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.

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Fat-free diets are so last year. Today's diet gurus know that a little fat -- as long as it's the right fat -- can be a very good thing. In fact, in a recent study, supplementing with certain fats helped obese, postmenopausal women lose fat and gain lean muscle mass.

Researchers asked older women with obesity and type 2 diabetes to take eight capsules a day of either safflower oil or conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), an omega-6 fatty acid that's found in certain foods. Each group took supplements for 16 weeks, took a month off, then began using the other oil.

The results were interesting: Safflower oil decreased belly fat, increased muscle mass and lowered fasting glucose levels in the women. CLA decreased women's BMI by an average of a half a point.

Money stressing you out? Relax. Exercise will make you feel better, and you don't need big bucks to get fit. Let Fitz teach you how to get a flat belly on a budget.

Omega-3s are great for your heart, but they might help you lose weight by controlling inflammation in the body. Jonny's got the scoop.

French women think they're fat, even if the rest of the world doesn't. Do you compare yourself to your peers when judging your body size?

Looking to change up your beauty routine? Instead of shopping the makeup aisle, head to the produce section for antioxidant-rich foods.

Popular cooking show "Cook Yourself Thin" is now a #1 selling book on Amazon. Home-cooked meals are usually more healthy than restaurant versions. Could this be your weight-loss solution?

Remember when you used to make Mom breakfast in bed? You can still treat her to a Mother's Day brunch. Kristen's got ideas that are tasty and nutritious, but healthy too.

Whole wheat is a great source of whole grain, but it's definitely not the only one. Bev and Maggie have tips trying out some nutritious but less well known whole grains.

Are you a sucker for a dollar menu? Then make your own value snacks at home, without all the fat, sugar and salt.

High heels might make your legs look sexier, but exercising in them? That's a new one for me! Check out the high heel workout and see if it sounds like something you'd like to try.

Tired of your current workout playlist? Check out ours! Jacki pulled together some of our favorite workout songs for a little motivation. Share your favorite with us in comments!

Apparently, millions of Americans -- including those at a low-risk of heart attack -- should be on the cholesterol-reducing drugs. In my opinion, this is scary. Don't get me wrong -- statins are a wonderful thing and have helped many, many people. But we are a very medicated society and the fact that the medical community feels the need to medicate the low-risk population is frightening. Especially when healthy living could solve many of the same problems.

People with high cholesterol aren't the only ones who should be paying attention to their numbers. Even if your cholesterol falls in healthy ranges, you should still be taking proactive measures to manage it:

• Exercise regularly. Aerobic exercise increases your HDL cholesterol. HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is the "good" cholesterol because it helps carry the bad cholesterol out of your blood stream. Your HDL levels should be greater than 40 mg/dl.

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If you're not convinced a healthy diet is the way to go, consider this: The better you eat, the better your skin looks. I don't know about you, but I sure don't like a compromised complexion. If you don't either, try incorporating these healthy goods into your diet -- they'll work from the inside out and are as good for your skin as any cream you can slap on it, says Cheryl Forberg, author of Positively Ageless and contributor for Prevention.com.

• Omega-3-rich fish, such as salmon, anchovies, and sardines. Flax seed counts too. Full of wonderful oils for the skin, omega-3s promote softness and minimize fine lines.
• Lean dairy products, such as yogurt and kefir. These contain loads of calcium and protein and work to repair cells and promote the growth of collagen.
• Healthy fats, such as olive oil and nuts. Get your vitamin E and more omega-3s here if you want softer skin.
  
• Fruits and vegetables, especially berries, like blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries. Can't go wrong with these picks -- they'll secure the integrity of your skin.

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David Beckham might have mad skills on the soccer field and good looks on the red carpet, but he's also a dad, and he knows how difficult it is to get children to eat healthfully, which is why he has agreed to be the face of a new line of frozen meals by Goldenballs.

The GO3 line of frozen ready-cook meals includes noodles, chicken wraps, and fish fingers, all packed full of vital nutrients like Omega-3 oils. And, according to Beckham's sons, they're full of flavor, too -- all three are fans of the food.

Becks wanted to create the types of food kids like to eat, but in a healthier way, in the hopes that his healthy and yummy meals will give obese kids a better option than fast food. He says: "... I think the range is a great way to help families take some small steps to be fit and healthy at affordable prices."

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Salmon is by far my favorite type of seafood. Not only is it delicious, it's good for you, too; it's rich in omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin D, selenium, protein, and vitamins B3 and B12.

While it's important to me to serve healthful meals for me and my son, I'm not the world's most innovative cook. That's another reason why salmon is tops on my list. It's so easy to cook ... you really can't go wrong. My favorite method is to drizzle it with just a tiny bit of olive oil, sprinkle some paprika on top, and grill it. The same method works in the oven, too. I usually pair it with some seasoned brown rice and steamed asparagus.

Real Simple has eight salmon recipes that are much more creative than my stand-by preparation method. The Dill Salmon Burgers sound awesome as does the Blackened Salmon.

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Flax is something we hear about often, and it's always praise -- in fact, health food nuts just can't get enough of it. So when one of my favourite bloggers asked the question Is Flax Bad? I was a little baffled. Bad? It's considered a superfood because of all those healthy Omega 3s! How can it be bad?

