As I have commented in previous columns, herbs are the most widely used medicines in the world.  That said, most people don’t know much about herbs, and those who want to learn about them wonder where to go for good information.

Herbal Roots

I recall my first encounter with a real herbalist in the summer of 1971. At an organic farm in the countryside of Natick, Mass.,  I chanced to arrive there just as a noted herbalist named Ben Charles Harris (author of  Eat The Weeds) was about to give an herb walk.  I had no idea what an herb walk might be, but I fell in line with a small group, and we  wandered  fields and woods as Harris described the healing benefits of common local plants I had seen my entire life. I was surprised and thrilled to discover an entire new world of knowledge. Add that to the fact that Harris was an entertaining, highly opinionated and very eccentric character, and I had a great experience.  After that remarkable afternoon, I began to purchase and read various books on herbs.

The Green Pharmacy

In my meanderings through herbal literature, I have read a great many titles.  But if I could only recommend one, it would be Dr. James Duke’s The Green Pharmacy.  Dr Duke was the USDA’s  head botanist for 30 years, and I will say that nobody knows more about medicinal plants than Duke. His folksy style and easy manner of presentation belie the fact that he is an absolute crackerjack scientist. When Duke makes a seemingly casual comment in his book, he is backed up by reams of studies and decades of hard-core scientific inquiry. For anybody who wants to dive into the deep green pool of herbal knowledge, there is simply no better title than The Green Pharmacy. And if you want to know what herbs to use for your own health needs, this is the definitive book.

Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases

For those scientists and health professionals who require greater scientific detail  in their herbal information, the same sage Duke has amassed the Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases.  This extraordinary online system enables the user (it’s free) to find out about compounds in herbs, their activity in the human body or in animal studies, and gives the study citations themselves. Anybody who wishes to go deeply into herbal science can spend several happy years poring through this vast system

HealthNotes Online

A clever guy named Skye Lininger, along with his talented staff, have put together HealthNotes Online. Google it, and you can quickly learn about which herbs to use for what health purpose, with references to scientific studies.  If you have no time to sit with a book, HealthNotes Online gives you the information you require, credibly and quickly. It’s being constantly updated.

American Botanical Council

For those who wish to stay abreast of the daily and weekly science on herbs that flows freely from hundreds of journals worldwide, there is no better organization to join than the American Botanical Council, based in Austin, Texas. Started by herbalist and forward thinker Mark Blumenthal, ABC may just be the very best source on planet Earth for herbal information. However deeply you want to go, American Botanical Council can take you there. Need to educate out-of-touch critics? Grab a stack of world-class studies from ABC. For health professionals who wish to emerge from the dark ages and enter the world of complementary medicine, a membership in ABC is de rigeur. Be there, or be square.

National Geographic is up to way more than searching for lost tribes and producing maps.  The august scientific and exploratory institution has turned out The National Geographic Desk Reference To Nature’s Medicine, by  Steven Foster and Rebecca Johnson. Clear, fascinating and chock-full of author Foster’s brilliant photographs, this book on plant medicines deserves an honored spot on every coffee table. Whatever your health needs, you’ll find answers in there. Or just flip through page after fascinating page and open up to a whole new world of knowledge.

Mark Plotkin’s Tales Of A Shaman’s Apprentice describes Plotkin’s time deep in the Amazon  rainforest with a canny and wizened native healer who imparted to him a vast body of knowledge about medicinal plants. The Harvard-educated Plotkin leads the reader into an extraordinary world of natural healing, and spins a terrific yarn in the process.  Your hair will stand on end through some of it, but Plotkin, keeps his head level. It’s a spellbinding  book.

Two of my own contributions to the literature on herbal exploration include Kava, Medicine Hunting in Paradise, and Tales from The Medicine Trail.  In the first title, I take readers through my early experiences delving into South Pacific island culture in the tiny nation of Vanuatu, hunting for kava, nature’s most effective plant for anxiety. I tell of my first encounters with natives in one of the few remaining unspoiled places on earth. In Tales From The Medicine Trail,  I detail my experiences, from the sublime to the thoroughly horrific, in India, the Amazon, the Peruvian Andes and the South Pacific. If you want to know what it’s like to investigate medicinal plants in foreign and remote places, these two books will take you there. I promise you some wild, entertaining scenes, as well as plenty of great information.

