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Protein is essential for building muscle. Image Credit: PaulBiryukov/iStock/GettyImages Muscle gain is one of the primary goals of weightlifting. Building muscle mass is a process requiring an investment in several different areas, including strength training, proper rest and nutrition. Advertisement A normal, balanced diet is enough to maintain a healthy body, but if you want to add muscle mass at a rapid rate, adding certain supplements enhances targeted weight training. Know which supplements are worth the investment when your goal is to gain muscle mass and get leaner....

There are some fats that are ok to eat. Image Credit: istetiana/Moment/GettyImages Dietary fat has been vilified for a really long time. In the ’90s, the advice to avoid excess fat was everywhere. But as nutrition experts and researchers started to gain a deeper understanding of the macronutrients, tunes have started to change. Advertisement Although there are still some fats, like trans fats, that you should avoid as much as possible, there are some gray areas when it comes to the other types of fats, even saturated fat....

Watch for sodium hidden in sauces and condiments. Image Credit: twomeows/Moment/GettyImages Traditional Chinese dishes consist of readily available ingredients flavored with ginger, garlic and other seasonings. In the United States, Chinese restaurants often use recipes adapted to suit Western tastes, resulting in increased sodium in Chinese food. Advertisement The ingredients and cooking methods used to prepare your dishes affect the Chinese food salt content. Video of the Day Read more: What Are the Health Benefits of Himalayan Salt?...

There are both positive and negative side effects of drinking coffee and other caffeinated beverages. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative In This Article Brain and Nervous System Heart Digestive System Muscles Reproductive System Whether it's a morning cup of joe, afternoon Diet Coke or pre-gym energy drink, many of us look to caffeinated beverages for a little extra pick-me-up. That's because the effects of caffeine on the body can give you energy and improve your athletic performance, to name a few....

A vegan diet — one that avoids all meat, dairy and animal byproducts — offers many benefits, including improved gallbladder heath and function. The gallbladder is one of the smallest organs in the body; this pear-shaped sac containing bile is located on the underside of the liver. Conditions related to the gallbladder, such as developing gallstones, can be treated or avoided by eating a vegan diet, which is a high-fiber, low-fat diet free of cholesterol....

Changing up your workouts during the week gives you variety and helps keep you motivated. Image Credit: svetikd/E+/GettyImages Whether you’re new to working out or you’re looking for some fresh ideas to recharge your fitness batteries, including different types of exercise in your overall routine will help you stay motivated and fit. The variety also helps you steer clear of injuries and keeps your body in peak condition. Plus, when you mix it up, you’ll likely find exercises you enjoy....

A woman is doing weighted lunges. Image Credit: dolgachov/iStock/Getty Images Lunges are effective strength-building exercises if performed properly, helping improve the musculature of the low back, hips, abdomen and legs. However, doing any kind of exercise can put you at risk of back pain or injury, especially if you’re out of shape or not used to exercising. It’s important to learn the proper techniques for lunges and to understand what may be contributing to your back pain....

A man is doing a deadlift. Image Credit: Djordje Rusic/iStock/Getty Images “The deadlift is a very productive exercise. One of two or three core exercises that a routine should be built around,” according to personal trainer Scott Carrell, wrtiting for the University of Washington. However, If you do a deadlift wrong, you won’t get the full benefit of the exercise and you increase the risk of injury. Deadlifts are demanding, requiring the coordination of several muscle groups, total focus and proper technique....

Avoid swallowing cherry pits by ensuring you remove the pit before eating, baking and adding the fruit to your blender. Image Credit: Photo: Stocksy/B&J In This Article Can You Digest Pits? Are They Poisonous? How to Prevent It You're snacking on sweet cherries or sipping on a fruit smoothie after dinner and suddenly feel a stiff lump slide down your throat. Advertisement It's happened to the best of us: Swallowing the pits of cherries is common and generally nothing to be worried about....

A young woman with tattoos is standing on the beach. Image Credit: Hill Street Studios/Blend Images/Getty Images Changes in your body, including weight gain, pregnancy, weight loss or aging can impact the appearance of your tattoo. The impact of weight changes is greater on some body parts than others, and you may want to speak to your tattoo artist if you’re planning on significant weight loss after your tattoo. Advertisement Location The placement of your tattoo will significantly impact how much it changes as your body changes....

