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If you have high cholesterol, sidestep the processed meats in favor of healthy options, like sliced turkey on whole-grain bread. Image Credit: chas53/iStock/GettyImages There used to be a hard-and-fast limit on recommended dietary cholesterol intake: no more than 300 milligrams per day. (So long, mile-high Reuben-on-a-roll and other high-fat lunch meat favorites!) But current “Dietary Guidelines for Americans” no longer restrict the amount of cholesterol you consume. Advertisement So how do you know which lunch meats you can enjoy without too much guilt?...

A brisk walk is great for your physical and mental health. Image Credit: LeoPatrizi/E+/GettyImages Many people enjoy going on walks around their neighborhood, city or local park. And it pays to kick it up a notch. Brisk walking is not only an enjoyable pastime, it also has several health benefits. Keep reading to learn how brisk walks can improve your wellbeing and how far and often you should aim to walk....

Finding the right size bike for a 6-year-old is important for safety. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative Finding the perfect kids’ bike is no walk in the park. Even if you’ve decided on the color and model, figuring out what size bike is best for a 6-year-old adds another challenge. Advertisement Most parents can agree that young kids grow quick. And while you may buy your children's shirts a little over-sized — they'll grow into it, right?...

Surgeon prepping a patient for surgery Image Credit: XiXinXing/XiXinXing/Getty Images Before you undergo surgery, you want your body to be in the best possible shape. Your physician may recommend steps such as changing your diet to lose weight and boost your immune system or taking vitamin K supplements to reduce the risk of bleeding. However, before changing any dietary or supplementation habits, talk to your physician to ensure you can safely make these changes....

How much zinc you need daily mainly depends on your age, as does the highest zinc dosage you should take. Image Credit: AsiaVision/E+/GettyImages In This Article Daily Requirements Sources Deficiency Supplement Safety Zinc is an important nutrient that supports your immune system and metabolism, aids in wound healing, helps you taste and smell properly and can be used to treat colds, according to the Mayo Clinic. In short, you need zinc to stay healthy, so it's important you're getting enough....

Avocado toast is full of fiber and healthy fats. Adding protein makes the meal a triple threat for weight loss. Image Credit: Rouzes/E+/GettyImages Breakfast may not be the most important meal of the day (all of your meals are important), but there’s good evidence that eating in the a.m. can help you lose weight. Advertisement When you have breakfast, you increases your "postprandial energy expenditure," aka the amount of calories you use to digest and metabolize the food you eat....

A whisk in a bowl of cream of buttermilk. Image Credit: Magone/iStock/Getty Images Buttermilk derives its name from being the leftovers of making butter. Since almost all of the liquid’s fat goes to the butter, the milk that’s left is actually quite lean. Its rich thickness is a result of the slight “souring” from the formation of lactic acid due to bacteria in the milk. The acidity of buttermilk plays a vital role in many recipes, especially quickbreads like biscuits and pancakes, as it balances the alkalinity of baking soda....

Measure the running track for accuracy in your running program. Image Credit: wasan gredpree/iStock/Getty Images Runners may need to verify or determine the distance of a running track. Running tracks are oval-shaped and divided into individual lanes. The track is measured in meters based on the distance of the innermost lane, which is called lane one. Measuring the distance around the track is easy with a little preparation. Some devices measure the distance based on GPS, but using an old-fashioned measuring wheel provides the most accurate reading....

1 of 8 Overview Despite its bad rap, not all cholesterol is evil. Raising your high density lipoproteins (HDL), or the good type of cholesterol, should be a lifelong goal of everyone beginning in their teens. It helps to carry away low density lipoproteins (LDL), the bad type of cholesterol, before it has a chance to adhere to the inside of your arteries — particularly the coronary arteries that supply blood to your heart....

Start your practice in a quiet pose. Image Credit: Ingram Publishing/Ingram Publishing/Getty Images Whether you’re a new teacher or want to establish a home practice, it helps to know how to put together a yoga class so it makes sense in the body. How you set up the class depends somewhat on what style of yoga you plan to practice. A Yin or Restorative class will look quite different than a more active practice....

