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references International Hyperhidrosis Society: “Sweaty Feet” International Hyperhidrosis Society: “Focused on Sweating? So Are We.” Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911. Wearing stuffy shoes with no socks is a recipe for sweaty feet. Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages Trapping sweaty feet into socks or shoes that hold moisture provides the perfect environment for growth of nasties that can cause plantar warts and fungal and bacterial infections, Dr....

Using the right toothbrush and getting regular dental checkups can go a long way toward preserving your pearly whites. Image Credit: Thomas Barwick/DigitalVision/GettyImages The Refresh is helping you freshen up on your oral-care knowledge and upgrade your dental-hygiene routine. Back in the day, losing your teeth was an unfortunate part of aging for most people, and it started early. Even George Washington began losing teeth in his 20s and wore dentures made of ivory and metal (ouch) when he was president....

Salmon doesn't contain sugar. Image Credit: Claudia Totir/Moment/GettyImages Sugar has been linked to diabetes, heart disease and obesity, among other illnesses; yet the average American consumes over 150 pounds of this sneaky ingredient each year. Luckily, there are plenty of delicious foods without sugar, from steak and veggies to crunchy nuts. Advertisement Choose Healthy Zero-Sugar Foods Health organizations recommend limiting sugary foods, for good reason. This popular food ingredient affects your heart, brain, liver and hormones....

Pair this walking plan to lose weight with the right diet and you'll see results in no time. Image Credit: adamkaz/iStock/GettyImages When you think about exercises that help you drop pounds, you may think of vigorous cardio like running or spinning. But walking can be an excellent weight-loss workout if you do it consistently and keep your pace brisk. Advertisement Weight loss happens when you burn more calories than you take in....

Stretch your abs to increase flexibility and maximize the benefits of your workouts. Image Credit: Ridofranz/iStock/Getty Images It is always important to include stretching as part of your total fitness plan. Regular stretching not only helps to prevent muscle stiffness and soreness after a workout, but it also offers many other impressive benefits —including releasing tension and relieving stress, increasing flexibility and improving blood circulation. For the abdominal muscles, there are certain ab stretches, in particular, you should try....

Getting in a solid sweat in the comfort of your own home saves both time and money. Image Credit: visualspace/E+/GettyImages On any given day, there are a slew of excuses you can make to skip a workout. It’s cold outside. The gym’s closed today. You don’t want to shell out money for a boutique fitness class. The good news? A lot of that goes out the window if you’re willing to take on a sweat session at home....

Taking whey protein on an empty stomach can boost your results. Image Credit: Eugeniusz Dudzinski/iStock/GettyImages Whey protein is a proven workout supplement. But it’s a good idea to know the best time to take whey protein powder. While you may get some benefits from consuming this complete protein at any time during the day, taking the powder mixed in water, juice or milk first thing on an empty stomach can boost your workout results and your overall nutrition — a smart diet strategy....

Bodybuilding without protein shakes is possible, thanks to nutrient- and protein-rich whole foods. Image Credit: margouillatphotos/iStock/GettyImages Bodybuilders do not need protein shakes to achieve their muscle building and fat burning goals. Whole foods contain all the amino acids the body needs to recover from intense workouts. Protein shakes merely provide a convenient source of amino acids that digest quickly. In fact, whole food protein has a thermic effect on the body, increasing fat burning by forcing the digestive system to expend more energy breaking down the amino acids, according to “The Abs Diet” by David Zinczenko....

Buffalo Wild Wings nutrition facts for each menu item varies greatly, with some items being relatively healthy and others containing almost an entire day’s worth of calories, fat or sodium. Image Credit: Tatiana Volgutova/iStock/GettyImages Buffalo Wild Wings Grill and Bar is a chain specializing in wings, chicken tenders and a variety of sauces. Buffalo Wild Wings nutrition facts for each menu item varies greatly, with some items being relatively healthy and others containing almost an entire day’s worth of calories, fat or sodium....

Although tasty, cheese is high in calories. Image Credit: istetiana/Moment/GettyImages If your clothes suddenly seem a little more snug than usual, and you’re trying to figure out why, cheese might one of the first foods to come to mind as the culprit. High in fat and calories, cheese can cause weight gain if eaten in excess — but in moderation, it’s a healthy addition to your diet. Advertisement Tip Cheese may be the culprit in weight gain if you're eating too much....

Running Image Credit: ViktorCap/iStock/Getty Images Running and other forms of aerobic exercise can promote a number of important benefits, including improved heart health and the prevention of some types of cancer. Exercise is not without its drawbacks, however, especially when performed to excess. Women who experience vaginal spotting after participating in a structured running routine may suspect that the physical activity is to blame. Advertisement Spotting Basics Vaginal spotting, or metrorrhagia, is a type of vaginal bleeding that occurs between regular monthly menstruation, reports Medline Plus....

