Shaun T, the personal trainer who’s motivated millions with his at-home workouts, knows how to get people in shape in a short amount of time. After all, his Insanity workout program promises incredible results in just 60 days of sweating and jumping in front of your TV. With Summer a mere few weeks away, we spoke with Shaun about how to get in shape for anything – whether it’s a beach holiday, wedding , or event – when you’ve only got a little time. Find out his recommendations below! Watch your drink calories: “Don’t drink your calories. That’s the number one rule of thumb: not to drink your calories. It will eliminate so many calories in your body. Everybody knows that sugar that’s not burnt off eventually turns into fat,” says Shaun, who’s also holding live workouts nationwide to promote his partnership with Powerade Zero. Shaun recommends portion control and cutting the amount of sugars and carbs in your diet in half, but “still ensure you have enough energy during the day,” he says. Kick it up a notch: “If you’re a person who works out at the gym, try to take [fewer] breaks,” Shaun recommends. “If you’re a weight lifter, while you’re not doing weights, try to do some different cardio exercise in between to try to ramp up the calorie burn.” Keep reading for more of Shaun T’s last-minute diet and exercise advice!

As if you needed another reminder to stop eating processed foods: a new study has found that foods high in high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) can make you stupid . But there’s good news, too: eating foods high in omega-3s can help combat loss of brain function. The study looked at different groups of rats that had been trained on a maze. After a few days on the maze, some of the rats were fed an HFCS-sweetened solution as their drinking water for six weeks, with some also receiving a diet high in omega-3s. After the diet, the rats were tested on how well they could recall the maze. The researchers found that the rats who ate the omega-3 diet were faster at completing the maze than the other rats, whether or not they were also given HFCS. Not only that, but the rats given the HFCS and not omega-3s were the slowest at completing the maze, and their brains showed a decline in activity and memory function. This latest lab study is yet more evidence that processed foods can mess with our minds (other studies, for example, have linked fast food to depression ) and that a diet high in omega-3s can help protect your brain from aging and mental decline. Ready to swap that fast-food burger for a mind-sharpening meal instead? Here’s a list of vegan sources of omega-3s and five staples of the omega-3-rich Mediterranean diet .

Fiber, fiber, fiber. We all know we should be getting enough. It’s recommended that women eat 25 to 30 grams of fiber each day to decrease the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, as well as some types of cancer including breast cancer. Eating plenty of fresh, luscious fruits in your diet is a great way to fill up on fiber, but which sources are the best? Keep reading to see a chart comparing the fiber content of your favorite fruits.

It seems like Tracy Anderson has trained half of Hollywood , and one of her biggest fans, Nicole Richie , even enlisted her to help her get in shape for her 2010 wedding . “Nicole worked out six days a week, she learned dance aerobics, she did her muscular structure work, and she did it in such a healthy beautiful way,” Tracy says of her client’s devoted wedding prep. If you want to look like a starlet on your wedding day, here are a few tips Tracy Anderson shared with us for brides-to-be who want to get in shape. First, start early: Don’t wait until the last minute to try and lose weight and then expect miracles, Tracy warns. “The thing that is most unfortunate is when a bride comes to me and has never done anything before and is like ‘Oh my god, I have to lose 30 pounds in a month,’” Tracy says. She recommends you figure out your diet and exercise plan as soon as you start looking for venue locations, at the beginning of your wedding planning, so you don’t end up resorting to juice cleanses or feeding-tube diets to lose pounds weeks before your big day. (Tracy jokes, “If I were the husband-to-be, I can think of nothing less sexy than my fiance installing a feeding tube to look 120 pounds thinner on the wedding day. I’d probably call it off!”) Read on for Tracy’s diet and exercise recommendations for brides!

