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Multiple bunches of ripe bananas on a table. Image Credit: quangpraha/iStock/Getty Images Portable and easily digested, bananas make low-calorie, nutrient-dense snacks. These tropical fruits are often recommended for their high amounts of potassium, a dietary mineral necessary for the proper functioning of the body’s electrical system. Whether you prefer bananas firm and barely yellow or soft and fully ripened, you’ll get the same amount of potassium from your snack. Advertisement The Importance of Potassium Potassium is one of the body’s essential minerals....

Cod liver oil helps to elevate serum levels of alkaline phosphatase. Image Credit: Hunterann/iStock/Getty Images Alkaline phosphatase, or ALP, is a protein found in all body tissues and plays a particularly important role in liver function and bone development. Normal ALP levels range from a low of 44 international units per liter to a high of 147 international units per liter, according to MedlinePlus. Abnormal levels can signify a severe underlying medical condition, usually relating to the liver or your bones....

A glass of ginger ale on a table next to fresh ginger root. Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images Ginger ale is a classic soft drink that combines the medicinal properties of ginger root with the sugar and carbonation of a soda beverage. Although traditional ginger ales contained a significant portion of ginger – a known anti-emetic and alleviator of nausea – some modern brands use artificial ginger flavorings and sweeteners in place of the real herb....

Nuts are a heart-healthy food when eaten in moderation. Image Credit: Diana Taliun/iStock/GettyImages If you plan to follow a diet that can help lower your blood pressure, go a little nuts. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommends the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet to lower your blood pressure. And DASH includes one serving of nuts four to five times each week. Advertisement Read more: 9 Healthy Nuts That May Help You Live Longer Video of the Day Eat Nuts for Heart Health Here’s what is in nuts that make them heart healthy: They’re loaded with fiber, protein, minerals and antioxidants, according to the American Heart Association....

Elderberries hanging from a branch. Image Credit: HITOSHI KAWAKAMI/amanaimagesRF/amana images/Getty Images Elderberry tea is most commonly made from the flowers that bloom on the elder plant before the berries appear. When fresh or dried flowers aren’t available, you can make tea by adding a tincture or extract made from elder berries or flowers to hot water. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, few studies have been done on the health benefits of elderberry tea, but its benefits seems to come from the plant’s antioxidant-rich flavonoids....

Side bridges isolate the gluteus minimus. Image Credit: Klaus Vedfelt/DigitalVision/GettyImages You’ve probably heard of your glute max, but there are two more glute muscles — medius and minimus. The gluteus minimus is one of the six hip abductors. It starts on your hip bone and extends out to your upper-thigh bone. Advertisement This muscle is extremely important for hip stabilization, especially when you are balancing on one leg. To keep your gluteus minimus strong, perform hip abduction exercises....

Elbow planks are a great exercise to relieve L5 S1 compression. Image Credit: bulatovic/iStock/GettyImages Low back pain affects the majority of people at some point in their lifetime — so if you’re one of them, you’re not alone. Although it might seem counterproductive to exercise when you’re in pain, specific stretches and strengthening exercises for L5-S1 degeneration can help. Advertisement The lumbar spine in your low back has five vertebrae, labeled L1 through L5....

Anemia can cause exercise exhaustion. Image Credit: George Doyle/Stockbyte/Getty Images Anemia is a condition where the production and the number of red blood cells is below normal levels. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms can range from mild to severe., Anemia, which can make you feel exhausted, can effect your ability to exercise and leave you unable to complete workouts. Advertisement Causes of Anemia Anemia can be caused by a wide variety of things, most of which are underlying nutrient deficiencies or diseases....

Senior man holding his stomach in pain Image Credit: LittleBee80/iStock/Getty Images Your gallbladder can develop inflammation and form gallstones. Gallbladder problems can cause certain side effects, such as a loss of appetite. If you begin to experience pain, loss of appetite or nausea, seek medical help right away. You could require medication or surgery, depending upon the severity of your condition. Advertisement Gallbladder Your gallbladder is a small, almost pear-shaped organ located near your liver, stomach and pancreas....

