The type of bread you use can increase the calorie count the sandwich. Image Credit: mj0007/iStock/Getty Images A bacon egg and cheese sandwich contains between 450 and 600 calories. The difference between the two calorie counts depends on the choice of bread and cheese. The higher the fat count in the bread and cheese, the higher the calorie count becomes. Advertisement Eggs A bacon egg and cheese sandwich contains one egg....
Research shows that apples may lower both blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Image Credit: Mansur Sitorus/iStock/GettyImages You’ve heard the adage, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” When it comes to your heart health, there’s definitely some truth to it, according to Julia Zumpano, RD, of the Cleveland Clinic. Apples have been shown to help lower both blood pressure and cholesterol, she says. Advertisement Read more: 6 Pros and Cons to Eating an Apple a Day Video of the Day Ideal Blood Pressure According to the American Heart Association (AHA), your blood pressure (BP) tells you how much pressure your blood exerts against your artery walls....
Constipation doesn't cause weight gain, but there's a reason the two might occur together. Image Credit: Flashpop/DigitalVision/GettyImages Constipation and weight gain often go hand in hand, but does one actually cause the other? The short answer is no, but if you’re spending a lot of time in the bathroom and seeing the scale tick up, you should know about how these two things are connected. Advertisement Here's the breakdown on what typically causes constipation, how it's treated and how it's linked to weight....
Sodas and other carbonated drinks can sometimes make you feel sick. Image Credit: Igor Alecsander/iStock/GettyImages Carbonated beverages are made for drinking — but they’re also famous for their sound: the “pop!” of a champagne bottle, the “crack” of a soda can, the “fizz” of a crisp, cool glass of sparkling water. “Sounds” fabulous, sure, but sometimes these drinks can make you feel sick. Advertisement Read more: Is Carbonated Water Bad for You?...
Some diuretics eliminate sodium from the body. Image Credit: Arisara_Tongdonnoi/iStock/Getty Images Water pills, medically known as diuretics, have many legitimate uses, but can cause dehydration and irregular heartbeats if you take them in excess. Abusing diuretics as a weight-control method is not only risky but ineffective, since water weight will re-accumulate when you stop taking the pills. Take diuretics exactly as prescribed and never take diuretics prescribed for another person....
Different types of bread have different amounts of carbs. Image Credit: paolaroid/iStock/Getty Images Whole wheat bread is usually considered healthy. However, there tend to be a lot of carbs in wheat bread and most other baked goods. If you’re following a low-carb diet, it’s best to avoid or limit bread and other grain-based foods. Advertisement Tip Consuming wheat bread on a keto diet isn't usually recommended. But you can eat bread that's made using low-carb food products, like coconut flour or almond flour....
Understanding cardiac output during activity enables informed exercise decisions. Image Credit: gradyreese/E+/GettyImages Your body’s total volume of blood, equaling 4 to 6 L, passes through your heart every minute during rest. Changes in cardiac output during exercise increase blood cycling rate up to 25 L per minute in active individuals and 35 L per minute in elite athletes, says the American Council on Exercise. Advertisement Heart health and exercise performance are regulated by your cardiac output ability....
Two business people sitting together drinking mugs of coffee. Image Credit: Digital Vision./Photodisc/Getty Images Caffeine can affect the body and brain in a number of ways. While it is most commonly used for alertness and mental focus, caffeine consumption does have other possible side effects that should not be overlooked. Blood vessel constriction, also known as vasoconstriction, is one of these potential side effects. Advertisement Caffeine's Effects on the Body Caffeine, a substance found naturally in tea leaves, kola nuts, cocoa beans and coffee, quickly passes into the brain once ingested....
A woman is peering into her refrigerator. Image Credit: RK Studio/Blend Images/Getty Images Lexapro is a prescription medication used to treat depression and anxiety. Lexapro is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI, and works on the serotonin neurotransmitter. Like many other antidepressants, Lexapro seems to cause weight gain as a side effect. However, weight gain is also a symptom of depression, so it is unclear if the medication or the illness is to blame....
Avocados, nuts and seeds contain healthy unsaturated fats. Image Credit: morisfoto/iStock/Getty Images When you consume more calories than your body needs, both carbs and fats end up stored in muscles and in other areas throughout the body. The body stores dietary fats in the form of triglycerides, whether in muscles or fat cells. Advertisement Carbs are first turned into glycogen, which is stored in the liver and muscles. When the limited storage space for glycogen is full, the liver converts extra carbs into triglycerides and sends them through the body where they accumulate in fat cells until you need energy....
A young woman is talking to her doctor. Image Credit: undrey/iStock/Getty Images When taking certain prescription medications, you may need to change your intake of vitamins, minerals or other supplements you usually consume to avoid negative interactions or side effects. Doxycycline is a drug that interacts with multiple substances, including calcium. Talk with your doctor if she prescribes you doxycycline about whether you need to change your calcium intake while on the medication....
