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A vitamin B-12 tablet fizzes in a glass of water, turning it to an orange color. Image Credit: ThamKC/iStock/Getty Images Iron and vitamin B12 are essential nutrients. They help with oxygen delivery to cells, increase immunity and improve energy and strength. Deficiencies can lead to a number of problems and might require you to take supplements. Taking supplements if you have a deficiency won’t hurt you. If you’re not sure if you need them, talk to your doctor or a dietitian....

Step 1 Pregnancy carries with it a host of symptoms—some interesting, some merely irritating and some desperately uncomfortable. Pain under the navel can be one of the more uncomfortable of these, particularly because it tends to strike with sudden, uncontrollable movements such as coughing or sneezing. There are a variety of causes for this sensation, and as disconcerting as it can be, in most women, it’s completely normal. Constipation Step 1 In their book “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel note that the hormones of early pregnancy bring on a variety of changes long before the baby is big enough to physically affect its mother’s body much....

Coconut milk offers minerals and can be a good replacement in sweet treats, but it's also high in saturated fat. Image Credit: happy_lark/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Nutrition Facts Health Benefits Health Risks Recipes and Tips Alternatives Coconut milk is a showcase ingredient in several recipes, and you might even use a splash of it in your morning coffee. Its creaminess makes it delicious and satisfying, and it can even be used as a more nutritious alternative to sweeteners when added sparingly to drinks or desserts....

Woman blowing her nose with a tissue. Image Credit: Photodjo/iStock/Getty Images Cysteine is an amino acid, which functions as a building block of proteins. When used as a supplement, cysteine is generally in the form of N-acetyl-L-cysteine, or NAC. Your body converts NAC into cysteine and then into an antioxidant called glutathione. Antioxidants battle harmful substances called free radicals, which destroy your cell membranes and DNA. Despite its benefits, a cysteine supplement should be taken only after you consult your doctor, as it has the potential to cause side effects....

Chinese food with sesame seeds sprinkled on top. Image Credit: View Stock/View Stock/Getty Images Developing diarrhea after eating foods that contain seeds, such as sesame, poppy or sunflower seeds, is a symptom that needs to be assessed by a doctor. The most common reason for having diarrhea after eating foods with seeds is a seed allergy. The most common seed that causes an allergic reaction is the sesame seed, according to the Food Allergy Initiative....

Weight gain on your period is normal, however, there are some reasons why it happens each month. Image Credit: StockPlanets/E+/GettyImages In This Article Why You Gain Weight Before Your Period Losing Weight After Your Period When that time of the month comes around, so can feelings of fatigue, irritability, possible mood swings and an overall sense of ‌blah‌. You might also notice a higher number on the scale or your clothes feeling tighter than usual....

In small amounts, baking soda is not dangerous. Image Credit: Michelle Arnold / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages Using baking soda for food does have some benefits, such as neutralizing the acid in coffee. However, adding too much baking soda can become dangerous. Advertisement Tip In small amounts, baking soda is not dangerous. Ingesting it as part of a recipe is OK, but in high amounts, it can cause harmful effects. What Is Baking Soda?...

Sprint or interval workouts allow you to sweat out some steam in a controlled environment. Image Credit: urbazon/E+/GettyImages When you’re angry, your heart races and your body temperature rises. It can feel overwhelming if you don’t let off some steam. And for many, exercise is the go-to outlet when it comes to cooling off. Advertisement But exercising when you're angry isn't always the safest bet. Learn why — and more about the exercise and anger link — below....

Three pieces of toasted white bread. Image Credit: SasaJo/iStock/Getty Images When you reach for your sandwich at lunchtime, it doesn’t have to be loaded with peanut butter and jelly to contain sugar. Even if the fillings aren’t sweet, the sandwich often contains sugar or even high-fructose corn syrup in the bread. Although you might not find white bread to be overly sweet-tasting, each piece you eat typically contains more than a gram of sugar....

Antioxidant-rich produce like tomatoes, eggplant and onion make the Mediterranean diet one of the healthiest lifestyles to follow. Image Credit: Mariana Medvedeva on Unsplash Considered one of the healthiest diets in the world, the Mediterranean diet is lauded for keeping your heart in shape by focusing on plant-based foods and fatty fish — oh, and allowing for a glass of red wine every night. Advertisement Think this is a free pass to guzzle vino and eat as much pasta as you want?...

