The best IT band exercises to help you avoid injury

July 23, 2019 at 02:06AM by CWC One second you’re running with your hair blowing in the breeze, pump-up jams on repeat, without a care in the world. Then the next, you have pain on the outside of your knee that throbs every time your foot hits the ground. So what gives? It’s likely you’re experiencing one of the most common overuse injuries: ITBS, or iliotibial band syndrome. And spoiler alert: It’s not even a little bit fun to deal with. “The IT band runs from the outside part of the hip across the hip joint and across the knee joint. When that tendon gets too much pressure put on it—and after a combination of too much force and excessive rubbing on the outside of the knee—it gets irritated and inflamed and causes the sharp pain on the outside of the knee called iliotibial band syndrome,” says Jordan Metzl, MD, author of The Sports Doctor’s Complete Guide to Staying Healthy and Injury-Free for Life. “As a sports medicine doctor, this time of year—as people are in marathon-mode—I see at least two or three cases of ITBS a day. It’s a very common injury in runners—ones who are trying to do long-distance running.” ad_intervals[‘406606_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘406606_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); While ITBS is common in runners, that’s not the only group it affects. According to physical therapist Danielle Weis, PT, DPT, it’s often seen in individuals who do any sort of repetitive knee bending and

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Here’s what to eat on a really long flight, according to a nutritionist

July 22, 2019 at 06:30PM by CWC When you’ve been looking forward to your vacation for weeks, the last thing you want is to end up feeling gross once you get there because the flight threw your digestion off. And when your destination is farther than a quick jaunt to the next state over? Forget about it. What’s the deal with that anyway? Why does stepping foot on an airplane automatically equal digestive distress for so many people? According to Sophia Malek, MScN, culinary nutritionist for Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods, there are a lot of factors at play. “A lack of hydration, prolonged sitting, and eating fewer fiber-rich foods can all wreak havoc on your digestion.” “Any time we remove ourselves from our scheduled lives, we open up the possibility of the dreaded traveler’s digestive woes,” Malek says. “A lack of hydration, prolonged sitting, and eating fewer fiber-rich foods can all wreak havoc on your digestion—and that’s if you choose not to have a libation or two.” ad_intervals[‘405226_div-gpt-ad-6934292-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘405226_div-gpt-ad-6934292-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-6934292-3’);}); } }, 100); So before you order that in-flight mimosa or break into a packet of mixed nuts, listen to Malek’s tips for what to eat to keep your digestion happy, no matter how far away you’re flying. Keep reading for the healthy travel snacks and meals Malek recommends for better digestion while flying. Photo: Bob’s Red Mill What to eat First thing’s first: Identifying why your digestion rebels against you as

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Is eating raw kale *actually* bad for you? Here’s what the experts say

July 22, 2019 at 04:02PM by CWC Kale is America’s superfood sweetheart, and it’s easy to see why. It’s anti-inflammatory, has been shown to help protect against both heart disease and cancer, and is packed with digestion-boosting fiber, as well as plenty of vitamin C, calcium, and vision-benefiting lutein. It also just so happens to be one of the most versatile foods on the planet. But should you avoid eating raw kale? As a food that’s known for its impressive nutritional profile, there’s really no wrong way to use it. Kale has made its way into salads, smoothies, green juices, tacos, pasta dishes, and more. You can even find it in the chip aisle. And while eating as much of the leafy green as possible isn’t a problem for most people, a handful may need to watch their intake when eating raw kale. While kale itself is an all-star, one thing that gives it its bright and shiny gold star in the health world is also something that can lead to health issues in certain individuals. ad_intervals[‘406617_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘406617_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); “Kale gets its super healthy reputation in part because of compounds called glucosinolates,” says Brierley Horton, MS, RD. (Found in all cruciferous vegetables, gluconsinolates are the subject of intense research centered on cancer prevention.) “However, it’s that exact same compound that also can pose a problem for your metabolism.” Glucosinolates can impact your thyroid, which keeps your metabolism under control. It’s

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Can you wear out your Birkenstocks, or are they totally invincible? A podiatrist weighs in.

July 22, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC I don’t like feet. I am heavily grossed out whenever people post pictures of their pedicures or whatever on Instagram stories—like, I’m gonna need you to give me a warning so that I can skip your stories for the rest of eternity. This is also probably why I have such strong thoughts about flip flops (and sandals in general, TBH). But weirdly enough, I have been convinced that I definitely need a pair of Birkenstocks. Without a doubt these shoes are ugly, but are they also kind of… secretly cute? Team W+G has differing opinions about this, to say the least. So how did this happen? I am still asking myself this question. Did I suddenly become someone who chooses practicality over aesthetics? (I can hear my entire family LOL-ing as I type this.) My motivation to live la vida Birks isn’t totally clear, but I can tell you that podiatrists love these shoes. “The bottom of your feet is a very small surface area and it, and it supports everything above it, so the more we can stabilize your foundation, the better,” says Dr. Cary Gannon, podiatric surgeon and founder of Aila Cosmetics. “It’s like the foundation of your home—you build the foundation of your home at a cinderblock because it’s got to support everything above it. So if you think of the Birkenstock like a nice supportive foundation, it actually is an incredible shoe.” ad_intervals[‘408027_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready)

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