Posts

Fear of the dentist is common, but it's possible to overcome dental anxiety by following a few simple tips. Image Credit: Harbucks/iStock/GettyImages The Refresh is helping you freshen up on your oral-care knowledge and upgrade your dental-hygiene routine. In This Article Tips Helping Kids Manage Dental Anxiety Regular dental visits are an important part of maintaining your oral health. But what if just the thought of sitting in the exam chair makes you uncomfortable?...

You can find essential amino acids in a variety of plant and animal foods. Image Credit: Edalin/iStock/GettyImages Protein wears many hats: It’s crucial for everything from building your muscles to protecting you from a pesky virus. But the macronutrient is only able to carry out these body-benefitting perks due to the amino acids it’s made up of. Advertisement "Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. Our muscle tissue is made of proteins and our bodies need 20 different amino acids to grow and function properly," Jim White, RD, CPT, tells us....

An older person drink juice as part of their diet. Image Credit: Purestock/Purestock/Getty Images Menopause, and the hormonal changes associated with it, often causes weight gain around the midsection, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Eating just 1,200 calories a day helps many people in menopause lose weight during a time when it’s often difficult to do so. Using healthy meal plans helps people in menopause meet nutritional needs and stick to a daily limit of 1,200 calories....

This quick workout allows you to build up the muscles in your trunk. Image Credit: AaronAmat/iStock/GettyImages A strong core is crucial as you age. It’s what allows you to stay independent and carry out daily tasks that involve carrying, bending, rotating and standing up. And training your core can start at any point. Advertisement While standing core exercises are ideal for building core strength, seated exercises are an excellent alternative for older adults to train their core if they have mobility or balance issues, injuries or other health issues that may be keeping them off their feet....

Fenugreek seeds in a white bowl. Image Credit: Ezergil/iStock/Getty Images Although fenugreek is commonly used in cooking, it also has long history of medicinal use and has been studied for the treatment of various conditions, including high cholesterol and diabetes. Preliminary scientific evidence also suggests that fenugreek may have beneficial effects on your kidneys, although human clinical trials are still needed to learn how well it works. As with any supplement, consult with your doctor before using fenugreek to improve your health....

Biotin may improve blood sugar regulation in some people. Image Credit: BWFolsom/iStock/Getty Images Biotin, vitamin B-7, is a member of the water-soluble family of B complex vitamins. Biotin functions in fatty acid metabolism and the production of glucose. Some research has shown encouraging results for the use of biotin in the management of diabetes. Consult your doctor before using biotin for treatment of diabetes. Advertisement Glucose Regulation Biotin levels influence blood sugar levels and tend to be lower in people with Type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in a 2004 issue of the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition....

Red wine isn't the best choice if you want to try to actively lose weight. Image Credit: S847/iStock/GettyImages Compared to other alcoholic beverages, red wine doesn’t suffer much of an image problem — recent headlines have credited the drink with helping the French stay svelte without sacrificing high-fat foods, while other news stories have touted its cardiovascular benefits. Although research does support the notion that red wine’s moderate alcohol content and high concentration of flavonoids may help prevent blood clots and hardening of the arteries, its effect on body weight isn’t so clearly defined....

The recommended calorie intake for women varies based on age and activity level. Image Credit: Sahil Miyani/iStock/GettyImages Everything you eat and drink, with the exception of water, has calories. On the other hand, everything you do, from breathing to running to cooking dinner, burns calories. One important part of living a healthy lifestyle is balancing the calories you consume with the number of calories that you burn. When that ratio gets out of whack, you might gain too much weight or lose too much weight, both of which can lead to health problems down the road....

references Mayo Clinic: "Ear Acupuncture" Medicine: "Auricular acupressure for overweight and obese individuals" JMIR mHealth and uHealth: "Self-Administered Auricular Acupressure Integrated With a Smartphone App for Weight Reduction: Randomized Feasibility Trial" It might sound a little wacky, but ear magnets could help with weight loss. Image Credit: Anatolijs Jascuks / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages Image Credit: Anatolijs Jascuks / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages Ready to Adopt a Mediterranean Diet? Start With This 7-Day Meal Plan by Kelsey Casselbury 10 of the Most Common Weight-Loss Mistakes by Jaime Osnato The Best Tips for Every Stage of Your Weight-Loss Journey by Kaitlin Ahern Mayo Clinic: "Ear Acupuncture" Medicine: "Auricular acupressure for overweight and obese individuals" JMIR mHealth and uHealth: "Self-Administered Auricular Acupressure Integrated With a Smartphone App for Weight Reduction: Randomized Feasibility Trial"

