Posts

The standing quad stretch is a great rehabilitation exercise for the popliteal muscle. Image Credit: SolStock/E+/GettyImages Despite its funny name, the popliteus muscle has an important role in internally rotating your knee. Popliteus muscle exercises may help rehabilitate knee function when this muscle has been damaged. Over time, they may improve compromised movement and relieve pain at the back of the knee. Advertisement Popliteus Muscle Overview The popliteus muscle provides dynamic and static stability of the joint when you walk or run, explains a small study published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science in March 2016....

The 90/90 hip switch stretch requires a lot of mobility in your knees and hips. Image Credit: Kim Grundy/LIVESTRONG.com In This Article Stiffness in the Front Leg Stiffness in the Back Leg Balance and Posture How to Do the 90/90 Hip Switch The 90/90 hip switch may sound like a cool new dance move, but it's actually a stretch that improves hip and knee mobility. Having full range of motion is essential for healthy, pain-free joints....

You may be able to reverse or manage atherosclerosis by switching to a plant-based diet. Image Credit: pepmiba/iStock/GettyImages If you have a buildup of plaque in your arteries, also known as atherosclerosis, you may be looking for ways to reverse or manage it. The good news is that you may be able to do just that, if you are willing to switch to a plant-based diet. Advertisement ​Read more:​ 5 Mistakes You're Making When Starting a Plant-Based Diet Video of the Day Reverse Heart Disease Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque inside your arteries....

The calories in scrambled eggs are relatively low and nutritious. Image Credit: vertmedia/iStock/Getty Images High in protein and virtually carb-free, scrambled eggs are a solid, nutritious start to your day. Plus, they make for a satiating a.m. meal when you’re looking to lose weight. So if you’re watching your waistline, note that scrambled eggs’ calorie count depends on the size of the eggs and your preparation method. Advertisement ‌Read more:‌ 7 Reasons to Crack an Egg for Breakfast Video of the Day Calories in Scrambled Eggs Two large scrambled eggs boast 182 calories....

It's all personal preference, really, but there are a few things you should keep in mind. Image Credit: Prostock-Studio/iStock/GettyImages The COVID-19 vaccine is a pain in the arm. Literally. One of the most common side effects of the vaccine is pain, redness and swelling at the site of the injection, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Advertisement In fact, you may as well plan for your arm to hurt a bit....

references Nelya Lobkova, DPM, a New York City-based podiatrist at Step Up Footcare Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911. The best shoe deodorizers are a good match for your shoe size and style, last a reasonable amount of time and aren't too costly. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative...

Oatmeal is a great breakfast if you want abs. Image Credit: Arx0nt/Moment/GettyImages All the crunches in the world won’t eliminate the layer of fat covering your six-pack muscles. While exercise is important, diet matters too. A meal plan for abs includes lots of lean protein, fiber and fresh produce. Advertisement Breakfast is the ideal time to set the tone for your diet for the day. An abs breakfast can be tasty and satisfying....

Get ready for summer with sprinter hops! Image Credit: Cate Norian Want a workout that’ll help you feel even stronger and more confident when you rock that bikini? This fat-burning workout routine combines cardio and body-strengthening moves that will tone and tighten all over. Advertisement These full-body exercises challenge all of your muscles and burn more calories than focusing on a single muscle group. Do this workout one to two times a week to spice up your current routine or two to three times combined with a few 30-minute cardio sessions to make your own personalized routine....

Vitamins can have side effects. Image Credit: PeoGeo/iStock/Getty Images Your skin contains a rich supply of blood vessels that nourish your skin, as well as sensory nerve endings that support your sense of touch. Constriction or dilation of these blood vessels can affect your nerves; dilated blood vessels can activate warmth-sensing nerves, while constriction can lead to a cold sensation. Some vitamins and supplements can have an effect on blood vessel dilation and nerve ending activation in your skin, leading to skin tingling....

A small bowl of kidney beans. Image Credit: Tatomm/iStock/Getty Images Soaking kidney beans the night before you plan to make a pot of chili or minestrone is a common practice that ensures tasty, tender beans the next day. Don’t worry, though, if you forget to soak the beans overnight. A quick soak in hot water the following day is just as effective. Advertisement Power Soak If you forget to soak kidney beans the night before, another option is the power soak....

Chelated zinc is a type of supplement created when zinc binds to another compound for better dietary absorption. Image Credit: Fahroni/iStock/GettyImages Even though you don’t need much zinc in your diet, it’s still very important. If you need a zinc supplement and must decide between zinc picolinate versus zinc gluconate, here’s what you should know. This trace mineral is essential for good health, and most people have at least a small deficiency....

