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Speak to your doctor before taking anything. Image Credit: Ls9907/iStock/Getty Images The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that in 2009, there were 4.6 million drug-related emergency room visits nationwide. Fifty percent of these visits were due to adverse drug reactions from prescription medication. Twenty-seven percent involved the use of over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements such as vitamins. Whenever you are prescribed a new medication, it’s important to speak with your physician about any other prescription or over-the-counter medications or supplements you are taking....

Vegetables lose some nutrients when cooked, but that’s not always a bad thing. Image Credit: Lisovskaya/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Cooking and Nutrition Boiling, Blanching and Steaming Roasting and Grilling Sautéing and Stir-Frying Microwaving Preventing Nutrient Loss If you've ever wondered if cooking vegetables removes nutrients, you're not alone. The short answer is yes, but it gets more complicated depending on the method you choose. Advertisement To better understand how vegetables lose nutrients when cooked, it's important to look at each cooking method and how it affects the nutrient composition of food....

The skin on an Asian pear is definitely edible. Image Credit: José Antonio Luque Olmedo/iStock/GettyImages What’s the difference between an apple and a pear? When you throw Asian pears into the mix, judging by shape is no longer an option. Most Asian pears are shaped like apples.Yellow-green Asian pears even resemble some apples. Asian pears’ unique taste and texture will always set them apart. Advertisement Tip The skin on an Asian pear is definitely edible....

A male jogger ties his shoe. Image Credit: Dave & Les Jacobs/Blend Images/Getty Images In most cases, a child who is pigeon-toed will gradually outgrow the condition. Even adults who remain pigeon-toed, in most cases, will not experience any noticeable negative effects, including when running. However, if joint pain does begin to develop, you may need to seek a doctor’s advice; he may recommend special shoes or even corrective surgery....

There are often times when medical issues arise and easily digestible protein is ideal Image Credit: MurzikNata/iStock/GettyImages There are often times when medical issues arise and easily digestible protein is ideal. Issues such as stomach flu, intestinal surgery, heartburn, diarrhea, indigestion and irritable bowel disease can make digesting protein a difficult and uncomfortable task. Advertisement Fortunately, there are plenty of high-protein foods that are easy to digest. While it may be tempting to simply try to avoid foods high in protein, this may not be the best solution for your health....

No one likes feeling bloated and constipated. Image Credit: Siam Pukkato / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages No one likes feeling bloated and constipated and, while often changing up your diet or drinking more water can help, sometimes a stronger solution becomes necessary. Yes, a laxative. But is it OK to eat afterward? It all boils down to what kind of laxative you take. Advertisement Why Take a Laxative? Laxatives can be useful, temporary medications for ending constipation, which can be caused by a myriad of factors....

references & resources JAMA Internal Medicine: “Association Between Plant-Based Dietary Patterns and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis” American Heart Association: "Monounsaturated Fat" JAMA, "Association Between Plant-Based Dietary Patterns and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes" Vegan butter seems like a healthier alternative to dairy butter, but it could pack just as much saturated fat as the real thing. Image Credit: seb_ra/iStock/GettyImages Image Credit: seb_ra/iStock/GettyImages Since producing plant oils doesn’t require any cows, opting for plant-based butter might slightly reduce your overall environmental footprint....

Stretch your glutes to help bring your knees back in. Image Credit: fizkes/iStock/GettyImages When you’re standing normally, do your knees slightly bend outward? If so, you might have bowed legs, the proper name for which is genu varum. The condition can either originate in childhood or develop over time. Bow legs in adults can cause knee pain. Advertisement In some cases, this condition is "fixed" — you won't be able to alter the position of the bones — and requires surgery....

There are a lot of benefits to extra virgin olive oil. Image Credit: apomares/E+/GettyImages Extra virgin olive oil may cost a little more, but you’ll understand why when you review the vast benefits of extra virgin olive oil nutrition. Extra virgin olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fat and polyphenols, so it supports a healthy body and reduced risk of disease. Advertisement Extra Virgin Olive Oil Nutrition Creating olive oil is a relatively simple process....

Make sure to avoid shrimp. Image Credit: Elena_Danileiko/iStock/GettyImages Goiter is a fancy term that refers to an enlargement of the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland that sits at the lower part of your neck. Although the thyroid gland is normally pretty small, it has some really big jobs in your body. In order to perform these jobs to the best of its ability, your thyroid gland requires access to certain nutrients, like iodine....

