Slim by Summer: Some Stars Swear By the Lemonade Diet--Should You Try It?

I was flipping through a celebrity magazine the other day at the spa while getting a much-needed pedicure when I read about all the celebs who have put themselves through the "lemonade" diet/cleanse. But does fasting and only drinking lemonade for days--even weeks--have any redeeming qualities? Would any respected health expert recommend it? In the interest of slimming down by summer, I did some looking into the topic....

I have to admit, the idea of doing a cleanse sounds appealing. Don't you just love the word "cleanse"? It gives the impression that you're ridding your body of all the gross impurities (whatever they may be) and slimming down in the process.

Sleep Problems Could Become Your Worst Nightmare

Until he got treatment, Kevin Pfister was one of the more than 40 million Americans who are chronically ill with various sleep disorders, not counting the other 30 million who have sporadic sleep problems.

For years, Pfister went through his days groggy and unexcited about life.

"I was tired all the time, no energy, no motor," the 46-year-old Victoria man said. "I was always giving people excuses why I was tired all the time: 'I work nights. I'm getting older.' None of those are excuses for being tired all the time."

Seven years ago, Pfister learned he had sleep apnea, a sometimes-deadly disorder that affects 18 million Americans, plus another 12 million who are estimated to be undiagnosed.

Sex question: Do baby oil and sex mix?

Dear Dr. H,

It is safe to use baby oil as a lubricant in an effort to have better sex?

Read on for Dr. Hilda Hutcherson's response...

A. It's safe, but it isn't the best option. For one, you shouldn't use baby oil with condoms since oil deteriorates latex, leaving you vulnerable to STDs and unplanned pregnancy. There are unlimited options of lubricants that are meant to replicate a woman's natural lubrication and that work and feel much better! I'm a fan of K-Y products and Astroglide. Or you can try this sample pack, and have fun testing them to find the one you like best!

Readers, do you have questions about lubricants? Let's chat about them here!

Seafood Cannelloni for a Romantic Valentine's Day

For a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner for two, try this seafood cannelloni recipe from the Scotto family of Fresco, a Manhattan restaurant.

Mix garlic-sautéed vegetables and mushrooms with fresh herbs, bread crumbs, cheese and sea food. After seasoning, add fresh heavy cream to moisten (if necessary). After cooking the prepared pasta sheets with seafood filling, layer with tomato sauce. Bake until light brown and you’ll be ready to get in the mood in 20 minutes!

Ingredients

Seafood filling

3 cups cooked lobster or shrimp, mussels or scallops, bass or swordfish, cut into small dice

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Question of the Day

Question: There's much talk of "good" fat vs. "bad" fat. What's the difference?

Answer: Although all fat is calorically rich, it is the saturated fats that are bad for your cholesterol, according to Walter Bortz, M.D. in Diet--Fat Alert.

Fat is classified according to how saturated or unsaturated it is. These terms refer to the chemical nature of fat, whether it has the full complement of hydrogen atoms (saturated) or a relative lack of hydrogen atoms (unsaturated). Fundamentally, saturated fats are solid, and unsaturated fats are liquid. Nevertheless, they all contain the same amount of caloric energy. Ultimately, the critical distinction between the two is that the effect of saturated fat on raising blood cholesterol levels is more dramatic.

Orange Juice May Counteract an Unhealthy Breakfast

Do you ever go to a fast-food drive thru to grab a quick breakfast? Or indulge on that large, butter-covered bagel. Then grab a glass of orange juice. Researchers have discovered that orange juice may counteract some of the bad effects of a fast-food breakfast or perhaps any high-fat, high-carbohydrate meal.

Researchers at the University at Buffalo, N.Y., suggest the high amounts of antioxidants in orange juice -- the flavonoids naringenin and hesperidin -- help prevent blood vessel and other damage cause by inflammatory free radicals caused by eating a high-fat fast-food meal.

First author Husam Ghanim asked three groups of 10 normal-weight healthy men and women between the ages of 20-40 to break an overnight fast by eating a 900-calorie fast-food breakfast containing 81 grams of carbohydrates and 51 grams of fat.

Mucinex D

Mucinex D

Generic Name: guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine (gwye FEN e sin, soo doe e FED rin)

Brand Names: Altarussin PE, Ambifed, Biotuss PE, D-Feda II, Despec-SR, Dynex, ExeFen, Guiatex II SR, Maxifed, Maxifed-G, Medent LD, Medent-LDI, Mucinex D, Nasabid SR, Nasatab LA, Nomuc-PE, Poly-Vent IR, Poly-Vent, Jr., Pseudatex, Pseudo GG, Pseudo GG TR, Pseudo Max, Q-Tussin PE, Respaire-120 SR, Robitussin Severe Congestion, Ru-Tuss Jr., Sudafed Non Drying Sinus, SudaTex-G, Touro LA-LD, Triaminic Softchews Chest Congestion, We Mist II LA, We Mist LA

What is Mucinex D?

Mucinex D extended release tablets contain a combination of guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine. Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out through your mouth.