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Strawberry yogurt in a glass jar with a spoon Image Credit: EBlokhina/iStock/Getty Images Probiotics are the healthy microflora that live in your digestive tract and prebiotics are the nutrients that they use to thrive. Symbiotic products combine probiotics and prebiotics to enhance their beneficial effects. Although both prebiotics and probiotics need to be a regular part of your diet in order to provide health benefits, they do not need to be taken at the same time....

Some say apple cider vinegar lowers blood pressure, but more research is needed. Image Credit: marekuliasz/iStock/GettyImages For thousands of years, people have sworn by the healing benefits of apple cider vinegar (ACV). But is this age-old beverage one of the foods that lower blood pressure? Advertisement According to folklore, the liquid has been celebrated as far back as 400 B.C. by Hippocrates, thought of as the father of medicine, who used it for its cleansing (meaning antibacterial and antifungal) properties....

baked vegetable chips Image Credit: Laura Clay-Ballard/iStock/Getty Images Snacking is an important part of your meal plan. It helps you control hunger and can help you meet your nutrient needs. Vegetables make a healthy snack choice because they are low in calories and high in fiber. However, many dried vegetable chips may not be as healthy a snack choice as its source vegetable, but it would be better than a traditional potato chip....

Avoid drinking coffee when taking levothyroxine. Image Credit: ValentynVolkov/iStock/GettyImages Doctors prescribe levothyroxine for hypothyroidism, a medical condition caused by an underactive thyroid. Taking levothyroxine with other drugs or certain foods might have negative consequences. Learning about these interactions can help you safely use this medication to its full effectiveness. Advertisement Read more: Diet Plans for People Without a Thyroid Video of the Day Levothyroxine: Drug Interactions A number of substances — including other medications, foods and beverages — may interact with levothyroxine and decrease its absorption and effectiveness....

A close-up of gum balls. Image Credit: mikeinlondon/iStock/Getty Images Made from bark of the birch tree, xylitol is a sweetener that gives many sugar-free foods their sweet taste. Because most Americans eat far more sugar than what’s healthy, choosing foods that contain xylitol allows you to cut your sugar intake without having to give up all of your favorite foods and drinks. Advertisement What Is Xylitol Anyway? Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that adds texture and bulk to certain types of foods, according to the Colorado State University Extension....

A bowl of potato chips on a wooden table. Image Credit: GooDween123/iStock/Getty Images Food additives are beneficial because they help prolong the shelf life of certain items, as well as enhance the flavor of some foods. That doesn’t mean, however, that food additives are good for you. Butylated hydroxyanisole, or BHA, is one food additive to consider nixing from your diet. Though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has determined that BHA is “generally recognized as safe,” or GRAS, certain research studies suggest otherwise....

Poor bio-mechanics during a squat can lead to foot pain. Image Credit: PRImageFactory/iStock/Getty Images Squats are designed to strengthen your legs, abdominals and back. When completed correctly, squats are an effective strengthening workout. However, like all types of exercises, when completed incorrectly squats can cause problems, such as foot pain. Advertisement Since squats are a weight-bearing exercise, completing a squat incorrectly can lead to pain in your feet. Squats can aggravate an existing foot condition or create a new problem....

The squat is one of the most important functional exercises you need to stay strong with age. Image Credit: M_a_y_a/iStock/GettyImages There’s no shortage of flashy exercises out there. But when it comes to building and maintaining lifelong strength, the only exercises you need are a handful of basic moves. Advertisement The effort you put into your workouts translates to everyday life, making things like sitting down on a chair and climbing a staircase easier....

A garlic bulb on a wooden table. Image Credit: Lilechka75/iStock/Getty Images Prebiotics and probiotics are vital to your health, as they help to keep your intestine working properly. Prebiotics and probiotics are found naturally in certain foods, and are added to others. Additionally, they are available in supplement form. It is important that both prebiotics and probiotics are important parts of your diet; they work together to keep you healthy, and neither can work adequately without the other....

A mature man and woman are riding their bikes together. Image Credit: Halfpoint/iStock/Getty Images Bicycling outdoors is an effective way to include aerobic workouts into your exercise plan and can help prevent the boredom that sometimes sidetracks weight loss efforts. With nearly 20,000 miles of open rail-trails across the United States, you’ll find plenty of places to bike. Many communities also have paved trails connecting local shops and businesses, allowing you to run errands while burning calories....