Natto Image Credit: yankane/iStock/Getty Images Made from cooked soybeans fermented with the Bacillus natto bacteria, natto is a powerhouse of nutrition. Each 1-cup serving is high in protein, fiber, antioxidant phytochemicals and essential vitamins and minerals like iron, selenium, vitamin C and vitamin K. However, eating more than a few servings of natto a day might cause harmful side effects in some people. Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned that your natto consumption exceeds what’s healthy for you....

Poor diet and lack of exercise are among the causes of cholesterol spikes. Image Credit: sam thomas/iStock/GettyImages Keeping your cholesterol in check is key to a healthy heart and blood vessels. Every 1 percent decrease in your cholesterol lowers your risk for heart disease by 2 percent, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Your cholesterol numbers can spike due to many factors, many of which you can control. Advertisement Causes of Cholesterol Spikes “Cholesterol levels can vary based on dietary consumption or other cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes, obesity or other disease states such as hypothyroidism,” says Guy L....

A bowl of cranberries on a wood table. Image Credit: Volosina/iStock/Getty Images Almost everyone develops heartburn at some time or another. The uncomfortable burning sensation – which starts behind your sternum and sometimes spreads into your throat – is the main symptom of acid reflux. Acid reflux occurs when the valvelike muscle at the end of your esophagus relaxes too often or doesn’t seal properly, allowing harsh digestive juices to flow upward....

Microscopic image of phytoplankton. Image Credit: Ablestock.com/AbleStock.com/Getty Images Enthusiasts tout marine phytoplankton as the next important superfood. Online vendors of phytoplankton supplements describe it as containing every nutrient that human bodies need. Clinical trials do not support any alleged benefits of phytoplankton supplements. Using them to replace conventional treatment for life-threatening diseases can be detrimental to your health. And the products may even be toxic. Advertisement Possibly Unsafe The American Cancer Society reminds readers that dietary supplements come under much less scrutiny by the U....

references International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine: "Therapeutic Effects of Date Fruits (Phoenix dactylifera) in the Prevention of Diseases via Modulation of Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Oxidant and Anti-Tumour Activity" MyFoodData: "Nutrition Facts for Dates (Deglet Noor)" Mayo Clinic: "Q and A: Diet, Lifestyle Choices can Lower Risk of Diverticulosis Developing Into Diverticulitis" International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders: "Dietary Fiber" American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: "Dietary Fiber Intake and Risk of Colorectal Cancer and Incident and Recurrent Adenoma in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial" Mayo Clinic: "Cholesterol: Top Foods to Improve Your Numbers" Cleveland Clinic: "Cholesterol: High Cholesterol Diseases" Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy: "Protective Effects of Flavonoids Against Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Neural Dysfunctions" Journal of Food Science and Technology: "Study of Phenolic Compound and Antioxidant Activity of Date Fruit as a Function of Ripening Stages and Drying Process" European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: "Allergy to date fruits: characterization of antigens and allergens of fruits of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L....

A small group of fish oil tablets on a white table. Image Credit: WildLivingArts/iStock/Getty Images Iodine is an essential mineral your body needs to make thyroid hormones. However, too much iodine can cause health problems, including overactive thyroid; most adults only need 150 micrograms daily to maintain normal thyroid function. While iodine is sometimes prescribed to people with an underactive thyroid, iodine is unsafe to take with an overactive thyroid or without a doctor’s supervision....

High levels of the fruit sugar fructose in overripe fruits can cause digestive upset for sensitive people. Image Credit: MirageC/Moment/GettyImages Perfectly ripened fruit is worth the wait. But wait too long, and you may want to pass on that peach. Because the sugar content in fruit rises as it ripens, people who are sensitive to fruit sugars may experience digestive distress after eating overripe fruit. Advertisement Tip High levels of the fruit sugar fructose in overripe fruits can cause digestive upset for sensitive people....

Tall people don't necessarily fun faster than shorter people. Image Credit: lzf/iStock/GettyImages In the battle of tall runners vs. short runners, with all things being equal — body mass, flexibility, proportionality and stride rate — taller people can run faster than shorter people. However, the mechanics of running depends upon more than runner height. Advertisement Tip The fastest runners apply the strongest force during each footstrike. Stride length and stride rate are both affected by the force of your footstrike, with shorter foot-to-ground contact resulting in a faster run....

Processed food, not the nap, is more likely to lead to weight gain. Image Credit: PhotoAlto/Antoine Arraou/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images Weight control is all about calorie balance – if you eat too much and move too little, you end up with a surplus of calories that leads to weight gain. When you eat those calories doesn’t matter as much as their quality, their amount and your activity level all day long....