Just as important as food, water and exercise for the health of your body is sleep. In fact, without sleep, animals in the laboratory die in a matter of weeks.

In humans, lack of sleep works havoc on biological systems. It not only causes the relatively minor symptoms of drowsiness, irritability and concentration difficulty, but it appears to also cause hormonal changes that result in increased appetite, weight gain, obesity and greater risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. It also contributes to motor vehicle and on-the-job accidents. (Read more about Sleep Is Food for Your Body)

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A recent report by health provider BUPA has found that people's worries are damaging their health by causing sleepless nights, loss of sex drive, and erratic eating habits. The 2007 Worry Report demonstrates that almost one in five people constantly worry about numerous things, and more than half feel they worry more now than five years ago. Half of the people surveyed this year, which is 6% more than in 2006, claimed they were more worried about their health and their family's health than about other concerning issues such as climate change or terrorist attacks. The survey finds that almost three quarters of people worry, but around 19% admit to worrying all the time or about a number of things. (Read more about Worried Sick? There Might Be Some Truth There)

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Research conducted by The General Mills Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition finds that women who eat yogurt frequently are less likely to be overweight and more likely to meet the recommended daily intake of important nutrients, like calcium and vitamin D. The fourteen day study followed the diets of approximately 3,000 women ages 19 and older. Thirteen percent of these women ate three or more servings of yogurt over a two week period. In this group, the women on average had a 15% lower body mass index compared with women who consumed no yogurt. (Read more about Yogurt Consumption Linked to Healthier Body Weights for Women)

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A recent study from Penn State has found that American children are drinking insufficient amounts of milk and the dairy they are choosing to consume are very high in fat. The study examined a children's daily dairy intake and compared it with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's MyPyramid dairy recommendations. The findings revealed that only 2 to 3 year olds met the MyPyramid dairy recommendations. It was also observed that most children choose to eat more of the highest fat varieties of cheese, yogurt, ice cream, and dairy based toppings. (Read more about American Children Are Not Consuming Enough Milk)

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It’s a topic that keeps on churning out studies…which is the best diet to help you lose weight, and lower your blood pressure and cholesterol.

Atkins? Zone? Ornish? The good old food pyramid?

The results of the latest government funded study is surprising to many.

Many people thought this issue was a dead one--low carb being no better than a low fat diet, with the key being reduced calories across the board.

But this latest study says, hold on--low carb may be the best for many reasons. (Read more about DIETS COMPARED)

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- What is Hoodia?

There is a new soft drink hitting the market that does what no other soft drink has ever claimed to do: you drink it, and you’ll burn calories.

Is it truly possible?

Please say it’s so.

You know, there’s a lot to be said for a brownie and a diet coke; i mean, why add insult to injury.

At least the diet coke isn'’t pouring on more calories.

But what if--just if--there was something that could go one better, and negate the effects of that brownie?

From the folks who bring you nestle crunch bars and coca cola….

Comes…

Drum roll please…..

Enviga!

This puppy is being called the the calorie burner!

Don’t' believe it? (Read more about Enviga | Nutrition and Diet)

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Hoodia is the latest appetite suppressant rage! It comes from a cactus-like plant in South Africa.

It was used by tribesman as an appetite suppressant so they could go on long hunting and gathering trips.

That appetite suppressant effect is what everyone is clamoring about, and is why it is now a key ingredient in weight loss products.

The belief is that it works on a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which holds our appetite center.

Hoodia is believed to contain a molecule called P-57, which tells glucose sensors in the hypothalamus that enough calories have come in, and that one is full.

Steve Siegel is Vice-President of Ecuadorian Rainforest L.L.C., a distributor of hoodia in the U.S.

He says the hoodia must come from South Africa. His argument: any other hoodia won’t give you the appetite suppressing effects. (Read more about What is Hoodia?)

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As the Fahrenheit soars during these dog days of summer, what better way to beat the heat than with a cool icy beverage. But, according to new research, while you’re quenching your thirst, you may also be gulping down hundreds of unwanted calories. Everything from that frosty coffee mint-mocha chip slurpie to that super-sized bottle of soda, can pack on unwanted pounds.

“Widespread consumption of soda is part of the American fabric and studies are showing us more and more that that is part of our obesity problem, both weight and gain and medical issues,” says nutrition and weight expert, Dr. Jana Klauer.

The World Health Organization recommends that people consume about 10 percent of their calories from liquids, yet, consumers are racking up more than 20 percent. For the millions of Americans who are trying to lose weight, the solution may be not in what you eat, but what you drink. (Read more about Drinks and Diet)

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A new study finds that habitual snoring in women is strongly tied to body mass index—a marker of fatness-- and age.

Overall, 7.6 percent of women snore.

The frequency of snoring reaches its peak in women ages 50 to 59.

Frequent snoring was found to increase with alcohol dependence, smoking and physical inactivity.
-- (Read more about Health Wrap: Reports on Snoring, Fetuses and Pain, Forgetfulness and Baseball)

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The fattening of America is so out there, so obvious, the question has become how do we get the message that we need to reverse the trend?

Perhaps, the message is sinking in, at least among women.

New research released by the CDC shows, among women, no significant increase in obesity was observed between 1999 and 2004…roughly a third of females remain obese (Read more about Women, Obesity Rates, and the Fountain of Youth)

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