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An allergy to basil pesto is most likely a result of a milk or tree nut allergy. If you develop allergy symptoms every time you eat basil pesto, you are most likely allergic to one of the ingredients, not the basil. Basil is not a common food allergen and should not cause an allergic reaction. Basil pesto can be made various ways and may contain various ingredients. According to the Food Network, basil pesto may contain milk and tree nuts that can trigger an allergic reaction....

Here's some good news for chocolate lovers: the iron in milk chocolate and dark chocolate may have a positive impact on your anemia. Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages Here’s some good news for chocolate lovers: the iron in milk chocolate and dark chocolate may have a positive impact on your anemia. If you struggle to get enough iron in your diet, chocolate is one food you can add — in moderation — that can have a positive impact on your iron levels....

The flu can decrease your appetite. Image Credit: Stacey Newman/iStock/Getty Images The flu, or influenza, is a viral infection that mainly affects your nose, lungs and throat. The flu can cause diarrhea, vomiting and a decreased appetite. Although the flu may have similar symptoms to the common cold or the stomach flu, it is the effects of the influenza virus. The flu can lead to serious complications, affecting tens of thousands a year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention....

Ground turmeric powder and curcumin have health benefits ranging from lowering bad cholesterol to reducing blood sugar levels. New research suggests curcumin found in turmeric is an effective agent for killing cancer cells. Image Credit: miromiro/iStock/GettyImages Turmeric powder is a dried spice made from the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa). It is used in cooking and as a dietary supplement. Advertisement Its primary active ingredient, bright yellow curcumin, has been studied for help in treating inflammation, arthritis, stomach, skin conditions, gallbladder and liver problems as well as cancer and other systemic maladies....

Sleeping after shoulder surgery Ask anyone who has had shoulder surgery and he will most likely tell you that the pain he experienced caused difficulty sleeping. Some shoulder surgeries, like a repair to the rotator cuff, can be much more painful than a more simple procedure like a bone spur removal. The bottom line is that it's difficult to get comfortable and sleep after surgery. Advertisement Pain Control pain medication One of the simplest things to do to help you sleep is to manage your pain....

A woman is jumping rope. Image Credit: RossHelen/iStock/Getty Images Jumping rope is an easy and inexpensive way to burn calories, strengthen the upper and lower body and promote heart health. If performed properly, this simple aerobic activity may help strengthen feet and arches, especially in children. If performed improperly, it may lead to injury or exacerbate existing foot problems, especially plantar fasciitis. Advertisement Proper Technique Proper form while jumping rope will lessen the likelihood of injury....

Milk is usually fortified with vitamin D. Image Credit: Korovin/iStock/Getty Images You need vitamin D to help absorb calcium and keep your bones healthy, but it also plays other roles in the body, including promoting immune function, cardiovascular health and limiting inflammation. It appears that vitamin D isn’t likely to cause weight gain because people who are overweight often have low levels of this nutrient, not high levels. Check with your doctor before taking a vitamin D supplement to make sure it’s safe for you....

Wearing a chest binder is a non-permanent, relatively low cost option to help alleviate gender dysphoria. Image Credit: Maskot/Maskot/GettyImages In This Article What Is It Gender Dysphoria Side Effects How to Do It Safely Many transgender and gender non-conforming folks experience gender dysphoria when it comes to having breasts. And while getting masculinizing top surgery is one option, it's an expensive and drastic measure that might not be right for everyone....

High-carb foods have a bad reputation because of their high sugar content. Image Credit: jenifoto/iStock/GettyImages High-carb foods have a bad reputation because of their high sugar content. However, not all carbs are created equal, and there’s a big difference between starch and sugar. Starchy foods may actually improve glycemic control and support weight loss when consumed in moderation. Advertisement Starch Versus Sugar Take any health magazine or read any health blog and you’ll notice a clear distinction between “good” and “bad” carbs....

Sodium intake does not directly link to sweat expenditure. Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images Contrary to popular belief, sodium and salt have entirely different chemical designs and should not be mistaken for each other. Unlike pure sodium, salt is made up of a combination of both sodium and chloride. The amount of sodium an individual requires depends entirely on genetics, current health and level of physical activity. Consult with your medical adviser before you drastically reduce or increase your sodium intake....