There are thousands of titles on herbal remedies. American Botanical Council has a tremendous number of excellent works for sale. So whatever your level of interest or knowledge, you can find what you seek. Be assured, there is plenty out there. The days of insufficent information or science on herbs are long, long gone. Happy reading!

Chris Kilham is a medicine hunter who researches natural remedies all over the world, from the Amazon to Siberia. He teaches ethnobotany at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he is Explorer In Residence. Chris advises herbal, cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies and is a regular guest on radio and TV programs worldwide.  His field research is largely sponsored by Naturex of Avignon, France. Read more at www.MedicineHunter.com

The topic of anal cancer has gotten a lot of media attention lately because of Farrah Fawcett’s very public battle with the disease. And it’s raised a lot of important questions about advances in cancer treatment and the future for patients fighting the battle of their lives.

What is anal cancer and who is at risk for it?

Anal cancer is characterized by the growth of a tumor around the anus ― which is opening at the end of the intestinal tract — and it’s completely different from colon cancer. A large proportion of anal cancers have tested positive for human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted disease, but this isn’t the only cause.

Other patient populations at a greater risk for developing anal cancer include patients with multiple sexual partners, those who participate in anal intercourse, smokers, people with immunosuppressive diseases, such as HIV, and people with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.

———————————————————————————————————————————-

What is the treatment for anal or intestinal cancer?

If it’s caught early, the most common treatment for anal cancer is surgery. But in patients whose cancer affects the anal sphincter, having surgery to remove the tumor and cancerous cells can lead to fecal incontinence causing the need for a permanent colostomy. So often for these patients, radiation and chemotherapy may be the preferred course of treatment. For later stage anal cancers, doctors treat patients with a combination of radiation and chemotherapy.

———————————————————————————————————————————–

What is the cure rate for anal cancer?

Well ― like any cancer, early detection greatly increases the chance of survival. If it’s caught in the early stage, there is an 86 percent five year survival rate. If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, the survival rate decreases to 54 percent. Up to 10 percent of patients treated for anal cancer will develop cancer elsewhere in the body.

———————————————————————————————————————————–

What kind of advances are we making in cancer research?

We have made advances with regard to the surgical treatment of cancers by offering minimally invasive surgeries. In some cases, we’re able to provide surgical treatments with less negative side effects and shorter recovery time. Clinical studies have shown that other treatments like radiation and chemotherapy may be just as effective as surgery without many of the negative side effects.

With regard to medical treatments, there have certainly been advances in the kinds of treatments we’re using. New medical technologies are making it possible for doctors to individualize a patient’s treatment by studying the genetic makeup of their particular cancer — ultimately decreasing the chances of recurrence or spread of the cancer, and increasing a patient’s survival outcome.

———————————————————————————————————————————-

What are the major milestones/accomplishments we’ve seen in cancer research recently?

Well again, one of the major milestones is being able to identify the genetic makeup of cancers individual to each patient.

The other advancement is the research that’s been done in molecular-targeted therapies. These therapies target the development of cancers by inhibiting the growth of the disease at the cellular level — which we hope will be able to limit or potentially even stop the cancer from spreading.

Molecular-targeted therapy is a more specific treatment than chemotherapy, because chemo treatment kills off not only the bad cells — but also the healthy cells in the body. So with a therapy that is very specific in its attack of cancerous cells, the hope is that it should more be effective in stopping the development of the cancer.

———————————————————————————————————————————-

What are some tips for preventing cancer?

We’ve all heard it time and time again — good health comes from making healthy choices. So my first tip would be stop smoking! I’m sure I don’t have to tell you, cigarettes are full of cancer-causing agents and have been linked to the development of many cancers in the body.

Second, everything in moderation including alcohol! If you’re the kind of person who enjoys a nice cocktail, make sure you do it in moderation, which means 1 or 2 glasses — preferrably of red wine — or else,  just avoid alcohol all together.

Make healthy dietary choices. Try to maintain a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fruits and vegetables. Both provide essential nutrients and antioxidants which help ward off disease. Limit the amount of read meat you consume, since high levels of it have been linked to certain cancers.

