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Close-up of woman touching a sore knee with arthritis. Image Credit: belchonock/iStock/Getty Images Glucosamine, chondroitin and methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, are supplements available together and separately for treating osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, occurs when the cartilage that cushions joints degenerates. Glucosamine and chondroitin are substances that play a role in joint health, while MSM may offer anti-inflammatory benefits. Combination therapy may prove more beneficial that taking these substances alone, but results from studies are mixed....

Super-high-protein foods and spicy picks should be avoided before you hit the gym. Image Credit: Fudio/iStock/GettyImages When you exercise on an empty stomach, you might not have enough energy to perform at your peak. But eating the wrong foods before a workout may sabotage your sweat session too. Advertisement We enlisted the expertise of Pam Bruzina, PhD, director of nutritional sciences graduate studies at the University of Missouri, to help you avoid the potential pitfalls of pre-workout foods....

Check in with your doctor if you have testicular pain after lifting weights. Image Credit: simonkr/E+/GettyImages If you’re a fan of gains, then you know the pain you feel today is the strength you feel tomorrow — unless that pain is in your testicles. Yes, it’s possible to develop testicular pain after working out or lifting a heavy object. Here are the reasons behind the pain — and what to do for relief....

Almonds shouldn't be eaten for three days before a colonoscopy. Image Credit: Arx0nt/Moment/GettyImages When you turn 45, or earlier if you’re high risk, your doctor may want you to undergo an inconvenient procedure — a colonoscopy. The prep is what’s inconvenient, though, and starting 72 to 48 hours before a colonoscopy, you’ll have to change your diet. It won’t be fun, but it will be worth it. Advertisement Tip You should stop eating nuts and other high-fiber foods three days before a colonoscopy to clear your bowels....

A woman is holding a packet of pills and a dumbbell. Image Credit: jakubzak/iStock/Getty Images Hydroxycut is an over-the-counter supplement marketed to individuals looking to lose weight and build muscle mass. Products found in the Hydroxycut line include Hydroxycut Pro Clinical, Hydroxycut Pro Clinical Caffeine-Free, Hydroxycut Shape and Hydroxycut Hardcore Pro Series. If you want to get results with the supplement, you need to eat a calorie-controlled diet and develop a regular workout plan....

Image Credit: Daniel Täger/iStock/Getty Images High cholesterol, stroke, heart disease, certain cancers, sleep apnea and hypertension are just some of the conditions you might face when you have overweight. To lose weight, quick fixes such as fad diets might initially provide fast results, but are often hard to maintain and short-lived; any lost weight is quickly gained back. A safer approach is a multifaceted, doctor-approved, weight-reduction program that includes behavior modification, diet and exercise....

A combination of diet, lifestyle modification and exercise is the best method for losing weight when you are obese. Image Credit: txking/iStock/Getty Images In the past, weight management in obese people relied solely on low-calorie or hypocaloric diets. Through research and scientific breakthroughs, it is apparent that weigh loss in obese people can be better achieved through a combination of hypocaloric dieting, lifestyle modification and exercise. Sometimes, pharmaceutical remedies or surgery may be recommended by a doctor....

Handlebars come with either threaded or threadless headsets. Image Credit: mel-nik/iStock/Getty Images Bike handlebars come in various designs, so the method required to remove them will vary depending on the type of bike you own. Newer bikes have a threadless stem for easy height adjustment. Older units have stems secured with locknuts that require a wrench to adjust the height of the handlebars. To tell the difference, sit on your bike, and look at the stem that connects the handlebars to the frame....

To slow cook on a stove top, brown the meat and add liquid, seasonings and any other desired ingredients. Image Credit: grandriver/iStock/GettyImages Slow cookers offer great convenience, but not everybody has one. It’s good to know that most slow-cooker recipes can be converted to the stovetop or oven. You just need to adjust the cooking time and amount of liquid added. Advertisement Tip To slow cook meat on a stovetop, brown the meat and add liquid, seasonings and any other desired ingredients....

A bowl of rice and a bowl of rice flower. Image Credit: MaxCab/iStock/Getty Images Flour made from brown or white rice is a suitable alternative that may replace wheat flour cup for cup in your favorite cookie recipes. White rice flour is a good choice for most cookies; choose brown rice flour for cookies containing fruit or bold spices. Rice flour on its own results in a crumbly, gritty product, so you have to mix it with other ingredients to get a good result....

