Food & Nutrition: Culinary Techniques, Diets & Metabolic Health

Nutritional health is achieved through the therapeutic use of whole foods, safe culinary preparation, and understanding the metabolic impacts of specific dietary frameworks and ingredients.

Fish oil pills

Can I Take a Fish Oil Capsule With Milk?

Fish oil capsules come in a variety of forms; some are more palatable than others. Drinking milk is one possible way to mask the taste and reduce the fishy aftertaste.

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Cropped Image Of Woman Eye

Eye Twitching & Nutritional Deficiency

Eye twitches can be a temporary, minor annoyance, but in severe cases they can affect your vision and cause a great amount of discomfort. Medically known as myokymia, eye twitches can be caused by stress, fatigue, alcohol, caffeine, allergies and eye strain, although the cause is often unknown.

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Homemade kombucha (fermented tea) mother on plate

Does Kombucha Cure GERD?

Gastroesophogeal reflux disease is often painful, making eating and sleeping difficult. Lifestyle changes can help ease the discomfort, as can medications prescribed by a doctor.

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Close Up of Steaming Tea Kettle

Which Minerals Should You Add to Distilled Water Before Drinking?

The use of distilled water for drinking is vital in areas that have poor tap water or polluted drinking water sources, as the distillation process purifies the water. However, the loss of minerals during the distillation process has led some to suggest that drinking distilled water can be harmful.

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Woman drinking after sport

The Advantages of Gatorade Over Other Sports Drinks

Gatorade is a brand name commonly associated with athletes and sports of all kinds. However, other sports drinks have entered the market over the years, giving Gatorade some healthy competition, and choosing what sports drink to consume has become confusing.

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Muesli

Does Soluble Fiber Prevent Fat Absorption?

Soluble fiber is one of the two types of fiber found in the plants we eat. Unlike its counterpart, insoluble fiber, soluble fiber dissolves in water, which means it creates a gel-like stool that slows digestion and affects the absorption of certain nutrients, including fat.

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Closeup of two small cups with espresso

My Stomach Is Bloated After Drinking Coffee

Drinking a cup of coffee is a time-honored morning ritual for many people. The caffeine gives a boost to start your day. For some people, however, it can cause problems with the digestive system, which can lead to bloating.

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tea

Can Tea Help Calm an Upset Stomach?

Having an upset stomach can be a mild, temporary distraction or a very painful experience, depending on the severity of the symptoms. While some teas, such as those containing caffeine, can cause or exacerbate the symptoms, many herbal teas can offer relief.

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Couple in bed, man leaning to make drink on breakfast tray, smiling

What Are the Dangers of Drinking Soy Milk?

Unlike milk from a cow, soy milk has no lactose, which makes it a viable alternative to cow's milk for those suffering from lactose intolerance. Fortified soy milk is a good source of protein, iron, B vitamins and calcium and is low in saturated fats and cholesterol.

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Workout

How Many Calories Should I Eat to Get a Six Pack?

Six-pack abs are considered by many to be the epitome of health and physical appeal. Getting that muscular, defined look for your belly requires a combination of a healthy, low-calorie diet, cardio exercise and strength training, focusing on the abdominal muscles.

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close up Japanese green tea

Why Does Green Tea Upset My Stomach?

Green tea is an infusion of the often slightly withered, unfermented leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The infusion process -- basically soaking the tea leaves in hot water -- brings out chemicals with potent antioxidant properties that are in the green tea leaves.

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Fresh crop of cabbage

Stomach Cramps After Eating Cabbage

Cabbage is difficult to digest, which can lead to gas in the intestinal tract -- a common cause of cramping or pain in the abdominal region for some people. While experiencing pains due to gas is common, an underlying digestive disorder or food poisoning could also be to blame.

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Woman Drinking Coffee

Milk Thistle Tea Benefits

Making tea out of herbs and plants such as milk thistle is a time-honored tradition, both for pleasure and medicinal purposes. Milk thistle tea is commonly associated with its benefits to the liver, but it also has other uses -- both traditionally and in modern times.

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Brussel sprout

Brussels Sprouts and Digestion

Brussels sprouts resemble mini cabbages, which makes sense as they are a member of the cabbage family. They are high in several vitamins and other important nutrients, as well as dietary fiber -- a major contributor to healthy digestion and elimination.

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various types of cheese

Does Cheese Cause Gas & Cramps?

Humans have consumed cheese for millenia -- at least as far back as 4,000 years ago, according to the International Dairy Foods Association. Unfortunately, many people have a difficult time digesting cheese, primarily due to its milk content.

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Cup of tea

Is Black Tea Good for You?

Tea, including black tea, is the second-most consumed beverage in the world, according to the Linus Pauling Institute, second only to water. Primarily known for its stimulating effects and promotion of mental alertness, black tea also has other potential health benefits.

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Assortment of cheese on table outdoors, Auvergne, France

High Blood Pressure and Cheese

Chock-full of healthy proteins and calcium, cheese can be part of a balanced diet, if eaten in moderation. For those with high blood pressure, however, eating cheese can be problematic.

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Senior African couple drinking coffee

Health Benefits of Tulsi Tea

Tulsi is the Sanskrit name for the holy basil plant. It is a member of the mint family and grows wild in India (ref 1). The traditional medicinal uses for tulsi are many, particularly in the Indian Ayurvedic tradition, but it is primarily known today as an adaptogen -- meaning it helps the body cope with stress.

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Alfalfa Leaf dried

What Are the Benefits of Alfalfa Tea?

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is an herb cultivated primarily as fodder for cows and other animals, but it also has traditional uses as a medicinal. Unlike many other herbs, all of the plant is used as medicine, but the tea is typically only made with seeds or dried leaves.

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Tea

What Are the Benefits of Lavender Tea?

Lavender -- Lavandula angustifolia or Lavandula officinalis -- is a shrub known for its pleasant aroma and bright purple flowers. It is native to the mountainous regions of the Mediterranean, but is now cultivated throughout the world, particularly in the United States, Australia and southern Europe.

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