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Even though it has been five days since Anna Nicole Smith died in a Florida hospital, the cause of death is still a mystery. Speculation is rising however, and fingers are starting to point towards TrimSpa as being a contributing factor in her death. Recent photos of the 39-year-old sex symbol's home in the Bahamas, featured on TMZ.com, show a refrigerator full of methadone and SlimFast and countertops filled with bottles of prescription drugs and TrimSpa. Smith became the spokesperson for the diet pill after reportedly losing 69 pounds by using it.
Smith was found unconscious in her hotel room at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida around 1 p.m. February 8. She was rushed to hospital but died the same day. An autopsy performed Friday was inconclusive and no drugs were found in her stomach, although there were antidepressants and pain medications found in her hotel room. There have been reports that Smith began taking medications following the sudden death of her son Daniel five months ago.
The timing of Smith's death could not be worse for the makers of TrimSpa Inc. The company is in the middle of a multi-million-dollar lawsuit brought on by the Federal Trade Commission for allegedly making false claims about the safety and effectiveness of the product. Autopsy results may clear the company of any role in the death of Smith, but it is unclear what this will mean for the lawsuit that involved the blonde celebrity. One thing is for sure, the mystery surrounding her death is eerily similar to that of her idol Marilyn Monroe and we may never know the whole story.
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Anna Nicole Smith, former Playboy model and the famous widow of millionaire J. Howard Marshall II sadly died today. Anna Nicole has recently been in the news for several tragic events including the death of her 19-year old son late last year.
Anna Nicole was said to be found unconscious and unresponsive in her hotel room earlier on today, according to CNN.
Anna Nicole is well-known for her extraordinary weight loss transformation which she attributed to the weight loss supplement Trimspa. In fact, just last Thursday Anna Nicole and Trimspa were sued in a class-action lawsuit over the misleading and false marketing claims about the weight loss supplement. This isn't the first time Trimspa has been involved in a lawsuit or hit by the FTC either.
The cause of death is still unknown and an autopsy will be conducted on Friday. No doubt speculations will arise over the role the supplement Trimspa may play in her death.
Diet Nation expresses our condolences to Anna Nicole's family and friends at this time of sadness.
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When the clock turned to 4 p.m. ET last night I guarantee a large number of Americans tuned in to the Tyra Banks Show. Some wanted to see if she would really wear the infamous bathing suit she sported in tabloid photos a few weeks ago that prompted media critics to call her fat. Others wondered how she would address the criticism.
Her audience wasn't disappointed. Tyra marched out on stage last night proudly wearing the strapless one-piece bathing suit and, while she did not look supermodel skinny, she by no means looked fat. Not the "real world" idea of fat anyway. Tyra looked directly into the camera and addressed the media, lambasting them for buying into the modeling industry stereotype that women can only be beautiful if they are a size zero. She fearlessly displayed photos of herself that showed rolls of fat and cellulite, declaring that those were traits of a real woman, not an airbrushed magazine model. She then angrily stated that they could kiss her "big fat ass".
I give Tyra plenty of credit for facing her critics and speaking out for women who can't and do not want to achieve the ridiculous standards for body size put in place by Hollywood executives and magazine editors. She was right that the industry plays a role in causing many actresses and models to develop eating disorders. But there was one point in the show where I found Tyra to be completely off base. The episode featured an 88 pound model named Yael who believed models had to be skinny to be beautiful. It was quite obvious that the young woman suffered from an eating disorder but was in deep denial. Tyra spent a good portion of the show trying to change the girl's view of body image and convince her that skinny was unhealthy.
Tyra obviously needs to be informed about eating disorders a little more before she starts lashing out at girls who suffer from them on her show. She could have argued with that girl all night long and still would not have changed her mind. An eating disorder is a form of mental illness and those who suffer from it have a distorted image of their bodies. They believe that they are healthy, even if they are surviving on less than 1,000 calories per day. The best thing Tyra could have done is to talk about the reality of eating disorders and lined up some help for that girl. Speaking out about unhealthy body images is one thing, but publically bashing a girl for a condition she will not be able to change without medical help is just wrong.