Recent studies have shown that vitamin D may play an important role protecting against the development of certain diseases. Because exposure to small amounts of sunlight causes the body to produce healthy amounts of vitamin D, people who live in cold environments or places with extended seasons of darkness may want to consider getting their vitamin D levels checked and taking supplements.

And finally — know your family history so you can better determine your risk for other cancers, because your screenings for certain cancers may start earlier than what is recommended to the general population, and preventive therapies may be an option for you.

Dr. Cynara Coomer is an assistant professor of surgery specializing in breast health and breast cancer surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. She is a FOX News Health contributor providing medical expertise on a variety of topics in cancer research with a focus on women’s health, breast diseases and tips for healthy breasts at any age.

MYTH: EATING AFTER 8 CAUSES WEIGHT GAIN
The reason most people think that eating at night causes weight gain is because people tend to eat extra at night, not taking into account what they have already eaten during the day. Well, the way it works is that at the end of the day, the more calories you eat, the more weight you gain — regardless if it’s during the day or at night.  Even the healthiest foods, when eaten in greater amounts than needed for energy, will be stored as fat. It is not possible to circumvent the laws of thermodynamics and energy balance. It all comes down to calories in vs. calories out.
However, the reason most people do gain weight from eating at night is because they have a late dinner after not eating for a long period of time. This makes it hard to make good food choices and also to keep portions in control. You may end up picking up a slice of pizza or two whereas if you weren’t as hungry you would have time to cook a healthy dinner without sabotaging your diet.

The second concern that comes with late night eating is “mindless” snacking in front of the TV or hanging out with your buddies. People tend to pig out on ice cream, cookies, or pizza (not on celery and carrots) and this leads to weight gain because it is usually extra calories taken in.

So aim to spread your calories throughout the day and if you do have to eat a late dinner, don’t worry about it leading to weight gain as long as you have not overeaten during the day.  Try and eat most of your carbs during the day (carbs are used for energy so eat them at breakfast, lunch and snack to fuel your activities: work, school, gym, etc). At night, focus on eating protein and vegetables since most likely your lying around and don’t need the energy from carbs.

MYTH: SUGAR MAKES KIDS HYPER
This is a huge myth. It has even spawned a popular phrase:  “sugar buzz.” But when researchers put it to the test, they found no evidence that sugar led to hyperactivity in kids or adults. Researchers found that hyperactivity of children at parties or any type of festivity is from the environment they are in. In fact, in one study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, they gave some kids sugared foods and gave others foods with artificial sweeteners. Their parents and the researchers didn’t know who was eating sugar and who wasn’t. They monitored the kids for things like irritability and hyperactivity and they found no difference. 

Another cause for hyperactivity could be from caffeine found in soda or even chocolate. Sugar may have an effect on kids with established hyperactivity, but it won’t make a non-hyperactive child become hyperactive. All sugar will do will increase your energy level, but it won’t cause hyperactivity. Many people still blame sugar for their children’s “wild” behavior, but technically speaking there is no science that proves this.

Any food that affects blood-sugar levels can create an adrenaline surge, which will lead to a burst of energy. However, many kid-favorite, sugary snacks are lacking fiber which is the  reason why your child may become hyperactive.  So if your child is often bouncing off the walls of your home, simply swapping an orange for orange juice or high-fiber cereals for sugared varieties, will keep their blood sugar levels normal.

MYTH: SWALLOWED GUM STAYS IN YOUR BODY FOR 7 YEARS
For the most part, gum is as indigestible as a paper clip. Gum is made from gum resin, flavoring and sweeteners. The human body cannot digest gum resin. Many of us were told as children that it would stick to our insides for seven years, but that is absolutely not true. Our bodies move indigestible material through our digestive systems and out of our bodies in bowel movements.

Many people don’t realize this, but chewing gum can cause bloating because it causes you to swallow air. All that air gets trapped in your GI tract and causes pressure, bloating, and belly expansion.

There is absolutely no nutritional benefit to gum. Sugar-free gum often contains sorbitol. Sorbitol is a sugar substitute that acts as a laxative, which draws water into the large intestine. As little as four sticks of sorbitol-containing gum can cause bloating and abdominal pain.