Your punching power in boxing comes from your whole body. Image Credit: Brand X Pictures/Stockbyte/Getty Images Boxers draw their punching power from the ground up. The source of power for a punch starts with the long and powerful muscles of the legs, surges through the massive glute muscles and finishes through the abs and upper body muscles. Similar to cracking a whip, one small movement of the lower body radiates and grows more powerful as it goes up the body, ending with the contact of your fist....

From casseroles to Panzanella to meatloaf, here's what to do with stale bread. Image Credit: wsmahar/iStock/GettyImages Everyone’s left a loaf lingering in the fridge or on the countertop for too long — the once soft, fluffy texture now hard as a rock. Advertisement But your leftover bread doesn't need to be a loss. Indeed, with a smart strategy and a little ingenuity, you can liven up your loaf and save your stale slices (and money) from the trash....

references Age and Ageing: "A review of nocturnal leg cramps in older people" Journal of Neurology: "Neurogenic muscle cramps" Mayo Clinic: "Muscle Cramp" Bone Reports: "Vitamin D and muscle" Neurologic Clinics: "Nutritional Neuropathies" Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Innovations, Quality & Outcomes: "The Many Faces of Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) Deficiency" Cleveland Clinic: "Feeling Fatigued? Could It Be Magnesium Deficiency? (And If So, What to Do About It!)" U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Fluid and Electrolyte Balance" Mayo Clinic: "Hyponatremia" StatPearls: "Muscle Cramps" Mayo Clinic: "What are the risks of vitamin D deficiency?...

Despite the lack of scientific evidence, some people rely on fish oil as part of their treatment plan for IBS. Image Credit: Moyo Studio/E+/GettyImages The challenge of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is that there’s no magic plan to manage its various symptoms. But, if you’re looking for natural ways to ease gastrointestinal pain caused by your IBS, you might consider omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil. Advertisement There's no hard science to back up fish oil's efficacy, but anecdotal evidence suggests it may help some, says Niket Sonpal, MD, a gastroenterologist and professor of medicine at the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York City....

A woman is drinking a glass of water. Image Credit: Wavebreakmedia Ltd/Wavebreak Media/Getty Images Vitamin B6, also referred to as pyridoxine, is an essential component for your health. This vitamin aids in the conversion of food into energy, maintains healthy hair, skin and eyes, and cleanses the liver. It is also responsible for normal brain function and development, as well as the production of red blood cells. In developed countries, vitamin B6 deficiency is rare, as it is abundant in all types of foods....

Make your smoothies healthier by avoiding these common smoothie mistakes. Image Credit: Vera_Petrunina/iStock/GettyImages The perfect smoothie is both delicious and healthy. But before you pull out your blender and start whizzing up your staple smoothie concoction, you’ll want to better understand those common smoothie slip-ups that can mess up your diet, or even lead to weight gain. Advertisement Read on to understand some potential smoothie-making pitfalls, and then find some of our favorite, dietitian-approved recipes to inspire your next blending adventure....

Running helps increase your lung capacity. Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages Whether or not you’ve been a smoker, your lungs may need some improving if you haven’t led a very physically active lifestyle. Running is one excellent way to make your lungs cleaner, stronger and more efficient, paving the way for great fitness. Here’s how running clears lungs. Advertisement Tip Running, like other types of aerobic exercise, can be beneficial to your lung health by improving your lung capacity and allowing oxygen to be moved more efficiently through your body....

A couple running. Image Credit: Martin Novak/Moment/Getty Images While the general principle of weight loss is simple – eat less and move more – there are a lot of little things that can trip up your weight loss efforts and make it difficult to reach your goals. Check with your doctor or a registered dietitian to get help planning an effective diet and exercise program for weight loss. Advertisement Calorie Considerations for Weight Loss If you want to lose 1 to 2 pounds per week, you’ll need to eat 500 to 1,000 fewer calories each day....

Taking iron pills can help increase your iron levels. Image Credit: Mitrija/iStock/GettyImages Low iron levels often indicate iron deficiency anemia. If, during a routine blood test, your doctor discovers that your hemoglobin levels are under 13.5 g/dL for men or under 12 g/dL for women, he may want to treat you for anemia. A hemoglobin level of 5 is very low; therefore, it’s important to see you doctor to determine how to best treat your condition....