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Hydration is essential, but too much water intake can have a negative effect on the body. Image Credit: Nastasic/E+/GettyImages Water is essential to human life, but drinking an excessive amount can lead to a potentially life threatening loss in the mineral potassium. Nutrition professor with North Dakota State University Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., states that excessive water consumption leads to a dangerous condition known as “water intoxication.” This condition can lead to urinary loss of potassium....

HIIT can take a toll on the body if you do it more than three or four times a week. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative What Really Happens to Your Body When examines the head-to-toe effects of common behaviors, actions and habits in your everyday life. It’s easy to become addicted to high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts. They’re short, and they melt fat and build muscle. Plus, they give you the ultimate exercise high that’ll leave you feeling like you ran a marathon and back....

You can eat unsweetened coconut meat, milk and water if you have diabetes, but watch the portion size. Image Credit: elena_hramowa/iStock/GettyImages Coconut meat, milk, oil and water are all the rage today, but some coconut-based foods may not be as healthy as you may think — especially if you have diabetes. You need answers to questions like: Does coconut increase blood sugar? What’s desiccated coconut meat? Is coconut water safe for diabetes?...

A muscular man is lifting weights. Image Credit: nd3000/iStock/Getty Images Creatine is best known for improving athletic performance in young people; however, it may also improve the symptoms of certain medical conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, muscular dystrophy, a muscle disease called McArdle’s disease and an eye disease called gyrate atrophy, according to MedlinePlus. Speak with your doctor to determine whether creatine is safe for you and the proper dose to use for your purposes....

Cranberry juice and bowl of cranberries Image Credit: HandmadePictures/iStock/Getty Images Cranberry juice has several benefits for your body, but too much can counteract these beneficial effects. You can purchase 100 percent cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail, which usually contains less than 33 percent actual fruit juice, meaning it may not have the same benefits as 100 percent juice. Enjoy a glass of 100 percent cranberry juice here and there, but don’t go overboard by consuming more than the recommended servings....

Exercising can help lower cholesterol levels. Image Credit: Martin Novak/iStock/Getty Images Having high cholesterol increases your risk for the number one cause of death in the United States – heart disease. Taking steps to lower your cholesterol levels, especially your LDL and total cholesterol, helps keep your arteries from becoming blocked and causing a heart attack. People with high cholesterol tend to have lower levels of coenzyme Q10 compared to those of healthy people....

Image Credit: fortyforks/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Is Chlorophyll Safe? Side Effects and Risks Supplement Safety Cancer and Chlorophyll Weight-Loss and Chlorophyll Best Chlorophyll Supplements Chlorophyll is a chemical found in plants that converts the sun's rays into food, and some people believe it has benefits for humans, too. If you believe the hype, liquid chlorophyll is supposed to detox the body, "clarify" the blood, prevent cancer and help with weight loss....

The bird dog pose is a great exercise to strengthen the erector spinae. Image Credit: fizkes/iStock/GettyImages If your back is aching and tired, weak muscles may be to blame. The erector spinae are muscles that run along the spine and are the primary muscles that help you rise back up when you bend over. With an inactive lifestyle, these muscles become weak, which puts you at risk for back strain. To reduce your aches and prevent injury, add some back-strengthening erector spinae exercises to your routine....

Jack LaLanne demonstrates a proper fingertip push-up at his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Image Credit: Vince Bucci/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images If you were tuned into your television set as early as 1959, you might’ve stumbled upon fitness guru Jack LaLanne demonstrating his famous fingertip push-ups. This gravity-defying exercise, long-used by martial arts experts to develop powerful grip strength, requires lifting your entire bodyweight on just your toes and fingertips....

Your thyroid blood test results can clue you in to a possible problem, but only your doctor can make an official diagnosis. Image Credit: Antonio_Diaz/iStock/GettyImages More than 12 percent of people in the U.S. will grapple with a thyroid condition at some point, and right now, about 20 million Americans have thyroid disease, according to the American Thyroid Association (ATA). Advertisement But thyroid disease can be sneaky, with symptoms — like fatigue and constipation — that are often easy to confuse for other problems....