MYTH: ORGANIC FOOD IS HEALTHIER THAN CONVENTIONAL FOODS
According to The Institute of Food Technologists, organic food is no healthier than conventionally grown foods. Organic food means that its ingredients were grown without chemical pesticides, fertilizers or insecticides. It’s healthy because there are no chemicals, but organic doesn’t necessarily mean the food is nutritious.

Of course, even organic or all-natural food can pack on pounds. So be careful you don’t get carried away.  Take organic potato chips and cookies for example. Over eating these will still make you fat!

Considering organically-grown food can cost more than twice as much as conventionally-grown food, sticking to a diet rich in whole grains, lean protein, fruits and vegetables is your best bet to your healthiest and happiest diet.

MYTH: RAW VEGETABLES ARE ALWAYS BETTER THAN COOKED VEGETABLES
Not so. The amount of nutrients you get from vegetables can differ for a number of reasons, such as how long you store them and how (or if) you cook them. Although cooking vegetables can lose nutrients, cooking can sometimes increase the amount of nutrients available to the body. An example of this is the antioxidant lycopene in tomatoes. Cooking tomatoes releases more lycopene than is available in raw tomatoes.  In addition, in January, a report in The Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry concluded that cooking carrots, zucchini and broccoli was better than eating them raw.

Loss of nutrients can occur in cooking because some vitamins, like vitamins B and C, dissolve in water. Some can be lost if the vegetables are boiled for too long. Steaming or stir-frying helps retain the vitamins when you cook vegetables. The fact of the matter is vegetables are powerhouses of nutrition, no matter which way you eat them. Whether raw or cooked, five servings of vegetables a day are recommended for good nutrition.

MYTH: CARBS MAKE YOU FAT
One of the greatest diet myths is that carbs make you fat.  Nothing can be further from the truth. If the only thing you ate all day was a bagel, that bagel would not make you fat.  It’s not that carbohydrates make us fat; it’s the quantity we eat which packs on the pounds. For example Italians live on pasta. Yet they eat pasta as their starter-primo piatto, which consists of 1 ½ cups equaling 375 calories. Then they follow with a segunda or main course of lean meat or fish and vegetables.

In the United States, on the other hand, we most often eat pasta as our main course. A typical main course serving of pasta in this country is about 4 cups, or 1,000 calories. Big difference! 

The secret to eating carbs and shedding pounds is eating high-fiber carbohydrates. Fiber is the zero calorie, indigestible component of carbohydrates. The more fiber a food contains, the less digestible carbohydrate there is. It is the net carbohydrate, not the total carbohydrate that gets converted and stored as fat.  High-fiber carbohydrates have lower net carbohydrates than foods that contain no fiber. In addition, fiber adds texture, bulk and chewing satisfaction, which aids in consuming fewer calories, yet still feeling full. Choose whole grain breads, cereals, fruits vegetables, and legumes to fill your tank without gaining weight. 

Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD is a nutritionist and founder of Skinnyandthecity.com.    She is also the creator of The F-Factor Diet™, an innovative nutritional program she has used for more than ten years to provide hundreds of her clients with all the tools they need to achieve easy weight loss and maintenance, improved health and well-being.  For more information log onto www.FFactorDiet.com.

Dear Yvonne,
I am a 50-year-old-man who has lost all interest in — and avoided — sex with my partner since she has gained weight. Watching her gobble a double pie a la mode for a nighttime snack was like an anti-Viagra for me. When I met her 3 years ago, she was perhaps 30 pounds thinner. I noticed an older photo of her and she appeared to be perhaps 50 pounds heavier. Do women lose weight to meet a man and seek commitment as if crossing a finish line to find the food again?
—JK 

Dear JK,
Both men and women often seek to be physically fit in order to attract a potential partner. Many do “let themselves go” once they have the commitment since they feel that the woo’ing phase of the relationship no longer requires work. However, it’s hard to say, if your partner intentionally lost weight to “nab” you, and then didn’t have a care in the world when she put the weight back on.

