Tricks of the Trade: Beyonce (left) and Gwyneth Paltrow have undergone the detox. Photos: Getty Images

By Karen Springen and Anna Kuchment 

Saint Augustine once said that “fasting cleanses the soul [and] raises the mind.” Were he alive today, he might be surprised to see the fast detached from its spiritual roots and transformed into little more than a quick ticket to weight loss. Taken up by the likes of Beyoncé Knowles and Madonna and splashed across the pages of gossip magazines and Web sites, these “detox diets” or “cleanses” are everywhere. Publishers are churning out books like “The Fast Track Detox Diet,” “The Raw Food Detox Diet,” “Super Cleanse: Detox Your Body for Long-Lasting Health and Beauty” and “21 Pounds in 21 Days: The Martha’s Vineyard Diet Detox.” And as many as 3 million Americans flock to the nation’s 5,000 colonic hydrotherapy centers for enemas, a component of many detoxes, according to the International Association for Colon Hydrotherapy. Proponents say detox diets rid the body of impurities and boost energy.

Some regimens are more extreme than others. To prepare for her role in “Dreamgirls,” Beyoncé lost 20 pounds in two weeks by drinking purified water mixed with lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper (a.k.a. “The Master Cleanse”). More moderate approaches allow clients some food they can chew. Last spring, Oprah completed a 21-day cleanse in which she gave up meat, fish, eggs, sugar, gluten, alcohol and cheese. What was left? A lot, she says, including strawberry-rhubarb wheat-free crepes for breakfast.

The concept behind these cleanses is as old as human history. “There’s a straight line from detox diets to classical religious fasting,” says Harvey Cox, professor of divinity at Harvard University. In many religions, fasting is associated with enlightenment and atonement and understanding the suffering of the poor. “It’s a way of resetting one’s moral clock, of starting with a clean slate,” says Michael McCullough, a psychology professor at the University of Miami. Christians fast during Lent, Muslims fast during Ramadan and Jews fast on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement that follows the New Year. “Fasting builds self-control,” says McCullough. “It allows people to build strength for when they have to adhere to some other moral dimension of their religion.”

It’s the season to avoid temptation: the kids’ leftover Halloween candy, the pumpkin pies, the holiday cookies. To help you keep off extra pounds during the holidays, TIP SHEET debunks common nutrition myths:

1. Eating before bedtime is fattening. “It’s not the hour of day that is a problem. It’s the excess calories,” says registered dietitian Lona Sandon, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. People burn calories even when they’re sleeping, but staying up late, mindlessly munching, will add pounds.

2. Fresh fruits and veggies are healthier than frozen or canned. Frozen and canned produce is harvested at peak ripeness and may even be of higher quality than fresh. Frozen and canned versions are also often cheaper and won’t spoil quickly. But read the labels to make sure there is no added salt or sugar.

By Joan Raymond 

Can MRI technology do a better job than mammography in detecting breast cancer? That question has been on the minds of many women after Christina Applegate revealed that her breast cancer was discovered after her doctor ordered the scan. While it can be a powerful diagnostic tool, most women may not benefit from MRI screening, says Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society. Not only are MRIs more expensive, the test also has more false positive results than mammography. But recent ACS guidelines (cancer.org) do recommend MRI, along with mammography, for women who are at the highest risk of developing the disease. That includes women like Applegate who have tested positive for a genetic mutation called BRCA or who have a close relative with the mutation and are untested. Currently, there isn’t enough evidence to recommend for or against MRI for women with more moderate risk factors. Best bet: talk to your doctor or call the ACS 24/7 at 800-227-2345.

By Caitlin McDevitt 

More parents are buying into the notion that even adolescents shouldn’t be stuck in unsightly orthodontia. But are the prettier (and pricier) alternatives to braces better? Most orthodontists say no. This summer, Align Technology—the company that lured adults back to the dentist with clear retainers in 1999—launched Invisalign Teen. Though kids might be thrilled to avoid a mouthful of metal, Manhattan orthodontist Jan Linhart warns that the removable devices ($4,500 to $7,800) are a big responsibility. “You have to wear them in order for them to work,” he says. According to patient Jenny Cook, 17, of Los Angeles, “It’s really easy to get lazy putting it back in.” Neal Kravitz, an orthodontist in Chantilly, Va., says that most adolescent cases are too severe for Invisalign anyway. (The company says its retainers fix crowding, spacing issues and overbites.)

