Getting old is inevitable. Try as we might to find some sort of fountain of youth, the battle against time is a losing one. Hair will gray, wrinkles will form, and muscle loss will occur. But, insofar as that last one is concerned, there may be a way to slow down at least this part of the aging process.

A study from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine points to selenium deficiency as a possible contributor to accelerated muscle loss. Selenium plays a role in protein synthesis, maintaining muscle mass, immune function and neutralizing free radicals. Because many old people fail to consume adequate amounts of this mineral, it may contribute to a decrease in strength, muscle balance and overall mobility.

Most multi-vitamins contain selenium, and it of course can also be sourced from protein-rich foods. However, it is important to note that consuming too much selenium can actually be deadly, which is why you should speak to a doctor before changing your diet to purposely include more of this mineral.

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Flat abs are like the holy grail of fitness. Ok, I'm being a bit dramatic because some people actually do have real six packs, but for most of us? A flat stomach seems unattainable, despite hours of cardio and countless crunches. But don't give up. Here are some foods to load up on if you're trying to trim the bulge around your midsection:

1. Fruits and Veggies. With lots of fiber and antioxidants, fruits and veggies will make your whole body healthier
   
2. Selenium. This nutrient has been linked to smaller waistlines. To make sure you're getting enough, eat a varied diet full of fruits, veggies and whole grains.
   
3. Protein. It will keep you full and full of energy, which will lead to weight loss.
4. Red wine. A glass of red wine with dinner has been linked to smaller waistlines, particularly in women. If you don't already drink, don't take up the habit, but if you like wine, drink up (in moderation.)
5. Healthy fats. Think olive oil, fish and flaxseed -- and anything else with Omega-3. Fats to avoid? Omega-6s (found in baked good, corn oil and cereal) -- they'll pile pounds onto your tummy. And always avoid trans fats.

Don't be fooled by these 12 "healthy" foods that really aren't:

Why? Click to find out!

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For everyone who's been popping vitamins to keep them healthy and strong, Reader's Digest recently published 'The Vitamin Hoax - What Not to Take' in their November 2007 issue.

To my friends (myself included), who have been popping pills like Vitamin A and E everyday by only following a beauty columnist's advice on how to make your skin glow (yes, I'm trying to get rid of wrinkles), the Reader's Digest article claims that studies show:

• Taking antioxidant vitamins increases a person's risk of dying by 16%.
• High doses of Vitamin E taken over 10 years slightly elevated cancer risk in smokers.
• Too much Vitamin A increases the risk of liver and lung cancer.

There's so much more to quote in the recent issue, and that doesn't mean I agree or disagree with the article. I just want to share it with you. Everyone should take the time to read it and decide for themselves about what it says because what we learn about vitamins and supplements seems to change daily.

If you are wondering, yes, I take vitamins (as do my children), and will continue to do so -- but that said -- people should stop depending on supplements and instead get their vitamins from a balanced diet consisting of real food (rather than processed). The problem: Only 3 percent of us actually eat that well, so it's much easier said than done ... and supplements can be a good option if you're not getting what you need from your diet.

Here is the list of 10 Vitamins that Reader's Digest suggests that we do not need to take and their reasons why:

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I like the view in this piece that we shouldn't rely on a pill to get all of the vitamins and minerals we need to keep our bodies healthy. Many exist in abundance in food so why no make a commitment to include them as part of a regular diet rather than always turning to a multivitamin? I'm not saying they multivitamins are useless, but if it's possible to absorb vitamins in food, why not give that a try too?

For those who are interested in giving it a go, here is a list of 10 essentials, along with one of the many reasons each is so good for you and some of the foods that are packed full of them:

• Iron - Prevents anemia, found in tofu, lean red meat, nuts and seeds, dried fruit and fortified cereal.
• Vitamin C - Helps your body deal with stress, found in orange juice and citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli, spinach and bell peppers.
• Vitamin D - Aids in cancer prevention, found in fortified milk and yogurt, salmon and can be absorbed from a small amount of sun exposure.
• Vitamin E - An antioxidant that helps lower the risk of a stroke, found in almonds and sunflower seeds.
• Vitamin K - Aids in blood clotting, found in avocados, kale, spinach and pine nuts.
• Calcium - Essential for bone health, found in milk and dairy products, broccoli, almonds and sesame seeds.
• Folate - Fights cancer, found in peanuts, lentils, corn and spinach
• Selenium - Keeps immune system strong, found in shellfish, Brazil nuts and sesame seeds.
• Magnesium - Helps keep bones strong, found in beans, seeds, nuts and green leafy vegetables.
• Potassium - Works to keep blood pressure level, found in sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, kiwi and bananas.

To find out more about why these are all so good for you, as well as other foods that contain the 10 vitamins and minerals, take a look here. The article even includes a recipe for each, and they all look pretty tasty.

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Selenium is a mineral found in soil and in foods such as wheat germ, shellfish, liver, sunflower seeds, and mushrooms. Selenium aids in metabolism. Selenium supplements have been recommended for a broad range of things from cold sores to arthritis. It was previously thought that selenium may be helpful in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. Recent research, however, uncovers that the exact opposite is true. Long-term use of selenium supplements can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.

50% of the 1,202 participants in a long-term study took selenium supplements. Over a period of 7.7 years, the people who took the supplements had a 50% greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes.

Some multivitamins or supplements contain up to 200 milligrams of selenium. While the recommended dose depends upon your age, for most adults the recommendation is around 55 milligrams. A healthy diet can provide all the selenium most people need.

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Having a bit of a buddha belly (like I do) is usually a sign that you're just eating too many calories, but many experts are beginning to believe that some foods can go straight to your abs, giving you that dreaded muffin top. If you're trying to take some pounds off your midsection, AOL Body has these tips:

-Eat lots of veggies, especially orange ones
-Get more Selenium in your diet (Selenium can be found in some Cheeses -- Hooray!)
-Up the protein in your diet
-Drink a glass of wine every day (Wicked!)
-Eat only good fats, like olive oil.

I guess a couple hundred crunches a day could also help, but drinking wine is a much more viable option for me. You too?

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