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Dumbbell rows are one of the most effective back exercises, but if you don't do them correctly, you risk injury. Image Credit: Oscar Wong/Moment/GettyImages If you’re interested in building a bigger, stronger back, dumbbell rows are undoubtedly a staple in your programming. From strength and muscle gains to shoulder and postural health, dumbbell rows boast a bevy of benefits. Advertisement Unfortunately, many people don't know how to execute them correctly. And when you butcher your row form, you not only limit your results but also increase your risk of a back injury....

Not all exercises are good for your joints, especially if you lack the proper strength and mobility to do them. Image Credit: LittleBee80/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Hips Knees Ankles Shoulders Wrists Elbows Spine Keep Your Joints Healthy Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your joints. Movement helps deliver synovial fluid, which nourishes your joints with important nutrients and prevents friction between them, according to the U....

Left untreated, tooth decay can turn into cavities, cause infection and lead to other major dental problems. Image Credit: bluecinema/E+/GettyImages The Refresh is helping you freshen up on your oral-care knowledge and upgrade your dental-hygiene routine. In This Article Causes Symptoms Treatment Prevention When to See a Dentist Maybe you forgot to reschedule that last dental visit you canceled twice. Or you're too tired at the end of the day to floss your teeth....

Activation exercises will make your upper body workouts even more effective. Image Credit: dusanpetkovic/iStock/GettyImages To make the most of your upper-body workouts, start with some activation exercises before you hit the weights. “Like dynamic stretches, activation exercises are a great way to warm up the muscles and joints prior to a workout,” says Emily McLaughlin, certified trainer and nutrition expert at 8fit. Advertisement That's because "these kinds of movements get the blood — and therefore oxygen — flowing to the muscles you are about use," she says....

Bread and crackers break down in your body into glucose. Image Credit: silatip/iStock/Getty Images The most common source of energy for your cells is glucose, which comes from carbohydrates. Compared to the other types of sugars found in carbohydrates, glucose will raise your blood sugar the fastest. You can treat low blood sugar or hypoglycemia with glucose. Endurance athletes may use glucose to help improve their performance. Advertisement Simple Sugars and Glucose There are three basic units of carbohydrate: the simple sugars glucose, fructose and galactose....

The three main hip flexor muscles are the iliopsoas, sartorius and rectus femoris muscles. Image Credit: fizkes/iStock/GettyImages You might not think much about your hip flexors that cross the front of your thigh. But, chances are, you’ve felt them while doing hip stretches or activities that require kicking or running. Advertisement The hip flexor muscles are attached to the hip joint to allow the femur, which is the upper leg bone, to flex onto the pelvis region....

Buckwheat flour can provide a nutritious, gluten free alternative to wheat flour. Image Credit: rezkrr/iStock/GettyImages Buckwheat nutrition data shows that buckwheat flour has many benefits that you may want to take advantage of. This whole grain packs loads of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants into each serving. Advertisement Tip Buckwheat flour can provide a nutritious, gluten-free alternative to wheat flour. Not only does buckwheat flour offer a nutrient packed alternative to bleached white flour, but buckwheat provides a gluten free alternative to wheat flour....

Many types of sprouts are healthy sources of plant-based protein plus vitamins and minerals. Image Credit: Anastasia Turshina/iStock/GettyImages Bean sprouts are nutrient-rich foods that are commonly consumed in different ways, from sandwiches to stir-fries. They contain a variety of bioactive compounds that are associated with health benefits. Regular consumption may help to mediate and prevent certain diseases. Advertisement Tip Adding bean sprouts to your food repertoire ups your nutrient intake and may enhance your gut health, keep your blood pressure within normal range and protect you against cancer....

Green tea doesn't contain citric acid. Image Credit: Svetlana-Cherruty/iStock/GettyImages Citric acid is found naturally in fruits and vegetables, and a manufactured version is used as a preservative in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. Though citric acid is not an allergen itself, people with citrus allergies may benefit by consuming drinks without citric acid. Advertisement Tip Citric acid is found naturally in most fruits and as an additive in many commercial drinks....

Certain exercises can be done to rehab a broken arm. Image Credit: Lowryn/iStock/GettyImages A broken arm isn’t an excuse to skip your workouts. In fact, your doctor might recommend broken arm rehab exercises and stretching to speed up healing. Generally, you can exercise your fingers, elbows and other joints that are not covered by the cast. Advertisement Tip If you're wearing a cast, you may still be able to exercise your thumb and fingers or the opposite arm....