A medical gloved hand holding a blood sample over a lab report showing hight creatinine levels. Image Credit: jarun011/iStock/Getty Images A high level of creatinine in the bloodstream is often an indication of kidney dysfunction. A high protein diet, however, can bring about high creatinine levels as well. In spite of its potential toxicity, creatinine may, depending on the health of your kidneys, be flushed from your body and not pose a danger to your health....

Close-up of a plate of steak and eggs with a side of fries. Image Credit: gbh007/iStock/Getty Images Your pancreas is a small gland located behind your stomach near the upper portion of the small intestine known as the duodenum. Your pancreas functions as part of your endocrine system by producing the hormones insulin and glucagon vital for regulating your blood sugar, or glucose, levels. Exocrine cells in the pancreas, called the acinar cells, produce amylase enzymes to digest carbohydrates, lipase enzymes to digest fat and protease enzymes to digest protein....

Curry dishes can be fattening, depending on their ingredients. Image Credit: Tatiana Volgutova/iStock/GettyImages Curry is a staple part of the cuisine throughout East Asia and has spread to other countries. Although there is no standard definition for what makes up a “curry,” dish, a curry recipe generally includes meat or vegetables and has a spiced sauce that may feature turmeric, cumin or coriander powder. Advertisement Depending on what exactly you put into it and how much you eat, curry can be quite healthy or extremely fattening....

You'll start feeling better after your vitamin D supplements take effect — just give it a few months. Image Credit: Peter Dazeley/Photographer’s Choice/GettyImages Having a vitamin D deficiency can leave you feeling tired, weak and depressed. If you suspect your levels are low, talk to your doctors. They’ll create a plan to improve your vitamin D levels within a few months. Advertisement Working with your doctor is easier than you think....

The calories in pancakes can vary widely depending on add-ins and toppings, like butter and maple syrup. Image Credit: Arx0nt/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Pancake Nutrition Syrup and Butter Waffles vs. Pancakes Healthy Pancake Tips Pancakes are a go-to breakfast comfort food, but their calorie count may not fall in line with your health goals, especially if you smother them in butter and syrup before devouring. The good news is you can control pancake calories by keeping your portions small and being mindful of your toppings....

A regular workout routine tones and firms the body as you lose weight. Image Credit: nd3000/iStock/Getty Images Circuit training provides the benefits of cardiovascular training and strength training, burning more calories per hour than traditional weightlifting. People who perform high-intensity circuit training lose more weight and body fat – and gain more strength – than those who perform low-intensity circuit training or endurance exercise. Advertisement Calories Burned During Circuit Training Performing strength training exercises with minimal rest in a circuit training routine increases the rate of calorie burning, more than regular weightlifting or moderate cardio....

Drink plenty of water to replace sweat losses. Image Credit: FogStock/Vico Images/Alin Dragulin/FogStock/Getty Images Your body weight fluctuates naturally daily based on the number of calories you eat and how much water your body gains and loses through natural water loss and sweat loss each day. Some body weight fluctuation daily is normal and expected. However, drastic changes in body weight on a daily basis can be a sign of something more serious....

A woman is comparing water bottles. Image Credit: Jack Hollingsworth/Photodisc/Getty Images Fluids are needed for many body functions, including helping to move waste material from the body, regulating body temperature and carrying nutrients to the body’s cells. According to Clemson State University, on average, a healthy adult needs one quart of water for every 50 lbs. of body weight. The U.S. Geological Survey states that water makes up approximately 60 percent of the human body, 70 percent of the brain, 90 percent of the lungs, 75 percent of lean muscle tissue, 10 percent of body fat, 22 percent of bones and 83 percent of blood....

You can check the sodium content of your water. Image Credit: flas100/iStock/Getty Images If you are on a salt-restricted diet, you might want to reduce the amount of sodium being released by your water softener. If you are maintaining a saltwater fish tank, you will want to keep the salt at a level for optimum fish health. A tool, called a hydrometer, is used for at-home measuring of sodium levels....

Hold on to the railing for support. Image Credit: George Doyle/Stockbyte/Getty Images The knees are vulnerable joints, especially if you are active and engage in activities like running, skiing or cycling. Everyday activities, like climbing stairs, can also put a strain on your knees if you use improper form. While the whole body should be engaged when walking up stairs, it can be common to allow your weight to drop into your legs, which can cause the knees to endure extra weight....