Posts

Both types of anemia are characterized by a smaller number of healthy red blood cells. Image Credit: hobo_018/iStock/GettyImages Anemia, also known as “low blood” or “tired blood,” is the general term given to a medical condition in which the body doesn’t make enough healthy red blood cells. All forms of anemia, including mild anemia, have similar symptoms and characteristics, but the difference is in their underlying causes. You may not have enough red blood cells, or the ones you do have may be abnormally-shaped and useless....

With less than 3 grams of fat per ounce, pastrami makes a lean meat choice. Image Credit: adlifemarketing/iStock/Getty Images You might think of pastrami as a New York classic, but it originated in Romania where it was made from goose breast, according to Sarah Green of “USA Today.” Pastrami, as most people know it, is made from beef – usually the belly – and is soaked in brine, smoked and steamed to make the tough meat tender....

Despite her busy schedule, Kaleo Kanahele Maclay always makes time to eat a delicious breakfast (and caffeinate) before she hits the court. Image Credit: Courtesy of NBC Olympics/LIVESTRONG.com Creative Athletes in the Olympic and Paralympic Games share their top tips so you can fuel your body and rock your workouts Like an Olympian. How does one play elite-level volleyball, run a coffee shop, bake custom-order cookies and parent a 5-year-old all at the same time?...

Hydroxycut may improve stamina. Hydroxycut is an over-the-counter weight loss aid that claims to curb your appetite and speed up your metabolism. In 2009 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered a recall of 14 different Hydroxycut products because they were associated with a number of serious liver complications. In 2010 Hydroxycut reformulated their products and released four new items that do not contain ephedra, the ingredient linked to liver problems....

Nothing beats the thrill of crossing your first finish line, but once you’ve been running for a while, you may start to set new goals. Some people choose to move up in distance, while others aim to improve their times at the same distance. Want to run a 5K in under 25 minutes? We have your guide. Image Credit: Getty Images / Westend61 If you’ve run one or more 5K races, it’s natural to wonder if you could go faster....

A man chops vegetables in his kitchen. Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images The human endocrine system is a network of glands secreting hormones responsible for regulation of numerous functions such as digestion, sexual reproduction, growth and internal homeostasis. Glands constituting the endocrine system include the kidneys, thyroid, pancreas, pituitary, adrenal, ovaries/testes and parathyroid glands. An imbalance of hormones caused by an unhealthy endocrine system can produce symptoms ranging from panic disorder, to metabolic dysregulation, to diabetes....

While soreness in your lower back and buttocks often comes with the territory when weight lifting, sciatic nerve pain is a different story. Image Credit: Mykhailo Lukashuk/Tetra images/GettyImages If there’s one thing that can sideline your workout, it’s weight training with sciatica. While soreness in your lower back and buttocks often comes with the territory when weight lifting, sciatic nerve pain is a different story. This “pain in the butt” indicates that your nerve is being compressed....

A winning team results from well-rounded training. Image Credit: Aksonov/iStock/Getty Images Soccer players train hard both on and off the field for their 90 minutes of play. In addition to perfecting plays building stamina and honing ball-handling skills, professional players’ training also involves attention to their nutrition. Professional soccer players should give equal consideration to their diet as they do to other aspects of the game, and most of them do....

Under no circumstances should a newborn baby drink unaltered cow milk. Image Credit: monkeybusinessimages/iStock/Getty Images Babies should not drink cow milk until at least 12 months of age, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Newborns given unaltered cow’s milk can develop serious illnesses, including diarrhea, anemia and electrolyte imbalance. These consequences can cause permanent damage and may threaten the life of the newborn. Under no circumstances is cow milk an acceptable substitute for breast milk or commercially available infant formula....

When exercising before eating, the goal is to boost your energy without upsetting your stomach. Image Credit: Maria Tarasova /iStock/GettyImages It can be hard to figure out how to eat around your workout schedule. If you exercise too soon after eating, you might feel sick. And if you eat too little or not at all before a workout, you might be feeling weak and low on energy. Advertisement So what do you do?...