Broccoli is a good source of fiber and vitamins. Image Credit: Alessandro De Carli / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages Love it or hate it, broccoli is one of the most nutritious foods you can eat. It’s low in calories and high in nutrients, so you don’t need to limit yourself to just one serving. However, beware broccoli recipes that call for lots of oil, butter or cheese. Advertisement Tip A typical broccoli serving size is 1 cup....

Two white bread slices with peanut butter. Image Credit: Dirk Becker/iStock/Getty Images Esophageal spasms occur when the muscles of your esophagus contract and cause pain. They can lead to problems with swallowing, and a bland diet may reduce your risk for them. You may find that some foods on your list of allowed foods tend to trigger esophageal spasms when you eat them, and the best approach is to avoid these foods....

A woman running on a treadmill. Image Credit: Jacob Ammentorp Lund/iStock/Getty Images You want to make your workout efforts pay off. With the array of fitness equipment offered in gyms, it can be difficult to figure out which machine will offer the best workout for your needs. Two effective pieces of equipment, the treadmill and the recumbent bike, will help you burn calories and build cardiovascular fitness. Determining which is better really depends on your personal needs and exercise goals....

In parts of the world where people live longer, breakfasts tend to be more savory than sweet. Image Credit: vaaseenaa/iStock/GettyImages We all want to age gracefully and live active lifestyles in our golden years. As simple as it may sound, making that a reality can start with what you eat for breakfast, and there’s one meal in particular that longevity experts recommend: scrambled tofu with turmeric and veggies. Bonus points if you add fruit and sourdough toast on the side!...

A man is tying his laces while wearing a fitness tracker. Image Credit: Kuzmik_A/iStock/Getty Images When you’re aiming to lose weight or just get in better shape, walking can be one way to do it, whether it be walking on a treadmill or going out for a stroll on your lunch break. But if you want to get a sense of how much walking you’re doing throughout the day, you may want to use a pedometer....

There are several stretches that you can do to help with shoulder knots. Image Credit: wundervisuals/E+/GettyImages Whether stress, repetitive motion or slumping at your desk causes it, a knot in a shoulder can be excruciating. Medical diagrams depicting pictures of muscle knots may pinpoint where your problematic trigger points are. Basic stretches that engage your neck, back and shoulders can also help. Advertisement Read more: Stretches for the Subscapularis Video of the Day Work an Overhead Side Stretch Start in a seated position on the floor, with one leg extended slightly to the side, and the other leg bent so that the foot rests against the straight leg’s inner thigh....

The recommended dose for vitamin D is highly debated. Image Credit: James Martin/iStock/Getty Images As many as 77 percent of Americans are vitamin-D deficient, according to a 2009 report in the “Archives of Internal Medicine.” With the number of deficiencies rising and research showing a connection between vitamin D and many health conditions such as autoimmune disease, cancers and obesity, many people are turning to vitamin supplements. Your recommended vitamin D intake may be less than 4,000 IU....

A young woman smiling and eating yogurt in a kitchen. Image Credit: Alliance/iStock/Getty Images While it can sometimes be hard to define how much is “too much” of a certain food, it’s healthier to follow a varied diet than to overdo it on a single type of food or nutrient. Eating too much yogurt does come with health risks, but some scientific studies have also shown that eating plenty of yogurt can be beneficial for women....

Talk to your doctor before starting the LA Weight Loss 2-Day Kick Start Plan. Image Credit: george tsartsianidis/iStock/Getty Images The LA Weight Loss 2-Day Kick Start Plan is used during your first two days on the diet to jump-start your weight loss. LAWeightLoss.com says you can use the two day plan every 14 days for the duration of your LA Weight Loss diet to maximize your results. Consult your physician prior to starting the LA Weight Loss diet or any other weight loss program....

A bowl of sweet treats. Image Credit: tawatchaiprakobkit/iStock/Getty Images When you have a sweet tooth for convenience-store goodies, make smarter choices when it comes to picking which junk food you will eat. While junk food is appropriately named because it offers little in the way of nutrition, there are some lower-calorie options to feed your junk food cravings. Advertisement 100 Calorie Packs Look for name-brand sweets in small, 100-calorie packs. The makers of Oreo cookies, Doritos chips and other junk food manufacturers recognize that dieters still want a sweet snack....