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Image Credit: yortzafoto/iStock/GettyImages Blood tests are an important tool for healthcare providers, as they help diagnose, monitor and screen for health conditions. But these test results need to be accurate to be useful, and to ensure this, some advance preparation may be required. Most notably, certain cholesterol and glucose tests require fasting. Be sure to understand how you need to prepare for your blood tests, so you can do your part to ensure your results are accurate....

When it comes to building a stronger backside, hip thrusts are your best bet. Image Credit: Adobe Stock/dark_saiyaman Your gluteus maximus is the largest — and most powerful — muscle in your body, and while you may think squats are enough to build your glutes, there’s another move you should do instead — hip thrusts. They work many of the same muscles squats do, but the increased focus on the glutes and decreased chance of injury make it superior....

Exercise bikes can help burn a lot of calories. Image Credit: Thomas Barwick/Taxi/GettyImages Outside of calories burned, stationary bike exercise works your hips, knees and ankles. But the burn is nothing to sneeze at — you’ll shed at least twice as much with a good stationary bike workout compared to a brisk walk, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Advertisement Of course, the number of calories you burn on a stationary bike varies, depending on several factors, but wide-ranging benefits like increased endurance, improved heart health and reduced stress levels can be felt across the board, giving you plenty of reason to get your pedal on....

A small bowl of lentil soup. Image Credit: minadezhda/iStock/Getty Images A study by Barbara Rolls of Pennsylvania State University, published in “The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” in 1999, showed that eating soup before a meal decreased the amount of calories lean women consumed at a meal. Rolls went on to demonstrate that the type of soup eaten before the meal didn’t matter much – subjects who ate soup before a meal generally ate less at the meal than a non-soup control group....

Potatoes can be preserved -- or simply seasoned -- with a saltwater brine. Image Credit: Digital Vision./Photodisc/Getty Images Brining is a method of salt-based food preservation and a method of seasoning foods. A basic brine features salt and water in specific amounts. Although meats can be brined prior to cooking, vegetables – including potatoes – can also be brined to preserve them in a jar or can or to season them prior to a meal....

A healthy low-carb diet incorporates a variety of plant-based protein and fat. Image Credit: Cavan Images/Cavan/GettyImages From Atkins to keto, there are plenty of popular low-carb diets to choose from if your goal is weight loss. But before you start slashing bread and bananas from your daily menu, beware: Not all low-carb eating plans are actually ‌good‌ for you. Advertisement An eye-opening study published January 2020 in ‌JAMA Internal Medicine‌ found that unhealthy low-carb diets are associated with higher total mortality while healthy low-carb diets are linked to a lower overall risk of death....

Balance your croaker fish dinner with a salad and potatoes. Image Credit: gbh007/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Pan-Fried Baked Broiled Atlantic croaker, also called hardhead, is found in the East Coast of United States from Massachusetts to Florida, and in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Croaker has white meat with a sweet flavor. Advertisement A 3-ounce serving of cooked croaker contains 111 calories, 19 grams of protein and 3....

A baked pork shank on a plate. Image Credit: sonatali/iStock/Getty Images Pork shank is the lower portion of the leg, which contains part of the femur. While there are a number of ways to prepare pork shank, including broiling and roasting, these methods can lead to overcooking and a dry, tasteless dish. Instead, consider braising – a process that relies on moist heat and extended cooking times to break down connective tissue....

Cooking with frozen squash means being able to enjoy this vegetable all year round. Image Credit: VeselovaElena/iStock/GettyImages If the mention of squash conjures up images of steaming bowls of bright orange squash served as a side dish, you may be surprised to learn the variety of ways you can add frozen squash to your family’s menu. Advertisement Winter squash is equally at home in sweet desserts as it is in creamy soups and sauces, while summer squashes add flavor and nutrients to casseroles and veggie dishes....

