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Close-up of medication pills. Image Credit: Khursaini A fatah/Hemera/Getty Images The International Normalized Ratio, or INR, gauges the effectiveness of blood thinning medication such as warfarin. People that are at high risk of blood clot formation, such as those that have suffered heart attacks or strokes, need an INR of about 2.5 to 3.5. However, people with an INR of 2.0 to 3.0 still need basic blood thinning. Foods that contain vitamin K can lower your INR because vitamin K facilitates blood clotting....

Hot green tea pouring into clear glass. Green tea is revered by many people for its many reputed health benefits. While considered one of the healthier teas you can drink, green tea is not always the best choice when it comes to breastfeeding. Green tea is safe in small quantities, but there are better ways to stay hydrated when breastfeeding. Advertisement Fluids and Breastfeeding While water is the best source of hydration when you are breastfeeding, sometimes you crave a little variety....

Pregnant woman smiling and eating healthy. Image Credit: George Doyle/Stockbyte/Getty Images When you’re pregnant, concerns over food additives and chemicals take on new significance. You weigh everything that you ingest against its potential risk to your developing baby. Sulfites – preservatives used in many processed foods as well as wine – can cause allergic reactions in some people but haven’t been proven harmful in pregnancy. Advertisement Sources Several different chemical compounds used in food production fall into the category of sulfites....

Intense exercise after giving blood may make you feel dizzy and could lead to fainting. Image Credit: Smederevac/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Blood Donation Types Donating and Performance Potential Risks How Long to Wait Blood donation is one of the most important ways to share your good health with others. Each unit of blood you donate can help up to three people in need of blood or blood products, according to the American Red Cross....

Oranges are rich in Vitamin C. Image Credit: Thinkstock/Stockbyte/Getty Images Iron absorption depends on several factors, including how much you get of certain nutrients. This mineral is responsible for supplying oxygen to all your organs and tissues with the help of the protein hemoglobin. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, decreased mental functioning and, for expectant mothers, small or premature babies. To stay healthy, eat plenty of iron-rich foods along with foods rich in vitamin C to enhance absorption....

Tracking net carbs can help you feel more in control of your diet. Image Credit: Jelena Danilovic/iStock/GettyImages Track your carbs and eat them, too? That’s the lofty promise behind counting net carbs over total carbs. Advertisement If you're on a low-carb diet such as keto or you limit carbs to manage a medical condition, you're likely quite familiar with counting carbs. But in recent years, dietitians and other experts have made a case for tallying up net carbs — also sometimes called "digestible carbs," "active carbs" or "impact carbs" — instead of the total carbs you take in....

A good diet is always beneficial, but when you're getting older, it becomes especially important to your health. Image Credit: Floortje/E+/GettyImages This probably isn’t a huge shocker, but as you age, your body changes. Because of this, the best diet for men over 40 may look a lot different than what’s on a 20-year-old’s plate. A good diet is always beneficial, but when you’re getting older, it becomes especially important to your health....

High-intensity exercises like running deplete glycogen stores quicker than lower-intensity exercises. Image Credit: PeopleImages/iStock/GettyImages Just as your car needs gas to run, your body needs fuel to keep it going. That energy either comes from glucose (made from carbs) — which can be used immediately or stored in the body as glycogen — or from fat. Advertisement ​Because Glycogen Is Readily Available to Use as Energy, Can You Still Burn Fat When Your Glycogen Stores Are Full?...

Individuals with GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, experience discomfort when stomach acid rises upward and enters the esophagus. It may also be referred to as heartburn or acid reflux. Ranging from mildly irritating to painful, the burning feeling associated with GERD is often triggered by certain foods. Other foods, such as carrots, are considered safe to eat. Drinking carrot juice will help you get the nutrients you need – without triggering a reaction....

How healthy is cheese for your heart? Image Credit: DAJ/amana images/Getty Images What you eat can affect your cholesterol levels, with some foods increasing your risk for high cholesterol and some foods potentially helping you lower your cholesterol levels. Advertisement Saturated fat and dietary cholesterol, both found in cheese, are two of the main culprits for increasing your cholesterol levels. Cheese, however, may have either a neutral or beneficial effect on your cholesterol levels....

