Calf cramps can cause tremendous pain and force you to halt your swimming without warning. Because they are sudden and so debilitating, cramps can be dangerous, especially if you are swimming far from the shore or in deep water. They could even result in drowning for the unprepared swimmer.
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Side boobs are usually an unwanted and unflattering addition to your figure. Most often composed of soft tissue located to the side of your chest and under your arms, side boobs can be difficult to mask and cover with typical undergarments. You may be tempted to try exercise to reduce your side boob appearance.
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Running is an effective cardiovascular exercise, but it can be difficult to stick to if you are suffering from an injury such as shin splits, knee meniscus damage or foot pain.
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Almonds are a tree nut that provide several health benefits. They do not require refrigeration and are easily portable, making them a sensible snack, side dish to any meal, or flavor enhancer for many dishes. Unlike many other nuts, almonds contain high levels of "healthy" fat, which are good for your health.
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A classic grilled cheese sandwich contains one slice of American cheese between two slices of buttered white bread, slowly grilled in a skillet until browned. However, modifying the ingredients can adjust the calorie content.
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Herbalists prize oil of oregano, extracted from the leaves of Origanum vulgare, for its medicinal properties, including the ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi and viruses. It differs from the oregano most often used as a culinary spice, which comes from a related plant called Origanum majoricum.
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Widely marketed as a weight-loss supplement, the fiber from konjac root, also known as glucomannan, appears to have some other medicinal properties of interest. These include the ability to inhibit absorption of cholesterol and glucose by the gastrointestinal system, as well as strong laxative effects.
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Your sinuses secrete mucus designed to keep the air passageways clear and lubricated. However, blockages in the sinuses can lead to infection, causing considerable discomfort. Good overall health is key to sinus health, and there are a handful of vitamins that play a role in helping you avoid infection.
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Ginseng royal jelly combines the medicinal properties of Panax ginseng, also known as Chinese or Asian ginseng, and royal jelly, the nutrient-rich food source of the queen honeybee.
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From the French for “sour wine,” vinegar includes a diverse family of culinary products produced through the process of fermentation. In the Western world, the most widely consumed vinegars are derived from grapes and apples.
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The body creates uric acid during the processing of chemical compounds called purines, which occur naturally in the body and are found in a wide array of foods as well. Although most uric acid dissolves in the blood and is excreted as urine, excessive levels of uric acid can cause health problems, most notably gout.
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Spanish olives--more properly called Spanish-style olives--are olives that are picked young, briefly cured in lye and then fermented in a brine solution for up to 12 months before being bottled in a diluted brine.
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GABA, or gamma aminobutyric acid, is a naturally occurring amino acid that helps to facilitate normal operation of the central nervous system, the control center for a host of normal everyday functions. Doctors commonly prescribe GABA supplementation for patients who exhibit symptoms of deficiency.
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Alkaline phosphatase, or ALP, is a protein found in all body tissues. The bones, liver and bile ducts usually contain higher concentrations of ALP than other body tissues. Normal ALP levels range from a low of 44 international units per liter to a high of 147 International Units per Liter, according to MedlinePlus.
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Made of gold-plated mesh, gold coffee filters are semipermanent filtration devices used in brewing coffee. Often included as standard with premium coffeemakers, gold filters do away with the hassle and untidiness of dealing with paper filters.
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Melanin is the natural substance that gives color or pigment to the skin, hair and iris of the eye. Cells called melanocytes, located just below the outer surface of the skin, produce melanin, which is in higher levels in people with darker skin.
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Methionine is an essential amino acid, which means that your body must have it to function normally but cannot synthesize it on its own. Methionine is a sulfur-containing amino acid, closely related to cysteine, and both are building blocks of protein, as are most amino acids.
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Found in a dizzying array of processed foods and beverages, artificial sweeteners simulate the sweet taste of sugar without all the calories found in table sugar and other calorie-laden sweeteners, such as high-fructose corn syrup.
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Neem juice, extracted from the fruit and leaves of the neem plant, known scientifically as Azadirachta indica, has played a significant role in traditional Indian medicine for millennia.
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Magnesium carbonate is a white, powdery compound that occurs naturally as dolomite and magnesite and is widely marketed as a health supplement. Its active ingredient is magnesium, a mineral that your body requires to function efficiently.
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