To achieve cuts on your arms, perform targeted exercises. Image Credit: nd3000/iStock/GettyImages Definition, or cuts, between muscles is best achieved through regularly lifting weights and performing exercises that target specific muscle sets. Strengthening and growing muscles located closely together, such as the bicep in your arm and the deltoid in your shoulder, creates definition between the muscle groups. Advertisement You further define your muscles when you decrease your body fat percentage, which allows your skin to sit snug against lean muscle tissue, following its curvature....

Couple stretching together For a lot of men, becoming fit at the age of 50 is quite a feat. There is nothing more impressive than a physical fit elder. Although it may be difficult, it is possible with motivation and hard work. There are some lifestyle changes you will need to make in order to achieve your goals. Advertisement Step 1 Man eating yogurt A balanced diet is a must to become fit....

Research shows that a diet rich in plant-based foods like fruits and vegetables is tied to a reduced risk of several diseases. Image Credit: Marko Geber/DigitalVision/GettyImages One of the easiest ways you can start improving your overall health is by going plant-based. From your gut to your heart and brain, nearly every part of your body benefits when you add more fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and legumes to your plate....

references Amenzone Fitness 1 of 16 Overview Tire training isn't just tire flips and hammer slams. In fact, run though this entire workout and you won't do either of those moves. What you will do is a total-body workout for free (or very inexpensively). You can find tractor tires (or another size suited to your fitness level) at your local tire-recycling center. With just one piece of equipment, you'll have an efficient conditioning tool that can replace a stability ball, weight bench and free weights....

Mental health illnesses statistics can help us understand who is most vulnerable to mental disorders. Image Credit: franckreporter/E+/GettyImages In This Article Mental Health Statistics Worldwide Mental Health Statistics for the U.S. Mental Health Data by Condition Mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But for many people, the stigma that surrounds these disorders can lead to loneliness and isolation....

The 40-30-30 diet includes all three macronutrients in healthy amounts. Image Credit: Barbara Dudzińska/iStock/Getty Images If you’re looking to lose fat or to maintain a healthy shape, weight and lifestyle, chances are that you’ve looked into many different types of diets. One of the more balanced approaches is known as the Zone, which is a 40-30-30 meal plan. This diet emphasizes controlling the quantity of food you eat and the ratio of macronutrients, rather than banning or severely restricting certain foods or food groups....

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. If you think the COVID-19 vaccine can alter your DNA or harm your fertility, you'll want to get your facts straight. Image Credit: FrankyDeMeyer/iStock/GettyImages Image Credit: FrankyDeMeyer/iStock/GettyImages ​Get tips on how to stay healthy, safe and sane during the novel coronavirus pandemic....

Vitamins can help your body recover from using nicotine. Image Credit: istetiana/Moment/GettyImages There is never a bad time to quit smoking, and the benefits of doing so start less than an hour after your last cigarette. As with any major life change, the prospect of going smoke-free may seem daunting at first — and there is no denying that this is one of the toughest changes you can make. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help ease your transition into a healthier life....

Front foot running (landing on your forefoot) can help prevent injury and allow you to increase speed. Image Credit: playb/E+/GettyImages Front foot running simply means that when you land, you strike on your forefoot instead of your heel or midfoot. People who practice forefront running may experience fewer injuries and be able to run at faster speeds than those who practice other forms, since this stride is more natural for your body....

Squeeze your glutes at the top of this motion. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Some days, you simply can’t make it to the gym. Others, you can’t even make it off the couch. With this full-body couch workout, you won’t need to move a muscle — well, kind of. Advertisement If you can't seem to part ways with the welcoming cushions of your couch, try this quick four-move workout crafted by Cameron Yuen, CSCS, physical therapist at Bespoke Treatments in New York City....

You'll be able to see a change in body fat percentage. Image Credit: Sellwell/Moment/GettyImages There are two ways to measure your health and fitness: body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage. Though many people talk about them interchangeably, BMI and body fat percentage should be used for different stages in your fitness journey. With an understanding of how each is used, you’ll be able to track your fitness progress with ease and clarity....