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references Optifast: Optifast Proven Benefits Mayo Clinic: Weight Loss: Diet Plans Consumers Compare: "Optifast Diet Review" Diabetes Spectrum: "Meal Replacement Shakes and Nutrition Bars: Do They Help Individuals With Diabetes Lose Weight?" Mayo Clinic: "Obesity" AllinaHealth: "OPTIFAST Side Effects" Mayo Clinic: "What is a gallbladder cleanse? Is it an effective way to flush out gallstones?" Meal-replacement shakes like Optifast are designed to help people lose weight. Image Credit: Starcevic/iStock/GettyImages...

Nutritional Comparison of Quinoa & Oatmeal Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages Oatmeal has long been a staple of the American diet, while quinoa has become widely available only within the past several years. Even though it’s actually a seed, quinoa is cooked like a grain, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture considers it a part of the grain food group — the same group that includes oatmeal. Both quinoa and oatmeal provide health benefits and fit well into a balanced and healthful diet, but they have several nutritional differences that might affect which grain you prefer....

Coconut oil in cooking has become a darling of the health food movement. Image Credit: LightFieldStudios/iStock/GettyImages You know you want a plant-based oil that’s solid at room temperature, but beyond that… well, you’re confused because you didn’t expect there to be different types of coconut oil on the market. Advertisement Simply put, refined coconut oil is more processed, resulting in a milder-tasting oil, while unrefined coconut oil endures less processing and has a lower smoke point and deeper coconut flavor....

Wait a bit after eating before going for a run. Image Credit: Philippa Langley/Cultura/GettyImages It’s important to nourish yourself properly before engaging in vigorous aerobic activity such as running. However, it’s a good idea to wait a little while after eating a meal before you lace up your sneakers. Advertisement Running directly after you eat can leave you with a bloated feeling, diminishing your performance. In worse cases, interrupting your body's digestive process with sudden intensive activity can cause diarrhea or stomach pains....

There are not a lot of side effects to hemp protein. Image Credit: egal/iStock/GettyImages Hemp protein’s nutty flavor, as well as its fiber, minerals and healthy fats, makes it a boon to power-packed shakes, smoothies and bowls. The risk of hemp protein side effects is low, but some people may be allergic, and its high fiber and mineral contents could be problematic in large doses. Advertisement Hemp Protein Powder Facts The hemp protein powder you find on your store shelves is made from protein-rich hemp seeds from the Cannabis sativa plant....

There are some things you can do to help alleviate stomach aches after running. Image Credit: Vladimir Vladimirov/E+/GettyImages You go for a run and everything’s fine, but soon after you stop, your stomach seems upset. Nothing unusual about that. Advertisement Runners are subject to quite a number of stomach complaints, to the extent that they've invented their own syndrome: "Runner's Stomach " or "Runner's Diarrhea," says Mayo Clinic, which can be anything from nausea to cramping....

Repair the damage done by sitting at a desk all day with the superman exercise. Image Credit: fizkes/iStock/GettyImages Don’t let the name mislead you — this exercise will not turn you into a super hero. But the superman exercise will give you a stronger back and core. Advertisement Named for the position of the legs and arms, like Superman flying through the sky, the exercise targets the erector spinae, a group of muscles that extend from the base of the skull to the sacrum....

references American Dental Association: "Heart Disease and Oral Health" Journal of Clinical Periodontology: "Long-term impact of powered toothbrush on oral health: 11-year cohort study" American Dental Association: "Toothbrushes" Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911. The best electric toothbrush is one that fits your budget and specific dental needs....

Grab your resistance band and sculpt those shoulders. Image Credit: Morit Summers, CPT, owner of FORM Fitness Brooklyn When it comes to building a strong, defined upper body, a well-rounded shoulder workout is a must (pun intended). And while you can’t go wrong with dumbbells and kettlebells, resistance bands will get the job done just as well — without taking up valuable space in your apartment or suitcase. Advertisement "Resistance bands are great for the shoulders because they can be used in many different ways and in many different directions," says Morit Summers, CPT, founder of Form Fitness, a training studio in Brooklyn, New York....

The Cheesecake Factory low-carb cheesecake is also the lowest-calorie cheesecake on the menu. Image Credit: Arx0nt/iStock/GettyImages It’s hard to go to the Cheesecake Factory and not get cheesecake. So, if you’re counting carbs, you’ll be happy to learn about the Cheesecake Factory low-carb cheesecake — so dieters can still enjoy what is otherwise the most off-limits of all decadent desserts. Advertisement But, with 600 calories per slice, eating an entire slice of even this "safer" sweet treat may be a difficult fit for a calorie counter....

