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There needs to be more studies on coconut oil capsule to understand their full benefits. Image Credit: Photo by Cathy Scola/Moment/GettyImages Many consumers are interested in coconut oil pills because of their purported health benefits. While some claims appear to be backed by limited and preliminary research, most doctors believe more studies are needed before conclusions are drawn. Advertisement Tip Limited studies show that the benefits of coconut oil may include helping to reduce cognitive decline and fight fungal infections....

Applying a generous portion of butter to bread. Image Credit: LarisaBozhikova/iStock/Getty Images The United States Department of Agriculture sets recommendations for daily requirements of macro-nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats and protein as well as for vitamins and minerals. The Recommended Daily Allowance, or RDA, is intended to help people obtain adequate nutrition for health and wellness. The recommendations for daily fat grams depends on the type of fat, the age of the person and on how many calories that person consumes in a day....

Food-grade TSP can show up in processed baked goods. Image Credit: serts/iStock/GettyImages Sodium phosphates are a group of salts derived from the mineral phosphorus. One of these salts — trisodium phosphate or TSP — is typically used as a powerful cleaning agent, as a food additive or for medical purposes, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Advertisement Trisodium phosphate is generally considered safe. However, there are a number of reasons why you may want to avoid TSP — both for your personal health and for the environment....

Simple homemade recipes for classic ketchup and wild blueberry ketchup make dinners healthier and more fun. Image Credit: Maggie Moon/LIVESTRONG.com It’s time to reclaim ketchup in the home kitchen. Just like salad dressing, we somehow lost our way and forgot how easy it is to make ketchup at home. Made with a few simple pantry staples, you’ll be wondering why you ever paid for the store-bought stuff. Advertisement Consider Heinz: Two tablespoons pack in 320 milligrams sodium and 8 grams of sugar in their standard ketchup....

Muscle loss and decline in joint mobility are some reasons your balance worsens with age. Image Credit: g-stockstudio/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Reasons Your Balance Worsens With Age Balance Exercises Feeling a wee bit wobbly on your feet as you age? You're not alone. Balance-related issues are one of the most common health complaints among older people, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Advertisement But feeling unstable on your feet can have major consequences....

references The Journal of Family Practice: "Zinc for the Common Cold—Not If, But When" Mayo Clinic: "Zinc for Colds: The Final Word?" National Institutes of Health: "Zinc Fact Sheet for Health Professionals" Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: "Zinc" National Academies of Sciences, Medicine and Engineering: "Fruits and Vegetables Yield Less Vitamin A Than Previously Thought; Upper Limit Set for Daily Intake of Vitamin A and Nine Other Nutrients" Open Forum Infectious Diseases: "Zinc Acetate Lozenges May Improve the Recovery Rate of Common Cold Patients: An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis" U....

Macaroni & Cheese served from a crockpot. Image Credit: grafvision/iStock/Getty Images Keep cooked macaroni and cheese warm in a crockpot for serving at a potluck or anytime you need the dish to stay warm for hours. Spraying the crockpot insert with nonstick cooking spray prevents the macaroni from sticking to the insert without adding extra calories and fat. Stirring the food occasionally prevents the macaroni from sticking tightly together into an unappetizing mixture and instead keeps it loose and creamy....

Eating oatmeal every day can help you lose weight. Image Credit: Julia_Sudnitskaya/iStock/GettyImages The key to losing weight is to take in fewer calories than your body burns, which is often easier said than done, especially when you’re lured in by a yogurt and oatmeal diet plan that claims easy and fast weight loss. Oatmeal and yogurt are two foods that have been shown to increase satiety and boost weight loss while dieting, and as part of a healthy meal plan, they may help you lose five pounds over time....

Monitor your heart rate to reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications. Image Credit: Luis Alvarez/DigitalVision/GettyImages Your heart rate isn’t just another health metric to track in your training journal — it’s an important indicator of how hard your body is working during a run. Advertisement As the intensity of your workout increases, your heart rate increases, too. But working too hard, and raising your heart rate too much, can actually damage the heart and lead to serious health complications....

Red snapper for sale at a market. Image Credit: Christian Müller/iStock/Getty Images Red snapper is a saltwater fish that has a flaky white meat when cooked. Snapper has a milder flavor than other fish, making it a staple on many restaurant menus and in many homes. Pick up some red snapper fillets with the skin still on from a fish market or grocery store and pan fry the fish for an easy and delicious dinner....