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You have to hand it to Tyra Banks; she knows how to handle herself. Tyra appeared on Larry King Live last night to address media criticism over "fat" photos of her that appeared in the tabloids recently. Tyra was photographed by Australian paparazzi on a beach wearing a one-piece swimsuit and looking heavier than in the past - 30 pounds heavier according to some media.
Instead of accusing the tabloids of wrongly portraying her (although she said she had gained 10 pounds, not 30) Tyra took the media to task for criticizing her weight gain. She verbally reprimanded tabloids who called her fat, angrily stating that there are many young women in the world struggling with their weight who look up to her. Some people have asked, why is Tyra standing up for the plus-size girl now? Where was she back in her earlier modeling days when she had a runway figure?
Tyra, to her credit, spoke honestly about her transition to plus-size advocate. Here is an excerpt from her interview with Larry King:
"I've dedicated this part of -- the first part of my life was about myself. How many magazine covers can I get? How many fashion shows can I walk down? You know, how many of this, how many of that? But this next part of my life is not so much about self- gratification. It's about me using this platform that I have, this talk show that I have, to encourage young women. Larry, I have women crying their eyes out to me, telling me that they want to hurt themselves because of how they look, because they're getting talked about. So I felt like I needed to say something."
Trya plans to discuss the interview and the tabloid photos on her show, The Tyra Banks Show, Feb.1. To show the media that she doesn't care what they think of her body image she will wear the same bathing suit that she was photographed in. Say what you will about that girl - and not everyone is a fan - she if proof that women can be beautiful and confident, no matter what size they are, even in Hollywood.
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Apparently not every Hollywood star uses fad diets and obsessive calorie counting to stay thin. According to a recent US Weekly article many top celebrities use practical diet and fitness methods to manage their weight.
Actresses like Jessica Biel admit to consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables, while allowing themselves one day each week to enjoy a favorite not-so-healthy treat. Other star suggestions include substituting mayo for mustard on sandwiches and eating a healthy protein, such as an egg, at breakfast instead of a carb-filled bagel and cream cheese. Jennifer Garner regained her pre-pregnancy figure by cutting out white bread and pasta and carrying snacks with her to work to avoid fast food temptations.
On the fitness front, Grey's Anatomy star Sara Ramirez revealed that working out with a friend was a great motivator for getting in shape because there was always someone there to offer support. Jessica Biel reported that she maintained her muscular frame by changing up her routine regularly to keep it interesting.
Weight management does not have to mean super restrictive dieting or obsessive workouts. Celebrities are proving that a common sense approach to dieting and fitness is more effective and healthier. Kick off your own weight loss plan by joining our Look Great in 8 Challenge.
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There have been recent reports that The Fantastic Four star Jessica Alba may be suffering from an eating disorder. Recent photos of the actress show her looking lighter than usual and noticeably lacking the curves that made her a famous sex symbol.
In 2005 - the same year she was named one of America's most beautiful people - Jessica admitted to battling anorexia during her early acting days when she starred in the television drama Dark Angel. The starlet reported that she worried so much about her developing curves that she literally starved herself to stay thin. She sought help for her disorder and regained her figure which has since been considered to be one of the sexiest bodies in Hollywood.
Her recent alleged weight loss opens the door for speculation that she may have relapsed. The fact that another star appears to be joining the list of underweight Hollywood starlets has certainly become a topic for gossip, but there are larger issues here. We need to start asking ourselves, why are all these beautiful young women looking dangerously thin and unhealthy? Are we returning to the days of heroin chic where models and actresses obsessively used heroin to become almost transparently thin?
It seems as though starvation, eating disorders and compulsive exercising have replaced hardcore drugs. These women seem to believe that being excessively skinny is beautiful when in reality it is dangerous and frightening. The problem is the film, television and magazine industries are doing nothing to stop this perception and are instead are fueling eating disorders by hiring these actresses for big roles in their ultra thins states. Perhaps instead they should try to assist these women in getting the help they need and start hiring stars with healthy body sizes to help change society's idea of what is beautiful. It may be a step in the right direction to help other people from relapsing or developing eating disorders.
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There's no denying Leah Remini looking amazing - possibly even better than her pre-pregnancy days on King of Queens. Following the Emmy Awards earlier this month the small screen star finally revealed the secret to her dramatic post-partum weight loss - Dr. Cohen's 1st Personal Diet. 
