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If your CRP level is high, work with your doctor to find and treat the underlying cause. Image Credit: andrei_r/iStock/GettyImages You may never have noticed a C-reactive protein (CRP) level on your blood test results. But it’s an important marker of inflammation — and one that can help predict your risk for a heart attack. Advertisement About CRP Levels When illness or injury strikes, CRP levels in the bloodstream rise as your immune system goes into action....

Whole raw carrots and a glass of carrot juice on wood. Image Credit: Vitaliy_ph/iStock/Getty Images Carrot juice is a sweet and savory alternative to more common varieties of vegetable juice, such as tomato juice, a good option for a healthy and nutritious accompaniment to a meal. Carrot juice has other benefits, however. Carrots can do many good things for your stomach, including maintaining its health and preventing certain conditions and diseases....

Diet and exercise can improve your physical health and fitness. Image Credit: Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images Being physically healthy and fit involves not only how you look, but also how you feel and your overall health. Some of the measures of physical health and fitness are hidden, showing up in blood tests that measure your cholesterol and blood pressure. However, when you implement measures to improve these health indicators, your physical shape will probably improve as well....

Chicken nuggets Image Credit: dolphfyn/iStock/Getty Images Ever since Michael Pollan’s book “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” hit the shelves, the safety of the preservative tertiary butylhydroquinone, or TBHQ, has been an object of contention. A common ingredient in Chicken McNuggets and other preserved foods, it is not harmful at the levels that are permitted in foods; the FDA’s limits on TBHQ in food prevent ill effects and toxicity. Advertisement Uses TBHQ is a synthetic antioxidant that is used to extend the shelf life of oily and fatty foods....

The foods you eat must be broken down into their smallest components. Image Credit: Jacob Wackerhausen/iStock/Getty Images No matter how nutritious, your favorite foods won’t do you any good in their natural, whole state. The nutrients your body gets from food must be small enough to absorb easily into your bloodstream. Through the use of specialized chemicals, your body’s digestive process continuously breaks food down into smaller and smaller pieces until its vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fatty acids are “unlocked” and able to perform their jobs....

A woman is doing front raises with her trainer. Image Credit: Purestock/Purestock/Getty Images Weight training exercises are performed for different reasons by different people. Bodybuilders for example, hone in on all of their major and minor muscle groups to produce the greatest amount of definition possible. People looking to just maintain strength might perform only five or six basic exercises to achieve their goal. The front raise is an exercise that fits into any workout and it involves the upper body musculature....

A close-up of an artichoke for sale at a market. Image Credit: elisacicinelli/iStock/Getty Images Bile is a digestive fluid the helps break fats into fatty acids that the body can absorb. Your liver produces bile from cholesterol and a byproduct of the breakdown of red blood cells called, bilirubin. Promoting the production and flow of bile helps your digestive system function optimally, keeps cholesterol levels down and helps prevent gallstones. A variety of foods can increase bile production....

references Journal of Environmental Science and Health: "Characteristics of Bacterial and Fungal Growth in Plastic Bottled Beverages Under a Consuming Condition Model" Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Basic Facts about Mold and Dampness" Treadmill Reviews: "A Look Under the Cap: Water Bottle Germs Revealed" 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....

Soy protein can affect gallbladder health. Gallbladder disease is common in the United States and can occur regardless of diet. The gallbladder, a small, sac-like organ under the liver, stores bile and aids in the digestion of fats. Foods rich in soy and whey protein may affect the health or function of the gallbladder. If you have questions about the relationship between diet and gallbladder disease, consult a physician or dietitian....

Not seeing the number on the scale drop can be disappointing. Image Credit: © Rick Elkins/Moment/Getty Images It can be frustrating to spend long hours at the gym, eat nutritiously for weeks, and yet fail to see weight-loss changes in the mirror or on the scale. Rest assured, however, that if you keep trying to lead a healthier lifestyle and lose weight, your body will begin to take on a new shape....

