Marvin Parker Personal Trainer

In recent years, there has been a sharp rise in the number of people eating fermented foods as part of a healthy diet. However, while this sudden popularity may seem temporary, individuals have been enjoying these foods for thousands of years. While it was originally a way to help preserve food, research has shown that these foods can also play a vital role in keeping your body fit and healthy. What are fermented foods, though, and how can they help you? We thought we would take a closer look. What is fermented food? Before looking at some of the most popular options and the health benefits they can provide, it is first important to understand what exactly fermented foods are. Fermenting is a unique preservation process that has been utilized for thousands of years. It allows people to keep food for longer. The process involves a controlled microbial growth that sees microorganisms such as bacteria and yeast. They convert certain compounds such as sugar and starch into alcohol and...

Are you struggling with tennis elbow? This is an incredibly common condition, particularly as we get older, and despite its name, it has nothing to do with the sport! The condition develops after regular and repetitive use of your forearm muscles, causing the outer side of your elbow to become inflamed and sore. Not only can this be an incredibly painful condition, but it can also be very debilitating, preventing you from carrying out your day-to-day life with ease. For some people, tennis elbow can begin as a minor inconvenience, but if you find that your symptoms are getting worse, we have taken a closer look at some tips to ease your discomfort and improve your flexibility. What causes tennis elbow? In order to understand how you can reduce the symptoms of tennis elbow, it is first important to understand what causes it. Our elbows are incredibly complex parts of our bodies, made up of multiple bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. When we move our arms, these all work toget...

Are you finding that the discomfort and inflammation of arthritis are impacting your day-to-day life? Living with arthritis can be incredibly frustrating. If you are looking to improve your joint health, then swimming can be a fantastic exercise. This low-impact activity can help to transform your fitness and significantly improve your overall joint health. What are the benefits of swimming? Swimming is an incredibly popular activity and is able to provide a huge array of benefits, including:      1) Low impact When it comes to exercise, swimming is a fantastic option thanks to its very low impact. This means your joint health is boosted, with the water helping to reduce the effect of gravity. This can help to make it much easier to move, and many individuals with arthritis find that they enjoy a much greater range of motion when they are in the water. Many people will find that regular swimming will also help them to increase their range of motion when outside th...

Water is a vital part of life; it makes up to 78% of our body’s composition and is necessary for us to function properly. As essential water is to our health and well-being, more and more people are drinking far less water than they should, thanks to the popularity of alternative drinks like soda and juice. In fact, more than half of all US adults don’t drink enough water, with only 22% ingesting the recommended amount. When you take that data into consideration, it’s no wonder so many people go through life feeling lethargic and absent-minded. How can dehydration cause you bodily harm? The answers may shock you! What is Dehydration? Dehydration is when your body loses more fluid than it takes in, causing it to function at a decreased capacity. Many people don’t realize they should drink water steadily throughout the day, even if they don’t feel like they need it. A good rule of thumb to remember is that if you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated! The Mayo Clinic suggests men d...

Like many of us, you may have an array of spices sitting idle in your pantry with nary a clue what to do with some of them. Or, in which foods they would best suit; turmeric is one such spice. This exotic spice, Curcuma longa, is native to Southeast Asia. It has a saturated, bright yellow hue and a pungent bitter taste. The spice itself is extracted from a root that belongs to the same family as ginger. However, this root spice is much more than just a culinary additive to enhance taste or color. It has been used for centuries in Indian ayurvedic practices. It is also being studied for its various pharmaceutical and medicinal properties. Inflammation The active components of turmeric , called curcuminoids, are polyphenols, which are a class of antioxidants. Antioxidants, like those in turmeric, scavenge and neutralize free radicals or unstable reactive molecules. These unstable molecules steal electrons from other substances and can damage cell membranes, tissues, and DNA. It als...

Collagen has gained in popularity over the last decade, becoming a household word for its supposed benefits to numerous areas throughout your body. Chances are, if you’ve spent any time watching TV, you’ve seen ads promoting collagen-infused face creams, hair products, and joint supplements. It’s no accident that so many companies choose to add it in to their products to increase sales and provide noticeable and effective results. The benefits of collagen to promote healthy joints and keep women moving are unmatched, making it a popular option for those seeking to stay active and pain-free. The question is, why does collagen have such powerful health benefits? Also, what’s the best way to use it to get the most significant results? What Is Collagen? Before we can talk about the numerous benefits it offers, it’s important to understand what it is. Collagen is the most abundant naturally occurring protein. It helps build muscle, bones, ligaments, tendons, hair, skin and helps create ...