Posts

There is some correlation between a little bit of wine and better cardiovascular health. Image Credit: AnnaPustynnikova/iStock/GettyImages An impressive body of evidence shows that red wine in moderation may be good for circulation and general heart health. But you can get similar antioxidant compounds — and perhaps the same benefits — from nonalcoholic sources too, and alcohol can cause serious interactions with some medications. Advertisement Tip Although scientists have observed a correlation between moderate amounts of red wine and improved cardiovascular health, they're not entirely sure of the cause — and drinking too much wine or mixing alcohol and blood thinners poses problems....

Is Ricotta Cheese Healthy? Image Credit: S847/iStock/GettyImages Ricotta cheese is a commonly-available cheese used as a filling for lasagna and stuffed shells, as well as a pizza topping, and even as a filling for Italian desserts such as cannoli. It is made from whey — a cheese by-product from cheeses like mozzarella and provolone. You can also make ricotta cheese at home by separating the whey from whole milk. Ricotta cheese nutrition is a mixed bag as far as its healthfulness goes....

A woman wearing a jacket stretching her legs after a work-out. Image Credit: Halfpoint/iStock/Getty Images Cooling off after a workout is fairly normal, as your body’s processes are attempting to maintain your core temperature. As a warm-blooded mammal, your internal temperature remains relatively constant — at approximately 98.6 degrees. Moving that number up or down a whole degree requires specific circumstances such as illness or extreme temperatures. However, wearing improper attire in cooler temps, dehydration and low blood sugar can cause you to feel chilled after exercise....

Work on progressing to a full body weight dip. Image Credit: Pekic/E+/GettyImages Dips exercises use your own bodyweight to work your shoulders, triceps and chest areas. This movement builds muscle and strength in the core and upper body while improving your overall conditioning. Advertisement Tip Do dips from your knees to build shoulder strength before progressing to a full bodyweight-style dip. Types of Dips Exercises Dips come in many different variations, and the style you use influences the muscle groups worked....

To achieve maximum velocity, you need a powerful start position. Image Credit: Milan Stojanovic/iStock/Getty Images There are different starting techniques to give sprinters the most power into a sprint. The shorter the sprint, the faster they have to reach full speed. Longer races do not require such a powerful start because the runner needs to pace himself, and he has a greater amount of time in which to reach maximum velocity....

Taking vitamin E can help you fight HPV. Human papillomaviruses, or HPV, are highly infectious viruses that are spread through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a type of the virus. The virus enters your body through a cut or scratch on the surface of your skin. Out of 100 types of HPV viruses, approximately 30 appear to increase your risk of developing reproductive system and anal cancers, according to Adina Nack, author of the book "Damaged Goods?...

Regardless of your fitness level, these best ab machines are great tools for fully activating your core muscles. Image Credit: Mindful Media/iStock/GettyImages Image Credit: Mindful Media/iStock/GettyImages Visit Page https://go.skimresources.com Image Credit: Indoor Fitness Direct/LIVESTRONG.com Creative Image Credit: Indoor Fitness Direct/LIVESTRONG.com Creative ​Buy it:​ IndoorFitnessDirect.com; ​Price:​ $1,995 Visit Page https://www.amazon.com Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative ​Buy it:​ FitnessSuperstore.com; ​Price: ​$999 Image Credit: TRX/LIVESTRONG.com Creative Image Credit: TRX/LIVESTRONG.com Creative...

references American College of Sports Medicine: "Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)" Mayo Clinic: "Debunking the top 10 workout myths" American Council on Exercise: "9 Things to Know About How the Body Uses Protein to Repair Muscle Tissue" Journal of the International Society for Sports Nutrition: "International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: protein and exercise" Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness: "Intake of whey isolate supplement and muscle mass gains in young healthy adults when combined with resistance training: a blinded randomized clinical trial (pilot study)" Mayo Clinic: "Creatine" ​Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition: "Creatine supplementation with specific view to exercise/sports performance: an update" Cleveland Clinic: "Creatine and Creatine Supplements" Translational Journal of the ACSM: "Magnesium and Vitamin D Supplementation on Exercise Performance" Office of Dietary Supplements: "Magnesium" Food Science and Nutrition: "Effect of omega‐3 fatty acids supplementation on indirect blood markers of exercise‐induced muscle damage: Systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials" NASM: "THE IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP AND RECOVERY" ACE: "8 Reasons to Take a Rest Day" Journal of Human Kinetics: "Hydration to Maximize Performance and Recovery: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Among Collegiate Track and Field Throwers" ACE: "6 Benefits of Using Foam Rollers" Chilean Medical Journal: Effects of Creatine on Renal Function Harvard Health Publishing: The hidden dangers of protein powder Mayo Clinic: Fish Oil Getting the right nutrients after exercise may help reduce muscle soreness....

