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Multiple muscles make up your back. Image Credit: ChrisChrisW/iStock/Getty Images Your back is the axis of your body, so make it stronger to provide more power for sports and daily activity. Strong, developed muscles also create a V-shape appearance to your torso, so your waist looks a little slimmer. Plus, you’ll stand taller with better posture and help ward off back pain, which afflicts 31 million Americans at any given time, according to the American Chiropractic Association....

To combat the dreaded sugar crash, keep a stash of healthy, high-carb snacks. Image Credit: LightFieldStudios/iStock/GettyImages Whether you forgot to eat breakfast or have experienced the dreaded “sugar crash” after a high-carb meal, you may have encountered the shakiness, light-headedness and weakness that come with low blood sugar. When these symptoms hit, it’s time to reach for carbohydrate-rich foods. Advertisement ​Read more:​ Here's Why a Sugar Crash Slows You Down — And How to Boost Your Energy Video of the Day Understanding Hypoglycemia The word “hypoglycemia” may sound very clinical, but it’s actually quite simple: “Hypo” means low, and “glycemia” refers to the amount of sugar (called glucose) in your blood....

If postprandial hypotension is an issue for you, cut back on processed carbs made of simple sugars. Image Credit: joe hidalgo photgography/iStock/GettyImages You know that too much sodium in your diet can lead to high blood pressure, called hypertension, but what if your problem is the opposite? Blood pressure that’s too low, a condition known as hypotension, can be a cause for concern. In that case, could having more salt be the answer?...

references Mayo Clinic: “Oral health: A window to your overall health” Mayo Clinic: “Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)” Oral Cancer Foundation: “Oral Cancer Facts” CDC: "Periodontal Disease" CDC: "National Diabetes Statistics" American Dental Association: "How to Floss Your Teeth" 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. Your teeth can indicate heart disease, diabetes and other serious health conditions....

If your heart rate doesn't respond to exercise, it may indicate a heart issue. Image Credit: Marco VDM/E+/GettyImages When working out, you expect your heart rate to go up. In fact, getting your heart rate up during exercise is the best way to track your health and fitness level. But what if your heart rate stays low? Advertisement "Normally when you exercise, you want your heart rate to get up to about 60 to 80 percent of your maximum heart rate," says Tamanna Singh, MD, a clinical cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic....

A quinoa and kale salad with almonds and edamame. Image Credit: joshuaraineyphotography/iStock/Getty Images Vegetarian diets, when carefully planned, can help reduce the risk for a number of common, chronic diseases while providing your body with all of the nutrients necessary for you to operate with an abundance of energy and vitality. According to the American Dietetic Association, vegetarians are also at lower risk for living with obesity, due to diets with significantly lower levels of saturated fat and cholesterol....

The time it takes to complete an Ironman triathlon varies depending on the athlete. Image Credit: BartekSzewczyk/iStock/Getty Images The first Ironman triathlon was held in Hawaii in 1978, and only 15 athletes started the ultimate test of human endurance. Today, there are hundreds of thousands of triathletes competing in Ironman triathlons all around the world. There is such a variety of competitors that the time it takes to finish an Ironman can vary greatly....

A single candy contains 3 calories, while one package provides 240 calories, 2 grams of protein and 30 grams of sugar. Image Credit: Stephen Chernin/Getty Images News/Getty Images Based on M&M’s nutrition facts, if you have enough discipline to eat only one candy, you won’t be filling up on too many calories. But if you consume the whole bag or even indulge in different versions like peanut or pretzel M&M’s, the calories will add up....

Most adults need to eat between 1,600 and 3,000 calories per day to maintain their current weight. Image Credit: Enrique Díaz / 7cero/Moment/GettyImages How many calories you need to stay at your current weight depends on a lot of factors. If, for example, you’d like to know the number of calories to maintain 135 pounds, that number will depend not only on your weight but also your height, sex, age and activity level....

You burn calories when laughing. Image Credit: Design Pics/Design Pics/Getty Images Everything we do throughout the day, including sleep and rest, burns calories. Laughing burns calories by causing your heart rate to rise by 10 to 20 percent. As your heart rate rises, your metabolism increases as well, which means you’ll continue to burn calories once you stop laughing. Advertisement Caloric Burn Research conducted by Vanderbilt University Medical Center revealed that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes burns between 10 and 40 calories....