The key to getting back on track with your health and wellbeing starts with how you approach your grocery list. Image Credit: Getty Images/Oscar Wong If you’ve spent the last few months at home and noticed yourself hunting for snacks in your pantry more than usual, then you also may have noticed the number on the scale tick upward. But trust us: You’re not the only one whose eating habits have been affected by the times....

Both raw and cooked tomatoes contain the powerful antioxidant lycopene. Image Credit: Adam Calaitzis/iStock/GettyImages Tomatoes are easily integrated into many foods. From pizza to salads, or even bloody mary cocktails, tomatoes are a daily staple of many people’s diets. Regardless of whether they’re eaten raw or cooked, tomatoes have many nutrients that are beneficial to your health. Tomatoes also contain antioxidants like lycopene, which can help reduce cholesterol and prevent diseases like osteoporosis, cancer and Type 2 diabetes....

If you've ever had nature call at an inconvenient time, you've probably wondered what happens if you hold in your poop. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative How Bad Is It Really? sets the record straight on all the habits and behaviors you’ve heard might be unhealthy. We’ve all been in the middle of a public bathroom standoff at some point or another. You know, that moment where both you and your neighbor need to poop but neither wants to make the first move....

If you’re looking for a flavorful cut of ham, the butt (rump) portion is an excellent choice. Image Credit: istetiana/Moment/GettyImages If you’re looking for a flavorful cut of ham, the butt (rump) portion is an excellent choice. Also known as the ham butt end or the ham sirloin end, the tender cut comes from the top portion of the pig’s leg, next to the loin. “Ready-to-cook” versions are raw and must be cooked before eating....

An incremental goal of 10 pounds is a good weight-loss strategy. Image Credit: Elkhamlichi Jaouad / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages Losing 10 lbs. is a very doable goal, and is one that can be accomplished fairly quickly if you weigh 250 lbs. Setting weight-loss goals in 10 lb. increments can help your stay motivated, because you are likely to meet this goal in a reasonable amount of time. In fact, if you follow a healthy diet and exercise plan, you can lose 10 lbs....

Consistency is key when it comes to breaking a habit like knuckle cracking. Image Credit: AndreyPopov/iStock/GettyImages We all have our habits: Procrastinating, knuckle cracking, drinking too much caffeine — you know the deal. But if you’re looking to quit yours, then how long does it take to break a habit? Advertisement First, to gauge whether a habit is helpful or harmful, performance psychologist Haley Perlus, PhD, recommends asking yourself: Video of the Day Does my habit jeopardize my physical or mental health?...

Add some resistance training to help get rid of fat in the thighs. Image Credit: Drazen_/E+/GettyImages How long does it take to tone legs? That’s a common question among those on a quest to eliminate fat from their thighs. If you’re looking to burn thigh fat, start with a basic understanding of caloric balance and fat loss, and be willing to set reasonable expectations. Advertisement Tip The question of how long it takes to tone legs comes down to calorie expenditure, diet and exercise....

The ability to lose weight depends on many different factors. Image Credit: Halfpoint/iStock/Getty Images Weight loss is never easy, especially for those who have little time for meal prep or use food to deal with stress. If you’re serious about getting leaner, consider switching to a 1,500-calorie diet. This way, you can eat nutritious foods and still be able to enjoy an occasional treat. Advertisement Tip Your ability to lose weight while on a diet depends on your age, body composition, activity level and other factors....

Turmeric, a root plant similar to ginger, has been used in cooking and for medicinal use for thousands of years. Image Credit: lacaosa/Moment/GettyImages Turmeric, a root plant similar to ginger, has been used in cooking and for medicinal use for thousands of years. A 2017 review in the Journal of Traditional and Complimentary Medicine has shown that turmeric benefits are vast, due to its medicinal properties. Advertisement Compounds called curcuminoids, and particularly curcumin, are responsible for this....

You can cook fresh or frozen chicken in the countertop device, with or without the bone. Image Credit: OksanaKiian/iStock/GettyImages When it comes to food preparation, you’re no longer limited to your oven and stove. With the NuWave oven fried chicken recipes, you can have a healthy chicken dinner on the table in minutes, without the need for a pot or pan. Advertisement This countertop cooking device combines infrared, convection and conduction techniques to help cook food quickly, using less energy and not much fat....