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Tight quadratus lumborum muscles can cause lower-back pain, but stretching and strengthening them can help relieve pain and improve your flexibility. Image Credit: Prostock-Studio/iStock/GettyImages If you’ve got lower-back stiffness, it’s probably has to do with a pair of core muscles called the quadratus lumborum (QL). The QL muscles run down the sides of your spine in your lower back and connect your pelvis to your spine and your last rib....

Running is a safe and beneficial activity for children, as long as they aren't overtraining. Image Credit: FatCamera/E+/GettyImages In This Article Is Running Safe for Kids? Proper Running Form Training Guidelines 5K Training Plan Overuse Injuries Nutrition and Hydration Best Running Shoes Cross-Training Kids are made to move. Many of them sprint, frolic, jump, roll and climb without much prompting from adults. If you're a parent, you might see an opportunity to channel some of that energy into distance running....

The Danish diet consists of lean meats such as lamb. Image Credit: Tracey Kusiewicz/Foodie Photography/Moment/GettyImages It goes by many names: the Danish diet, the Denmark diet and even the very official Royal Danish Hospital diet. But no matter what it’s called, the Danish diet is nothing more than a fad diet. You may lose weight quickly following this very low-calorie limited diet plan, but you may struggle to keep the weight off....

All types of rice flour are gluten-free. Image Credit: etienne voss/iStock/GettyImages Beyond Celiac notes that rice flour can be used in combination with other gluten-free flours — like sorghum, oat and tapioca — and a gum such as xanthan — in place of all-purpose flour in baking. It can be partly swapped for all-purpose flour in some recipes but can’t be used as a 1:1 substitute.‌Read more:‌ 10 Gluten-Free Dessert Recipes From Coconut Milk Panna Cotta to Sweet Potato Pudding...

Knee lift is important for maximizing running performance. Image Credit: Thomas Northcut/Photodisc/Getty Images Being able to lift your knee when you’re running has a significant impact on your running speed. It’s also important for reducing the risk of injury. The muscle group that’s responsible for picking up your knee when running is the hip flexors, which include the iliopsoas, sartorius, rectus femoris, tensor fasciae latae and pectineus muscles. Weakness in the hip flexors can limit your ability to lift your knee....

Deficit calf raises are a great calf exercise to try. Image Credit: Getty Images/kali9 Like crunches, standing calf raises get way more credit than they deserve. In fact, this exercise probably won’t give you the strength or muscle size you’re looking for — really, they’re kind of a waste of your time. Advertisement Instead, Sam Chan, DPT, CSCS, physical therapist at Bespoke Treatments in New York City shares some of his favorite weighted and plyometric calf exercises that will give these muscles a more well-rounded and effective workout....

Treadmill stress tests are a way to gauge fitness. A stress test is a clinical standard often used to detect coronary artery disease. Traditionally, this test is performed on the treadmill. Modern advances in technology allow physicians to administer it without making the patient do any physical work, via chemical means. Please consult with your physician for specific information. Advertisement Treadmill Stress Test Although there are a number of treadmill options available to physicians, the Bruce protocol is the method used most often....

Mix sugar-free whiskey with a zero-calorie mixer, like seltzer, for a low-cal drink. Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/GettyImages If you’re paying attention to the carbohydrates and sugar in your diet, there’s a good chance you’re also looking at the beverages you enjoy. Advertisement Certain mixed drinks can be loaded with calories that can add up. The good news is, there are no carbs in tequila and other types of plain hard alcohol. Video of the Day Related Reading Calories in Liquor: The Ultimate Guide Liquor With No Sugar or Carbs Most hard alcohol contains no carbohydrates or sugar....

Vitamin B-12 is only found in significant amounts in animal products. Image Credit: Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images Hair loss can occur for a number of different reasons, including a poor diet. Not getting enough of certain nutrients, such as iron or vitamins B-12 and D, can interfere with hair growth. Vitamin B-12 shots will only be helpful for treating hair loss, however, if that hair loss is due to a deficiency of this vitamin....

It's a bit of a hybrid. Image Credit: fizkes/iStock/GettyImages With the variety of group fitness classes offered at health clubs in every major city, getting fit has never been so fun. Les Mills, an innovator in group exercise class formats, offers many options — including the popular Body Pump — taught at gyms and available to stream online. If you like the benefits of mind-body practices such as yoga and tai chi, add Body Balance to your list of must-try classes....

