Nutritional planning involves balancing macronutrients, understanding calorie formulas, and identifying the functional properties of whole foods to manage weight and chronic conditions effectively.
Taking too much of anything -- even when it's as healthy as vitamins -- can cause problems. Although some vitamins are relatively harmless in unlimited quantities because your body excretes the excess, others can only be taken in limited amounts before you risk harming your health.
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Coconut oil possesses a variety of culinary, cosmetic and health applications. As health authorities caution against consumption of trans fats, saturated fats and fat in general, controversy and confusion have arisen regarding the safety of including coconut oil as part of a healthy diet.
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Nearly 60 percent of Americans don't consume enough magnesium, reports the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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The Tamasic diet consists of a list of foods that practitioners of the ancient Indian medical system of Ayurveda consider to be Tamasic--meaning that they may cause certain potentially harmful mental and physical conditions to occur.
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Tuna boasts a reputation as a health food, and for good reason; it's loaded with essential nutrients that boost your overall health and well-being. It's also good for weight loss, thanks to its high protein content and relatively low calorie count.
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Because of the variety of potential causes for water retention, there is no single therapy that can be used to treat each case. However, for cases of water retention caused by high levels of sodium in the body, increasing dietary potassium can be an effective treatment.
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In Ayurvedic medicine, the root of ashwagandha, or Indian ginseng, is used to treat infertility, asthma and many other common systemic illnesses.
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When combined with regular exercise, eating a balanced diet is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The key to a nutritious diet is to make sure that your body has the right combination of proteins, carbohydrates, dairy products, fruits and vegetables -- and yes, even some healthy fats.
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Shoulders aren't a typical trouble spot on women -- most women store fat in their hips, thighs or midsection rather than their upper body, but broad shoulders are sometimes determined by genetics.
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As babies grow, their nutritional needs change to support this growth and they begin to eat more food from a variety of food groups, according to Bright Futures Nutrition. This helps them reach the daily recommended allowances for the vitamins and minerals that contribute to normal growth and development.
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Genetically modified foods bring both promise for maximizing food potential and nutrient value and controversy over possible risks to human health and the environment. Genetic modification involves DNA technology used to alters the genetic makeup of a plant or animal.
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Flax seeds have grown in popularity in the recent years, thanks to the many health benefits they confer. These healthy seeds can be found whole or ground, and it is also possible to buy flax oil. Flax seed is a versatile food that can be sprinkled over breakfast cereals or yogurt or added to a smoothie or salad.
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Vitamin B-12 has dozens of roles in your system, from supporting blood functions to boosting your brain power. It’s no wonder that you might consider taking a B-12 pill. Although B-12 is considered safe, even in large doses, you’ll need to let your doctor know if you decide to take it.
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A cesarean section, or C-section, is a surgical delivery of a baby made by incisions in the mother's abdominal wall and uterus. Because it's a major abdominal surgery involving anesthesia, side effects like gas or constipation may occur and recovery time can take six to eight weeks.
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An exercise and stretching program is essential for improving muscle flexibility, but it's also crucial to support your regimen with the right nutrients. A well-balanced diet should give you all the required nutrients, but if you fill in with supplements, tailor your choices to your goals.
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Magnesium and potassium are elements in the body that are important for muscle and heart function. Certain conditions can cause the blood levels of either or both of them to be low. Low levels can cause muscle spasms or abnormal heart rhythms.
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As an endurance athlete, you may be on the constant lookout for that one supplement that's going to improve your performance. Most supplements have not been fully studied to assess claims or safety.
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You have some flexibility when planning your daily grams of carbs to lose weight. While there’s general agreement about the maximum number of carb grams you can consume for a low-carb diet, the experts haven’t established a precise number for weight loss, but there are some basic guidelines.
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Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, comes from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia. The leaves are processed to extract their natural oils, which are then used in hundreds of products ranging from shampoos and conditioners to antiseptics and acne treatments.
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With their hunger-satisfying fiber and low caloric content, apples and carrots can help you lose weight. They might even provide a significant amount of your daily nutrients, but that depends on how much of them you consume.
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