Q: I have always been told to drink clear soft drinks versus water after the stomach flu. Why? A: When recovering from the flu, the goal is to increase your stamina by gradually increasing your fluid and food intake. The first step is drinking clear liquids to hydrate and replenish nutrients that were lost due [...]
Q: Do carrots actually improve one’s vision? A: Carrots can improve one’s vision if the person’s diet is lacking in Vitamin A. Carrots are a good source of vitamin A, which is essential for good vision. Consuming the recommended daily amount of Vitamin A is known to provide the following eye benefits: Protects the surface [...]
Q: Is there any truth to the phrase “beer belly?” A: The phrase is generally associated with men that have large stomachs. It implies a direct relationship between beer consumption and stomach size. There is some evidence that increased alcohol intake leads to larger waist sizes, but the main culprit is calories. When you consume [...]
Q: An earlier blog post from July discussed the causes of blisters. Should I pop a blister when I get one? A: Popping a blister may lead to infection. The best treatment for a blister is to let the body’s natural healing process occur. When a blister develops, the body responds by forming new skin [...]
Q: What is gluten? Why are some foods gluten-free? A: Gluten is a naturally occurring protein found in grains such as wheat, barley, rye, and oats. Its unique structure results in the elastic consistency found in the dough derived from these grains. Over the centuries, the elastic consistency led to the use of these grains [...]
Q: What is the 5-hour ENERGY® drink and is it good for you? A: 5-hour ENERGY® is marketed as an “energy shot” that provides a quick and convenient boost of energy without the calories and sugar of full-size energy drinks, coffees, and sodas. The 5-hour ENERGY® website lists the follow ingredients for their original energy [...]
Q: What causes blisters and how are they different from blood blisters? A: Blisters result from irritation or damage to the skin from an external source. The most common reasons for blisters are: Friction: brief and intense rubbing confined to a small area of skin. Burns: contact with hot surfaces, exposure to flames, steam, or [...]
Q: What is actually happening when I hear my bones crack during a strength training workout? A: The cracking you are hearing during the workout is originating from your joints and not your bones. Joints crack for three main reasons: Synovial Fluid: Joints crack due to gases escaping from the synovial fluid. Synovial fluid exists [...]
Q: Is it possible to lose muscle mass with an exercise/weight loss program? A: It is possible to lose muscle mass with an exercise/weight loss program. The key to losing weight is to burn more calories than you are consuming (creating a caloric deficit). The traditional “diet” is the method most often used to create [...]
Q: Why does an apple a day keep the doctor away? A: The origin of the phrase is attributed to a Welsh folk proverb from 1866. The Welsh proverb is “Eat an apple on going to bed, and you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread”. By the turn of the 19th century, the Welsh [...]