This custom-made diet is based on blood types. Dr. Cohen believes that weight problems are due to hormonal imbalances and if those imbalances are corrected through diet the weight will drop off. I guess it worked for Leah, because after struggling for two years to lose the weight she gained during her pregnancy with daughter Sofia Bella she dropped a whopping 80 pounds!
This diet isn't recommended for women who are breastfeeding, because the diet is designed to "shock" the hormones. On the outside the diet looks good - no calorie restrictions or restrictions on vegetables, meats and dairy products. However, there are few details about the diet itself on the diet program website and you have wonder if it is a good idea to play around with your hormonal balances. It is extremely important to fully investigate a diet and be away of the health risks before trying it. Besides, Leah exercised five times each week to lose some of the weight.
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According to a recent Star Magazine article, Mary Kate Olsen has dropped weight again, down to an estimated 80 pounds. With that comes the speculation that she is suffering from an eating disorder and has relapsed since seeking help in 2004.
There is evidence that Mary Kate did enter rehab in 2004, but no medical professional or Olsen family member has ever come out and said "Yes, Mary Kate is suffering from an eating disorder." Certainly, this famous twin is skinny. In 2004, she looked downright boney and, physically, appeared to have an eating disorder.
There are a number of eating disorders that could result in dramatic, unhealthy weight loss. Classic anorexia is a condition where an individual eats as little as possible or exercises obsessively. Another form of anorexia is binging and purging; where an individual still restricts their caloric intake but also forces themselves to vomit. Bulimia is a condition where an individual will eat whatever they like, but induce vomiting soon after eating.
So how do you know if someone you care about has an eating disorder? There are a number of symptoms associated with these conditions and many of them are easy to spot if you know what you're looking for. The most obvious symptom is, of course, dramatic weight loss. Individuals will begin too look boney, with hollow cheeks and sunken eyes. They may also seem tired or weak and may experience hair loss. If you noticed any of these changes in your friend or family member, along with an obsession with dieting and exercise, contact a doctor immediately.
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Star magazine reported in it January 15 issue that Tyra Banks is a "weight loser" because she supposedly packed on forty pounds between September and December last year. The magazine posted pictures of Tyra sporting lingerie at the Victoria Secret fashion show and again three months later in a swimsuit at the beach sporting an unflattering bathing suit.
The thing Star magazine didn't take into consideration is that Tyra Banks just doesn't give a damn, and good for her. At 33 years old she has had an extremely successful modeling career and is now a popular talk show host. She doesn't participate in fad diets and she is extremely secure with herself and her body image. Tyra has revealed on her show that wears a...under her clothes and has even showed off her cellulite.
Although I don't always agree with her ideas (like conning model wannabes to strip down to the buff in front of hidden cameras and then showcase it on national television to warn them about the dangers of modeling), Tyra Banks demonstrates that you do not have to be skin and bones to be beautiful. It is OK to have imperfections. Girl, you're a role model no matter what size you are.
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According to a British newspaper, Celebrity Big Brother star Jade Goody dropped a few pounds by allegedly having liposuction treatments. This would not be such a big deal if it were not for the fact the 25-year-old is out promoting her new workout DVD which she insists helped her lose weight and tone up. 
If you go to all the trouble of creating a workout routine shouldn't you at least follow it? At least try it for a month or two before going under the knife to strip off the fat so people will think your routine works and subsequently go out and buy your DVD! Somehow, I don't think many people will be rushing out to get it now.
Losing weight takes work. We all know that. It's kind of a cop out to go out and spend thousands of dollars on a procedure that sucks the fat out of your body. Besides, if you follow your regular bad habits after having liposuction you'll likely just pack the weight on again. The only real methods of weight loss are diet and exercise. If you're looking for a new program check out our Look Great in 8 Challenge.
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The famous twin, Mary Kate Olsen was spotted in West
Hollywood recently looking as skinny as she was in 2004 when she
entered rehab to combat an eating disorder. There are reports that Mary Kate
Olsen has plummeted back down 80 pounds! Has she relapsed?