The derailleur is a crucial part of the drivechain. Image Credit: John Howard/Digital Vision/Getty Images Shimano makes a variety of bicycle parts, including the XT rear derailleur. A rear derailleur is a spring-tension mechanism attached to the bike frame near the back wheel. It is part of the drivetrain and is necessary for your bike to shift gears. As you change gears using the shifter on your handlebars, the derailleur moves your chain to the corresponding cog on the cassette....

There's a lot of debate on whether aluminum foil should be used when baking potatoes in a convection oven. Image Credit: HandmadePictures/iStock/Getty Images Have you ever cooked a baked potato in the convection oven? Rich in fiber and complex carbs, this meal is ideal for those days when you need more energy. Enjoy it before and after your workouts or serve it with fish, poultry or lean meat for a hefty protein punch....

You can boil turkey giblets and then use them in a stew or add them to gravy to spread over turkey meat. Image Credit: GEOLEE/iStock/GettyImages A popular way to cook turkey giblets is to boil them, which prepares them for use in gravy or just to eat plain. These pieces of meat need to be cooked properly to keep you safe from foodborne illnesses. Advertisement Tip You can boil turkey giblets and then use them in a stew or add them to gravy to spread over turkey meat....

Cooking eggplant on the stovetop is just as easy as cooking it in the oven. Image Credit: ~UserGI15769699/iStock/GettyImages Cooking eggplant on the stove is just as easy as cooking it in the oven. All you have to do is pan-fry the eggplant on the stovetop with a little bit of oil and the vegetables and seasonings you would normally use and voila! You can also try this pan-fried eggplant stir-fry recipe if you like....

It is good to get an elliptical with the proper stride length fit for you. Image Credit: gpointstudio/iStock/GettyImages Why use an elliptical with a stride that’s too long or too short when you can find the proper fit? You’ll want to find an elliptical stride length that’s comfortable for you and will allow you to get the most out of your workout. Advertisement Elliptical Training Tips Before determining elliptical stride length, consider a few tips:...

Butter has a lot of fat, yes, but in moderation, it provides healthy fats. Image Credit: LauriPatterson/E+/GettyImages Most people recognize frying food isn’t the healthiest preparation method. You can make fried foods a little lighter by frying in canola or vegetable oil. But for browning and flavor, butter is usually the first choice. Advertisement Frying foods in butter can pose a challenge, however, because butter has a low smoke point and can burn quickly, which can ruin your dish....

1 of 12 Overview Oysters are a well-known aphrodisiac, but what about apples, saffron and tea? Food can be a natural and healthy way to get all engines running, and while there's a large focus on boosting libidos, setting the mood and getting your heart in top shape can be just as essential as the functioning of other -- ahem -- organs. Read on to discover 10 in-the-mood foods and heart-smart staples to feed your sex life....

In just 10 minutes, you'll sculpt a seriously strong lower body. Image Credit: BartekSzewczyk/iStock/Getty Images/LIVESTRONG.COM Leg day: the most feared day of anyone’s workout plan. That’s generally because your lower body can handle more weight than your upper body or core, thus you can push yourself harder. Advertisement This leg workout combines moves for strength and muscular endurance. For the strength exercises (goblet, lunge and deadlift), choose a weight that is challenging but doable for the timed sequence....

White, yellow or green mucus can indicate your body's battling a virus or infection. Image Credit: Virojt Changyencham/Moment/GettyImages In This Article Sweat Blood Snot Pee All right, so bodily fluids aren't the sexiest topic of conversation. You might even take an "out of sight, out of mind" approach to all secretions. But knowing the signs your body is telling you something is wrong can help you stay on top of potential health issues....

Add a teaspoon of antioxidant-rich turmeric to your favorite dishes for a dose of longevity-promoting nutrients. Image Credit: byheaven/iStock/GettyImages Turmeric is a spice most often associated with Indian cuisine, but it’s not just a source of flavor in your curry recipes. This may also have potential health benefits related to longevity thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. It turns out, lowering inflammation in the body is a key player in promoting longevity....