Supersets help you maximize your time spent working out. Image Credit: nd3000/iStock/GettyImages Your time is valuable. And your time in the gym, even moreso. That’s why, if you want the most efficient way to structure your workouts, you should add supersets — pairs of exercises performed back-to-back with no rest in between. Advertisement "In general, paired exercises that work best either allow for a balanced muscle group (push then pull) or involve working one body part while the other rests, such as in alternating upper- and lower-body exercises," says Jason Machowsky, CSCS, a board-certified sports dietitian and performance specialist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York....

Make your own meal replacement shake with whole foods to maximize nutrient intake. Image Credit: Amguy/iStock/GettyImages Subbing in meal-replacement shakes for one or two meals a day is a safe and effective strategy for achieving significant, sustainable weight loss. But not just any shake will do. Advertisement The best meal replacement shakes for women include the right amount of calories and nutrients and satiating ingredients that help fill you up and keep you feeling satisfied until your next meal....

If you're looking for a challenge, try out one of these plank variations. Image Credit: visualspace/E+/GettyImages If you’re serious about building a rock-solid core, one exercise you can’t afford to ignore is the plank. Unlike other core exercises, planks engage your entire core and force you to stay still… something very important for performance. Advertisement "If you can't produce enough force to stay still, the protective mechanisms in your nervous system will prevent you from being explosive," says Max Grossman, ACE-CPT, founder at Health Engineered....

Push-ups are a convenient way to build your pecs without having to hit the gym. Image Credit: PeopleImages/E+/GettyImages Push-ups are a convenient way to build your pecs without having to hit the gym. While you might have some chest or shoulder soreness after a push-up workout, throbbing in the neck can also occur as your heart beats harder to pump blood to your muscles. Advertisement However, throbbing in the neck that is accompanied by pain may indicate an underlying injury....

Many types of bicycle shifters are available. Image Credit: George Doyle/Stockbyte/Getty Images Many difficulty levels and body positions need to be accommodated in bicycling, and this has brought several types of shifters to the market. Mountain biking and road cycling exhibit the largest differences in style and location of shifters. The types of shifters may also vary depending on the era in which each was produced as each decade has seen many popular shifter designs....

Most of the calories in coconut flakes come from a type of fat that is easily burned and not generally stored as fat. Image Credit: Creative-Family/iStock/GettyImages If you enjoy the mild, nutty flavor of coconut as a snack in trail mix or maybe toasted and added to your favorite recipe, it’s good to know the nutritional benefits of coconut flakes. Flaked coconut is one of several different forms of dried, unsweetened coconut....

Apple cider vinegar, here with a soaked eggshell, is used in many home remedies for itchy skin. Image Credit: ThamKC/iStock/Getty Images Vinegar, particularly apple cider vinegar, is often used as a topical home remedy for skin conditions. According to the book “Jude’s Herbal Home Remedies,” vinegar can treat a wide variety of issues, including dry skin, burns and blemishes. The acid in vinegar neutralizes irritating compounds that make you uncomfortable, allowing your skin to heal properly....

What Candy Can I Eat on Atkins? Image Credit: “““Sultan, Galith””"/Foodcollection/GettyImages The words “candy” and “Atkins” aren’t often seen in the same sentence. While you can eat candy on Atkins, you can only eat candy low in carbohydrates and in amounts that don’t exceed your daily carb allowance. This may not be the best use of your carbs in the long run, but it can help you through the hump if you’re craving a piece of candy — and if you can stop at just one....

A close-up of chia seeds. Image Credit: shakzu/iStock/Getty Images All colors of chia seed have similar nutritional value. Although tiny, these seeds from the Salvia hispanica plant pack such a nutritional punch that nutritionists call chia a superfood. With protein content of up to 25 percent and dietary fiber reaching 30 percent, mature chia seeds of all colors are a wholesome addition to breads, cereals and drinks. Chia also contains significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants....

Beef liver contains vitamins that help grow strong nails. Image Credit: ALLEKO/iStock/GettyImages Strong, well-groomed fingernails don’t just look good — they’re also an indicator of good health. Any type of nutrient deficiency can result in nails that are weak, brittle or malformed, but the vitamins for nails that are most important are the B vitamins and vitamin C. Advertisement Tip An adequate intake of biotin, vitamin B12, folate and vitamin C supports the health and strength of your nails....

Mushrooms are filled with vitamin B12. Image Credit: Zakharova_Natalia/iStock/GettyImages Vitamin B12 deficiency is fairly common, especially among older people, who tend to have more difficulty absorbing the vitamin than younger adults. B12 injections or supplements can help correct a deficiency, but there’s no way to predict how long it will take for you to start feeling better. Advertisement The length of your B12 deficiency recovery depends on several different factors, including how severe your deficiency is and whether your body can absorb vitamin B12 the way it's supposed to....

Could your favorite meals be messing with your health? Experts highlight signs your diet isn't serving you. Image Credit: miodrag ignjatovic/E+/GettyImages In This Article Signs Identifying Trigger Foods The Bottom Line Have you ever eaten an incredible meal and then felt like crap two hours later? Advertisement Giving yourself permission to enjoy the foods you love is a critical part of cultivating a healthy relationship with food — but there's also a delicate balance between honoring your cravings and practicing compassion for your body....