Gluten is found in most beers. Image Credit: KariHoglund/iStock/GettyImages As a protein found in grains like wheat and barley, gluten is also present in most beer. The gluten levels in beer depend on the brewing method used, and thus vary from one brand to the next. For a beer to be considered gluten-free, it must contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. Advertisement What Is Gluten? According to the Food and Drug Administration, gluten is a collection of proteins that are naturally-occurring, not just in grains of wheat, but also in barley and rye....

Sharing a toothbrush with someone is more intimate than kissing, and could lead to you coming in contact with microbes that cause cavities and gum disease. 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. We’ve all been caught without a toothbrush. You’re vacationing at a house rental, camping or staying at a friend’s or date’s place and forget one....

The foods we eat give our bodies energy to perform daily functions and exercise, but not all calories are created equal. Image Credit: Prostock-Studio/iStock/GettyImages In This Article The Energy Process Healthy Diet How Muscles Use Energy The Bottom Line The food we eat provides energy that give our bodies fuel to perform all functions from the most basic like breathing to more complicated activities. We need a minimum amount of calories from food to sustain basic metabolic functions and more to carry out physical activities....

A male and female bodybuilder at a gym. Image Credit: Wavebreakmedia Ltd/Wavebreak Media/Getty Images As soon as you start lifting weights with the goal of building muscle, you’re on track to becoming a bodybuilder. But it will take some time before your gains are noticeable. You can expect large gains as a novice but eventually your muscle growth will begin to slow. Advertisement Expected Gains A novice adult lifting weights three hours per week can expect to gain four to 15 pounds per year without the use of steroids or hormones....

While the length of time you hold a yoga pose varies between yoga types, how long you hold a pose is ultimately up to you. Image Credit: Luis Alvarez/DigitalVision/GettyImages In yoga, focusing on your form while you’re in each pose is important, as well as staying aware of your body and keeping your breath consistent. But here’s one more factor to throw in the mix: the length of your hold....

The point at which your body switches from burning carbohydrates to fat varies according to a number of factors. Image Credit: Parkpoom Yeesoontes / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages It’s best not to worry much about the so-called “fat burning zone,” especially because exactly when your body switches its preferential fuel from carbs to fat is different for everyone. Instead, focus on habits that burn more calories overall and help your body start burning fat faster....

Try incorporating grape juice into your diet by drinking half a cup per day or using it in juice blend recipes. Image Credit: HandmadePictures/iStock/GettyImages Did you know that a cup of grape juice will provide your recommended vitamin C intake? Grape juice benefits are plentiful, and even half a cup can go a long way in supplying those benefits. Advertisement Tip Try incorporating grape juice into your diet by drinking half a cup per day or using it in juice blend recipes....

Blowing up your exercise ball to the right size is important for a safe, effective workout. Image Credit: Peathegee Inc/Tetra images/GettyImages An exercise ball can revitalize your workout routine. Also called a Swiss ball, balance ball or stability ball, an exercise ball works your core and just about every other major muscle group, too. Physiotherapists use exercise balls to treat patients who’ve had surgery or been in an accident. Advertisement The ball itself is made of rubber and must be inflated in order to use it....

Marinated steak on a chopping board. Image Credit: Artush/iStock/Getty Images Flap steak is cut from the bottom sirloin and is sometimes call beef loin tip. It is less tender than more expensive steaks, but has a good beef flavor. It is ideal for marinating and needs to be cooked quickly on high heat to medium rare. Cut the cooked steak thinly across the grain before serving. This is the cut of beef that is often used for carne asada....

You can either boil or simmer your sausages. Image Credit: EasyBuy4u/E+/GettyImages Sizzling in flavor, beef hot links are a tasty dish for people who like spicy sausage. While the precooked links are ideal for grilling, they can also be cooked on the stove. The key to cooking links on the stovetop is to use water instead of direct heat. Advertisement Direct heat can burn the outside of the sausage before the inside is heated....

A plate of cheese ravioli topped with tomato sauce. Image Credit: Elena_Danileiko/iStock/Getty Images Image Credit: Elena_Danileiko/iStock/Getty Images Stockpot Tablespoon Salt Large mixing spoon Slotted spoon Microwavable bowl or dish Sauce, such as marinara Plastic wrap Baking dish Oil or cooking spray Aluminum foil Plan on one pound of frozen cheese ravioli – about 32 to 36 individual ravioli – feeding approximately three to four people, advises pasta manufacturers Fasta & Ravioli Co....