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Taurine is an amino acid produced naturally by the body, but supplementing with it may help support physical fitness. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative While you might automatically think of squats and kettlebell swings when you hear the words “workout routine,” there’s a lot that happens outside the gym that allows your body to power through those exercises (think: sleep, nutrition, recovery and more). Advertisement Among those behind-the-scenes elements are the compounds that support your physical fitness on a cellular level — like taurine, an amino acid....

Fruit and milk are a low-calorie pair, but they don't make a healthy diet on their own. Image Credit: fired1991/iStock/Getty Images Milk and fruit are often both lower in calories than grain products, high-protein items and processed foods, but limiting your diet to only one or two types of food is not a healthy way to lose weight. Although milk and fruit have phenomenal nutritional benefits as part of a more balanced eating plan, they cannot provide all of the essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients that your body requires to function at its best....

You can integrate oranges into your diet if you wish, but they’re not exactly fat burning. Image Credit: Maren Winter / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages While you can certainly try consuming oranges for weight loss, there’s no guarantee they will help. Although oranges are healthy, they’re no better at burning fat than any other fruit. That being said, substituting healthy natural sugars for added sugars can help support your weight loss goals. Advertisement Read more: 9 Myths About Food You Probably Think Are True Video of the Day Tip You can integrate oranges into your diet if you wish, but they’re not exactly fat burning....

plate of whole wheat pancakes with fruit Image Credit: Elena Elisseeva/Hemera/Getty Images Most people enjoy a stack of pancakes for breakfast, but if you’re trying to lose weight or eat healthier, you may consider them a calorie-laden indulgence. However, prepared with whole wheat flour, they can be healthy. Many recipe variations exist, but the basic ingredients are whole wheat flour, baking powder, salt, eggs, milk and oil. Advertisement Carbohydrates And Fiber bowl of whole wheat flour Image Credit: marekuliasz/iStock/Getty Images Whole wheat flour, like all whole grains, is a good source of carbohydrates, which provide energy....

Benefits of Fresh Lemon Juice With Rind Image Credit: Foxys_forest_manufacture/iStock/GettyImages Packed full of flavor, lemons are considered staple ingredients in many cuisines, making the lemon one of the most popular fruits in the world. Lemon juice can be found in a variety of products, including mayonnaise, hummus and smoothies. Why is this small citrus fruit so popular? Well, the benefits of lemons are countless — they’re chock full of vitamins and minerals that can positively impact the immune system and even improve overall health....

Close-up of runner's feet on pavement. Image Credit: trinaestipo/iStock/Getty Images For runners experiencing pain in the joint of a big toe, the likely cause is hallux rigidus. A type of osteoarthritis, this injury can temporarily stop a runner’s training regimen or, in serious instances, can mean a permanent end to running. Recognizing this problem early will play an important role in receiving early treatment and a gradual return to the track....

Even more cup of coffee per day is enough to cause symptoms of caffeine withdrawal. Caffeine withdrawal has been recognized as a medical diagnosis. The symptoms caused by caffeine withdrawal may be debilitating and cause clinical distress. Although the severity of withdrawal symptoms is generally linked to the amount of caffeine you drink, as little as one cup of coffee per day may produce noticeable withdrawal effects. Advertisement Incidence of Depression Depression and anxiety are common side effects of caffeine withdrawal....

A healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals can help slow or prevent hair loss, according to MayoClinic.com. Absorbing nutrients through food consumption or supplementation is important; a deficiency can lead to hair loss and other serious conditions. Calcium is one of the most vital minerals needed to ensure proper growth, reproduction and maintenance of the body. Function Calcium aids in the formation and maintenance of healthy bones and teeth; having an adequate amount of calcium in your diet may prevent osteoporosis, according to the Medline Plus website....

A pitcher of milk sit on a rustic wooden table. Image Credit: YelenaYemchuk/iStock/Getty Images Anticoagulants, or blood thinners such as warfarin, are prescribed for patients with various heart conditions such as replacement valves and high blood pressure, and those at risk of stroke. According to a study published in the “Archives of Internal Medicine” in 2007, as many as 31 million prescriptions for warfarin were dispensed in 2004. However, warfarin can cause side effects, including bone loss....

Making your own peanut butter can help you control its nutrient content. Image Credit: Yulia_Davidovich/iStock/Getty Images Peanut butter can be an excellent source of protein and healthy fats. Eating peanut butter is associated with lower total cholesterol, lower LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol, as well as lower triglycerides, all of which are associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk," notes Richard Mattes, Ph.D., R.D. in a 2007 CNNheath.com report. However, commercially prepared peanut butter can contain high levels of added sugars....