Spicy foods may irritate hemorrhoids, but treatment is available. Image Credit: serezniy/iStock/GettyImages Hemorrhoids, also called piles, are swollen veins in the lower rectum. Some types bleed, while others cause pain or itching, notes the Mayo Clinic. None of this is pleasant, and you’d like to avoid symptoms. So, are spicy foods a no-no? While they won’t cause hemorrhoids, they may make them worse. Advertisement Causes of Hemorrhoids There are many potential causes of hemorrhoids, from chronic constipation to straining during bowel movements....

references Department of General Services: "19 Bike to Work Day Facts" BMJ: "Association between active commuting and incident cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mortality: prospective cohort study" The Journal of Obesity: "Effects of active commuting and leisure-time exercise on fat loss in women and men with overweight and obesity: a randomized controlled trial" USA Cycling: "EXPERT ADVICE ON COVID-19 FOR CYCLING COMMUNITY FROM DR. MICHAEL ROSHON" U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency: "ADVISORY MEMORANDUM ON IDENTIFICATION OF ESSENTIAL CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WORKERS DURING COVID-19 RESPONSE" NPR: "Bike Sales Gear Up As The Homebound Try Socially Distant Exercise" Biking to work can be a safer alternative to public transit if you follow a few essential tips to get started....

references Celiac Disease Foundation: "Sources of Gluten" FDA: "Gluten and Food Labeling" Gluten-Free Certification Organization: "About Us" Serve your gluten-free crackers with your favorite cheese. Image Credit: Elena Puzanova/iStock/GettyImages Image Credit: Elena Puzanova/iStock/GettyImages Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers ($13.47 per pack of three) Real Food From the Ground Up Cauliflower Crackers ($22.50 per pack of six) Good Thins Gluten-Free Sea Salt Corn Crackers ($26.16 per pack of 12) Mary’s Gone Original Crackers ($4....

A cup of jasmine tea and a jasmine blossom on a wooden place mat. Jasmine tea has been produced in China for nearly 700 years and is the most popular Chinese flavored tea. It is made using green tea most often, but can also be made from oolong tea. High-quality loose tea leaves are blended with jasmine petals, giving the tea a delicate, mildly sweet flavor and aromatic fragrance. Jasmine tea is particularly healthy because it is high in a group of powerful antioxidants known as catechins....

Ovaltine can be a healthy addition to homemade desserts, smoothies and milkshakes. Image Credit: Carolyn Ann Ryan/Moment/GettyImages Children worldwide are familiar with the rich, delicious taste of Ovaltine. This popular malted milk drink mix has been around since the early 1900s. Today, it’s just as popular as it was decades ago. But does it really live up to the claims? Is Ovaltine healthy for toddlers or is it just candy in disguise?...

You can watch for symptoms of a weak pelvic floor or use two different tests to determine the strength of these muscles. Image Credit: LaylaBird/E+/GettyImages Like any other muscle in your body, your pelvic floor can be strong or weak. But unlike other muscles, it can be hard to gauge its strength. After all, you can’t lift a dumbbell with your pelvic floor, so how can you know it’s in good shape?...

Liquid diets can help you reach your weight loss goals. Image Credit: egal/iStock/GettyImages Liquid-only diets are aggressive weight-loss plans appropriate for when you have a lot of weight to lose and haven’t had success using traditional weight-loss strategies. For a limited period of time, you get all of your calories in the form of shakes, soups and other liquid-based meals. Advertisement The very-low-calorie content of liquid-only diets causes rapid, sustained weight loss....

Women on treadmills at the gym. Image Credit: Denis Raev/iStock/Getty Images A treadmill is a significant financial investment. However, the spending isn’t over after you purchase your machine. You might have considered the cost of maintenance and repairs, but what about the cost of running your treadmill? It will cost you a little less than $1 to run your treadmill an hour per day if your electricity costs .1305 cents per kilowatt....

The set point theory may change your perspective on weight loss. Image Credit: ShotShare/iStock/GettyImages Here’s an idea: Instead of fighting to get to a number on the scale that seems really, really hard to reach or maintain, why not let your body decide for itself what it wants to weigh? Advertisement That might seem radical — or even straight-up scary — if you've long struggled with diets. But increasingly, experts are agreeing on the idea that every body has a sweet spot when it comes to weight....

Make sure your seat is in the proper position and try different seats and padding to reduce discomfort. Image Credit: Dolomites-image/iStock/GettyImages While you don’t get hemorrhoids from biking, hemorrhoids, caused by swollen or inflamed veins around the anus or rectum, can make your ride very uncomfortable. Make adjustments to your bicycle seat to make yourself more comfortable and take steps at home to treat the hemorrhoids. Advertisement Tip Bicycling with hemorrhoids can be painful....

Harmful bacteria on a dirty yoga mat can put you at risk for a skin infection. Learn how often you should clean your yoga mat. 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 Why You Should Clean Your Mat How to Do It The Bottom Line Your yoga mat is like your water bottle — you know you should clean it every now and then, but you probably rarely do....