That doesn’t mean all kids with crooked teeth have to be Ugly Bettys. They can get iBraces—customized brackets attached to the back of the teeth. “I have a lot of patients driving from afar for them,” says Beverly Hills orthodontist Atoosa Nikaeen. Offered by only 18 percent of orthodontists, iBraces move teeth like regular braces but are harder to put on and can cost twice as much ($8,000 to $14,000). Some parents will pay to spare their children the teasing, but it might be better to just stick with what the parents wore in their schooldays. Even orthodontists who specialize in cosmetic options say that conventional braces ($3,000 to $7,000) are still the best. “They’re the most efficient and the easiest,” says Linhart. Luckily, there is another option for the tinsel-toothed: for only a few bucks, they can have their braces PhotoShopped out of the yearbook.

A growing number of online green guides help consumers choose food, toys, cosmetics and household products made by socially responsible companies. TIP SHEET provides a guide to the guides.

• goodguide.com: This well-organized site rates personal-care and household products. Seventh Generation’s Natural All-Purpose Cleaner gets top marks. Info on packaged foods is coming soon.

• cosmeticsdatabase.com: The Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep cosmetic-safety database scores personal-care products based on their potentially hazardous ingredients.

• climatecounts.org: This site evaluates companies that produce apparel, food, beverages, electronics and household products for their impact on global warming. Results: Nike scores high.

See “Two Museums, One Culture” at the Museum of Russian Icons in Clinton, Mass. This ambitious survey of icons from the 16th through the 19th centuries includes 16 rare works from Moscow’s Tretyakov Gallery ($5; russianiconmuseum.com).

Hear “Don’t Believe” by Cherry holmes III. This family of six has created a bluegrass sound that explodes with exuberant fiddle, expert banjo and passionate harmonies. With energy to spare, the new album is a foot-tapping delight ($12.98).

Rent “The Edge of Heaven.” Cultures, generations and lovers collide in director Fatih Akin’s stunning, moving drama, which whirls from Germany to Turkey, tenderness to terrorism. It’s a multicultural epic.

By Joan Raymond 

If you can buy pregnancy and ovulation kits over the counter, it only follows that drugstore paternity testing would be next. Last November, Identigene, a Salt Lake City DNA-testing company (dnatesting.com), began a rollout of its over-the-counter DIY paternity-test kit. In the past year, some 60,000 people have mailed in cheek swabs from the alleged father and child for analysis. (For best results, a DNA sample from the mother should be included, too.) Though the test won’t stand up in court—no impartial DNA collector, no proof of identity and no chain of custody—the DNA samples are analyzed the same way a court-admissible test is, says Doug Fogg, chief operating officer. That means Identigene checks for 16 or more genetic markers in its accredited lab facilities. Results are available in three to five business days at a secure online site or by mail. The test costs $29.99, plus a $119 lab and processing fee. (For $200 more, customers can opt for a method that includes court-admissible sample collection and chain-of-custody procedures verified by a third party.) The kits are available at Rite Aid, CVS, Meijer, Fruth and, just last week, Walgreens, in the home-health-test aisle or the family-planning section—right next to the spermicides, sponges and condoms.

By Elisa Mala

Poet Dylan Thomas referred to his birthplace as an "ugly, lovely town," but with centuries of history showcased alongside cutting-edge architecture, this fishing village and resort town (called Abertawe in Welsh) is as picturesque as its English name suggests. On her first visit to Wales, NEWSWEEK’S Elisa Mala was charmed by the quaintness of the surroundings as well as the warmth of the locals who occupied them.

STROLL along the Mumbles, a walkway along Swansea Bay that passes through local shops, eateries and piers. In warmer months, the Swansea Bay Rider, a land-based train that’s kid- and adult-friendly, rolls along the path at a leisurely pace. The rides end as soon as September does, but they return for one night only on the eve of Halloween!

LEARN about the town's storied past and view the mummy Hor at the Swansea Museum, which displays many regional artifacts. Or partake of futuristic multimedia exhibits at the National Waterfront Museum, which pays homage to the country's nautical history. Its balcony offers a panoramic and unparalleled view of the adjacent marina.

INDULGE in concoctions like Tuscan Cassata and Strawberry Cookies and Cream at Joe's Ice Cream Parlour, a mainstay since 1922. Or try over 30 flavors of gelato and non-fussy Italian dishes at Verdi's Café. For seaside views that are as fresh as the fare, try to snag a table on the pier.