Treadmills are designed to operate with a safety key. When the key is inserted into the console, it triggers a switch that allows electrical current to flow and activate the treadmill functions. Safety keys can be misplaced or damaged when not stored properly. Attempting to bypass the switch and connecting electrical leads permanently is an unsafe solution to the problem of a lost or damaged key. If your treadmill uses a convex or ribbed key, it might be necessary to install a new safety key component....

Shadowboxing is a form of boxing that requires no equipment. Image Credit: TommL/E+/GettyImages In the classic American boxing movie, Rocky, the main character trains with minimal equipment. He chases chickens around for agility, uses hanging meat for a punching bag and runs up the steps of Philadelphia’s Art Museum. Rocky rises from the ground up, using hard work — not fancy equipment — to become a world champion. Advertisement You can recreate your own Rocky story and learn to box with no equipment....

Train yourself to eat less by putting down your fork between bites. Image Credit: yipengge/iStock/GettyImages So often when it comes to losing weight, we put a huge focus on eating less. We watch our portions, make healthier choices or perhaps track calories, all in an effort to reduce the amount of food, and overall calories, we put into our mouths. Advertisement But what if there are other methods you can try that don't require so much focus on ​what​ and ​how much​ you're eating, but instead, involve small behavioral or environmental changes you can make, in some cases almost subconsciously, that will help you eat less?...

Woman with pain in her right arm. If you notice pain while stretching your right arm, it's likely you have an arm strain or sprain. The symptoms of strains and sprains are similar, but they affect different parts of your anatomy. Always consult with your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment of the pain in your arm. Advertisement Identification A sprain will cause pain, swelling and the inability to efficiently use the joint....

For healthy Chinese food, stick with dishes that are steamed or stir-fried in a small amount of oil and avoid fried dishes. Image Credit: twomeows/Moment/GettyImages If you’re trying to make better food choices to improve your health, you may be wondering: What’s the healthiest Chinese takeaway dish? While many Chinese favorites are high in calories, fat and sodium, you can find healthy options to meet your nutritional needs. Advertisement Tip For healthy Chinese food, stick with dishes that are steamed or stir-fried in a small amount of oil and avoid fried dishes....

A wedge of gouda cut up on a cutting board. Image Credit: daffodilred/iStock/Getty Images The dairy food group – which includes milk, cheese and yogurt – serves as an important source of calcium in your diet. Guidelines released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommend including the equivalent of 3 cups of dairy in your diet each day, and a 1.5-ounce serving of hard cheeses, such as Gouda, counts as one cup....

Whole-grain bread is a good source of fiber, selenium, manganese and B-complex vitamins, leading to better overall health. Image Credit: Stefka Pavlova/Moment/GettyImages Let’s face it: Bread is off limits for most dieters. After all, it’s loaded with carbs and has little nutritional value. But not all bread is created equal. Some varieties are actually quite healthy and can make weight loss easier. Whole-grain bread, for example, provides steady energy and fills you up quickly....

Grilled eggplant is healthy and delicious. Modern cooks have a variety of cooking methods at their disposal. The typical American home has a stove and oven for boiling, baking and broiling as well as a microwave for accelerated cooking and reheating. Many homes have an outdoor grill, slow cooker, steamer or fryer. The George Foreman grill allows indoor grilling with a minimum of preparation and clean-up. Several types of competitor grills are also available....

Zucchini is a one of several vegetables that are low in vitamin K. Image Credit: bit245/iStock/Getty Images Coumadin, also known as warfarin, is a blood thinner used to reduce blood clot formation and prevent blocked arteries, heart attacks and strokes. Many foods are safe to eat while taking Coumadin, but some can affect how well your Coumadin works. Advertisement Read more: What Multivitamin Can You Take With Coumadin? Video of the Day Vitamin K acts as a natural blood-clotting agent within the body and can therefore interact with Coumadin and make it less effective....

Mouth burning from nuts is related to an allergic reaction. Peanuts and tree nuts are considered common food allergens that affect children and adults alike. If you experience a burning, itching or tingling sensation in your mouth after you eat peanuts or tree nuts, call your doctor. Mouth itching, burring and tingling may be a sign of a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. These sensations are caused by increased levels of histamine in your soft tissue that results from an allergic reaction....