Canola oil comes from rapeseed. Image Credit: Roberto Machado Noa/Moment/GettyImages Too much fat in your diet can contribute to heart disease, obesity and other health problems. But your body needs some fat to function properly. Fat makes food taste good, slows digestion and carries fat-soluble vitamins. Vegetable oils such as canola oil and safflower oil can be a beneficial part of a healthy diet. Use these oils instead of lard or butter in baking, cooking and making salad dressings....

Woman measuring her hips with a tape Image Credit: AlexShalamov/iStock/Getty Images Unfortunately, belts used to melt away the pounds don’t promote weight loss. Even if you wrap both thighs in these devices, you’re not going to see much of a change in your measurements. The only proven method to reduce the size of the thighs is to lower your total body fat percentage. Advertisement Slimming Belts Unlike exercise belts worn around the midsection, slimming belts for the thighs are typically worn when the body is at rest....

Training with kettlebells takes some practice. Image Credit: gradyreese/E+/GettyImages Kettlebell training comes with a fairly steep learning curve. But in exchange for that period of learning, you can reap many benefits, including a spectacular calorie burn, improved cardiorespiratory fitness and greater strength and endurance. Advertisement Tip The best way to choose the appropriate kettlebell weight is by trying out a few, although you can also get a rough idea by simulating kettlebell exercises with a dumbbell....

Fish oil and flax oil may offer cholesterol-lowering benefits. Image Credit: Sapocka/iStock/Getty Images Fish oil and flaxseed oil provide high quantities of essential fatty acids. Fish oil contains eicosapentaenoic acid – EPA – and docosahexaenoic acid – DHA – which are used directly for such functions as production of healthy cell membranes and to reduce inflammation. Flaxseed oil contains alpha linolenic acid – ALA – which your body converts into EPA and DHA....

Cardio is a great way to burn extra calories. Image Credit: EmirMemedovski/E+/GettyImages If you are hoping to reduce trunk fat, you’ll need to create a calorie deficit. Eating a healthy diet, getting the right amount of sleep and exercising will help you to lose fat and improve your health. Advertisement The cause of abdominal obesity is a combination of several factors, both known and unknown. According to a March 2015 article published in the​ American Journal of Clinical Nutrition​​,​ the reasons could be anything from endocrine disruptors — certain hormone-mimicking chemicals in our food, drugs and water, to stress....

Improve blood circulation while sitting by exercising your legs and feet. Image Credit: kokouu/iStock/GettyImages If you have cold feet or pins and needles in your legs and feet when sitting, it could be a warning of poor circulation. So, don’t just sit there: One of the most effective things you can do is get up and start moving. Advertisement But even while sitting, you can exercise to improve blood circulation. "Sitting for a prolonged period of time in one spot, especially if your legs are crossed, can compress the blood vessels supplying blood to the leg muscles and nerves," says John P....

Formal enzyme testing is completed in a laboratory. Image Credit: Sven Hoppe/iStock/Getty Images The digestive process transforms food into microscopic particles that nourish the body. Humans utilize two types of digestion – mechanical, such as chewing, and chemical, using enzymes. Digestive juices hold these enzymes and are released by the pancreas, liver and small intestine. These enzymes are responsible for breaking food down to its most basic elements for absorption. Many different types of digestive enzymes are present in humans, each with its own function....

Doctors operating on a patient. Image Credit: Pixland/Pixland/Getty Images Gastric bypass surgery reduces the size of the stomach in people living with obesity and reroutes the digestive system to block some calorie absorption, according to MedlinePlus. Patients often complain of constipation in the first three months after surgery due to reduced intake of food and water, as well as side effects of iron supplements, pain relieving narcotics and other medications, according to Sinai Hospital....

It’s the workout tool you can take anywhere. Image Credit: Travis McCoy/LIVESTRONG.com In This Article Glute Bridge March Mountain Climber Bicycle Crunch Squat With Leg Lift Push-Up Walk Single-Arm Row Side Plank With Leg Lift Squat Jack Leg Pull-Apart Triceps Extension Lat Pulldown Plank Jack Standing March Biceps Curl Amp up your workout with a single $10 upgrade — mini resistance bands. You can take these a small, circular resistance bands with you anywhere....

Grapefruit seed extract may be a good antimicrobial agent, but clinical trials are needed to establish safety and effectiveness. Image Credit: Valentyn Volkov/iStock/Getty Images Grapefruit seed extract is reputed to help with a host of issues including fungal yeast infections, bacterial infections and viruses. It also may reduce risk for cervical dysplasia, or abnormal cell growth on your cervix surface. In fact, your herbalist may advocate it as a healthier, more natural and cheaper alternative to medication for a host of conditions....