Posts

Bentonite is most dangerous in powdered form. Image Credit: KathyKafka/iStock/Getty Images Sodium bentonite is naturally forming clay used in several different applications from industrial sealants and cat litter to food and personal care products. Sodium bentonite, called the “clay of a thousand uses” because of its versatility. Bentonite can absorb five times its weight in liquids and can even absorb charged particles from solutions. Bentonite appears to be a lung and eye irritant and depending on its source, it could contain toxins....

Cranberry juice is loaded with antioxidants. Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages Loaded with antioxidants, fruit juices keep your heart healthy, strengthen your immune system and protect against oxidative stress. Some varieties, such as grape juice and cranberry juice, are particularly beneficial due to their high levels of polyphenols and flavonoids. These healthful beverages not only quench your thirst but also boost brainpower, enhance cognition and slow aging. Just remember to enjoy them in moderation, as they pack a lot of sugar....

Kelp noodles nutrition includes important vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber. Image Credit: tbralnina/iStock/GettyImages Traditional to Asian cuisine, kelp noodles are most commonly found in Korean cooking, where the light taste and springy texture of the noodles take well to the rich and fragrant sauces of the cuisine. Kelp noodles nutrition includes important vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber. Advertisement Made from a brown seaweed that grows in deep waters, kelp noodles can be purchased in Asian grocery stores and some health food stores....

Garlic tablets can cause a few side effects. Image Credit: vkara/iStock/Getty Images People have used garlic for centuries for both medicinal purpose and to flavor foods. Its long history of offering potential health benefits has led to the creation of garlic pills. Advertisement Though generally considered safe for consumption, there are some garlic side effects and interactions you should consider before taking garlic pills. Video of the Day Tip Though garlic is generally safe to consume, garlic supplements have some side effects that can be serious, including an increased bleeding risk and drug interactions....

A microscopic view of red blood cells. Image Credit: DTKUTOO/iStock/Getty Images Red blood cells carry oxygen to all cells in your body. Hemoglobin – a protein found in red blood cells – binds to oxygen molecules and delivers oxygen to tissues and cells via your circulatory system. When hemoglobin levels fall below normal levels, your body won’t function optimally. Normal hemoglobin levels vary, depending on your age, sex, you health and where you live....

Sliced mango on a tabletop. Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images Your body is better able to use some forms of vitamin E than others. While vitamin E occurs in eight natural chemical forms, only one form called alpha-tocopherol meets human requirements. That’s why dietary intake recommendations for vitamin E are solely based on alpha-tocopherol. Alpha-tocopherol comes in more than one form, including d-alpha and dl-alpha tocopherol acetate. The vitamin E content of dietary supplements and foods is listed on labels in international units....

Improving your single-leg balance can keep you injury-free. Image Credit: mheim3011/iStock/GettyImages It may seem like an insignificant part of your training plan but practicing your balance is just as important as completing your cardio or doing your squats. A strong, stable foundation is necessary for pretty much all movement and can also help prevent injury. Advertisement Your ability to balance declines with age, though, and can cause you to feel more unsteady while practicing single-leg exercises or walking on uneven surfaces, according to the American Council on Exercise....

A plate of country fried steak. Image Credit: rez-art/iStock/Getty Images Many dieters sigh over their inability to resist chocolate, licorice or their favorite cake. For real, over-the-top addictiveness, though, nothing matches deep frying. The smell of golden french fries or battered fish coming from a nearby restaurant is as alluring as anything could be. Fortunately, deep frying leaves little oil on the food when it’s done right with a good, hot fryer and a well-made batter....

Cherries can cause gas, bloating and diarrhea for some people. Image Credit: Anna Pustynnikova/iStock/GettyImages Like most fruits and vegetables, cherries can be a nutritious addition to your diet. But believe it or not, cherries can cause gas, bloating, stomach pain and diarrhea for some people, especially those with underlying digestive conditions. Advertisement Here, learn more about how this tasty summer fruit affects your digestion and how to actually enjoy eating them without irritating your GI tract....

Connie Britton's approach to health and wellness is actually quite simple. Image Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images Entertainment/GettyImages At 51, Connie Britton looks fit, healthy, and happy. While many stars attribute their youthful looks and physiques to grueling workouts at the gym and trendy diets and cleanses, the “Dirty John” star has a more relaxed approach to heath and fitness. In fact, Britton, a former aerobics instructor, has majorly shifted her approach to wellness over the last decade....

