1. Is My Energy Drink Making Me Tired?
2. Can Coconut Oil Really Help Me Lose Weight?
3. Do Fish-Oil Supplements Contain Mercury?

Is My Energy Drink Making Me Tired?   Taking care of my newborn has made me so exhausted, I’ve been downing energy drinks a few times a day.  At first I had more pep and lost 12 pounds.  But now I’m gaining weight again and can barley get out of bed.  Why the setback? 

Energy drinks could be to blame for your fatigue and weight gain.  These beverages cause sluggishness, in part because their sweeteners suppress orexin, a brain chemical that maintains wakefulness.  Plus, the high-fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners in these drinks hinder the body’s ability to count calories, triggering unconscious overeating.  A healthier energy-boosting drink: The fruit-flavored powder supplement Miracle Reds ($16 for 12 to-go packets, at WebVitamins.com or call 800-919-9122).  It contains energizing ingredients such as mangosteen and nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids that rev fat burn.  Just mix it with water or apple juice, or stir it into yogurt and enjoy. 

Can Coconut Oil Really Help Me Lose Weight?  I want to start cooking with coconut oil since I read that women who did so dropped two jean sizes in a month.  But my sister says that, because it’s a saturated fat, coconut oil would actually make me gain weight.  Who’s right? 

You are.  Even thought coconut oil is a saturated fat, it’s a “specialized” fat comprised of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which have been proven to help women lose up to 40 pounds in a year.  That’s because MCFAs stimulate thermogenesis, the process by which the body generates energy by increasing its metabolic fat-burning rate.  For the fastest slim down, opt for a non-copra oil (virgin oil made from fresh coconut meat), not copra (one made from dried meat).  Since copra isn’t fit to eat, it must first be refined, bleached and deodorized (labels will read “RBD”), a process that depletes health-enhancing nutrients and replaces slimming MCFAs with weight-sabotaging trans fats.  Simply use coconut oil in place of cooking oil, butter, margarine or shortening, or mix it into warm beverages. 

Do Fish-Oil Supplements Contain Mercury?   After reading about all the benefits of essential fatty acids, I started giving my family fish oil every day.  However, I just read that supplements can have mercury just like fish itself.  That was news to me.  Is it true? 

Yes, it’s true that fish-oil supplements can contain some mercury.  And though the fish used for supplements (like anchovies, mackerel and sardines) are less likely to accumulate mercury since they have little toxin-absorbing fat, even low levels can build up in our bodies.  This can cause negative effects like hyperactivity, memory difficulties and headaches.  Luckily, more supplement manufacturers are making mercury-free fish oils, so they’re easier to find than ever before.  A mercury-free brand I recommend: Carlson Very Finest Fish Oil Softgels ($19 for a two month supply, at CarlsonLabs.com and at drugstores).