you can develop a smart plan to work out 6 days a week. Image Credit: RossHelen/Moment/GettyImages Regardless of where you are in your fitness journey, you may have wondered how often you should be working out. Is it better to skip the gym a few days each week? Or will you reap more benefits from an every-day commitment? Advertisement Everyone's different....

Iron Supplement Alternatives Image Credit: Aamulya/iStock/GettyImages The body needs iron for the production of hemoglobin, which is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Without sufficient iron intake, the level of hemoglobin drops, leading to a decrease in the number of functioning red blood cells and a condition known as iron-deficiency anemia. Doctors may prescribe iron supplements for those at risk for developing anemia, such as pregnant women, or those who have anemia....

Cod liver oil is sold as a dietary supplement. Cod liver oil can provide many benefits for the breast-feeding mother and her infant, but there are concerns about whether supplementation is safe. On one side of the controversy are those who think levels of omega-3 fats and vitamin D make cod liver oil the best choice for nursing mothers to obtain these nutrients. The other side of the debate focuses on vitamin A and potential contaminants that may make cod liver oil not worth the risk....

Drinking coffee may help power up your workouts to promote weight loss. Image Credit: Abdulrhman Al Shidokhi/500px Prime/GettyImages Whether you crave coffee as a mid-afternoon caffeine fix or a morning pick-me-up, you’re in good company. Coffee can work well in a weight-loss diet — and even offer some benefits, especially if you’re exercising to lose weight. Advertisement However, if you're drinking your coffee with sugar, half-and-half or flavored creamers, you're voiding any weight-loss benefits....

Cream of wheat can either be a slow carb or fast carb, depending on the brand and how you prepare it. Image Credit: Arx0nt/Moment/GettyImages When it comes to digestion, there are two types of carbs: slow and fast. Slow carbs are absorbed at a gradual pace, which keeps your blood sugar steady. The more rapidly digested fast carbs cause a spike in blood sugar. But cream of wheat doesn’t fit neatly into one category....

A tired young man laying down on the floor with weights beside him. Image Credit: XiXinXing/iStock/Getty Images Losing muscle strength while on a cutting diet is common, but it is not unavoidable. Because weight loss inevitably involves the loss of both fat and muscle, you cannot expect to make any gains during your cutting phase, and you can expect your lean mass to decrease slightly as well. But the right planning can help you keep enough muscle so that you aren’t likely to notice the loss in the weight room....

Copper pans are a great heat conductor and allow you to adjust temperatures precisely, making them nice cookware for sauces and foods. Image Credit: LordRunar/iStock/GettyImages It’s often not just the food you eat that might have an effect on your health but also the containers you cook your food in. Cooking with copper pans can be great when you need to be precise with heating and temperature, but there are some safety precautions you should take into consideration....

Left-hand writing exercises will improve your words per minute and penmanship. Image Credit: Lizalica/iStock/Getty Images Left-hand writing exercises are designed to help improve your penmanship as well as the speed with which you write. They are also designed for individuals who are looking to develop their other hand in order to become ambidextrous. While many writing exercises have shifted to the computer in recent years, there are still several important hand writing exercises that will physically improve your style and technique....

Low-fat dairy like yogurt is a gut-healthy choice for those following the Mediterranean diet. Image Credit: Liesel_Fuchs/iStock/Getty Images With its emphasis on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and even a little wine, it’s no surprise the Mediterranean diet has exploded in popularity recently. More of a lifestyle than eating plan, per se, the Mediterranean diet prioritizes whole, nutritious foods with minimal intake of processed ingredients and sugar. Advertisement Not only has the diet been linked to better overall heart health, according to an April 2013 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, but it may even help reduce inflammation and promote gut health....

There are many ways to relieve anxiety after exercise. Image Credit: fizkes/iStock/GettyImages Exercise-induced anxiety is often the culprit behind mental tension, irregular heartbeat and feelings of dread. These unpleasant symptoms are due to the so-called fight-or-flight response. However, exercise may relieve anxiety in the long run, so there’s no need to stop working out. Advertisement What Causes Anxiety? Mental health statistics show about 40 million American adults are living with anxiety, reports the National Alliance on Mental Illness....