EXPLORE the intricacies of the well-preserved Oystermouth Castle, which was built in the 12th century and served as a residence for the reigning lords. Despite several sieges, remains of the nearby Swansea Castle are surprisingly intact.

By Kristin Luna

A native of the American South, travel writer Kristin Luna got back to her roots during a recent trip to Austin, Texas. Some highlights:

STAY: Simply name drop that you’re staying at the sumptuous Driskill Hotel, and heads will turn. It is, without a doubt, the city’s most famed establishment and rightfully so. Located smack in the center of downtown, within walking distance to the State Capitol, it’s steeped in history and boasts the fanciest digs around. Rooms exude an old-fashioned charm with their oil paintings, antique furniture and delicate drapery, mixed with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, DVD players, iPod docks, wireless Internet and Molton Brown bath products. Around the corner from the Driskill, the InterContinental Stephen F. Austin is another popular option with business travelers; like the rest of the brand, it affords the utmost comfort in beds and amenities, and also houses a chic second-floor bar with incomparable views of the Capitol.

If you prefer a stay-and-play vacation, Barton Springs Resort & Spa can fulfill all of those needs. With four golf courses, 11 lit tennis courts, a state-of-the-art gym and running track and plush grounds that span 4,000 acres, Barton Creek deserves its own zip code. Be sure and pamper yourself at the remarkable spa, which features unique treatments like a Mexican Chocolate Cayenne Scrub or a Hill Country Harvest Souffle, a full-body massage using warmed avocado pits and various other parts of the fruit for nourishment. Barton Creek is also perfect for families, with a great pool and deck and even 18 holes of mini-golf on site. A hotel that offers a more typical Austin feel is the quirky San Jose Hotel on South Congress; with a central courtyard, pool and bar, it attracts a younger clientele and those ready to mingle. Its bungalow-style rooms are also quite interesting with stucco walls, concrete floors and geometric windows that occupy an entire wall.

EAT: After splitting time between New York and San Francisco over the past few years—two cities known for their culinary assets—I’ve become quite the food snob. Prior to my trip, I had heard that Austin didn’t have much of a dining reputation, but was pleased to find that was far from the truth. Happy hour at Ranch 616 is a good introduction to the city: The restaurant and bar is now home to the “official drink of Austin”—the Fire in the Hole—as recently voted on by a panel of local judges. Appetizers like fried asparagus, frogs legs and crispy oysters with chipotle tartar are the perfect complement to a shot of Paula’s Orange Liquor, lime juice, cayenne and chili powder with a Lone Star beer for a chaser. From there, move on to Guero’s Taco Bar, which frequently draws the likes of Matthew McConaughey, pal Lance Armstrong and tennis superstar Andy Roddick, and is a favorite joint of the Clintons. South Congress Café serves a mean brunch with dishes like Southwestern-style eggs benedict and carrot cake French toast, and Sandra Bullock’s eatery, Bess Bistro, is popular for its yummy comfort food. For some tried-and-true Texas BBQ, opt for Stubb’s or Salt Lick. If you want fine dining, you’ll find your fanciest fare at Hudson’s on the Bend with its menu of quality game, including elk, Cornish hen, hare, wild boar, buffalo and quail. Those with a sweet tooth should grab a baked good at the Airstream trailer housing Hey Cupcake! or a cone at Texas chain Amy’s Ice Creams after dinner.

SHOP: Second Avenue’s row of boutiques will warm up your plastic, while South Congress Avenue can continue the credit card calisthenics at kitschy one-off finds, antique stores and vintage shops. If you care to be cliché, hit up Allen’s or Heritage for some authentic cowboy boots. Outlet aficionados won’t want to miss nearby San Marcos’ Prime Outlets, which make all other factory outlets pale in comparison, located just 30 miles south of the city on I-35. Not only does it house all the outlet regulars (J. Crew, Banana Republic, Coach, Nine West, Gap), but loads of designers (Michael Kors, Escada, Kate Spade, Catherine Malandrino, Gucci, Marc Jacobs) and home stores (Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel), too. It will take you hours–if not days–to cover the whole area.