Oatmeal and fruit. Image Credit: Ekaterina Garyuk/iStock/Getty Images An easily digestible breakfast consists of simple foods that will not trigger overproduction of stomach acid, which can cause stomach upset or gastritis. Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining that may be occasional or chronic. It can cause nausea, abdominal pain or vomiting. Consult your health-care provider if you experience these symptoms frequently, but even if you do not, consider starting your day with easily digestible foods as a preventive measure....

Rich in fiber and complex carbs, whole-grain English muffins can be a healthy choice for breakfast. Image Credit: LauriPatterson/iStock/GettyImages More than 173 million Americans purchased English muffins last year. This type of bread is a popular choice for breakfast and can be served with sweet or savory toppings. Surprisingly, the original recipe was created in the U.S. in the late 1800s and has little to do with the English cuisine. Serve them with healthy breakfast meats, eggs, fresh fruit, mashed avocado, almond butter or hummus for a balanced meal....

Watermelon has a very high water content as its name suggests. Image Credit: mphillips007/iStock/GettyImages When you’re dehydrated, you probably feel tired and drained — and for good reason: Your body is 60 percent water, a compound that’s essential for survival. Some of the best foods for dehydration recovery include those with high water content, such as watermelon and cucumbers. Advertisement How Much Fluid to Consume Getting enough fluids in your diet is crucial for a healthy, active life....

references Culinary Nutrition Associates: "Spaghetti and Meat Sauce USDA" Celiac Disease Foundation: "Sources of Gluten" FDA: "Gluten and Food Labeling" Gluten-free pasta lovers can easily find a gluten-free sauce for their spaghetti. Image Credit: GMVozd/E+/GettyImages Image Credit: GMVozd/E+/GettyImages Ingredients Spaghetti Sauce Brands Alfredo Sauce Brands Look for a pasta sauce brand that’s labeled “Gluten-Free” — that means it contains less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten and is considered safe for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities, according to the FDA....

A potassium deficiency, also called hypokalemia, can actually cause your hair to fall out. High-salt diets cause excess sodium accumulation around the hair follicles, preventing the absorption of vital nutrients required for healthy hair. This, in turn causes hair loss. Increasing potassium intake will remove excess sodium and eliminate the potassium deficiency and resulting hair loss. Advertisement Eliminating Potassium Deficiency Eliminating a potassium deficiency is best accomplished by increasing the amount of potassium-rich foods in the diet....

Monitoring your heart rate after running a mile can help you to check your fitness level and measure your fitness progress. Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages Monitoring your heart rate after running a mile can help you to check your fitness level and measure your fitness progress. It can also help you to determine and adjust the intensity of your running routine. Advertisement This is because the higher your heart rate is after exercise, the more intense your running workout was....

Biscuits are high in calories. Image Credit: MSPhotographic/iStock/Getty Images When eating flaky biscuits, watch your portions because the calories can quickly add up. Stick with only eating one biscuit to manage your calorie consumption, and make sure to use portion control when adding butter or other condiments. Advertisement Calories The calorie in a biscuit depends on the size. A 4-inch diameter biscuit contains 357 calories, a 2 ½-inch diameter contains 212 calories and a 1 ½ -inch diameter contains 49 calories....

There's no "magic" number of repetitions for spurring weight loss. Image Credit: Mireya Acierto/DigitalVision/GettyImages Although strength training is great for building a strong and healthy body, there’s no secret number of reps you should do to lose weight. You’ll get the best results by incorporating your strength-training workouts into a multifaceted weight loss program that includes cardio and diet. Advertisement Tip Although there's no "magic" number of repetitions for spurring weight loss, making weight training a consistent part of your fitness routine can help you burn calories and build sleek muscle that also boosts your metabolism....

Adding bananas to oatmeal increases fiber content and helps keep you full. Image Credit: OksanaKiian/iStock/Getty Images A bowl of oatmeal a day keeps the doctor away – that new twist on the old adage may have some truth to it. An excellent source of whole grains, fiber-rich oatmeal has a long history as a nutritious, filling morning meal option. Making it a regular part of your diet may also keep your LDL and total cholesterol at healthy levels....

Complete an abs workout at least twice a week, or incorporate it into your regular workout. Image Credit: mihailomilovanovic/E+/GettyImages If you’re looking to tone and tighten your midsection, it’s not about simply doing endless sit-ups for abs. Rather, your abs workout should be just one element of a well-rounded diet and fitness regimen. Advertisement Aim to do abdominal exercises at least twice a week — and you may wish to do more....