Posts

Possible risks and side effects include liver toxicity, kidney damage and impaired fertility. Image Credit: tata99may/iStock/Getty Images An analysis of the pros and cons of rooibos tea shows that the high antioxidant content may offer wellness advantages. However, be aware that some side effects have occasionally been reported. Since research on the herb is limited, check with your doctor before taking it. Advertisement Tip Possible risks and side effects include liver toxicity, kidney damage and impaired fertility....

Steamed rice is a rich energy source for bodybuilders. Image Credit: Alex Ortega / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages Protein is the nutrient that first comes to mind when you think of the bodybuilding diet; however, carbs are equally important for bodybuilders. Here’s what you need to know about healthfully including rice in your diet and the benefits of brown rice versus white rice for bodybuilding. Advertisement A Source of Energy Carbohydrates provide the energy that powers your workouts....

Man hitting a punching bag Image Credit: Dmitry Kalinovsky/iStock/Getty Images Adderall, or dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, can be a godsend for people who have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, but it may complicate things for serious athletes. If you only work out casually to stay in shape, you really don’t need supplements. Considering the potential interactions with your Adderall, it may be best to go supplement-free. But serious competitive athletes frequently use supplements to stay in peak performance, and this is where Adderall may cause problems....

Crunches are a classic ab exercise but they probably won't give you the results you want. Image Credit: FatCamera/E+/GettyImages If your usual ab routine involves dozens of crunches, we’ve got good news: You can leave them in the past! Many of the traditional ab exercises you may be doing (and dreading) are probably ineffective — and could even hurt you. Advertisement Here, fitness experts share which ab moves are a waste of your time, plus what to do instead for a rock-solid core....

Gym machines are great for beginners or folks with limited mobility, but some put unnecessary stress on your muscles. Image Credit: Peathegee Inc/Tetra images/GettyImages In This Article Worst Machines Best Machines Machine Myths Exercise machines can serve a role in an effective strength-training program, but some are much more beneficial than others. Advertisement I've been coaching clients in person and online for more than eight years. My thoughts on machine training have undergone several big shifts during this time....

Finding the best bike seat for you depends on your riding style, comfort needs and budget. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative How We Chose Best Overall Best Budget Best for Long Rides Best for Commuters Best for Performance Best Luxury Best for Men Best for Women Best for Mountain Biking Shopping Tips We make deliberate choices about the language we use when it comes to gender. Most bike seats are unisex, but some companies make and market bike seats according to gender, so we have listed both women’s and men’s picks below (and included that terminology)....

Proper form is vital to doing triceps exercises safely and effectively. Image Credit: Ken Stachnik/LIVESTRONG.COM Everyone loves the look of strong, sculpted arms. But excess fat in your upper arms can cover up all that beautiful muscle. While you can’t spot reduce, you can commit to a consistent cardio and strength-training regimen while reducing your caloric intake, says Stephanie Thielen, ACE-certified personal trainer. Advertisement To get started with the strength-training part of that equation, incorporate these seven triceps-targeting exercises into your workout routine or do three sets of 15 reps for all of them for one seriously arm-sculpting workout....

Group classes motivate students to get stronger. Image Credit: dolgachov/iStock/Getty Images Les Mills and Body Training Systems are two companies that sell prepackaged fitness classes to gyms. This means that the classes are already choreographed to specific songs. For a fee, these two companies provide the choreography, music and promotional materials to member gyms where certified instructors teach the classes to students. Body Pump is Les Mills’ group weight class. Group Power is the name of the weight class created by Body Training Systems, or BTS....

Steam fresh spinach to retain as much of the leafy green's nutrients as possible. Image Credit: Максим Крысанов/iStock/GettyImages Like other dark green, leafy vegetables, spinach is a nutritional powerhouse. Because all methods of cooking destroy some nutritional value, the best way to maximize nutrient intake is to eat fresh spinach raw. Advertisement When that's not suitable, preserve most of the nutritional value by minimizing the water used to cook spinach and the cooking time....

references Cheerios: "Original Cheerios" Smart Label: "Kellogg's Corn Flakes® Cereal" Advances in Nutrition: "The Benefits of Breakfast Cereal Consumption: A Systematic Review of the Evidence Base" Smart Label: "General Mills Rice Chex" Cheerios: "Multigrain Cheerios" Fiber One: "Fiber One Original Bran" FDA: "Dietary Fiber" Kellogg's All-Bran: "Kellogg's All-Bran Complete Wheat Flakes Cereal" World Journal of Gastroenterology: "Stopping or Reducing Dietary Fiber Intake Reduces Constipation and its Associated Symptoms" BMC Public Health: "Depicted Serving Size: Cereal Packaging Pictures Exaggerate Serving Sizes and Promote Overserving" Kellogg's Corn Flakes is the lowest calorie cereal per cup....

