Posts

A cup of coffee next to four small white pills. Image Credit: Pictureoftheday/iStock/Getty Images Caffeine naturally occurs in more than 60 plants including coffee, teas and cacao pods. Pharmaceutical manufacturers introduce caffeine into their products because of its physiological effects on the body, such as vasoconstriction in the brain that relieves headaches. Strattera, the brand name for atomoxitine HCl, is commonly prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Unlike other ADHD medications, Strattera is not a central nervous system stimulant but has dangerous side effects....

Yeast extract is added to rolls and other baked goods. Yeast extract has replaced monosodium glutamate, or MSG, as a taste-booster in most processed foods because it appears to be a natural ingredient on food labels. However, yeast extract contains the same concentrated free glutamic acid as MSG. The increasing use of yeast extracts in foods ranging from soups and sauces to meats and canned fish is due to its distinctive taste, resulting from the peptides and amino acids formed by autolysis of yeast protein....

Grilled piece of steak on a cutting board. Image Credit: pilipphoto/iStock/Getty Images Cells in the human body require many compounds to survive. The main substances found in every cell are a combination of lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and proteins. Each of these substances plays a different role in the body, and all of them must either come from the diet or be manufactured using other chemicals in the body. Advertisement Lipid Function in the Body Lipids, also known as fats, play multiple roles in the body....

Grip strength is one of the biggest indicators of your overall health. Here's how to increase grip strength. Image Credit: Halfpoint Images/Moment/GettyImages In This Article The Relationship Between Grip Strength and Health Best Grip Strength Exercises You know the basic must-dos to live a long, healthy life: Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, minimize stress, kick bad habits like smoking and improve grip strength. OK, maybe you haven't heard that last one yet, but it's true: Your grip strength is — surprisingly — an essential element of wellbeing....

To cook a whole chicken in a roaster, combine seasonings with butter and lemon juice, and then apply that to the meat. Image Credit: istetiana/Moment/GettyImages It’s easy to prepare chicken in a roaster for a crowd depending on the size of your appliance. In addition, you can use a roaster to cook soups, stews and even desserts. Advertisement Tip To cook a whole chicken in a roaster, combine seasonings with butter and lemon juice, and then apply that to the meat....

Roasted chicken leg with herbs and spices. Image Credit: Tetiana_Chudovska/iStock/Getty Images A simple chicken breast is well known as a healthy entree, but most people don’t realize that chicken legs are also a healthy choice. Dark meat chicken, found in the legs and thighs, contains iron-rich myoglobin. Dark meat also contains more zinc and B vitamins than a chicken breast and is rich in calcium and potassium. For a healthier chicken leg, remove the chicken skin....

The longer you cook spaghetti, the more flexible it will become. Image Credit: miniseries/iStock/GettyImages The colander insert you find along with pasta pots is supposed to make draining the pasta much easier than holding the pot over a sink. Advertisement Instead of trying to simultaneously drain the water and stop the spaghetti noodles from falling into the sink, all you have to do is lift up the colander insert. The pasta pot itself is just a large pot to which the colander insert is specifically fitted....

Stuffed pinwheel steaks on a plate. Image Credit: mtoome/iStock/Getty Images Stuffed pinwheel steaks are an unusual and attractive menu item. They are easy to make, and even easier to cook. Flank and skirt steaks tend to be tough, so tenderizing the meat by pounding it, marinating it, using a sprinkle-on meat tenderizer or running a multi-blade tenderizer over it is a good idea. Cooking pinwheel steaks can be done in several ways, so don’t be afraid to try different ones to see which results you like best....

references BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine: "Effect of a Gluteal Activation Warm-Up on Explosive Exercise Performance" The lateral band walk is one of the best gluteus medius exercises. Image Credit: Image Credit: Maria Fuchs/GettyImages Image Credit: Image Credit: Maria Fuchs/GettyImages Instructions Benefits Tips Modifications Progressions Skill Level All Levels Activity Resistance Band Workout Body Part Butt Place a mini band around your ankles and stand with your feet hip-width apart....

It is important to tweak your diet in order to drop your body fat percentage. Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages Whether you have a special event coming up or you’re just tired of not being able to fit into your favorite pair of skinny jeans, reducing your body fat can seem like a dire emergency. The good news is, there are ways to tweak your diet and exercise program to accelerate fat loss....

