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Sodium on the element table. Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images Your body requires sodium for a variety of important functions and processes. However, too much sodium in your diet can result in high blood pressure and other health problems. The Recommended Dietary Allowance, or RDA, for sodium is the average intake level of what you should be getting from your diet daily. Consult a registered dietitian for your specific nutritional recommendations and guidelines....

The bicycle maneuver effectively trains your abdominal muscles. Image Credit: Adobe Stock/Dana Heinemann If you’ve ever done bicycle crunches, you know firsthand they target ​all​ your ab muscles. In fact, the American Council on Exercise declared bicycle crunches one of the most effective abdominal exercises, according to a small study performed in 2001. Advertisement The move activates muscles of the abdomen better than 12 other exercises, including the traditional crunch, a crunch with your legs up in the air and several ab workout "machines....

Emotions, like fear and love, are carried out by the limbic system, which is located in the temporal lobe. While the limbic system is made up of multiple parts of the brain, the center of emotional processing is the amygdala, which receives input from other brain functions, like memory and attention. Advertisement Amygdala Shaped like an almond, the amygdala is responsible for multiple emotional responses, like love, fear, anger and sexual desire....

Some individuals should avoid certain combinations of dietary supplements. Image Credit: FotografiaBasica/iStock/GettyImages Nutrition experts agree: A balanced diet provides all the necessary nutrients for most healthy people. Advertisement However, the dietary supplement industry is booming. In fact, the Council for Responsible Nutrition estimates that 3 out of 4 Americans are regularly taking a vitamin or other dietary add-on. Video of the Day If you're taking a supplement for any reason, you should know about a few combinations that can be dangerous for certain individuals....

Stretching can improve your flexibility, but its benefits for soreness are negligible at best. Image Credit: Medioimages/Photodisc/Stockbyte/Getty Images When you’ve pushed your body harder, exercised longer or performed some type of new resistance training, you’ll probably feel at least a bit of soreness in the following days. You may be tempted to stretch those muscles to ease some of that pain, but that could be a waste of time. In spite of a prevailing notion to the contrary, numerous studies have found that stretching does not actually relieve sore muscles....

Almonds are one of the best protein-rich foods for healthy skin. Image Credit: LindasPhotography/iStock/GettyImages Everyone has their preferred way of meeting their protein needs. Some check that box by filling up with a big protein shake. Others prefer to chew through their protein sources, loading their plates with chicken breasts, black beans and other protein-rich foods. Advertisement While protein is usually associated with building muscles, it's also a key nutrient for healthy skin....

Experts say it's probably better to rinse rice before cooking it, though the risks are low. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com/Creative How Bad Is It Really? sets the record straight on all the habits and behaviors you’ve heard might be unhealthy. In This Article Benefits Downsides How to Wash Rice The Bottom Line With so many different ways to prepare rice, it's easy to see why there's a debate over whether you should rinse rice before cooking it....

A healthy diet is an important part of a weight loss plan. Image Credit: Enrique Díaz / 7cero/Moment/GettyImages If your goal is to drop 40 pounds or lose weight in general, it’s important to think big picture while implementing daily changes to make it a reality. One of the best ways to do so is by creating a 100-day transformation plan. Advertisement Tip While it’s possible to lose 40 pounds in 100 days, it may be unhealthy to try to lose such a large amount of weight in just three months time....

Adding an acidic ingredient to the fruit right after cutting is the key to keeping peaches bright. Image Credit: alvarez/E+/GettyImages In This Article Why Peaches Brown Solutions Freezing Peaches Peach season runs from May to September, which doesn't give you much time to enjoy this sweet, juicy fruit. Advertisement Fortunately, there's a fix: Freezing your peaches in the summer will allow you to enjoy them throughout the year and brighten the dull, dark days of winter....

However you cook your chicken, soaking it in brine imparts a rich, deep flavor. Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images Brining a chicken imparts a rich, salty flavor to the meat that also helps to keep it moist and tender throughout the cooking process, no matter what your preferred cooking method is. You can brine a whole chicken or simply pieces of chicken – the method is the same. Fully cover the chicken, and rinse the meat and allow it to rest before cooking it, to equalize the salt flavor....