Caffeine may cause side effects such as nausea or headache in some people. Image Credit: PredragImages/E+/GettyImages For so many people, caffeine is the substance you turn to in the morning and anytime you need a pick-me-up, and it’s found in an array of favorite beverages and foods, including coffee, tea, soda and even chocolate. However, caffeine can come with adverse effects, such as nausea, in some people. Advertisement Read more: What Really Happens to Your Body When You Have Caffeine?...

Many foods such as chocolate can increase your heart rate. Image Credit: Mizina/iStock/GettyImages There are many drinks and foods that increase the heart rate. You may even experience heart palpitations and other cardiac symptoms after consuming these products. In most cases, such side effects will pass quickly, but you may want to be cautious about consuming large amounts of these products. Advertisement Tip Quite a few foods can increase your heart rate, especially if you consume them in excessive amounts....

A pregnant woman is talking to her doctor. Image Credit: byryo/iStock/Getty Images Constipation occurs in about half of all pregnant women, according to the American Pregnancy Association. The causes are less physical activity, hormones and taking iron tablets. Whatever the reason, there are steps you can take to help prevent constipation. Although some over-the-counter remedies work to relieve constipation, talk to your doctor first to find out if a specific over-the-counter medication, such as Milk of Magnesia, is safe for you to take during your pregnancy....

A grilled steak on a plate with broccoli. Image Credit: Tetiana_Chudovska/iStock/Getty Images A well-done steak has an internal temperature of 170 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the University of Illinois Extension. Once you allow the steak to rest, it will have no redness inside and the meat juices will be clear. When you cook a rare steak properly, the temperature of the meat is 145 degrees Fahrenheit, and the interior of the steak is pink or red....

Pouring scrambled eggs onto a cooking pan. Image Credit: Maren Winter/iStock/Getty Images When you cook a protein-rich food like an egg, you’ll change the structure of the protein, but your body will still be able to use the amino acids to build and repair cellular tissue and synthesize protein-based compounds. Scrambled eggs are a good source of protein. With a few alterations to a basic scrambled eggs recipe, you can increase the protein content and improve the food’s overall nutrition....

A large pile of cut Valerian root. Image Credit: KathyKafka/iStock/Getty Images For more than 2,000 years, holistic healers have turned to Valerian root as a naturopathic treatment for anxiety, insomnia and mood disturbances. Although limited studies suggest that Valerian can safely treat these conditions, few studies have conclusively evaluated its overall effects on the human body. In addition to possessing sedative and anxiolytic effects, Valerian root may alter the function of the heart....

Electric coil is one choice for stovetops. Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images When it is time to select a new range top for your home, understanding the differences among them can help you make the best choice for your family. Electric coil and ceramic cooking surfaces have some significant differences in handling, daily use and cleaning. Depending on the demands of your lifestyle and your style preferences, one may suit your kitchen better than the other....

Premature ejaculation can be treated with exercise. Image Credit: kupicoo/E+/GettyImages Although you might be embarrassed to talk about a premature ejaculation issue, it is much more common than you think. Premature ejaculation is a problem many men will have to deal with throughout their sexual lives, whether it’s related to decreasing hormone levels or an underlying medical condition. Advertisement It is a problem that most people learn to control as they get more sexual experience, but that doesn't give much comfort to those who find that the race is over before it has even started....

Walking on your toes can help strengthen your feet. Image Credit: fizkes/iStock/GettyImages If you’ve ever injured your foot, you know how important its many ligaments and tendons are to your function. Ligaments hold your bones together, and although they can’t be strengthened directly, targeting the muscles around them will strengthen your tendons and improve foot stability. Advertisement Among these important structures is the Achilles tendon — attaching your calf muscles to your heel bone....

If you are experiencing symptoms such as blue fingers while exercising it could be the sign of a serious medical condition. Image Credit: Matthew Leete/DigitalVision/GettyImages Exercising helps to improve blood flow to vital organs and improve your cardiovascular health. If you are experiencing symptoms such as blue fingers, fingernail beds, lips or skin when you exercise or overexert yourself, this could be a sign of a serious medical condition. Advertisement If you have a pre-existing medical condition which affects your oxygen levels, you may notice the bluish tint, which is called cyanosis....