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Talk to your doctor about the potential side effects of any supplements you're considering. Image Credit: fizkes/iStock/GettyImages It’s a nice idea, but there’s no supplement out there that can rev up your metabolism and turn you into a calorie-burning machine. At the same time, though, nothing in the supplement aisle will grind it to a halt, either. But a few supplements have been connected to a less-than-optimal metabolism. Advertisement Especially if you're working toward a weight-loss goal, it's important to understand which types of supplements can interfere with — or benefit — your body's daily functions....

Water bloating is usually temporary. Image Credit: PeopleImages/E+/GettyImages If your stomach feels full after drinking water, you may have experienced water bloat. Water fills up your stomach, so it’s often a major cause of bloating. This uncomfortable feeling of fullness can happen after eating, too. Bloating may even impact your daily life and make you feel insecure. Advertisement Women are especially prone to this problem due to their menstrual cycle, which is why many women seek answers to the causes of bloating and how to prevent it....

A bowl of oatmeal next to some apples and a pitcher of milk. Image Credit: minadezhda/iStock/Getty Images A hearty, warm breakfast, oatmeal offers up a bevy of benefits. It’s a source of healthy carbohydrates, iron, phosphorus and potassium. A 1/2-cup serving of dry oatmeal contains around 4 grams of fiber, which is good for your health; however, in some cases, it might also cause gas. Advertisement Fiber and Gas It’s not oatmeal by itself that’s likely to cause gas, but rather an abrupt intake of fiber throughout your diet overall....

Toaster ovens heat up quickly. Toaster ovens are smaller than regular ovens, which is among its advantages. In hot weather, a toaster oven will not heat up the kitchen; it doesn't use as much power as a big oven; and it is ideal for dorm rooms, offices and vacation homes. Bake biscuits in a toaster oven just as you would in a conventional kitchen oven. The toaster oven can bake only a few biscuits at a time, which may be ideal for singles and small batches....

Be realistic about how many calories you can burn by exercising. Image Credit: Luca Francesco Giovanni Bertolli/iStock/Getty Images To lose one pound of fat, you must burn 3,500 calories more than you consume. If you’ve ever paid attention to the number of calories you burn during an easy cardio workout, like walking on the treadmill for 30 minutes, the idea of creating a 3,500 deficit may seem a little overwhelming. At the same time, television shows like “The Biggest Loser” and “Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition” feature contestants who experience incredible weight loss week after week, suggesting that burning 3,000 calories in one day from exercise is indeed possible....

You can pan-fry breaded chicken in olive oil. Image Credit: Zbarovskiy96/iStock/GettyImages Experts say frying chicken in olive oil is fine, but they don’t advocate frying in butter or coconut oil. Extra-virgin olive oil is the safest oil to use for cooking because it produces the least amount of harmful compounds when heated. Advertisement Tip You can pan-fry breaded chicken in olive oil. At least one study has shown that this is one of the safest oils to use for this type of frying....

Find a space in your home to work out that doesn't make you want to snooze. Image Credit: PavelIvanov/iStock/GettyImages The most important factor in weight loss is consistency — eating right and staying active every day. But for some people, paying for a gym membership, commuting to the gym and waiting in line for machines is a big barrier to following through with exercise. The good news is, you don’t need a gym to work out....

It’s common to have questions about what you can eat after surgery, especially gastrointestinal surgery. Physicians recommend a colectomy, or colon resection, to treat a variety of diseases, including colon cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. The procedure involves removing the affected portion of your colon to prevent the progression of disease or stop bleeding. After surgery, it’s typical to remain in the hospital for a few days. Doctors usually recommend a liquid diet, followed by a soft diet once you’re discharged, according to the University of Chicago Hospital....

Both bruised ribs and pulled chest muscles can be very painful. Image Credit: martin-dm/iStock/GettyImages Chest injuries — no matter the cause — typically hurt a lot. If you’re wondering whether you have pulled muscles or bruised ribs, you may be able to tell based on how the injury occurred and the symptoms you are experiencing. Advertisement However, pulled muscles and bruised ribs may also occur together. What's more, trauma to the chest can cause rib fractures or damage your internal organs, so it's wise to seek medical attention if you have sustained a chest injury....

Sweet foods can tax your body's ability to regulate blood glucose levels. Image Credit: Amawasri/iStock/Getty Images Simple sugars, such as those found in cookies, candies, cakes and soft drinks, have been implicated in the growing incidence of obesity and diabetes in the United States. At the time of publication, approximately 16 percent of the average American’s daily calorie load comes from added sugars – the sugars added by manufacturers to improve a food’s marketability or by consumers to improve its flavor....