VISIT: The Texas State Capitol sits front row and center in Austin’s downtown at the end of Congress Avenue. The tallest capitol building in the United States, it is, dare I say, more impressive than even the National Capitol. With one of the nation’s biggest university populations, the University of Texas’ campus is worth a leisurely stroll, if for no other reason than to gawk at all the burnt orange “hook ‘em horns” paraphernalia. The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum may not initially sound intriguing, but the building is massive and beautifully designed and it’s chock-full of more history than you probably knew the state contained. Alamo Drafthouse – where you can grab a bite to eat while catching a flick – is a popular hangout for Austinites and now owns four locations around town. And a trip out to two city staples, BookPeople and the 80,000-square-foot Whole Foods flagship store (complete with 14 restaurants and cooking classes on-site), which are across-the-street-neighbors, isn’t to be missed.

Illustration: Michael Klein for Newsweek

For families, fall marks the start of germ-fighting season. Kids catch an average of one to two colds per month during the school year; parents catch fewer but suffer just as much. Mom and Dad miss work to care for their children, then end up missing more work once they catch what their kids brought home. And the cycle begins again. A series of runny noses and fevers may not land anyone in the hospital, but it can take a serious toll on productivity.

What are the best strategies for staying healthy during the cold-weather months? We all know that washing hands regularly and getting the flu shot are good places to start, though there is new information on those recommendations, as well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now says all kids, ages 6 months to 18 years, should get the flu shot (previously, the recommendation had extended only to kids younger than 5), and doctors agree that you need to scrub and rinse your hands for at least 20 seconds in order to kill germs most effectively.

What about less scientific-sounding advice like wearing a sweater and chugging orange juice? TIP SHEET looked at the new thinking on some old wives’ tales.

• Wear a hat. True. Mom always said to bundle up before leaving the house, and it turns out she was right. If you’re dressed inappropriately, your core body temperature can drop, and that can lower your immune system’s function, says Dr. Ted Epperly, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Your body loses the most heat through your head, but wearing gloves or mittens will also help.

October 13, 2008 

Fewer Americans are buying organic. The number of people who regularly consume organic food and drinks dropped from 25 percent to 22 percent in the last year, according to a new report from consultant NPD Group. With the economy in the dumps, who can blame them? If you’re concerned about pesticides and added growth hormones but want to save money on groceries, knowing which conventionally grown items are highest in contaminants will help you prioritize.

• Milk. If you or your kids are big milk drinkers, it pays to buy organic. “There are so many hormones and antibiotics [in many brands of conventional milk],” says environmental activist Deirdre Imus, author of the “Green This!” series. Some studies have found organic milk to have higher levels of healthy fats and antioxidants, such as beta carotene.

A new study says Medicare patients prefer cheap generic drugs only when they’re footing the bill themselves—when government pays, they want brand names. Recent news may shed some light on why: the FDA is investigating reports of faulty generic Wellbutrin, and last month it banned 28 generics made in India. If you’re taking a generic, should you switch to a brand name? Probably not. All generics, prescription or over-the-counter, go through a rigorous approval process. Generics are supposed to be “bioequivalent” to their costlier cousins (their active ingredients are equal in dose, safety, strength and efficacy). Although their inactive ingredients (such as flavors and dyes) differ, it’s very rare for those to cause reactions. Generics made in the United States are manufactured under the same standards as brand names. But the FDA has no authority to oversee those made abroad. (India and China make about a fifth of the generics sold here.) The agency’s only option is to ban those drugs and demand manufacturing upgrades, as it did last month. It also assured consumers there’s “no evidence of harm” from what’s already on the market.

See “Dialogue Among Giants: Carleton Watkins and the Rise of Photography in California.” This exhibition of approximately 150 works by Watkins (who became the official photographer of the California State Geological Survey) captures the social, political, economic and artistic developments in California as it reached statehood in 1850 through the mid-1880s (through March 1, 2009; getty.edu).

Rent “Le Doulos.” Is JeanPaul Belmondo a crook or a police informant? In Jean-Pierre Melville’s tough, tricky, fatalistic 1964 film noir classic, nothing is as it appears to be, and the twists come as fast as a speeding Citroën on a rainy Paris street.

Hear “Only by the Night” by Kings of Leon. These Southerners have executed a fourth album that stays true to their hard-rock edge yet interjects raspy wails and guitar riffs with sweeping mellow tracks you’ll be singing in your head. Try: “Closer.”

Shop Target starting Sunday for the debut of its line of Anya Hindmarch handbags ($19.99 to $49.99) and Sigerson Morrison shoes ($29.99 to $39.99).

Get away for Columbus Day. Check smartertravel.com for a review of last-minute deals, including early-season ski trips, Oktoberfests and spas.

By Amber Haq