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Kefir is an excellent source of natural probiotics, helping promote a healthy gut microbiome. Image Credit: mustipan/iStock/GettyImages While you may typically associate probiotics with a little pill you keep in the fridge, there are plenty of probiotic-rich foods out there, too. Probiotics are strains of living organisms that, when eaten, can help promote the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut, according to the Mayo Clinic. Advertisement It may be unsettling to know that your stomach is full of bacteria, but the ecosystem in your gut (your gut microbiome) plays a big role in your health from your mood to your immune system....

Don't expect instant results — with time, fish oil capsules may provide worthwhile benefits like inflammation prevention and improved cholesterol. Image Credit: Mensent Photography/Moment/GettyImages In This Article How Long It Takes Effects of Fish Oil Timing Around Meals There are a lot of supplements on the market, and one of the most popular is fish oil. Fish oil is the primary source of two omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), according to the Mayo Clinic....

Muscle mass is most accurately measured using a DEXA scan at a health care facility. Image Credit: fotostorm/iStock/GettyImages Muscle is obviously important to gym rats and pro athletes. But even if getting “swole” isn’t on your list of life goals, there are good reasons to keep track of your muscle mass. Advertisement The amount of muscle you have affects everything from the number you see on the scale to your ability to lift a bag of groceries to the recommended number of calories you should eat daily....

The strengthening and stretching elements of yoga can help you improve spine alignment. Before trying to correct your spinal alignment on your own, check with your doctor to make sure you don't have a more serious, underlying problem. Some spinal imbalances won't need a chiropractor. If you don't have any serious medical issues, stretching, strengthening and relaxation techniques can help you improve your posture and your spinal alignment. The website Spine-Health emphasizes exercise as the most important factor contributing to spinal health....

You can find a giant silicone cupcake mold at novelty stores, hobby shops, craft suppliers and online retailers. Nothing says celebration like a giant cupcake, but how in the world do you go about making one? Grab yourself a giant silicone cupcake mold, some cupcake ingredients, these instructions and get baking. Your dazzling dessert will really take the cake. Advertisement Silicone Giant Cupcake Recipe You can find a giant silicone cupcake mold at novelty stores, hobby shops, craft suppliers and online retailers....

Spicy homemade cajun jumbo with boudin sausage in it. Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images Boudin is a type of sausage native to France. The dish became popular in Louisiana and Cajun cuisine after being introduced by the French. There are several varieties of boudin, including boudin noir, a blood sausage; boudin blanc, a white boudin made with pork and rice; boudin balls, which resemble hush puppies and alligator boudin, which is popular in south Louisiana....

Homemade veggie patties on a board with fresh basil. Image Credit: nata_vkusidey/iStock/Getty Images Cooking veggie patties in your oven takes longer than with stove-top cooking but requires less attention as the patties cook. However, because the steps you take to prepare the patties are the same, most any veggie patty recipe is a good candidate for oven baking. Whether you prepare and cook them right away or freeze for cooking later, veggie patties can be a tasty treat as well as a good substitute for fat-laden ground meat patties....

Nutritious, low-calorie Japanese food isn’t hard to find, with a bit of planning. Image Credit: AnnaPustynnikova/iStock/GettyImages Just when you’ve mastered healthy eating at home, tackling unfamiliar cuisines, such as sushi or hibachi restaurants, becomes a new issue when dining out. But nutritious, low-calorie Japanese food isn’t hard to find, with a bit of planning. Advertisement Avoid the Pitfalls There are a few handy phrases and ingredients to be on the lookout for when you’re trying to enjoy heart-healthy and low-calorie Japanese food....

Protein shakes are a popular way to help lose weight. Image Credit: Yulia Lisitsa/iStock/GettyImages Using a protein shake fast is becoming a popular way to drop weight quickly, but is it a healthy and safe way to get the job done? Protein shakes often lack complete nutrition, so long-term use may lead to deficiencies. Advertisement Tip According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics, in 2013 to 2016, nearly half of American adults "tried to lose weight in the last 12 months....

A good diet is a big part in getting abs. Image Credit: Arx0nt/Moment/GettyImages Diligent dieting and regular workouts are necessary to achieve a 12-week core strength program that results in six-pack abs. Your ability to attain this goal depends on your current physique, fitness level, genetics and commitment to lowering your body fat level to showcase your abs. Advertisement Read more: Should I Be Able to Feel Fat Around My Stomach When Sitting?...