Epsom salt is used as an analgesic, anesthetic, and anti-convulsant. Image Credit: marekuliasz/iStock/GettyImages Struggling with muscle aches and soreness? Consider taking an Epsom salt bath. This remedy has emerged as a natural alternative to painkillers, diuretics and anti-anxiety drugs. Its proponents say that it promotes weight loss and helps flush excess water, but can you trust these claims? Advertisement What Is Epsom Salt? Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, is a colorless crystal with potential therapeutic properties....
Side planks work your thoracolumbar fascia. Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages The thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) is the connective tissue that spans the thoracic and lumbar areas of the deep fascia. The TLF is a potential pain-causing area of the back, and as a result, thoracolumbar fascia strengthening exercises and stretches have become more popular. Advertisement Read more: 6 Lower Back Pain Exercises to Ease Your Aching Muscles Video of the Day Thoracolumbar Fascia and Back Pain The fascia is a connective tissue that is very thin and encases and holds in all of your organs, blood vessels, nerve fibers, bones and muscles....
Extreme fatigue after exercise is a sign that it may be too demanding. Image Credit: Photosomnia/E+/GettyImages In This Article Pushing Too Hard Training Too Often Not Hydrating Enough Not Fueling Properly When to Seek Help Don't sweat it: Mild fatigue after exercise — on top of being sweaty, a bit sore and tuckered out — is A-OK, especially if you're new to exercise. There's a limit, though. If you feel extreme fatigue after a workout, it could be a sign of a health problem — or that you definitely overdid it....
Tomato, cheese and basil can all contribute to your chronic urticaria. Image Credit: Mizina/iStock/GettyImages If you have itchy bumps on your skin, you may have hives or urticaria. A common trigger is food, and if you suspect that a particular food product causes this issue, you may want to adopt a chronic urticaria diet. Advertisement Tip A chronic urticaria diet may help you avoid the causes of your hives. The trick is to figure out which foods cause them, but it's often nuts, chocolate, fish, tomatoes, eggs, fresh berries and milk, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology....
An egg frying in a pan. Image Credit: Valengilda/iStock/Getty Images Naturally potassium-rich foods, such as potatoes and bananas, typically contain potassium in the form of potassium citrate. Some supplements and processed foods, however, contain potassium chloride. Both types of potassium may help lower blood pressure, according to a study published in Hypertension in April 2005. Potassium chloride is usually used only in small amounts due to its extremely bitter taste. People with chronic kidney disease should limit foods containing potassium chloride and other sources of potassium....
Noni fruit can be off-putting with its odd appearance and pungent scent, but it's revered in many Polynesian and Asian cultures as both food and medicine. Image Credit: sasirin pamai/iStock/GettyImages Noni fruit can be off-putting with its odd appearance and pungent scent, but it’s revered in many Polynesian and Asian cultures as both food and medicine. Globally, it’s become popular for treating a range of conditions, including diabetes and cancer; however, its efficacy hasn’t been proven....
references Mayo Clinic: "Antioxidants" Journal of Advanced Nursing: "Effects of an Intervention With Drinking Chamomile Tea on Sleep Quality and Depression in Sleep Disturbed Postnatal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial." Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology: "Peppermint Oil for the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis" Integrative Medicine Insights: "The Effectiveness of Ginger in the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy and Chemotherapy" U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Antioxidants" Journal of Chormotography: "Determination of Catechins in Matcha Green Tea by Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography" The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: "Tea and Flavonoid Intake Predict Osteoporotic Fracture Risk in Elderly Australian Women: A Prospective Study " Journal of Education and Health Promotion: "Investigation Effect of Oral Chamomilla on Sleep Quality in Elderly People in Isfahan: A Randomized Control Trial" European Journal of Nutrition: "Green Tea Catechins and Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials" European Journal of Preventive Cardiology: "Tea consumption and the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality: The China-PAR project" Phytomedicine: "Green tea effects on cognition, mood and human brain function: A systematic review....
Pay attention to your body for these four telling physical signs of hydration. Image Credit: Ashley Corbin-Teich/Image Source/GettyImages Staying hydrated is important to maintain normal body functions and general wellness. Signs of hydration can be identified by monitoring water input and output, especially during activity or warm weather. Awareness of dehydration symptoms helps to determine if your body is hydrated. Advertisement Tip Being mindful of the signs of dehydration, such as fatigue, dizziness and thirst, will help you determine if you are hydrated....
Elliptical machines, also called cross-trainer exercise machines, are cardio machines designed to provide an aerobic workout with little to no impact. The movement required to operate the machine is a cross between walking and running, without the joint stress that running imparts. Elliptical machines will often have a display that shows distance traveled, or revolutions or strides performed during a workout. If your machine does not display distance traveled, there are ways to figure out how many miles you’ve gone by plugging the strides made into some basic math formulas....