Get a more powerful punch with strength-building exercises. Image Credit: DreamPictures/VStock/Blend Images/Getty Images Boxing relies not only on speed and agility, but also on power. You can hit an opponent all you want, but if there is no power behind your punch, you’re basically wasting valuable energy. Along with practicing your punches on a heavy bag, there are exercises you can perform to increase your punching power. Advertisement Resistance Punch Resistance punching involves going through the motions of punching while working against resistance....

1 of 9 Overview While long holiday vacations and breaks from your day-to-day routine certainly have their perks, they also come with double the perils of missed workout routines and ample opportunities for indulgence. Here are some suggestions to get in 30-minute workouts when the gym isn't available to help you keep in shape while you're on the go. Image Credit: George Doyle/Stockbyte/Getty Images 2 of 9 Get a Stretch Sometimes after a long flight, a good dose of stretching is just the ticket to get your body back in working order....

Weight loss can make you feel more confident. Image Credit: saje/iStock/Getty Images You’re strictly watching your portions, choosing healthier foods and walking every chance you get. Know that the scale isn’t the only way to measure the effects of these changes. Your body will send signals that weight loss is happening. Instead of being beholden to achieving a certain “number,” tap into your energy levels and health for clues that you’re starting to lose weight....

Get your lower abs in shape. Image Credit: jacoblund/iStock/Getty Images You might feel like your abs are divided into a lower and upper region, but in reality, your rectus abdominis — or front sheath of abs — is one long muscle. It’s segmented by tendinous creases, which gives you a six-pack look, and may make you feel that it’s made up of separate muscles. Technically, however, you can’t independently contract the upper and lower region of the muscle....

Pink salt may have traces of iron not found in grey salt, but this difference is not significant. Image Credit: Janet Rhodes/iStock/Getty Images Gray salt and Himalayan pink salt are both popular specialty salts that look and taste great, but are they healthier than regular table salt? From lower sodium claims to salt that cures cancer, find out what’s true and what’s hype. Advertisement Gray Salt vs. Himalayan Salt There are many types of gourmet salts available, including Himalayan salt, black lava salt and gray sea salt....

A variety of signals from your body tell your brain when your stomach is full. Image Credit: Minerva Studio/iStock/Getty Images Satiety, the sensation that you’ve had enough to eat, results from a balance of hormonal and neurological signals reaching your brain from your stomach. Other factors, such as the sensory quality of food, also contribute to satiety. Scientific research has revealed much about this mysterious function and how it contributes to weight control, but much remains to be learned....

The number of days you can survive without food depends on several factors including, your current body weight, activity level, overall health and age. Image Credit: fcafotodigital/iStock/GettyImages Going without food for several hours can sometimes feel like an impossible task. But how would you feel if you had to go days without any significant source of calories? It is a question asked by people interested in fasting, as well as those planning for an emergency....

How fast you can lose weight after you stop drinking alcohol will depend on a number of factors like your daily calorie consumption and how much you exercise. Image Credit: Milkos/iStock/GettyImages If weight loss is your goal, cutting back on boozy beverages can help. But exactly how long after stopping drinking will you lose weight, and how much weight can you lose by not drinking alcohol? Advertisement When it comes to weight loss, eliminating alcohol is not the only step you can take — it's just one habit that may help, in addition to other lifestyle changes like eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly....

Cabbage may reduce joint pain. Not all home remedies for joint pain work; however, this does not stop people with arthritis, gout and other types of joint pain from trying new things. Cabbage has been used as a folk remedy for hundreds of years to soothe painful joints. It is high in vitamins and phytonutrients as well as anthocyanins and glutamine, both containing anti-inflammatory properties, as reported in the NY Times Fitness and Nutrition section....

A planche push-up is a tremendous core challenge. Image Credit: AmeliaFox/iStock/Getty Images The standard push-up is a fantastic exercise for training your chest, shoulders and triceps, as well as your core. At some point, though, you master the challenge of this standard move and need variety to keep upping your gains. Advertisement The planche push-up is just the variation to offer up a serious challenge. You may have seen gymnasts do this move on the floor routine, the weight of their body shifting forward and the feet elevating off the ground as you press up and down with your arms....