Nutrition Corner

The High Cost of a Poor Diet: Your daily dietary choices significantly affect your cardiovascular health, and collectively, unhealthy eating contributes to about 45% of the costs associated with heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, impacting national economic health. Dr. Thomas A. Gaziano from Harvard Medical School emphasizes that what you omit from your diet can be as crucial as what you consume.

Dietary changes may treat obesity by giving mitochondria a boost: Obesity is a major global issue, with the U.S. having one of the highest rates, affecting over 40% of adults. Research suggests that dietary changes may improve mitochondrial function in monocytes, reduce inflammation, and alter gut bacteria, but more studies are needed to determine if these interventions can effectively treat obesity, which now affects 16% of adults worldwide.

Recipe for The Day

Low Carb Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe: These low-carb snickerdoodle cookies are crunchy and perfect for a low-carb diet, requiring 27 minutes total to prepare and bake. Made with almond flour, coconut flour, and erythritol, the recipe yields 4 servings and features 342 calories per serving with 10g of total carbohydrates and 5g of dietary fiber.

Lifestyle & Fitness Focus

How to Do Leg Raises for Rock-Solid Abs

Leg raises are an effective bodyweight exercise that target your core from the hips through the midsection.

Though often associated with developing six-pack abs, they also engage the hip flexors, glutes, and pelvic floor, making them a versatile addition to any lower-body workout.

This exercise requires no equipment other than a yoga mat or soft surface, making it accessible for home workouts or while traveling.

Besides enhancing core strength, leg raises help realign muscles that may be misaligned from prolonged sitting and strengthen the pelvic floor, which is beneficial for various aspects of men's health.

To perform leg raises correctly, start by lying flat on your back on a yoga or exercise mat with your legs extended and arms at your sides.

Press your hands lightly into the floor or hold onto a fixed object behind you for stability.

Engage your transverse abdominis by pulling your belly button in and pressing your lower back into the ground.

Exhale as you lift your legs until they are perpendicular to the floor, ensuring your lower back remains on the mat.

Inhale as you slowly lower your legs back down, keeping your feet just above the floor to maintain core engagement and proper form.

Leg raises can be integrated into various workout routines, whether at home or in the gym.

They are useful as a component of a stretching routine, an addition to an ab workout, or even a brief exercise between other sets.

Beginners may start with leg raises at a 45-degree angle or perform fewer reps to master proper technique.

For increased difficulty, try lifting one leg at a time or adding variations like lifting your pelvis off the ground or moving your legs to the side to target the obliques and improve hip rotation.

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