Here's the thing: Flax was recently linked to prostate cancer. It has nothing to do with Omega-3s; rather, it has to do with ALA, an organic compound in some vegetable oils that has been linked to cancer.

So what does this mean for you? Research is just in the preliminary stages, but nonethless, you might want to consider a different source of Omega-3s, such as fish oil. This goes for both men and women. For more information, head over to Mark's Daily Apple.

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I have a favorite salad I make at home. It's healthy. It's easy. It's something you might want to add to your at-home menu.

It all starts with a bed of baby spinach leaves. Then I add a handful of red grapes, sprinkle on some shredded carrots, mix in some dried cranberries, and toss in a few shaved almonds. For a dose of good protein and a serving of essential omega-3 fats, I top with salmon, which is always a leftover from a previous dinner meal.

No dressing for this salad. The juice from the grapes and the moist fish do the trick all on their own.

This weekend, our family went to a Mexican Fiesta party. I gotta say, not only were the food offerings delicious -- and plentiful! -- they were also healthy. From guacamole and veggies to slow-cooked beans with cilantro, there was something to satisfy every taste, and every nutritional need.

My favorite had to be the Mexican chopped salad with honey lime dressing. This salad had greens, chunks and color, color, color. Everything is fresh and the balanced ingredients are oozing nutrition.

Talk about a masterpiece: romaine, black beans, corn, tomato, avocado, jicama, radishes, red pepper, and a delectable dressing, complete with fresh garlic.

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Unless you're tested for it, you usually won't know that you have high blood pressure. But, if you're overweight, a smoker, stressed out, a heavy drinker, and/or over the age of 35, you should at least have some suspicion.

To get your resting BP in check, it's important to perform a cardio workout at least three days a week, as this will dilate and relax your blood vessels and help your arteries become more flexible (which therefore reduces the amount of work your heart must do in order to pump blood). There are also certain foods you should include in your BP-lowering diet, as well as several you should avoid. Here's a look at a few of them.

Try to Eat ...

• Omega-3-rich oily fish
• Olives, mixed nuts, avocados, and other healthy-fat foods
  
• Potassium rich fruits such as apricots, oranges, bananas

Try to Avoid ...

• Processed meats and other high-salt foods
• Trans-fat-laden foods, such as bakery items and donuts
• Too much alcohol -- yes, a few drinks may benefit your heart, but too much constricts arteries

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When I was a young girl, my family spent out summers at a cottage in the northern part of our state. It was lovely waking up early in the morning and going for a swim in the lake. We'd spend the mornings and afternoons at the cottage, but then we'd head out to explore the neighboring areas. One of my favorite spots was a fishing village on the edge Lake Michigan. We'd shop and buy fish fresh off the boat -- a delicious dinner just waiting to be baked or grilled.

Most fish and many shellfish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, most seafood is only 20 to 50 calories per ounce. So, with healthy preparation, seafood is a wonderful addition to your dinner plate. Check out some of these great recipes from Self Magazine:

• Blue-Claw Crab Boil with Asian Condiments.
• Seared Sea Scallops with Lemongrass Sauce.
• Steamed Fish with Scallions and Ginger.

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The nutritional supplement industry is an economic juggernaut, one that continues to thrive even during these tougher financial times. Unlike prescription medications, supplements do not have to undergo a vetting process by the FDA, which serves to explain why manufacturers are able to make many unsubstantiated claims with relative impunity.

Does this mean that all supplements are worthless? I certainly wouldn't go as far as to say that. What I would say, however, is that it is wise to speak with a medical professional before taking a supplement to find out: a) If it is safe for you to take it, and b) If it will help you achieve your specific health and fitness goals. In efforts to expedite that conversation (doctors are busy people), at least narrow your options down to supplements that have shown promise in peer-reviewed studies.

Here are 5 of them:

5 - Protein Shake. While it's entirely possible to get enough daily protein from your regular diet, it's sometimes quite difficult to do so. Protein shakes provide you with a convenient and tasty way to get at least 20-25 grams of protein and a substantial amount of amino acids with each serving.

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A growing body of evidence suggests that DHA (a type of omega-3 fatty acid) and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

A recent study published in the journal Neurology summarized the findings of a four-year study of over 8,000 French men and women age 65 and older. The study suggests that daily consumption of fruits and vegetables greatly reduces the chances of dementia from all causes. Moreover, the study also suggests that weekly fish consumption -- fish is high in DHA -- was also associated with a reduced risk of dementia from all causes, including Alzheimer's disease in people who lack a specific genotype (apoE4) that, in and of itself, is a risk factor for developing Alzheimer's.

Most people have no issue eating fruits and vegetables, but not everyone enjoys fish. Fortunately, there are several other ways to still get DHA in your diet, including nutritional supplementation and healthy fortified foods.

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Each week, we'll be naming a Super Food and offering unique ways to use those Super Foods that pack nutritional power. After all, you are what you eat -- make it count!

Few health foods can be found in the junk food aisle of your local grocery store. But there is one healthy item to be had in the seemingly endless sea of stuff that's bad for you. I'll give you a hint: it comes in little tins. Give up yet? Next time you're not sure what to pick up for a quick a delicious snack, nuts are your best bet.

But wait a second, you say. Aren't nuts high in fat? And salt? And calories? The answers to those questions are yes, yes and yes, but don't be too quick to write nuts off -- I'll tell you why.