Two scoopfuls and a small bowl of wheat flour on a counter. Image Credit: tanjichica7/iStock/Getty Images Carbohydrates and gluten often go hand in hand. Wheat-based flours are one of the most common ingredients used to make breads, cereals and other carb-rich foods, and gluten is a natural component of wheat. You’ll also get gluten from foods made using rye and barley. Carbs and gluten are very different substances, however. Carbohydrates consist of sugar, while gluten is a group of proteins....

What Vitamins Are Good for Sexual Stamina Image Credit: ediebloom/iStock/GettyImages What you eat has a direct impact on your libido and sexual stamina. Some foods can mess up your hormones and sex drive, affecting your performance in the bedroom. Others have the opposite effect — they promote sexual health and improve your endurance. Ideally, your diet should be rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, vitamin E, B-complex vitamins, l-citrulline and other essential nutrients....

Depression can be accompanied by changes to your sleep and appetite, which can lead to weight loss. Image Credit: valentinrussanov/E+/GettyImages In This Article Symptoms Depression and Weight Medications More than 16 percent of adults will experience depression in their lifetime, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Depression affects many aspects of everyday life — including appetite, sleep, motivation and energy levels — and in some cases, it can lead to losing weight....

Strength training builds lean muscle mass, which helps increase metabolism. Image Credit: sanjeri/E+/GettyImages If you’re overweight, losing as little 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can improve your cholesterol, lower blood pressure and decrease your risk of diabetes, according to Nadia B. Pietrzykowska, MD, FACP. If you have more to lose, surpassing that number can bring you even greater benefits. Advertisement With the right exercise program — and a healthy diet — most people can easily lose 20 pounds in three months....

Doing squats and other leg-focused moves will help you develop stronger, more shapely legs, but won't vanquish inner thigh fat. Image Credit: Antonio_Diaz/iStock/GettyImages If you’re looking to slim down your inner thighs, finding the right moves for leg day may seem like a big priority. But while certain exercises will help strengthen and tone your leg muscles, there’s no workout move out there that will target inner thigh fat in particular....

Vanilla whey protein shakes can help you get an extra dose of protein when at the gym or when you don't have time for a meal. Unfortunately, depending on the brand of vanilla whey protein shake you choose, the flavor may leave much to be desired. Luckily, you can add a number of things to your protein shake to improve the taste, and they're likely things you already have. Similarly, the way you prepare your shake may have something to do with its bad taste, and you can change the preparation method for something more pleasant....

A few minutes snuggling with your pet may be all you need to relieve stress quickly. Image Credit: gradyreese/E+/GettyImages Regular, everyday life can be stressful, but there are ways to cope — and they don’t necessarily have to involve carving out an hour for meditation or yoga. (Though if you’re up for it, you should totally do it.) Advertisement Chronic stress can make you feel miserable, of course. But it's also bad for your body, upping the risk for headaches, stomach problems, trouble concentrating, trouble sleeping, weight gain and even heart disease, according to the Mayo Clinic....

A cramp on the inside of your thigh during a workout could happen because of muscle fatigue. Image Credit: Sorapop/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Risk Factors Causes Treatment Prevention When to See a Doctor Cramps can occur just about anywhere on your legs, including your inner thigh. They arrive unexpectedly and fast, causing painful, involuntary contractions and spasms in your muscles. Advertisement If you've had a leg cramp, then you're familiar with the sensation, which can range from mild pulsing to intensely painful contractions, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)....

Celery sticks and hummus are a healthy, diabetes-friendly snack. Image Credit: OlenaMykhaylova/iStock/GettyImages Celery has been a trendy vegetable in the health-food world for a long time. It’s a low-calorie, low-sugar food that pairs well with dips and peanut butters. Recently, celery juice has taken center stage as beneficial to a handful of ailments. But is celery good for managing diabetes? Advertisement What Makes Celery So Healthy? Celery is so much more than a crunchy snack....

Squid can be a nutritious addition to your diet when it's eaten in the right amounts and properly prepared. Image Credit: Milkos/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Benefits Risks How to Prepare Seafood, like salmon and tuna, are often considered healthy options to include in your diet. Other types of seafood aren't as impressive in terms of omega-3 fatty acids, but they can still be a nutritious addition to your plate. For example, the squid nutrition profile makes it a good addition to a health-conscious diet, as long as it's eaten in moderation and prepared the right way....