Pour a cream sauce over fish, veggies or chicken. Canned soups are generally economical, and they can add richness to otherwise bland dishes. Cream soups are especially versatile because of their flavors and consistency. By mixing a can of undiluted cream soup with a few other ingredients, you'll make a quick yet rich sauce that pairs well with poultry, fish, pasta and other dishes for a satisfying meal. Although cream soups may not be particularly low in fat, they do add flavor to the occasional comfort meal....

Some stretching can relieve post-exercise back pain. Image Credit: da-kuk/E+/GettyImages In This Article Ruling Out an Injury How to Relieve Back Pain After Working Out How to Prevent Back Pain in the Future After a tough day at the gym, having some upper or lower back muscle soreness is normal. However, having chronic back pain after exercising can make it difficult for you to maintain a regular workout routine and stay in shape....

How Many Omega Fish Oil Pills Should You Take a Day? Image Credit: Farion_O/iStock/GettyImages Marine animals, plants and fish oil supplements contain healthy fatty acids. These fatty acids are known as omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to a wide range of health benefits. You can get omega-3 fatty acids from sources other than fish, but fatty fish and fish oil have the highest amounts of these beneficial nutrients....

Arginine supplements are used by bodybuilders to promote increased blood flow. L-arginine is classified as an essential amino acid, meaning your body cannot produce it on its own. L-arginine and arginine are interchangeable terms. Your body uses this amino acid for a variety of purposes, including boosting immune system function and improving blood flow. You obtain this amino acid through diet, medication and/or nutritional supplements. Dietary sources include meat, dairy products and fish....

Peanut butter brownies on a cooling rack. Image Credit: VeselovaElena/iStock/Getty Images A convection oven uses a fan to circulate hot air throughout the oven cavity. When the hot air is blowing, food tends to cook more quickly than in a conventional oven. The hot air also allows chemical reactions that occur during the cooking process, making flakier pie crusts and moist meat with a crispy skin. Convection ovens tend to bake approximately 25 percent faster than conventional ovens....

1 of 13 Overview Do you read nutrition labels? If so, what do you look for? Some of us concentrate on fat grams, calories, carbs, protein, sugar and sodium and while this information is definitely impactful for controlling our health and weight, there are additional items we may want to be watching out for in our foods. Read on to see 11 potentially dangerous ingredients that you'll want to keep in mind (and look out for on ingredient lists) when you are at the supermarket....

When it comes to sore throat remedies, a soothing cup of tea is as tried and true as they come. Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages In This Article Salt Water Gargle Nasal Irrigation Water Honey Tea Cold Treats Air Purifier or Humidifier Lozenges Soft Foods Vocal Rest Eucalyptus What About Hot Sauce for a Sore Throat? Having a sore throat may bring on more anxiety these days, but it doesn't always warrant a trip to the doctor's office....

references LIVESTRONG.com 1 of 22 Overview Listen, we get it. Many books you find in the "health" category can be a little dry, even boring. They read more like textbooks than page-turning thrillers. But some health tomes are well worth your time —delivering knowledge that can help you build muscle, burn fat, improve your health, or just question what you "think" you know about wellness. To save you the work of finding these diamonds in the literary rough, we and our LIVESTRONG....

Lactose intolerance symptoms can vary from person to person depending on how much lactase your body makes. Image Credit: ArtMarie/E+/GettyImages If a glass of milk or a scoop of ice cream wreaks havoc on your stomach, you’re likely dealing with lactose intolerance, a condition marked by the inability to fully digest lactose (a naturally occurring sugar in milk and dairy products). Advertisement While an upset stomach after eating dairy can signal lactose intolerance, every person's symptom picture is unique....

Scrolling your phone during your lunch break may cause you to eat more. Image Credit: aldomurillo/E+/GettyImages If you’re trying to lose weight, honing in on all areas of your diet is important, especially if you’re hoping for an effective ​and​ efficient weight-loss journey. Advertisement When it comes to lunch, there are many commonly made mistakes that could be slowing down your success, or stalling it altogether. But the good news is, there are simple fixes you can make to remedy the situation....