Poor beans. Many people pass them up because they’re not a fan of the squishy texture or their gaseous repercussions. But these inexpensive magical legumes are so healthy for you, between their fiber, protein, and iron content, everyone should include them in their diet. If you’re having trouble stomaching a bowl of beans, you can still reap the healthy benefits without your taste buds even realizing it. Appeal to your sweet tooth and try out these dessert recipes, all made with the goodness of protein- and fiber-loaded beans. View Slideshow ›

Even the most healthy of eaters can’t love every single veggie. You could cover the broccoli you despise with melted cheese to make those florets more palatable, but of course that’s not a superhealthy option. Here’s a healthy trick to help those unfavorite veggies go down: mix them with veggies you love. If it’s mashed potatoes you crave, add chopped kale to your bowl, or grill peppers or zucchini with your beloved onions. If you’re a huge pasta fan, toss mushrooms into the tomato sauce, or mix steamed carrots with cubes of sweet potato. When you eat veggies you don’t care for with ones you can’t live without, you can just focus on the flavors you love while still reaping the nutritional benefits from those unwanted veggies. Source: Flickr User VirtualErn

People who eat a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids may significantly lower their risk of developing memory problems and Alzheimer’s disease, a new study has found. Researchers recruited 1,219 people over age 65, and followed their dietary habits for more than a year.  Then they tested the subjects' blood for a protein called beta-amyloid, a protein is associated with memory problems and Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, plaques and tangles which are found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients are actually clumps of this substance. “We know that the amyloid mechanisms are out of control in a person with Alzeimer’s disease,” said the study's lead author, Dr. Nikolaos Scarmeas, associate professor of clinical neurology at New York's Columbia University Medical Center. “We wanted to see if different nutrients influenced those levels.” Interestingly, the people in the study who consumed omega-3 had significantly lower levels of amyloid in their blood. The effects are continuous researchers say.  The levels decreased by 20-to 30% for each gram of omega-3 fatty acid added to their diet.  One gram is equivalent to a handful of walnuts, or half a piece of salmon. “The more you eat, the lower the amyloid level will be,” said Scarmeas. The study – published in the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology  - also evaluated beta-carotene, vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin E, omega-6, saturated fatty acids, and non-unsaturated fatty acids in the participants diets. Omega-3 was the only nutrient that showed an association with lower amyloid levels. A 2010 study found that people who ate food high in omega-3 acids had a nearly 40% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s compared to people who didn’t.  However, the reason why couldn’t be determined.  Researchers believe this new study may help explain the connection. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are often the crux of a Mediterranean diet. Choose fatty fish like mackerel, trout, herring, tuna or salmon.  Non-fish options include kale, tofu, soybeans, walnuts and flaxseed. Although it is best to get nutrients from natural resources, omega-3 supplements can also be effective.  Consult with your doctor before adding fish oil supplements to your diet because they may interact with other medications. Filed under: Alzheimer’s , Brain , Healthy Eating , Vitamins and supplements Tagged: Danielle Dellorto – CNN Medical Senior Producer

The first of two controversial studies about  a mutated form of the potentially lethal H5N1 bird flu virus was finally published Wednesday after months of debate over whether release of the research could pose a biosecurity threat. The  journal Nature  published the study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher Yoshihiro Kawaoka. Similar research led by Dutch researcher Ron Fouchier at the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam has yet to be published in its entirety in the journal Science. Both studies found that with a few genetic alternations, this bird flu virus can be much more easily transmitted. Six months ago the U.S. National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) asked both journals not to publish essential data because they feared it could be misused and turned into a biological weapon.  Scientists in favor of publication argued that the data was important for flu surveillance and public health preparedness. "This study has significant public health benefits and contributes to our understanding of this important pathogen,” said Yoshihiro Kawaoka, the author of the Nature study and a flu researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in a released statement. “By identifying mutations that facilitate transmission among mammals, those whose job it is to monitor viruses circulating in nature can look for these mutations so measures can be taken to effectively protect human health." H5N1 is a virus that has caused major concern, due to high global death rates associated with it.  Since 2003, the virus has infected at least 600 people, mostly in Asia, and killed more than half of the people infected.  The virus has spread to people who are in close proximity to birds, but it hasn't spread easily human-to-human. But researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and another team from the Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands each created a mutated version of the H5N1 virus that can more easily transmitted amongst mammals.  They tested the mutated virus on ferrets, which closely mimic the human response to the flu. The 23-member NSABB had expressed that revealing such detailed results could "represent(s) a grave concern for global biosecurity, biosafety, and public health.” But the World Health Organization recommended that the two studies be published in their full form.  By April, the U.S. government reversed its position with new information and revisions.  The board said the research could help in fighting a possible future outbreak.  It recommended the researchers' findings be published without "methods or details" that could be used by terrorists to produce a biological weapon. Flu viruses constantly mutate in nature.  The virus engineered in Kawaoka's lab was of low virulence, according to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "H5N1 viruses remain a significant threat for humans as a potential pandemic flu strain. We have found that relatively few mutations enable this virus to transmit in mammals. These same mutations have the potential to occur in nature," said Kawaoka in the university’s press release. The research also showed that the mutant virus could be controlled by a H5N1 vaccine and the drug, Tamiflu.  The study was funded partly by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which is part of the National Institutes of Health. Filed under: Global Health , Infectious diseases Tagged: Madison Park – CNNhealth.com Writer/Producer