Image Credit: jatrax/iStock/GettyImages Yellow squash, also called yellow zucchini or summer squash, is a hot-weather vegetable picked in its immature stage to ensure a thin, edible skin and sweet, soft flesh. This squash typically ranges in size from 6 to 8 inches long, although it can be smaller, depending on when you pick the fruit says the University of Illinois Extension. Advertisement The nutrition in summer squash, details of which you can find on MyPlate, helps make it a healthy, versatile addition to your meals....

Swimming is a great way to burn calories. Image Credit: moodboard/moodboard/Getty Images While attempting to reach 1,500 calories burned a day, it is vital to recognize the signs of extreme calorie deficits and overtraining. If you are a professional athlete, a 1,500-calorie workout might make sense for you. Advertisement Tip A 150-pound woman would have to run at a pace of 5 miles per hour for two hours and 50 minutes to burn 1,500 calories....

A variety of foods, herbs and spices can help your blood to clot. Image Credit: Jess Lessard Photography/iStock/GettyImages Although blood clots inside the body are bad for your health, clotting, also known as coagulation, is an essential part of the healing process. People with certain medical conditions or nutrient deficiencies may want to help support their blood’s ability to coagulate. Foods that help blood clot include animal products, seafood, vegetables and herbs....

A large breakfast and smaller dinner can help you lose weight. Image Credit: Magone/iStock/GettyImages Although many people typically eat their biggest meal later in the day, there can be benefits to making breakfast your biggest meal instead. Advertisement The idea of eating a big breakfast, medium-sized lunch and small dinner has been around since the 1960s, but now research is starting to back up the benefits of this type of meal plan, especially if you are trying to lose weight....

Sauerkraut adds depth, texture and umami to a traditional grilled cheese. Image Credit: Cleveland Kitchen/Facebook Image Credit: Cleveland Kitchen/Facebook “For sauerkraut that provides plenty of probiotics, ideally look for fresh, vinegar-free versions that are naturally fermented and often found in your local market’s refrigerated section,” Newgent says. Also, check labels for words like “probiotic,” “fermented” or “raw” to indicate the presence of probiotics. Kimchi Salsa 5-Minute Salsa Avocado Salsa Verde...

Rebouding is a great low impact exercise. Image Credit: Antonio_Diaz/iStock/GettyImages Intense workouts increase energy expenditure and facilitate fat loss. The number of calories burned rebounding on a mini trampoline can be enough to help you get leaner. However, the results depend on your diet and lifestyle, as well as your workout. Advertisement Tip Rebounding is a low-impact, vigorous workout that can help you get leaner. How fast you'll get results depends on your diet and body weight as well as workout intensity and frequency....

To get more of the nutrients your skin craves, blend up a smoothie full of fruits and vegetables. Image Credit: Moyo Studio/E+/GettyImages Your skin is often the first thing people notice about you, and if you want it to be as radiant as your personality, it’s important that you eat a nutrient-rich diet. According to dermatologists, adding a smoothie to your daily diet can help you in your efforts. Advertisement Every diet should be balanced with a mix of carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats....

Why Do I Crave Sweets During My Period? Image Credit: AnnaPustynnikova/iStock/GettyImages Craving specific foods before and during your period is a common experience. You’ve probably had cravings for sweets during your period or know of someone who typically does. Women can crave sweets during their period for a variety of reasons — from changes in blood sugar or hormones to low levels of certain nutrients. Advertisement Menstrual Cycles and Food Cravings Most women have menstrual cycles every 28 days or so....

Fill up on low-calorie fruits and veggies to help you lose weight. Image Credit: YelenaYemchuk/iStock/GettyImages To lose 5 pounds in two weeks, you will need to follow a strict diet and exercise regimen. This goal — a 2.5-pound-per-week rate of weight loss — is a bit more than the generally recommended rate, which is 1 to 2 pounds a week. Advertisement While it may be possible to lose 5 pounds this quickly, it's a better idea to take a slow-and-steady approach to losing weight, per the U....

The key to consuming olives for weight loss is to eat them in moderation. Image Credit: Julia_Sudnitskaya/iStock/GettyImages Olives are delicious and salty small fruits that grow on the olive tree. Their extracted oil, olive oil, is commonly used in weight-loss protocols, but eating whole olives for weight loss can also be effective. Advertisement The key to consuming olives for weight loss is to eat them in moderation. Unlike green leafy vegetables, the calories in olives add up quickly, even in smaller portion sizes....