Ciabatta is a traditional Italian bread that supposedly gets its name from its resemblance to house slippers – “ciabatta” being Italian for slipper. Crusty on the outside with a soft texture on the inside, ciabatta bread takes well to toasting. Use it for sandwiches, as a partner for soups or saucy pasta dishes, or as a base for fresh or sautéed vegetables. Most ciabatta is made with white flour. For more fiber and B vitamins, look for whole-grain ciabatta or make your own with whole-wheat flour....

The sulfur compounds in onions may help improve blood sugar. Image Credit: DAJ/amana images/Getty Images When you’re trying to manage your blood sugar, the American Diabetes Association encourages eating more non-starchy vegetables because they’re low in calories and carbohydrates. Eating more onions might also help improve your blood sugar levels. Consult your dietitian to discuss how onions might fit into your diet plan. Advertisement Onion Nutrition Onions are low in calories and a source of many nutrients that promote good health, including fiber, B vitamins and a variety of antioxidants....

While the juices and smoothies at Booster Juice do have lots of vitamins and minerals, they're also loaded with sugar. Image Credit: Mizina/iStock/GettyImages As Canada’s self-proclaimed “original juice and smoothie bar,” Booster Juice offers fresh smoothies, juices and specialty shots so you can take your fruits and veggies on the go. However, if you’re looking for a healthy booster juice or smoothies, you’ll probably have to customize your choice a bit....

Steak isn't exactly a super food for losing weight, and it even presents some potential health problems. Image Credit: istetiana/Moment/GettyImages Is steak considered a super food for weight loss? Not really — but a few studies show that it won’t hurt your weight loss efforts either, as long as you consume lean cuts in reasonable portion sizes. Advertisement Tip Steak isn't exactly a super food for losing weight, and it even presents some potential health problems....

Try the stair climber in your next exercise session. Image Credit: Gevorg Gevorgyan/iStock/Getty Images The stair climber is really nothing more than a small revolving staircase with handrails. Once you turn on the machine, the steps start moving and you continuously walk in place on them for the duration of your workout. If you are looking to get into shape, the stair climber might be just what you’re looking for, provided you use it correctly....

Don't let all your hard work during marathon training go to waste. Image Credit: Eva-Katalin/iStock/GettyImages Prepping for a marathon involves more than pounding the pavement. What you eat during training and on race day can make or break your PR. To help you avoid common marathon training nutrition mistakes, train smarter with advice from Nancy Clark, RD, a sports nutrition counselor in Boston and author of Nancy Clark’s Sports Nutrition Guidebook....

Puff pastry is high in fat because the dough is covered in butter before baking. Image Credit: sanapadh/iStock/Getty Images Puff pastries are a distinct type of pastry that features layers of butter-covered dough rolled and folded over each other. Puff pastries are so named because they puff up when baked. They are not ideal for optimal health or weight loss diets, as they are high in calories and fat. Advertisement Calories Puff pastry is a calorie-dense food, as 1 oz....

Before your next Pilates workout, adopt this Pilates instructor's secrets to long, lean legs. Image Credit: Dusty Saunders As someone who is 5'4" (but acts like she is 6’!), you won’t be surprised to hear that lengthening and sculpting my legs is a focus in my own daily Pilates workouts. I have a few favorite go-to exercises that have incredible results. Advertisement If you want to get those gams in Pilates shape, then find yourself a mat (or soft surface like carpet or grass) and include this 15-minute workout in your routine at least three times a week....

Quinoa is known as a "superfood" because of its many nutritional benefits. Image Credit: Yagi Studio/DigitalVision/GettyImages Quinoa is a grain-type food that has been a staple in the South American diet and is gaining interest among Americans because of the great health benefits it offers and its versatility. Quinoa calories are low, and it is gluten-free, making it a great grain choice for those with celiac disease. Advertisement Quinoa has a low glycemic index and contains fiber, which makes it a good carbohydrate choice for people with diabetes....

To eat dairy or not to eat dairy? That is the question. Image Credit: Grafvision/AdobeStock Years before the ubiquitous “Got Milk?” ad campaign there was a long-running campaign with the message: “Milk. It Does a Body Good.” But does it really? Advertisement For people with milk allergies and lactose intolerance, the answer is clear-cut. But for people who don't have either, could it still be better to cut out (or cut down) dairy?...