It’s a well known fact that we have a serious obesity epidemic on our hands in the U.S., with now more than 70 million adults and 12 million children and adolescents considered obese. But a new, multi-pronged initiative launched by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called The Weight of the Nation, wants to do something about it.

The movement, which is not only being carried out through its own website, book and medical conference, will now seek to reach Americans through their TV screens. A new HBO series called “The Weight of the Nation: Confronting America’s Obesity Epidemic,” will air in four, separate segments starting May 14. It’s a public health announcement of sorts, warning America of the dangers of its future as an obese nation, and what we must do in order to stop it from happening.

Their motto states “To win, we have to lose,” and they’re working to put a plan in place to slow the rise in the number of Americans suffering chronic, debilitating and deadly diseases tied to weight.
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Actress and author Suzanne Somers has released a new book called ‘Bombshell: Explosive Medical Secrets That Will Redefine Aging.” Of her 23rd book, Somers says what she’s trying to do is ‘make aging aspirational.’

“I turned 65 this year and on my birthday I thought, ‘When I was a kid, 65 used to be when people either retired or died, and I’m so nowhere near those scenarios,” the star said during a recent interview on The Today Show. ‘And I started really assessing what it was that I do and thought I’d pass that on.

Somers say she’s chosen to use this part of her career to gather the brightest minds in the kind of health she’s interested in – including Western doctors and those offering breakthrough medical treatments - and share that with the world.

While some may be skeptical as to whether or not ‘Bombshell’ truly holds the promise of eradicating some cancers and making some diseases obsolete as it claims, Somers says she stands behind all of the information she’s gathered and that she’s never been more proud of a book in her life.
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Stars gain weight and we pay attention. And when stars lose weight, we become even more intrigued. The latest female celeb to slim down? Khloe Kardashian.

The youngest of the Kardashian sister clan, Khloe has struggled with weight and body image in the past. In the last year, she’s reportedly gained weight from a rocky patch in her marriage to basketball star Lamar Odom, and has even admitted that she’s an emotional eater who tends to gains weight when she goes through something difficult.

Of her past weight, the star admits that ‘her weight is always going up and down, and that she’s always fighting that and feels no matter what she does, she don’t look good enough to everybody else.’

“My weight is my biggest lifetime struggle,” she says. “It’s not the biggest thing in life, but it does get you down sometimes.”

But since picking up a new workout regimen with her hubby  – who’s currently training for the Summer Olympics – and cleaning up her diet, it’s been reported that Khloe’s lost an estimated 20 pounds in 20 days, weighing in around 155 pounds now and appearing trim and very healthy.
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Being vegan doesn’t mean you’re limited to eating just soy milk and broccoli. In fact, there are a number of food companies that produce items such as cookies, syrups, and chips that are completely vegan – oftentimes on accident. If you aren’t familiar with what qualifies a food as vegan, it shouldn’t contain any meat, dairy or animal products, including such items as eggs, honey (bees), or gelatin (horse).

Vegans typically subsist on a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts. And while there are an abundance of foods that don’t qualify as vegan-friendly, take a peek in your super market aisles on your next visit to find these – and other – surprisingly vegan products. Just be careful to check the label first to ensure there aren’t any suspicious products in the way of you and a safe vegan indulgence.
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Alkaline water seems to be causing quite a stir in the health field, with those in favor and opposed both passionately arguing their sides – one claiming it provides amazing health benefits, and the other arguing it’s a complete hoax. But to gain a better understanding of what exactly alkaline water is, we did some research and consulted several health professionals to shine better light on this supposed miracle beverage.

What is it? Alklaine water has a higher pH level than regular tap water, which is why proponents say it can help neutralize acid in your bloodstream, boost your metabolism, and help your body absorb nutrients more effectively. But according to Mayo Clinic Nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky, RD, none of these health claims have been scientifically proven, and she recommends plains water as the best option for most people.

Proposed benefits: Since alkaline water supposedly contains healthy ionized minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium, it’s thought to help reduce risk of suffering from symptoms of metabolic syndrome, including high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar levels, high cholesterol and kidney stones.

It’s also thought to have antioxidant properties and potentially reduce rates of heart disease, promote healthy weight loss, and improve bone density. But there doesn’t seem to be any scientific evidence to back these arguments up, leaving us to conclude that these are all just claims.
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