When doing a high protein diet make sure to choose low calorie sources. Image Credit: wmaster890/iStock/GettyImages There is plentiful evidence that eating more protein can help you feel satisfied on fewer calories when you’re trying to lose weight. And when your daily limit is a slim 1,200 calories, you need all the help you can get. When upping your protein, just remember to choose lean, low-calorie sources. Advertisement How Low Can You Go?...

Eating 3,000 calories a day will help most people gain weight. Image Credit: fcafotodigital/E+/GettyImages Eating 3,000 calories a day can help you gain weight, as long as you consume more calories than you burn. What’s more, you should make sure those calories are coming from nutrient-dense food in order to gain weight in a healthy way. Advertisement Here's more on the reasons you might want to eat 3,000 calories a day, the foods to include in a high-calorie diet and a sample meal plan to follow....

Aerobics and strength training are great. But for optimal health, you should also do other types of fitness training, like flexibility work. Image Credit: StefaNikolic/E+/GettyImages In This Article Strength Aerobics Balance Coordination and Agility Flexibility and Mobility No single type of fitness training delivers everything your body needs. Advertisement For example, strength training builds strong muscles, but aerobic exercise is essential for enhancing your cardio health and stamina. In the end, the best workout routine is the most comprehensive....

The key to a low-carb french toast is using the right bread. Image Credit: Yvonne Overstreet/iStock/GettyImages If you’re following a low-carb diet or simply tracking your carb intake, traditional white bread can easily exceed your carb budget (two slices have about 30 grams of carbs). So, what’s a loaf lover to do? Advertisement Lower in carbs, sprouted-grain and whole-grain varieties are great options for those looking to limit their daily carb count, Vanessa Rissetto, RD, CDN, co-founder of Culina Health, tells LIVESTRONG....

Eating foods with protein during meals and drinking more water can help stop sugar cravings. Image Credit: Alexander Spatari/Moment/GettyImages There seem to be new myths about what curbs sugar cravings each day, but only a few are backed by research. With a surplus of rumors surrounding what can remedy your sweet tooth, it’s hard to know what foods are best to grab when you’re craving sugar. Advertisement We've examined the myths and truths to find out which foods can actually stop sugar cravings....

Boot camps workouts will introduce you to new exercises and equipment. Image Credit: SolStock/E+/GettyImages If your mental image of boot camp is rows of grunting men in camo performing endless push-ups, you’re a little behind the times. While the military still has their own version meant to test the physical and mental fortitude of new recruits, the fitness world has rebranded their format into boot camp workouts. Advertisement Similar to many other mainstream high-intensity workouts, these classes combine cardio and strength exercises in one full-body workout....

references Harvard Health Publishing: “The rise of push-ups: A classic exercise that can help you get stronger” Looping a mini band around your elbows when performing a push-up can make the move easier while still building strength. Image Credit: dolgachov/iStock/GettyImages Image Credit: dolgachov/iStock/GettyImages Instructions Benefits Push-Up Progression Plan Region Upper Body Goal Build Muscle Loop a mini band around your arms, just above your elbows. Get into a high plank position with your core and glutes engaged....

The acidic smell after cardio is due to the breakdown of amino acids. Image Credit: recep-bg/E+/GettyImages One of the unpleasant side effects of vigorous exercise is body odor. When you sweat, bacteria on your skin naturally produce that familiar locker room aroma. But during prolonged exercise, you may notice an acid or ammonia odor that is different from your usual armpit fare. Advertisement That chemical smell in your nose after exercise is related to the breakdown of amino acids, and may indicate that you need to tweak your nutrition....

French toast sticks are an easy air fryer breakfast made healthy. Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/GettyImages The Essential Kitchen features our favorite products, tips and recipes to help optimize your cooking space and prep healthy meals quickly and easily. If you’re tired of the same mundane morning meal, an air fryer can breathe new life into your banal breakfasts. Advertisement This magical kitchen tool not only recreates your favorite fried foods with up to 80 percent less oil, but many [air fryers also] come with multiple functions capable of roasting, baking and grilling, Mary Stewart, RD, LD, founder of Cultivate Nutrition, tells LIVESTRONG....

Here's the skinny on bacon's nutrition information. Image Credit: Brent Hofacker/iStock/Getty Images Americans love their bacon. The average American eats an estimated 18 pounds of the stuff every year, per the Foundation For Economic Education. Despite its popularity, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone claim bacon to be a health food. Advertisement If you enjoy eating bacon — whether as part of a bacon-and-eggs breakfast or on your sandwich at lunch or dinner — you'll want to do so in moderation, as the meat is high in fat, calories and sodium....