The reasons why people put on weight are very complicated and numerous. Factors that lead to weight gain include:

          o Diets high in calories (sodas), saturated fat (fried foods), and/or sugar (candy)
          o A lack of exercise
          o Not getting enough sleep
          o Stress
          o Health problems, for example, hypothyroidism
          o Medications
          o Menopause

In order to reclaim your sex life, try to spend quality time with your lover in ways that keep both of you active and eating healthy meals. Instead of being critical, try to be compassionate by expressing concern for her health, and offer to be of assistance in any way possible. Feeling sorry for yourself won’t do you or her any good.

Dr. Yvonne Kristín Fulbright is a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc. She is the author of several books including, “Touch Me There! A Hands-On Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots.”

Barack Obama has just become the President of the United States, which is a 24 hour job, 7 days a week, for the next 1,460 days.  One may say becoming president is quite a stressful job.  Stress compromises our immune system which can ultimately result in cardiovascular disorders, diabetes and hypertension. Stress also increases heart rate and blood pressure, just to name a few. Also, stress can alter your blood sugar levels, leading to mood swings, fatigue and hypoglycemia. To avoid these risks, one essential ingredient Obama must fill up on is fiber. According to the American Dietetic Association the average American should be receiving 20-35 grams of fiber daily, but are currently only receiving between 9-11 grams.  Many studies have shown that increasing your fiber intake will reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and hypertension. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential for President Obama.

Here are some tips to provide Obama the strength and ability to lead our country:

Fill up on fiber and protein.
Make sure every meal is a combination of fiber and protein.  Fiber and protein are the two nutrients that take the longest to digest.  It is this perfect combination of foods that keeps your serum glucose levels consistent, leading to improved energy throughout the day.  In addition, since fiber has 0 calories per gram, and protein has 4 calories per gram, you are guaranteed the least caloric intake with the most food intake.  Eating small, frequent meals helps to stabilize blood sugar and keep energy levels consistent.  In addition, it helps to prevent you from becoming ravenous at night which leads to poor food choices and less portion control, which eventually leads to overeating. Lean protein like grilled fish, which is often a choice for Obama, helps to fill you up on few calories without filling your glycogen stores. Instead of legs and thighs, try buying chicken breasts, which will save you countless calories and unsaturated fat. Switch from chop meat to lean, ground turkey. Choose lean cuts of meat like sirloin and filet and steer clear of marbelized fat meats.

Eat more fruits and veggies.
While reports have said that Barak Obama enjoys high fiber veggies like broccoli and spinach, by simply adding more produce to his diet, he will find that he’ll begin eating less and thereby maintain a healthy weight without making any additional dietary changes. Filling up on fiber-rich vegetables and fruit adds bulk and satiety to any diet without excess calories. Plus, you’ll get the extra health benefits of crucial vitamins and minerals.  Some other fiber rich choices include cauliflower, artichokes, heart of palm, apples, berries and pears.

Don’t skip breakfast.
Although being President barely leaves one time to breath, Obama must take a minute to eat breakfast. Recent research shows that eating breakfast can actually help you shed pounds by jump starting your metabolism for the day. A breakfast consisting of fiber and protein is the ultimate combination because these nutrients will fill you up on the fewest calories. Switching from white bread to whole wheat as well as from white rice and pasta to brown rice and whole wheat pasta, will not only save you calories, but provide you with fiber and essential nutrients.  Some delicious and satisfying breakfast options include a high-fiber cereal (5 grams or more) with skim milk and berries or an egg white omlette with veggies and a slice of whole wheat toast.

Eat 3 meals daily. 
Although this may be difficult for someone who has to run a country, eating at least 3 meals and a snack daily is a must. Eating throughout the day helps to keep your blood sugar from dropping too low, therefore avoiding the symptoms of hypoglycemia which tend to lead to overeating. Having lunch mid-day is a great way to incorporate more fiber into your diet, as well as keep you feeling fuller, longer and prevent you from overeating at late-night meetings. Your best bet for dinner is to start with a broth-based vegetable soup and a small salad with the dressing on the side.  This combination helps to provide you with both protein and fiber, and fills you up while adding a minimal amount of calories. You’ll find that you will fill up quicker, and hold off temptations for seconds.