Increase your cardio if you want to lose some weight. Image Credit: Maridav/iStock/GettyImages The powerful muscles of the legs can sometimes translate to larger, more muscular thighs than one would like. Fortunately, changing the way in which you exercise can help you take your thighs from muscular to skinny. Advertisement Tip Going from muscular to skinny thighs requires striking the right balance between exercising your legs enough to maintain their health, while being mindful to limit higher-intensity activities that may cause muscle gain....

Focus on the activities you already enjoy to get fit during pregnancy. Image Credit: ASIFE/iStock/GettyImages You may think a fit, toned body is a lost cause during pregnancy, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Exercise can help you have a healthier pregnancy, make delivery easier on you and prevent too much weight gain, according to the Nemours Foundation. Although your belly may be growing, you can still keep your arms, legs and other parts of your body sleek and toned....

A little girl reaches for a cup of milk from a table. Image Credit: Henglein and Steets/Cultura/Getty Images The idea that cold milk gives toddlers stomach cramps is simply an old wives tale. There is no medical necessity for warming your toddler’s milk before he drinks it. Since warming milk can be tiresome and time-consuming, switching to cold milk can free up your time and help your toddler experience something new....

Most people don't need 200 grams of protein per day. Image Credit: Eugene Mymrin/Moment/GettyImages Protein is an essential nutrient and you may need more of it if you’re working out; however, eating too much protein can also be harmful to your health. Here’s how you can calculate your protein requirements and determine whether you need 200 grams of protein a day. Advertisement Read more: 7 Popular Protein Myths Totally Busted by Science Video of the Day Tip Most people don’t need 200 grams of protein a day unless they’re very physically active....

Reading the nutrition label can tell you a lot about the yogurt you're eating. Image Credit: bit245/iStock/Getty Images All types of yogurt with live and active cultures offer health benefits, and Yoplait varieties are no exception. The Yoplait brand, however, has some products that are healthier than others. When choosing which yogurt to buy, always check the container’s nutrition label to learn more about what you’re really eating. Advertisement Plain Nutrition Facts Yoplait doesn’t heavily advertise its plain varieties, and as of January 2014, they’re not even listed on the company’s website....

Perform knee drives whenever you have a few free minutes in your day to strengthen your psoas muscles. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative If you want to age well, daily stretching is an effective strategy. Regular stretch sessions can reduce stress and back pain, improve blood flow and, well, ​stretch​ the number of healthy years you have. Advertisement Specifically, stretching your psoas muscles — which originate in the lumbar spine and attach to the femur in the front of your body — can positively affect your aging process....

Strengthening the legs is an important part of staying injury-free later in life. Image Credit: VioletaStoimenova/E+/GettyImages While cardio is important for overall health and longevity, strength training helps people, especially older adults, improve their strength and balance, ultimately helping prevent future falls and injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And that’s important because more than 95 percent of hip fractures in older adults occur as a fall-related injury, after which many people can no longer live alone....

Three essential nutrients for the body are fiber, iron and calcium. Fiber is an essential nutrient that aids in proper digestion and can help with weight management because it helps keep a person feeling full. Iron and calcium are both minerals needed in the body. Iron is used to transport oxygen in the blood throughout the body. Calcium is necessary for bone and tooth growth, muscle contractions, nerve impulse conduction, and hormone and enzyme secretion....

Instead of reaching for ice cream every time, opt for these low-calorie fruit desserts. Image Credit: jenifoto/iStock/GettyImages When the temperatures rise, nothing tastes better than a cold, refreshing dessert. But the trouble with many summertime sweets is that they’re, well, really sweet. Advertisement Treats such as ice cream and frozen yogurt are high in added sugars and sometimes high in saturated fat as well — which translates to taking in more calories without getting those beneficial nutrients....

Iron deficiency muscle aches and pains can be avoided with the proper education and medical attention. Image Credit: Hero Images/Hero Images/GettyImages Iron deficiency is one of the most common dietary mineral deficiencies in the world, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. The best sources of iron are animal products, which contain heme iron. Plant sources contain non-heme iron, which is more difficult for your body to absorb. Poor absorption is just one of the causes of iron deficiency, which can lead to a form of anemia and a variety of symptoms, including muscle aches....