Two freshly baked ciabatta rolls. Image Credit: Magone/iStock/Getty Images Ciabatta has the same basic ingredients as many other breads – flour, yeast, water, oil and salt. But the difference is that the dough is extremely wet. During baking, the moisture content creates a soft, spongy center, while leaving the crust extremely crispy. Ciabatta isn’t your healthiest type of roll though. Aside from carbohydrates, it has very few nutrients to offer....

references USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Nutrient Lists Office of Dietary Supplements: Magnesium Univeristy of Maryland Medical Center: Potassium Transport Information Service: Brazil Nuts Image Credit: olgaman/iStock/Getty Images Image Credit: olgaman/iStock/Getty Images A close-up of a woman eating a handful of almonds. Image Credit: Katie Nesling/iStock/Getty Images Image Credit: Katie Nesling/iStock/Getty Images Roasted cashews in a bowl with a wooden scoop. Image Credit: tycoon751/iStock/Getty Images Image Credit: tycoon751/iStock/Getty Images...

Pineapples for sale at a market. Image Credit: KuLouKu/iStock/Getty Images Although it’s packed with vitamins and minerals, pineapple doesn’t have any special properties that help you to lose weight. When you eat fresh pineapple, you will get some benefit from its fiber content, which helps to fill you up and control overeating. But most of the fiber is removed from pineapple juice, and what’s left is primarily sugar. Even though it’s natural fruit sugar, consuming too much will cause you to gain, not lose, weight....

Anesthesia may put you at risk. Image Credit: Comstock/Stockbyte/Getty Images Potassium, an electrolyte, plays many important roles in the body. The heart, in particular, relies on potassium for critical functions. Transmission of chemical “messages” in muscle and nerve fibers also requires potassium. Because anesthetic medications independently alter these functions, potassium balance must be maintained to ensure safe anesthesia. Hypokalemia, a lower than normal potassium, introduces potential dangers in conjunction with anesthetic drugs as described in “Miller’s Anesthesia, 7th edition....

references The Journal of Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease: "Honey is potentially effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: Clinical and mechanistic studies" Jundishapur Journal of Natural Pharmaceutical Products: "Evidence for Clinical Use of Honey in Wound Healing as an Anti-bacterial, Anti-inflammatory Anti-oxidant and Anti-viral Agent: A Review" Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences: "The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review." National Capital Poison Center: "Bee Stings: Is It an Allergic Reaction?...

There are so many heart health benefits of pistachios thanks to their healthy fats, fiber and antioxidants. Image Credit: denizunlusu/iStock/GettyImages Your heart is like the engine of a car — without it, your body can’t run properly. Your heart beats about 2.5 billion times throughout your lifetime, working tirelessly to pump blood throughout the body and support essential bodily functions, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Advertisement Considering the importance of the heart, it makes sense to adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle....

Weight lifting can help you lose weight. Image Credit: Tempura/E+/GettyImages A two-month weight-loss exercise plan can help you get leaner and improve overall health. Your workouts should include both aerobic and anaerobic exercise to burn more calories, get stronger and maintain or even build lean mass. Advertisement Tip The best workout to lose 20 pounds in two months should include both aerobic and resistance training. For your aerobic workouts, interval training helps burn more calories....

The practice of yoga increases strength and flexibility, making it a beneficial practice for men. According to John Capouya, author of "Real Men Do Yoga," most men think of yoga as a girly exercise best done by their wives and girlfriends; however, the strength and flexibility gained by its practice makes it widely used by even the most buff and athletic of men. While it is beneficial to practice yoga under the guidance of a seasoned yoga instructor, doing a yoga video at home provides men with the ability to take yoga without the cost or necessity of going to a yoga studio....

Vitamin E capsules Image Credit: Teen00000/iStock/Getty Images The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland that sits at the front of your throat. Your thyroid uses the mineral iodine and the amino acid tyrosine to produce two primary thyroid hormones known as T3 and T4. These hormones influence the rate at which your body uses energy – your metabolic rate. Vitamin E supplementation can be beneficial if you have certain thyroid issues but consult your doctor before taking it....