Enjoy snacks.
Since it’s wise to eat something small at least every 3 hours, having a snack isn’t an indulgence — it’s an important part of your diet. Eating small snacks can help prevent you from becoming ravenous throughout the day and into the night. Carb-only snacks raise your blood sugar quickly then cause it to drop below normal. When that happens, you tend to eat anything you can get your hands on. However, what you choose as a snack can make a big difference on your energy and your mood. And often what most people choose is too high in calories and fat and leaves you hungry soon after. Snacks should be between 100-200 calories, which is just enough to satisfy you without sabotaging your health. They should also be a combination of fiber and protein, since fiber and protein are the two nutrients that take the longest to digest and keep you full and satisfied on fewer calories. Sample snacks include, 1oz. of pistachios with 8 dried apricots, Gnu Flavor and Fiber Bar, or a pear with 2 tablespoons of peanut butter.

Don’t drink your calories.
Research shows that our bodies do not register calories from fluids.  Meaning that the amount of calories that your drink contains has absolutely no effect on your satiety level meaning your drink will not fill you up. Stick with calorie free beverages like unsweetened iced tea, water and Crystal Light flavor packets.
In addition, reports say Obama has a few favorite drinks and foods that he often can be found sipping or munching. These are all a great addition to any healthy diet. Some of these include:

Fiji Water: Water is important for all bodily functions, and staying hydrated helps fight fatigue while helping you stay in shape by avoiding any excess calories or carbohydrates. Obama can often be found sipping Fiji water. Fiji water is a smart choice because it contains naturally- occurring electrolytes for optimal hydration, unlike purified water which adds them.

Cuties: One of Obama’s favorite snacks is Cuties. These are small, simple, super sweet and seedless, making this a perfect snack for Obama to have while jetting on Air Force One or simply hanging with his girls in the Oval Office.  Cuties are the newest addition to the orange family. Two of these cute little mandarins contain 4 grams of fiber, 400 milligrams of potassium and 300 percent of the daily value of vitamin C.

Pistachios: While consuming all types of nuts can lead to an excess of calories, with pistachios you get more bang for your buck.  A 1 oz. serving of pistachio nuts is equivalent to 160 calories and 49 nuts.  This is compared to 23 almonds or 18 cashews for the same amount of calories. Not only are pistachios a great source of both fiber and protein, but they also contain antioxidants and vitamin B6, which studies have shown to be a stress fighter. Although nuts do contain healthy fats which are believed to lower cholesterol, eating straight from the bowl can easily lead you to munch through 1000 calories. In a recent study done at Eastern Illinois University, researchers confirmed that people are more influenced by perception then hunger. When a group of people were given the same amount of pistachios, shelled and unshelled, they ate 45 percent less nuts when they had to open them. This small study shows that by making small changes such as choosing in-shelled pistachios, which slow down consumption time, one can curb calorie intake dramatically. Pistachios also contain the highest amount of fiber compared to most other nuts, as well as heart healthy monounsaturated fats, which have been shown to lower cholesterol.

Spinach: This is a great way to combat stress. It is rich in beta carotene, which helps boost the immune system. The body converts beta carotene into vitamin A, which itself has anti-cancer properties and immune-boosting functions. Spinach also contains iron and folate which can help reduce the risk for heart disease.

Broccoli:  Another one of Obama’s favorite vegetables is broccoli. Nutrition experts at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine say having a daily dose of vitamin C can help alleviate stress because it is a prevailing antioxidant used to keep the body healthy.  So continue filling up on broccoli and other high-fiber vegetables.

Protein Bars: Thank goodness for protein bars! These convenient, pre-packed, pre-portioned meals that are simple, mess-free and portable, are the perfect snack for the President of the United States of America! With so many different brands on the supermarket shelves, grabbing one while on the run is a simple way to satisfy your hunger… NOT SO FAST!!! Many of these “energy bars” although marketed as “healthy” are simply glorified candy bars. Gnu flavor and fiber bars are one of your best options. Gnu bars have less than 150 calories and 3 grams of fat, but contain 12 grams of fiber — nearly half of the daily recommendation. These high-fiber, low-fat bars are a savior when you’re in a car, at the office or the gym. Choose from any of their 5 tasty flavors including cinnamon raisin, chocolate brownie, peanut butter, banana walnut, and orange cranberry.

Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD is a nutritionist and founder of Skinnyandthecity.com.    She is also the creator of The F-Factor Diet™, an innovative nutritional program she has used for more than ten years to provide hundreds of her clients with all the tools they need to achieve easy weight loss and maintenance, improved health and well-being.  For more information log onto www.FFactorDiet.com.

There is some controversy after a report claimed that taking antioxidant vitamin supplements was not only useless but could actually damage your health.

Click here for the full report

It has been said that water can remove toxicities from your body, relieve headaches and keep your skin glowing.

But, will drinking eight glasses of water each day each day really improve your health?

Not really, according to a study done at the University of Pennsylvannia; it is being reported by BBC News.

Authors Dr. Dan Negoianu and Dr. Stanley Goldfarb said in the Journal of American Society of Nephrology they found little evidence that drinking that much water improves an individual’s health.

St. Patty’s Day is right around the corner! And you know what that means: green beer, bagpipes and jigs to start! Everyone knows how to party on March 17th, but what about the next day when it’s back to the daily grind? When your memories of the previous day’s festivities are only confirmed by a quick glance at the police blotter, checking the “drunk dialed” calls on your cell phone and the beat from the drummer in the parade is echoing through your vacant skull…

We’ve all been there – that nasty hangover after a really fun night of praying to the porcelain gods, promising if you make it through this, you’ll never do it again! Well at Fox News, we wanted make sure you’re prepared this year, so we investigated the best ways to prevent and cure a hangover.

One safe trick – honey; it will help raise your sugar levels after a night of boozing. Another cure that is mentioned in this video is N-acetyl Cysteine, an amino acid that is supposed to help expel the toxins acquired from alcohol.

What about you – what are your best hangover cures? Is there anything you do before or after a night where “this is my last one” is something you should have said a couple of hours ago? Post a comment and share your secrets so we all have a place to look on Tuesday morning!

Craving – crav·ing (krā’vĭng) n. A consuming desire; a yearning.

It’s day 3, and Karlie and I have been experiencing some weird cravings. Sometimes things that we would never eat. We were walking down the street in Manhattan’s Chelsea area and to our surprise, a group of French tourists were eating what smelled like the best pizza in the world. We tried to get close to simply inhale the beautiful aroma of tomatoes, basil and cheese… oh wonderful cheese.

I found that smell became my worst enemy. Getting into the subway, a girl eating McDonald’s… walking through the Manhattan Mall, the sweet scents of Cinnabon… who is eating French Fries? Co-workers tried their hardest not to tempt us, but the delicious smells of Italian leftovers warmed up for lunch were tough to ignore. Maybe day 4 will be easier?

Day 3 – Menu

Fruit and Vegetable Day!

Eat all the soup, fruits and vegetables you want. No Baked Potato. Drink plenty of water and take a multivitamin.

Creative Creations: Try a green salad with fruits like berries, apples, and pears on top. Missing salad dressing? Squeeze fresh lemon on top instead. And if you are craving meat, try grilling some Portobello mushrooms with non-fat olive oil spray over a bed of spinach!

Click here to see all 5 days of the Cabbage Soup Diet

Cabbage Soup Day 2

Just in case you were wondering, Karlie and I did have a plan when we started the cabbage soup diet. First we thought seven days wasn’t so bad. For Karlie, well she felt she was eating kind of “bad.” She was going out to lunch and dinner a lot and wanted to do a sort of detox to get back on track. For me, I wanted to kick start a healthy eating plan and try to drop a few pounds. We thought we would try this out and see what happened.

Day 2 – Menu:

Vegetable Day!

Eat all the vegetables you want – fresh, raw, or cooked vegetables of your choice. Stay away from dry beans, peas and sweet corn. Reward yourself with a big baked potato with butter for dinner. Eat as much soup as you like but no fruit for today. Drink plenty of water and take a multivitamin.

Creative Creations: Be creative with your veggies! Think it might be hard eating vegetables for breakfast? Try baking butternut squash pieces with a sprinkle of cinnamon. For lunch, try sautéing a combination of vegetables together with a diced tomato sauce.

For dinner, add some steamed broccoli on top of your baked potato.

Click here to see all 5 days of the Cabbage Soup Diet