Safflower oil is a common cooking oil. Image Credit: dulezidar/iStock/GettyImages Safflower oil is made from safflower seeds, and is commonly used in cooking. Safflower oil is also sometimes used as a topical skin treatment. It has healthful benefits, although some of its health claims have been found to be exaggerated. Advertisement Tip Safflower oil has many uses in cooking and is a good source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. It also has analgesic qualities....

Swimming pool rash is commonly caused by the pseudomonas bacteria in a contaminated pool. Image Credit: Patrik Giardino/The Image Bank/GettyImages Swimming pools are a big part of summer fun with family and friends. After all, swimming is an effective form of exercise, as well as a way to relax and relieve the stresses of the day. But to safely enjoy these benefits, you need to protect yourself from potential causes of a swimming pool rash....

Weight benches are more versatile workout gear than you might think. Image Credit: zoranm/iStock/GettyImages You can do so much more with your exercise bench than chest presses and triceps dips. This space-efficient tool is particularly great for training your core. Because you can easily adjust the incline and decline of the bench, you can target certain ab muscles more closely and force them to do most of the work. Advertisement From crunches and sit-ups to mountain climbers and leg raises, there are countless ab exercises you can do on an exercise bench....

Watermelon nutrition facts reveal the fruit is packed with nutrients such as vitamin C. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative In This Article Nutrition Facts Health Benefits Recipes Risks Nothing quite satisfies a hot summer day than a juicy piece of watermelon. Advertisement While it's most certainly a classic fruit during warm weather months, you can find watermelon year-round at your grocery store — and even bottled as watermelon juice. And thank goodness, because that dribble-down-your-chin goodness comes with some big health benefits....

Cracked eggs contain potentially dangerous bacteria and other pathogens. Image Credit: Pakorn Chunhaswasdikul / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages There’s nothing worse than unloading your groceries and finding a bunch of broken eggs in the carton. Here’s what you need to know about whether you can eat cracked eggs and some egg safety guidelines you should follow to avoid falling sick. Advertisement Tip Eating cracked eggs can give you food poisoning or worse if your immunity isn’t 100 percent....

Upper belly pain may signify a strangulated hiatal hernia. Image Credit: Deagreez/iStock/GettyImages Hiatal hernias are fairly common, and many don’t present serious problems. However, when the affected part of your stomach gets stuck inside your chest cavity and its blood supply gets cut off or reduced, the hernia becomes a surgical emergency, according to the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). Advertisement How Hiatal Hernias Happen The hiatus is the normal connection between your stomach and your esophagus, and is located within the muscle known as your diaphragm, says Harvard Health Publishing....

references Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: "Vinegar" USDA FoodData Central: "Apple Cider Vinegar (Branded, 375344)" USDA FoodData Central: "Apple Cider Vinegar (Branded, 458453)" University of Chicago: UChicago Medicine: "Debunking the Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar" Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine: "Diabetes Control: Is Vinegar a Promising Candidate to Help Achieve Targets?" Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry: "Vinegar Intake Reduces Body Weight, Body Fat Mass, and Serum Triglyceride Levels in Obese Japanese Subjects" In most cases, cider vinegar and apple cider vinegar refer to the same thing....

Roasting or sautéing Brussels sprouts helps reduce their naturally bitter flavor by bringing out the sweetness in these cruciferous vegetables. Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/GettyImages Brussels sprouts are a divisive vegetable — you either hate them or love them. Advertisement When prepared properly, Brussels sprouts recipes are full of flavor. They can be sweet, spicy, salty or whatever taste you prefer. Not to mention they're full of nutrients and provide health benefits. Video of the Day You don't have to be an expert to learn how to make a side of Brussels sprouts in a tasty way....

The pain you feel 24 to 48 hours after lifting weights is known as delayed onset muscle soreness. Image Credit: FlamingoImages/iStock/GettyImages The first day or two after a new strength-training class or routine can be rough. Not only are you physically tired from exercising, but you’re also feeling so sore that it’s difficult to even lift your arms or bend down to tie your shoes. This pain you’re feeling is known as ​delayed onset muscle soreness, often referred to as DOMS​, and it usually appears 24 to 48 hours after your weight-training session....

Pinto beans soak up seasonings, so make sure you're pairing the fiber-rich legume with the right spices! Image Credit: fcafotodigital/iStock/GettyImages Pinto beans are nutrient-dense and make for a fantastic side dish for a cookout or Taco Tuesday. But without the right seasoning, your pinto beans can taste bland, causing you and your guests to miss out on all that satiating fiber! Advertisement Luckily, Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD at Tracy Nutrition, has three healthy seasonings for you to try....