Three pieces of pita bread Image Credit: motorolka/iStock/Getty Images Pita bread is flat, round bread that originated in Greece, and is commonly found in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean kitchens. Traditionally, the pita bread is made with wheat flour and yeast. Wheat flour is a major source of gluten, so most traditional pita bread made from wheat flour is not low in gluten. Advertisement Gluten While you may have heard the term gluten, and think that it’s something you need to eat less of, gluten is not bad for you unless you have celiac disease, in which case you should avoid it all together....

Low potassium does not cause vision changes. Potassium plays important roles in your body, including in the function of your heart and other muscles. If you have a low potassium level, a condition known as hypokalemia, you have an increased risk for serious health conditions, such as irregularities in your heart rate. Certain symptoms may accompany low potassium levels, and if you have a risk for hypokalemia, you should know these warning signs....

The body utilizes a variety of muscles when playing soccer. Soccer is an intense sport that requires the athletes to be active for 90 minutes, covering distances up to 7 miles while playing on the field, according to Dr. Howard Liebeskind the United States national soccer team's podiatrist. In order to remain fit enough to complete this challenging task, many soccer teams have specialized fitness programs that focus on strengthening and conditioning the muscle groups most often used in soccer....

Sore quads can benefit from rest. Image Credit: LightFieldStudios/iStock/GettyImages If you notice a bit of soreness during your next workout, know that it’s normal; both for beginners and more seasoned bodybuilders. Working out with sore leg muscles depends on the severity of your pain. In some cases, a light workout can help relieve the soreness, although only on a temporary basis. But if they are extremely sore, working out may damage them even more....

There are several neck stretches to help remove knots. Image Credit: Hoxton/Sam Edwards/Hoxton/GettyImages If you have pain or a knot in your neck, you’re not alone. In fact, about two-thirds of people will experience neck pain during their lifetimes, according to a December 2013 study published by the International Journal of Health Sciences & Research. Advertisement Muscle knots are officially called trigger points or muscle spasms. These knots can develop after trauma, such as whiplash, a car accident or a fall....

If you’re wondering how many calories are in a cup of oats, raw versus cooked, you may be surprised to find out they don’t have much of a difference in nutritional value. Image Credit: Arx0nt/Moment/GettyImages If you’re wondering how many calories are in a cup of oats, raw versus cooked, you may be surprised to find out they don’t have much of a difference in nutritional value. Raw or cooked, oats are a great source of fiber and essential vitamins....

Pain in the collarbone during push-ups can be caused by fractures, arthritis or other conditions. Image Credit: champja/iStock/Getty Images The collarbone connects the shoulder blades and the breast bone. Known to medical practitioners as the clavicle, it’s the only long bone in the body that lies horizontally. Although numerous ligaments from the arm and shoulder attach to it, the collarbones themselves are unprotected by muscle. That’s what makes it easy to locate, but it’s also what makes it easy to injure....

The effects of a good stretch might last longer if you strengthen supporting muscles at the same time. Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages We all know stretching is important — whether to address specific tight muscles, poor posture or a general sense of sluggishness in the morning. But you might notice that the results of stretching seem fleeting. Why can’t the short-term relief from a good stretch last longer? Advertisement It's partly because of the properties of muscle tissue and the nervous system....

Almonds are rich in healthy fats and vitamin E. Image Credit: Belyaevskiy/iStock/Getty Images When it comes to upping the nutritional quality of your diet, adding nuts such as almonds is a smart way to go. While you’re better off eating unsalted almonds, raw almonds are not always the best choice. Not only are they harder to digest than the roasted varieties, but you may not get all of the nutritional value....

A couple riding mountain bikes Image Credit: Warren Goldswain/iStock/Getty Images Whether you are training for a triathlon or a duathlon, or simply want to improve your level of cardiovascular fitness, a training plan that consists of both running and biking is a solid option. It is important to construct a reasonable fitness plan that incorporates smaller goals and allows for adequate recovery and nutrition. Consult a physician before expanding on your current fitness routine to ensure that it is safe to do....