Catfish are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids , vitamin B12 and protein. Image Credit: etitarenko/iStock/GettyImages Catfish are a type of white fish that can live in both freshwater and saltwater. While you might associate them with Creole and Cajun cuisine, there are actually thousands of types of catfish that are prepared in all kinds of ways. These fish are known for being rich in vitamins, minerals and omega fatty acids....

Finding healthy Thai food is easy if you know what to ask for. Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/GettyImages Finding healthy Thai food is easy if you know what to ask for. When you go out to eat at a Thai restaurant, you might unknowingly order a dish that’s high in fats, sugars or both. You can avoid unhealthy dishes by learning more about Thai cuisine. Advertisement Try Fresh Thai Fruits When you’re on a diet, eating out can be challenging....

You can start to lose muscle quickly after quitting the gym, but the good news is you can also build it back — and fast. Image Credit: Getty Images/Westend61 Is an upcoming vacation sparking anxiety about your focus on building muscle? You’ll be happy to learn that although your muscles may shrink a bit, your strength will likely stay consistent — and your body should bounce back quickly when you return to your fitness routine....

When you're working out at the gym, knowing how to exercise effectively and efficiently is important. Image Credit: nortonrsx/iStock/GettyImages When you’re motivated to exercise and determined to get results, spending extra time at the gym may seem like a good idea — but more exercise is not necessarily better. To get the best workout results, it’s important to find a balance between duration, intensity and recovery. This will get you the best results while sparing you from adverse effects of overtraining....

Include plenty of nonstarchy veggies in your low-carb diet. Image Credit: Povareshka/iStock/GettyImages Low-carb diets continue to be a popular choice among people who want to lose weight. These diets restrict carbohydrates well below the amounts recommended by the mainstream medical community, and some of them involve eating 20 grams or fewer of carbs each day. How many carbs you need depends on your daily calorie needs and activity level. If you decide to go low carb, it’s crucial to choose high-quality carb sources to maintain your energy and health....

Gender and activity levels determine the ideal daily caloric intake for 16-year-olds. Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages Teens are notorious for eating on the fly, especially when they’re busy. It’s important to determine the ideal daily calorie intake for teenage males, one that fits their lifestyle and provides the best nutritional profile within those calorie guidelines. Advertisement Tip Gender and activity levels determine the ideal daily caloric intake for 16-year-olds. Female teens need up to 2,400 calories daily, while male teens can require up to 3,200 calories....

You can increase the number of calories lost while you sleep by following a regular sleep schedule. Image Credit: andresr/E+/GettyImages You can estimate the number of calories burned during sleep and calculate how that fits in with a weight-loss plan, but that doesn’t guarantee you’ll actually lose weight while sleeping. The only way you’ll drop pounds is by consistently consuming fewer calories than your body needs for energy. You can also increase the number of calories lost while you sleep by following a regular sleep schedule, getting enough sleep and maintaining lean muscle....

Exercise can reduce the damage cigarette smoking causes to cardiovascular function. Image Credit: Justin Case/Stone/GettyImages Cigarette smoking is one of the most difficult habits to break due to the highly addictive nature of its contents. But, there’s good news. Exercise can help to repair some of the damage caused by smoking and you don’t have to wait until you quit to get started — exercise while quitting smoking. Advertisement Tip Whether you've stopped smoking or not, you can start exercising right away....

Some may be surprised that "Southern-style ribs" actually refers to a cut of pork rather than a recipe. Image Credit: StephanieFrey/iStock/GettyImages Some may be surprised that “Southern-style ribs” actually refers to a cut of pork rather than a recipe. It’s a good source of protein and has little fat — just make sure you choose an easy oven baked country-style pork ribs recipe that’s just as healthy as it is delicious....

A young woman is jogging. Image Credit: lzf/iStock/Getty Images Burning 1,300 calories a day is a lofty fitness goal that can yield about 2.5 pounds of weight-loss per week if it is a calorie deficit. However, if you burn this many calories and only take in 2,000 calories per day, you may end up malnourished. Instead, 1,300 calories is a good goal for someone who eats significantly more calories than she needs or who is training for an event such as a marathon or weightlifting competition....