Tulsi plants. Image Credit: Janonkas/iStock/Getty Images Tulsi is the Sanskrit word for holy basil. This medicinal herb has a long history as part of the Ayervedic tradition, according to Drugs.com, a drug information site that provides peer-reviewed information to consumers. The herb grows wild in tropical and sub-tropical regions, according to MedicinalHerbInfo.org. It’s also widely cultivated for its reputed spiritual and medicinal properties. Before using tulsi, or any other medicinal herb, consult your health care provider....

A slice of bread is not always the easiest thing on the stomach. Image Credit: Magone/iStock/Getty Images Indigestion can include feelings of bloating, gas, nausea, heartburn and other gastric distress after eating certain foods. While a slice of yeast bread is often considered gentle on the stomach, the major ingredients in bread can cause indigestion in people who have food allergies, digestive diseases or certain food intolerances. See your doctor immediately if indigestion symptoms are accompanied by shortness of breath, severe pain or vomiting....

Talk to your doctor to find out if you're a good candidate for inversion therapy. Image Credit: evgenyatamanenko/iStock/GettyImages Inversion tables have been promoted as an option for helping with everything from back pain to migraines. But do inversion tables really work to reduce pain and improve chronic medical conditions? Here’s what you should consider before testing gravity. Advertisement Read more: How to Properly Use an Inversion Table Video of the Day The Purpose of Inversion Tables Inversion therapy uses a rotating table or special gravity boots to allow you to hang upside down....

Celery seed may be good for gout. Image Credit: Sharon Day/iStock/Getty Images If you’ve ever experienced the pain, swelling and heat of a gout flare-up, you’ve had good reason to seek immediate relief. But although there are historical and scientific hints that celery seed may be useful for treating gout, more research is needed to develop clinical proof of that. Advertisement Tip Although historical sources and animal studies suggest that celery seed might be useful for treating arthritis and gout, no human studies have yet proven this....

Is V8 Low Sodium Good for You? Image Credit: alicjane/iStock/GettyImages Health experts recommend eating at least two servings of fruits and three servings of vegetables daily for good reason. These foods are chock-full of vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytonutrients that support mental and physical well-being. Yet, only one in 10 adults meets these recommendations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This can lead to nutrient deficiencies and chronic illnesses....

Live-stream workouts let you get studio-quality classes in your living room. Image Credit: valentinrussanov/E+/GettyImages You don’t have to leave your house to do your favorite barre, indoor cycling or boot-camp class. With live-stream workouts, the studio comes to you! Advertisement "People have [busy] schedules and families but still want to stay healthy," Christi Marraccini, CPT, head of production for the online fitness platform NEOU, tells LIVESTRONG.com. Video of the Day They want to be able to sweat wherever, whenever works for them — and brands are responding to that demand, Matt O'Connor, general manager of Flywheel Sports' Fly On Demand, tells LIVESTRONG....

The calories in oatmeal aren't too abundant yet the breakfast staple offers a solid dose of fiber to keep you full. Image Credit: Arx0nt/iStock/GettyImages A bowl of warm oatmeal or overnight oats is a nutritious way to start your day. And the best part? It’s customizable — so you can add peanut butter, protein powder, fruit or even egg whites to your bowl for a wholesome breakfast worth waking up to!...

People with type 2 diabetes can enjoy oranges in moderation. Image Credit: Alexander Spatari/Moment/GettyImages Not only do sweet, juicy oranges taste good, but they also offer a range of health benefits — high in fiber and vitamin C, void of salt and fat, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). But they have some sugar. So, if you have type 2 diabetes, should you eat or avoid this marvel?...

Despite the health benefits of green tea, it comes with some drawbacks, too. Image Credit: 4kodiak/iStock/GettyImages If you love a hot cup of brew with breakfast, you might consider swapping your morning joe for green tea. Advertisement Not your average herbal beverage, green tea, known for its abundance of antioxidants, has been popular in eastern countries such as Japan, Thailand and India for ages thanks to its plethora of health benefits....

There are many reasons for pain in the upper chest. Image Credit: Preeda Prakotmak / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages If you’re experiencing pain above your breast, reasonably near your heart, it’s important not to jump to conclusions. While it’s possible the discomfort could be serious or even life-threatening, there’s also a long list of other, less worrisome potential causes. Advertisement "There are a number of conditions or injuries that may cause discomfort in the area above the breast," says Elizabeth A....