Check out our Diet Reviews on AOL Health!

AOL Health Editors

-

Keep the Weight Off, Hottest Antioxidants and Food Companies' Biggest Secrets

AOL Health

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements

Whether extra stress, sex (hey -- you were thinking it, too) or sick days is the reason you've lost a few extra pounds, our keep-the-weight-off guide will keep you looking slim in your loose-fitting clothes.

Are you making the most of your meals by filling up on the hottest antioxidants -- nutrients that can help you prevent wrinkles and grow shinier hair and stronger nails? Click through AOL Health's photo slide show of the best of the best nutritional powerhouses out there.

You may have realized your Kraft Mac and Cheese contains no real cheese, but did you know that Smucker's "100 percent fruit" label is anything but truthful? Ingredient secrets food companies don't want you to know.

We at That's Fit and AOL Health know you've got a lot going on in your lives besides staying in great shape, and we realize that more than just diet and exercise goes into feeling your best every day. That's why we're sharing some of the exciting reporting going on at AOL Health.

Good Luck to All The NYC Marathon Runners!

Rachel Been, AOL

That's Fit would like to wish our very own Senior Editor Jennifer Fields good luck at the New York City Marathon this Sunday! Each week Jennifer has been sharing advice and news on all things running in her column Fit Running. So if you want to learn about which new piece of gear is really worth it, or get inspired by runners overcoming amazing odds, be sure to check it out. We'd also like to send a big "Good Luck" to AOL's Senior Home & Garden Editor Alison Mezzafonte and everyone else participating in the marathon this weekend. If you're running in the marathon, please let us know in the comments section below.

Dr. Oz's Greatest Health Tips and Foods that Sabbotage or Improve Sleep: Links We Love

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Alternative & Green Health, Men's Health

We at That's Fit and AOL Health know you've got a lot going on in your lives besides staying in great shape, and we realize that more than just diet and exercise goes into feeling your best every day. That's why we're sharing some of the exciting reporting going on at AOL Health.

At That's Fit and AOL Health we certainly love yoga (for weight-loss, to improve sex and more!), but Dr. Oz gave us one more reason to harness our inner-yogis: Loosening your muscles through yoga may mean you're less likely to injure yourself in your other fitness activities. Find 24 more health tips from Dr. Oz.

Got a case of the Monday afternoon slumps? Continue reading to find out why toast could help improve your sleep.

Ahh, the late-night fridge and cupboard rounds...Tempting though they may be, midnight snacks could hurt your chances of catching some Zzzs.

Flaxseed -- What is it?

Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements

Flaxseed is the seed of the flax plant. Flaxseed oil (also called linseed oil) comes from flaxseeds and is available in liquid and capsule form. Whole, crushed or powdered flaxseed can be mixed with water or juice and taken orally, or can be sprinkled on foods. Although flaxseed contains many healthy components, it is primarily made up of three ingredients: Omega-3 essential fatty acids ("good" fats that have been shown to have heart-healthy effects), lignans (which have both plant estrogen and antioxidant qualities) and fiber (both the soluble and insoluble types).

Since flaxseed contains soluble fiber, like that found in oat bran, it is considered an effective laxative. Studies of flaxseed have been shown to lower cholesterol levels, also thought to be a benefit, report mixed results. Additionally, some studies suggest that alpha-linolenic acid, also called ALA (a substance found in flaxseed and flaxseed oil) may benefit people with heart disease. But not enough reliable data is available to determine whether flaxseed is effective for heart conditions.

There are some differences between flaxseed and flaxseed oil that should be noted. Flaxseed contains lignans (phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens), while flaxseed oil preparations lack lignans; flaxseed oil alone contains neither the fiber nor the phytochemicals of whole flaxseed.

Flaxseeds need to be ground to make the nutrients available, otherwise they just pass through. Flaxseed and flaxseed oil supplements seem to be well-tolerated and few side effects have been reported. However, since flax has such a high fiber content, it's best to start with a small amount and increase your intake slowly, otherwise cramping and a "laxative effect" can result. People with Irritable Bowel Syndrome may have an especially strong reaction to it. Flaxseed, like any supplemental fiber source, should be taken with plenty of water; otherwise, it could worsen constipation or, in rare cases, even cause intestinal blockage. The fiber in flaxseed may also lower the body's ability to absorb oral medications, so it's often advised that flaxseed should not be taken at the same time as any conventional oral medications or other dietary supplements. The optimum dose to obtain health benefits is not yet known, but one to two tablespoons of ground flaxseed a day is currently the suggested dose, according to the Flax Council of Canada.

Black Cohosh -- A Natural Remedy?

Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements

Black cohosh has a history of use for arthritis and muscle pain, but today, it is one of the more popular herbal remedies and nutritional supplements used primarily to treat hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and other symptoms that can occur during menopause. Black cohosh has also been used for menstrual irregularities and premenstrual syndrome, as well as to induce labor.

Black cohosh (known as both Actaea racemosa and Cimicifuga racemosa), a member of the buttercup family, is a perennial plant that is native to North America. Initial research on black cohosh suggests that it may improve some menopausal symptoms for up to six months. But while preliminary evidence is encouraging, the currently available data is not sufficient to support a recommendation on the use of the herb for menopausal symptoms.