Back dimples, or Venus dimples, are desirable indentations on either side of the spine just above the butt. Back dimples are caused by a visible cleft in the sacroiliac joint and are widely believed to be genetic. However, a high percentage of lean athletes sport Venus dimples. While spot reduction is not possible, a combination of cardiovascular conditioning and lower back exercises may help you achieve back dimples. Rowing Machine According to Scientific American, the average body fat percentage for men and women in the United States is 22 percent and 32 percent, respectively....

Water weight gain during pregnancy is normal. Water weight gain is a common side effect of pregnancy, especially during the last few months. Although you may be eager to ditch the extra pounds as soon as possible, losing weight takes time. Many women lose excess water weight within a week of delivery without much effort. Focus on losing weight gradually by exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water....

If you're following a a 1,600-calorie diet, the goal is to make all of those calories count. Image Credit: Alexander Spatari/Moment/GettyImages If you’re following a 1,600-calorie diet, the goal is to make all of those calories count. To ensure that you meet all your vitamin and mineral needs, your meal plan needs to include a variety of foods that are rich in nutrients, but low to moderate in calories. Advertisement In addition to eating three meals of about the same size (or around 500 calories), you may want to incorporate one 100-calorie snack each day to help control hunger....

Don't let a fear of needles prevent you from getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Image Credit: vgajic/E+/GettyImages Everyone has their reasons for being excited — or hesitant — about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. If you’re reading this, one of your reasons for being squeamish about the shot may be a fear of needles. Advertisement Listen, getting stuck isn't exactly enjoyable, but having a fear of needles is relatively common. Video of the Day For some adults, it's a frequent reason to avoid getting a vaccine....

A common dieting mistake is eating too much of a good thing. Image Credit: Morsa Images/DigitalVision/GettyImages It’s hard to distinguish the good nutrition advice from the bad, especially when there are so many conflicting arguments online —and sometimes, even experts have different opinions. But if you’re looking to change your diet to eat better, live healthier and feel happier, you want to make sure you’re taking the right steps toward achieving your goals....

Work your arms, abs and legs with this full-body mini band workout at home, in the gym or on the go. Image Credit: Drazen Zigic/iStock/GettyImages When it comes to working out on the go, what’s a more convenient piece of equipment than a resistance band? And for the most targeted workout, mini bands (the smaller, looped resistance bands) provide the most resistance for the size. Advertisement But even though you can work each muscle individually, you can put a combination of moves together to create a full-body workout you can do anywhere....

A rack of cooked spare ribs on a wooden cutting board. Image Credit: brebca/iStock/Getty Images Beef or pork spare ribs are a favorite for many people because they taste great, but they are high in fat. Being well-educated about the nutritional information of spare ribs will help you to adjust your diet so you can enjoy them occasionally. According to USDA’s MyPyramid website, a typical 2,000-calorie-a-day diet includes about 265 “discretionary calories” that you can use to “cheat” on your eating plan....

Make your summer barbecue a healthy one with these recipes from apps to entrees and desserts — with plant-based options, too. Image Credit: torwai/iStock/GettyImages Forget hot dogs and cheeseburgers. Toss the tired processed meats and amp up this season’s backyard barbecues with this solid round-up of our best grilling recipes. Advertisement We've got you covered from appetizers and mains — such as Zucchini Baba Ghanoush and Oaxacan tacos — to side dishes and even dessert (think Pan-Grilled Nectarine Sundaes)....

Watermelon can help men fight prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction and hypertension. Image Credit: Yana Tatevosian/iStock/GettyImages Loaded with potassium, magnesium, lycopene and amino acids, watermelon is one of the most nutritious summer fruits. In fact, it’s often referred to as “natural Viagra.” Some studies suggest that it may help with erectile dysfunction and boost sexual health. Advertisement Watermelon and Workout Performance Whether you want to get leaner and fitter or keep your immune system strong, watermelon is a great choice....

An optometrist conducts an eye exam on a patient. Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images Magnesium is important to many body functions, including producing energy and keeping your heart rate steady. This nutrient also helps form the compounds that make up your bones and helps regulate your blood sugar. A deficiency is rare, but if you have a risk for low levels, you should know the symptoms. Vision changes do not typically occur with a magnesium deficiency....