Crack is a street drug that affects the central nervous system by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. Crack is extremely addictive, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, and can be smoked, snorted or dissolved in water and injected into a vein.

Cassia angustifolia is an Asian herb that is used as a natural laxative and diuretic. More commonly known as senna, the leaves of this herb are made into a tea and marketed as a weight-loss aid under the brand name Slim-Mate.

The hCG diet, created by Dr. A.T.W. Simeons, combines a very strict 500-calorie-per-day diet with daily injections of human chorionic gonadotropin to "reprogram" the hypothalamus, changing the way your metabolism operates. The motto of the diet is "strict adherence,"

You don't have to give up sushi if you're trying to lose weight. Depending on the type of sushi you choose, it may even help increase weight loss slightly when eaten as part of a reduced-calorie diet.

Losing weight requires you to cut back on calories, but this doesn't mean sticking to celery sticks and broiled chicken until you reach your goal. An occasional treat, such as a slice of homemade banana-nut bread, won't make or break your entire diet.

The world of women's clothing sizes is often confusing and frustrating, since there is no standardization from brand to brand and women vary in their shape over their lifetime. The dress size you wear depends on your height and where and how you carry your weight.

Most workouts, especially those that don’t require machines or special equipment, are effective no matter how tall you are or how much you weigh. Depending on your fitness goals, however, it is wise to choose specific exercises based on your body size.

Barrett's disease, also called Barrett's esophagus, is a complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. At the junction where the esophagus meets the stomach is a circular muscle, or sphincter, that closes after food or liquids enter the stomach.

If you've got a spare tire to lose, eating a healthful diet and exercising at least twice a week for 30 minutes can help. There's no magic set of foods that will get rid of your belly fat, but some foods will help more than others and you can ensure weight loss through caloric restriction.

The Atkins Diet is a strict regimen of food intake divided up into phases. In phase 1, often called the induction phase, you are to eat three meals and two snacks daily, while limiting your carbohydrate intake to 20 carbs per day. You don't restrict fats and you eat protein at every meal.

You can lose the love handles and firm up the lower abs with a series of exercises performed several times weekly. The lower abdominal muscles form part of the abdominal wall, which covers the whole mid-section.

In four months, you've got that big event -- a wedding, reunion or beach vacation -- and you feel your body just isn't ready for it. A 30-pound weight loss will help boost your confidence and health.