How black cohosh works isn't understood. The safety of black cohosh in pregnant or breast-feeding women or children hasn't been established. Black cohosh is sometimes used by nurse-midwives to induce labor, but it should never be used by a pregnant woman without supervision by a qualified healthcare provider, because it could stimulate uterine contractions and result in miscarriage. Because black cohosh may act like the hormone estrogen in the body, it could also potentially interfere with hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives.

What Your Body Is Telling You: This Week on AOL Health

AOL Health

Diet & Weight Loss, Alternative & Green Health

woman's calves
Photo: Jupiterimages
From your bra size (large may indicate diabetes, ladies) to the width of your calves (skinnier is the problem here -- it may signal heart trouble), body characteristics can indicate a wealth of information about your overall health. Discover your body's 10 weirdest health clues this week on AOL Health.

Bethenny Frankel of "Real Housewives" Gets Engaged to Boyfriend Jason Hoppy

Celebs & Entertainment

bethenny frankel

Photo: Jemal Countess, Getty Images



Bethenny Frankel will be putting the 'wife' back in "The Real Housewives of New York" this season. The reality TV star and natural foods chef recently confirmed her engagement to Housewives co-star Jason Hoppy, according to PEOPLE magazine.

Frankel, 38, is the author of The New York Times bestseller, Naturally Thin, which offers simple rules to stop dieting and rethink your relationship with food. She also has a line including a line of all-natural baked goods, and her SkinnyGirl margarita.

Frankel and Hoppy have been dating for nearly a year, when they met at the nightclub Tenjune. He proposed at her Upper East Side apartment, surprising her with an 8-carat diamond ring. The couple has not set a date yet.

Best Lower Back Exercises, Live Younger, Longer and Health Mistakes Smart Women Make: Links We Love

AOL Health

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness

We at That's Fit and AOL Health know you've got a lot going on in your lives besides staying in great shape, and we realize that more than just diet and exercise goes into feeling your best every day. That's why we're sharing some of the exciting reporting going on at AOL Health.

Lower back pain is a common complaint among adults -- but the good news is staying active can help. This week on AOL Health, we cover which exercises can help reduce lower back pain.

You've probably heard it from us before, but your (good) diet and exercise habits are keeping you young. Knowing the healthier answer to something as simple as "Soup or salad?" could add two years to your life. Continue reading to learn how to had 22 young years to your life.

Avoiding the scale, lifting weights and flossing are just a few of the health mistakes smart women make. Read all 14 -- and why they matter in the long run -- at AOL Health.

Weight Watchers Points

Diet & Weight Loss

Weight Watchers POINTS are part of the Weight Watchers diet plan. Instead of counting calories, dieters track their consumption using a POINTS system. The number of POINTS allowed each day is determined by your gender, weight, height, age and how you spend your days -- and because low-fat, high-fiber foods have the fewest POINTS values, the system encourages such foods by default.

Since POINTS are essentially a free-for-all, dieters could potentially live off of junk food -- provided they stay within their daily POINTS limit. Some dieters may eat a high number of low-POINTS foods and end up without enough dietary fat or protein. Others might under-eat all day and save up their POINTS for a single splurge. Neither option is particularly healthy. But dieters who take a balanced approach to the system can find success.

"The research indicates that of all the commercial weight loss programs, Weight Watchers has the best track record though the overall weight loss is not as significant as most people desire," Cynthia Sass, M.P.H., M.A., R.D., spokesperson, American Dietetic Association told AOL Health. The other downside, claims Sass, is that the POINTS system is based on fat and fiber. "Many of my clients who've done Weight Watchers end up taking in too little healthy fats such as nuts, olive oil, avocado.

See our full Weight Watchers diet review for more information. Plus, find out how to calculate your Weight Watchers POINTS online.

Adipex: What Is It?

Diet & Weight Loss

Adipex is the brand name for the diet drug, phentermine. Phentermine is an oral medication prescribed to people who are obese and have not been able to lose weight with diet and exercise alone. The drug works by suppressing appetite and increasing the amount of energy the body uses. This medication is usually taken for only a few weeks at a time and should only be taken by the person it is prescribed for.

The possibility of serious side effects increases with longer use of this medication and with use of along with certain other diet drugs. Users should avoid drinking alcohol when taking this Adipex. Adipex may be habit-forming and may cause withdrawal reactions. Other side effects of Adipex include trouble sleeping (insomnia), dizziness, dry mouth, irritability, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. This drug may also cause serious, sometimes fatal, lung or heart problems, including pulmonary hypertension and heart valve problems. Adipex should not be used if you have certain medical conditions, such high blood pressure, glaucoma, history of alcohol/drug abuse, vascular heart disease, mental problems, stroke or overactive thyroid.

If you do take Adipex, do not crush, chew, break or open a capsule. Because the pill is designed to release slowly in the body, breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time and could be dangerous.

Stop using Adipex and call your doctor if you have any of these serious side effects: chest pain, swelling in your ankles or feet, feeling light-headed, or feeling short of breath, fast or uneven heartbeat, unusual thoughts or behavior, feeling restless or confused; or increased blood pressure.

 

Energy levels low? What you eat can make a difference. ...

loading...
Recent Comments
Featured Writers
Bob GreeneReggie Casagrande
Bob Greene
Jonny BowdenJohn GanonJonny Bowden

Tanya ZuckerbrotFadil BerishaTanya Zuckerbrot
Liz Neporent Liz Neporent