Oranges serve as a natural source of vitamin C. Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images Today’s world requires you maintain a constant energy level. Between juggling work, family, fitness and health you cannot afford to feel tired. Many foods and beverages advertise they help you stay awake, but they fill you full of sugar and caffeine. If you are looking for a more natural way to keep your eyes open and your body alert, ask your doctor about taking essential vitamins like vitamin C....

Both biking and kissing burn more calories than you might have guessed. Image Credit: simonapilolla/iStock/GettyImages Fun fact: Chess players can burn up to 6,000 calories a day during a tournament, according to ESPN. That number is based on “breathing rates (which triple during competition), blood pressure (which elevates) and muscle contractions before, during and after major tournaments,” putting their stress response on par with elite athletes. Advertisement But if you're not a Grandmaster or elite marathoner, you might be wondering if there are activities that burn more calories than you'd expect....

Range of motion exercises can help with pudendal nerve entrapment. Image Credit: fizkes/iStock/GettyImages Pudendal nerve entrapment or PNE, is a rare and debilitating condition caused by entrapment, impingement or compression of the pudendal nerve which are located within the bony pelvis, at the tips of the ischial spines. This painful condition often develops with childbirth or prolonged cycling. Advertisement However, this condition can affect both men and women, resulting in a variety of disabling symptoms including genital or groin pain and numbness; urinary difficulties and sexual dysfunction....

Strengthening your core can prevent lower back pain. Image Credit: fizkes/iStock/GettyImages Looking good in a swimsuit isn’t the only reason to add lower back and core workouts to your exercise regimen. The core, which includes muscles of the hips, spine, pelvic floor and abdomen, plays an important role in providing stability to the back. In addition, building strength in these muscles can help prevent the onset of low back pain and improve your endurance while running or working out....

Make sure that you are careful when stretching. Image Credit: Hero Images/Hero Images/GettyImages Everything from sitting in front of a computer for too long to incorrectly throwing a ball could affect the shoulder, and sometimes too much strain can result in a torn labrum. Depending on the type of tear, different treatments are available including torn labrum exercises after or in lieu of surgery. Advertisement What Is a Labrum Tear? First, what is the labrum?...

Bowls of bran flakes and sliced bananas on a table. Image Credit: Olgaorly/iStock/Getty Images Adipex, also known as Adipex-P, a brand name for phentermine, is a prescription diet pill doctors use to treat overweight patients with health problems, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. It suppresses your appetite, aiding in weight loss, and is meant for short-term use – only a few weeks. Combine the Adipex with diet and exercise to achieve maximum efficacy and long-term weight loss....

Eggs and fish are great sources of lean protein, which is digested slower than carbohydrates and helps keep blood sugar levels from spiking. Image Credit: Alexander Spatari/GettyImages Blood glucose, or blood sugar, is your body’s main source of energy, and you get most of it from carbohydrates in food. But many carb-rich eats raise blood sugar levels too much. That’s why people with diabetes typically follow a diet that helps prevent high blood sugar in the first place....

Whey protein can help boost muscle recovery. Image Credit: Milan_Jovic/E+/GettyImages Whey protein offers a convenient way to get post-workout amino acids to boost muscle repair and recovery. Plus, when included as part of a low-calorie, high-protein diet, whey may also aid with weight loss. Gold Standard Whey protein powder, marketed by Optimum Nutrition, is a popular brand sold on many reputable websites. Advertisement Whey Is Special Whey protein is a derivative of milk — the liquid that’s left over during the cheese-making process....

There are plenty of healthy, low-calorie dinner ideas that can help mix up your chicken-and-salmon routine. Image Credit: Roxiller/iStock/GettyImages Trying to lose weight but running out of low-calorie dinner ideas? Just because you’re aiming to drop a few pounds doesn’t mean you need to bake bland chicken breast or sautee the same-old salmon every night. Advertisement Don't misunderstand — as lean sources of protein, chicken and salmon are solid staples. But it's good to diversify your dinner menu, so you don't grow tired of eating the same thing and, in a moment of weakness, order a bunch of greasy takeout....

The majority of vegetables including Brussels sprouts are high in insoluble fiber Image Credit: tashka2000/iStock/Getty Images Fiber is a nonnegotiable part of a healthy diet. Insoluble fiber is particularly important when it comes to keeping your digestive tract running smoothly. Sources of insoluble fiber include wheat bran, vegetables and whole grains. Advertisement About Soluble and Insoluble Fiber Dietary fiber comes in two types: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber, found in oatmeal, dried beans and some fruits and vegetables, dissolves in water....