Ginger root sits on a burlap mat with a spoon of powdered and a spoon of diced ginger next to it. Image Credit: morisfoto/iStock/Getty Images Ginger root is a rhizome, which means it is an aromatic underground stem. This root is a common ingredient in many cuisines, including Asian and Indian dishes. Ginger has properties beyond providing a spicy, sweet taste to these cuisines, however. It has been used for the treatment of nausea due to pregnancy or motion sickness, arthritis, stomach upset, asthma, diabetes, and other conditions....

White wine is best served slightly chilled. Image Credit: Rostislav_Sedlacek/iStock/GettyImages For many people, a meal is not complete without a glass of wine. If white wine is your favorite — whether a bottle of something special or a restaurant’s house wine — you can include it in your diet without worry. A glass of white wine is relatively low in calories, has no fat, and offers small amounts of vitamins and minerals....

Yoga is for every body. Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images Looking at Instagram, you might think yoga is all about twisting yourself into a pretzel and doing one-arm handstands on the beach. That couldn’t be further from the truth. The physical practice of yoga is for everyone, no matter your weight, shape or ability, and all beginner poses can be modified to fit your needs. Whether you’ve got 20 pounds to lose or 200, there are plenty of poses you can do today to starting reaping the physical and mental rewards of a regular yoga practice....

A box of velveeta shells and cheese. Image Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images News/Getty Images Doctors often advise pregnant women to avoid certain cheeses to reduce their risk of listeria, which is a foodborne illness that can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or premature delivery. If you are pregnant, it is best to avoid eating soft cheeses made from unpasteurized milk. These include Camembert, Brie, feta, cheese with blue veins, queso blanco, panela and queso fresco....

A slice of bread covered with peanut butter. Image Credit: risus/iStock/Getty Images If you prefer Jif peanut butter, you can feel confident that it’s as healthy as most other brands. The macronutrients in Jif are nearly identical to the amount in generic peanut butter reported in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Nutrient Database. Even though Jif has different varieties, most of them share the same nutritional profile. Just be aware: Some that sound healthy aren’t always the best choice....

Beer and wine contain calories from carbs and from alcohol. Image Credit: Peter-Braakmann/iStock/GettyImages The calories in alcohol can seriously add up, and even light-to-moderate drinking can derail your weight loss goals. Advertisement Though some alcoholic beverages may be called "light," all alcohol contains calories. Unfortunately, you cannot avoid calories if you want to enjoy an alcoholic drink. You can, however, decrease your caloric intake by choosing drinks that contain fewer calories and by cutting back on drinking altogether....

Wearing ankle weights while walking may do more harm than good. Image Credit: Astarot/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Pros and Cons How to Progress Your Walks How to Safely Use Ankle Weights Exercise doesn't have to be complicated. Case in point: Walking has benefits that match or rival those of most other workouts. Advertisement Not only do regular, brisk walks help you reduce the risk of various heart conditions and ease joint pain, but it can also help boost your immune system and improve your mood....

Brussels sprouts are an excellent source of dietary sulfur. Image Credit: Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images Sulfur is the third most important mineral in your body – after calcium and phosphorous. Sulfur can be found in your muscles, skin, bones and even your hair, as well as many other systems in your body. It helps maintain the elasticity of your skin, and sulfur bonds help your muscles, skin and bones maintain their shape. A sulfur deficiency can lead to a number of health issues....

Movie theater popcorn calories and carbs vary based on the theater and how much you eat. Image Credit: Klaus Vedfelt/DigitalVision/GettyImages In This Article Nutrition Calories and Macros Other Movie Snacks Popcorn and movies undoubtedly go together. But if you're counting calories or carbs, or just aiming to make healthier choices, movie theater popcorn is probably something you want to eat in moderation. Advertisement Tip If you're concerned about the calories in movie theater popcorn, try air-popped popcorn instead....

Back muscle spasms can be debilitating. Image Credit: Martin Novak/Moment/GettyImages If you’ve ever suffered a muscle spasm after a workout, you already know the pain and sense of helplessness that sets in when one of your muscles does its best impression of a block of cement. But understanding the potential causes and solutions can help. Advertisement Muscle Spasm After a Workout Post-workout spasms may be most commonly associated with the charley horse — a nickname for painful muscle spasms in the legs after working out....