It's too bad that these girls continue to cycle their weight. It's no wonder that unhealthy eating habits are so prevalent with young girls. When they have role models like these it's difficult to be confident with just being healthy.
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This month the majority of North Americans will be trying hard to follow their New Year’s resolutions. The most popular resolution year after year is to lose weight and get in shape. While we start the year off with good intentions, by February most of us have fallen off our diet or stopped going to the gym and we are forced to make the same resolution the following year. In 2007 there are a couple of celebrities who may want to use the New Year to resolve to get in shape. Jimmy Kimmel – this popular talk show host is definitely more funny man than sex symbol but he didn’t seem to mind stripping down to his tighty whities to dance with the Thunder from Down Under hotties during a live broadcast of Comic Relief in Las Vegas last November. We love ya Jimmy, but keep your clothes on! Pierce Brosnan – what happened to the stellar body we saw in the most recent James Bond flicks? Pierce was photographed later in 2006 sans shirt and wasn’t sporting his usual solid pecks. Maybe he’s given up his workout along with his Bond character.  Vince Vaughn – while now ex-girlfriend Jennifer Aniston always looked stunning on his arm, Vince's body went through more changes than Kirstie Alley’s. Remember Vince, 20-year-old sorority girls aren’t always going to want to get with you!
Mariah Carey – this diva has always been something of a sex symbol and can get away with a little weight gain when most celebrities can’t. That being said, Mariah’s most recent weight gain seems more evident. Or maybe it’s just that her clothes are getting smaller.
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When they were handing out nutrition smarts Lindsay Lohan
obviously wasn’t standing in line.
In a recent interview with Britain’s OK magazine, Lindsay
gushed about her love of fatty foods but revealed that she avoids carbohydrates
and sugar. Then in the same breath she stated, “I eat all types of things. I
had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”
Um, earth to Lindsay, there are both carbs and sugar in a
peanut butter and jelly sandwich. For a quick refresher - 2 slices of bread contains about 25 grams of
carbs and jelly is loaded in sugar with almost 20 grams for 2 tbsp. Let’s face it; Lindsay doesn’t seem to be the
smartest cookie. It was pretty obvious the Mean Girls star was living in an
alternate universe when we wrote in a letter to her fans that Al Gore and Bill
Clinton were going to help her improve her image. Kudos to Lindsay for wanting
to eat healthier but maybe the help she really needs to seek is from a
dietician. Fashion sites such as Think Fashion are even commenting on Lindsay's lack of nutritional knowledge. Note to Lindsay - if you're not sure about something it's better to keep your mouth shut instead of publicly humiliating yourself.
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During 2006 quite a few celebrities went through
some dramatic transformations. It makes the average person wonder how
they can drop weight so effortlessly and why we can't do the same. Here
are Diet Nation’s top picks of celebrities who went
from decent to divine in 2006!
Jennifer Aniston – This
former Friends star is constantly
updating her look and seems to look more beautiful each time. She made
style
history 10 years ago with a hairstyle that became known as “The Rachel”
but she
looks even amazing now with her long, sleek do and toned body. Even
after going through two very public break ups in the past two years she
still manages to maintain a fabulous figure.
Nelly Furtado – This Canadian music star has always been
stunning. But after taking a hiatus to have a baby Nelly returned to the music
scene with a sexier body than she had before giving birth and a hot new look. When Nelly let
Loose
she really started to heat things up! Way to go yummy mummy!
Matthew McConaughey – We all remember Matthew from his Dazed
and Confused days, but who would have thought this Southern hunk would get more
gorgeous with age. A decade later and Matthew is more buff and sexier than
ever.
Demi Moore – This 44-year-old actress doesn’t look much
different than she did more than 20 years ago when she appeared in St. Elmo’s
Fire. Oh, except she has a better body and better hair. No wonder she’s with
Ashton Kutcher!
Ruben Studdard – The 2003 winner of American Idol carried
450 pounds on his 6’4 frame the year following his win and ended up collapsing from
exhaustion. After taking on a low calorie diet Ruben dropped a whopping 100
pounds. Now he looks leaner and fabulous! As
we move closer to 2007 who will transform their look next? With access
to top of the line personal trainers, nutritionists and plastic
surgeons only time will tell.
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