Jalapenos are enjoyed in Mexican foods for their spicy flavor, but may cause stomach aches if you have certain digestive conditions. Not all stomach aches from eating jalapenos are cause for concern. If you’re sensitive to bloating and gas, you may develop gas pains after eating jalapenos. Other reasons for stomach aches from consuming jalapenos are a peptic ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome or a food allergy. Your health care provider can help diagnose the cause of your stomach aches....

Although they provide extra support, the net in swimming trunks can be a little uncomfortable. Image Credit: SrdjanPav/E+/GettyImages Just as some workout shorts have a built-in pair of compression briefs or underwear, you may find an inner net in your swim trunks, too. Advertisement Different styles of trunks have different features, but many are built with an inner mesh net, designed to provide support and coverage. These linings are intended to add comfort while swimming, but for some, they may cause skin irritation....

A persistent dry cough can be irritating and at times, even painful. It occurs from inflammation of the throat and airways, and does not produce any phlegm or mucus. There are, however, a number of key things you can do that will loosen congestion and provide relief. Step 1 Use a vaporizer or humidifier in the room in which you spend most of your time, or at night while you sleep....

references MyFoodData: “Firm Tofu” Harvard T.H. School of Public Health: “Green Beans with Tofu and Crushed Peanuts” National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: “Tofu Stir-Fry With Spicy Sauce” Six professional chefs share their best tips for making extra-crispy tofu that will win over critics. Image Credit: DronG/iStock/GettyImages Image Credit: DronG/iStock/GettyImages 7 High-Protein Tofu Breakfast Recipes You Have to Try “For the crispiest tofu, give it a breadcrumb coating at the end,” says Ann Ziata, a chef at the Institute of Culinary Education....

Help prevent thick calves by staying active, avoiding high-impact exercises, stretching regularly and eating a well-balanced, low-sodium diet. Image Credit: Image Source/Image Source/GettyImages Big calves: The struggle is real. If you’re exercising like a fiend, taking your vitamins and eating more spinach than Popeye, and yet you still can’t get rid of your bulky calves, you’re not alone. Many people have big calves, even if the rest of our bodies may be slim and trim....

Nutritious crab is a particularly good source of the mineral zinc. Image Credit: tab1962/iStock/GettyImages Who doesn’t enjoy tucking into delicious sweet crab meat? Whether you crack it from the claws or use ready prepared lump meat, you’ll usually be reheating crab rather thank cooking the live shellfish. So should you reheat crab in the oven, reheat crab in the microwave or do it some other way? Advertisement Nutritious crab is a particularly good source of the mineral zinc, which the Office of Dietary Supplements explains is important for the immune system, for wound healing and for the sense of taste and smell....

Boiling peeled potatoes hastens the release of starch. Image Credit: KatarzynaBialasiewicz/iStock/Getty Images Starch is a carbohydrate found in many foods. It is a white and tasteless substance that can be processed to make numerous products, some of which are sugars, thickeners for foods such as corn starch, and laundry starch. In potatoes, starch is abundant and makes for a good staple food. But potatoes have a high glycemic index, which could be a health threat, especially for diabetics and those with high blood pressure....

There isn't any specific rules on how to take vitamins when fasting. Image Credit: Moussa81/iStock/GettyImages Food restriction, whether it’s fasting, juicing or dieting for weight loss, may lead to nutrient deficiencies. Taking vitamins while fasting can help prevent this and keep you energized. Ideally, choose a formula that provides at least 100 percent of the vitamins and minerals listed on the label. Advertisement Tip There are no set rules on how to take vitamins while fasting....

This filet is about the size of two decks of cards. Image Credit: Jag_cz/iStock/Getty Images Two important aspects of a healthy diet are quality and quantity. If you are eating all the right foods and still having trouble losing weight, you might have “portion distortion,” a condition in which you have lost the ability to determine the normal portion size you should be consuming. The prevalence of huge serving sizes in America probably contributes to the nation’s overwhelming obesity rate....

Blackstrap molasses contains nutrients like iron and calcium. Image Credit: alpaksoy/iStock/GettyImages Blackstrap molasses contains nutrients like iron and calcium, though the amount varies depending on the brand. There are plenty of uses for blackstrap molasses in baking and cooking, and some people take doses of it for nutritional purposes. Advertisement What Is Blackstrap Molasses? Molasses is a sticky, viscous substance created during the sugar refining process. Different types of molasses are made as byproducts during the process....