1. Does oxygenated water really speed fat burn?
2. The pill that melts winter weight gain!
3. Outsmarting sneaky trans-free claims.

Does oxygenated water really speed fat burn?  A friend of mine has been chugging bottle after bottle of super-oxygenated water because she heard it speeds metabolism. This sounds way too good to be true, and I think she's wasting her money. Does it work?

The short answer: no. Science shows that weight-loss claims of super-oxygenated products don't hold water. The idea stems from the fact that the body uses oxygen to create energy, burn fat and flush toxins. But when researchers at the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse compared the effects of super-oxygenated water with tap water, there was no discernible change in heart rate, blood-oxygen levels or metabolism. They assert there's no mechanism for the body to transfer oxygen from water in the stomach to the lungs, where it enters the bloodstream and goes to work. To get the proven slimming effects of oxygen, try taking deep belly breaths instead. This burns up to 140 percent more calories than riding a stationary bike and flushes up to 70 percent of fat-trapping toxins from the body.

The pill that melts winter weight gain!   When I'm in a funk, I automatically reach for comfort foods like mac and cheese. Unfortunately, I spent most of the dreary winter that way, and now that spring's here, I'm afraid to even think about how I'll look in shorts. And that just makes me want to eat more carbs! Is there anything that can help?

Good news: Research in the Journal of Psychiatric Practice reports that taking 400 mg of chromium daily alleviates the blue moods that trigger carb cravings. The mineral improves the body's use of insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar. And when blood sugar is balanced, mood swings and cravings cease. Better yet, this dose speeds metabolism by up to-seven times, reducing body fat by about 10 percent and increasing calorie-hungry lean muscle mass. Chromium is found only in trace amounts in food, so a supplement is needed to reach the proven dose. (Choose a brand that contains chromate polynicotinate, one of the best absorbed forms of the mineral.) One to try: Fat Flush Weight Loss Formula ($28 for 90 capsules, a one-month supply), at Uni Key Health.com or call 800-888-4353. Mention First to receive a10 percent discount!

Outsmarting sneaky trans-free claims.    I read that, starting in January 2006, the FDA requires trans fats to be clearly labeled on food packaging. But I still see products in the grocery store, like chips, crackers and cookies, which I suspect have trans fats in them even though they say they don't. What's the truth?

Good question! Despite FDA regulations, many products that list zero trans fats on the "nutrition facts" panel aren't really 100 percent trans fat-free. That's because the FDA allows products with less than 0.5 grams of trans fats per serving to boast they have none. And while less than a half gram may not sound like much, it quickly adds up to more than the recommended daily maximum of 4 grams, especially if a serving size is just a few chips or cookies. So continue to check the ingredients list for partially hydrogenated oils or palm oils (a sure sign the food contains at least some trans fats) and limit your portions.