Happy birthday, Jessica Alba ! The erstwhile action star and devoted mom of two turns 31 on Saturday, and to celebrate we are taking a look at how Jessica’s stayed fit while enjoying life throughout the years. Bootcamp style: It’s all about high intensity for Jessica. She enlists the help of Barry’s Bootcamp , a favorite with starlets in LA, to get fast results. Each workout contains high-intensity cardio intervals and strength training for an all-in-one session that saves time. Reluctant workout: Even though she works hard in the gym (which isn’t always a good thing: to get ready for a photo shoot soon after having her first child, she exercised so hard she said she cried! ), she’s no fitness fanatic. “I’m not a big workout person,” she told Self . “Every single day, I tell my girlfriends we’re starting a regimen. And then it’s, like, ‘Want to get dinner? Want a glass of wine?’” Jessica does, however, know how to keep workouts fun ; she alternates between the gym, her treadmill at home, swimming, and yoga to keep from becoming bored. Diet-free zone: Jessica doesn’t like to diet, so instead she eats clean all the time. “Diets are for the birds. I think you have to eat in a way that makes you feel your best. I include a lot of vegetables and lean protein and fruit and grains in my diet,” she told Self . The importance of sleep: Running a company, being a mom, and starring in films can jam-pack anyone’s schedule, so Jessica gets her workouts out of the way early in the morning. Sometimes, however, she knows it’s healthier to catch up on sleep than continue to tire out her body. “Slacked off this am on the work out but the sleep was the best I’ve had in three weeks. Tomorrow its ON . . . ” she once tweeted . Listening to your body is the best way to tell if you are skipping a workout because of a lame excuse or because you actually need to rest.

Don’t eat this, stay away from that – following a diet can seem like a total killjoy. If you’re feeling depressed about how restrictive your diet is, here are some proven weight-loss rules you’ll welcome with open arms. Dig into a big breakfast: Skipping breakfast to save calories? That’s a big mistake because eating breakfast actually jump-starts your metabolism. Your first meal of the day should include protein to reduce sugar cravings, and fiber to satiate your hunger. A veggie omelet, fruit smoothie with spinach, oatmeal with fruit and nuts, or Greek yogurt with fresh fruit are excellent choices. Say yes to carbs: Before you get all excited, I’m not talking about bagels, regular pasta, and pretzels. Simple carbs made from enriched white flour offer little nutritional value and more calories than you need. Stick to complex carbs like quinoa, brown rice, and oats, as well as foods made from whole grain flour such as pasta and crackers – the least processed and as close to nature as possible. (Of course, you still need to be mindful of portion sizes.) Complex carbs are not only full of fiber that keep hunger at bay, they also contain valuable vitamins and minerals your body needs such as vitamins B6 and E and iron. Keep reading for four more weight-loss rules you’ll love following.