Hypertension, or high blood pressure as it is also known, is a condition that affects roughly 50 million Americans. That figure represents about one in every four persons, or 25% of the population.

While the exact causes of high blood pressure remain unclear, what IS clear is what high blood pressure can lead to, including stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, eye disease and atherosclerosis (literally hardening of the arteries). Some of the factors that may contribute to hypertension include getting little or no exercise, obesity, older age, genetics and poor diet.

Given the vast and growing body of scientific research proving the many health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, we know that fish oil is important in the diet. However, a recent lawsuit in California with regard to a state law about proper labeling known as Proposition 65 has cast a doubt in the public's mind on whether fish oil is really safe because these supplements could contain toxic contaminants. In this lawsuit, PCBs were singled out as the culprit.

Leave it to one of the NBA's most frenetic offensive teams to field a groundbreaking study that uncovers how much energy its players expend.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, who finished the 2009-10 regular season third in Pace Factor (an estimate of team possessions per 48 minutes), teamed with New Orleans-based trainer Mackie Shilstone last season to discover how they could help four of their players manage key weight issues.

The veteran actor explains his journey and weight-loss goals

Men's Health writer Paul Kita recently talked to John Goodman about the actor's tremendous weight loss. How'd he do it? Read on for the complete interview.

I'm glad we got you on board for this, and I appreciate you talking to us. I guess the logical place to start is that for most of your life you were overweight. What was the turning point for you? When was your wake-up call?

It's been constant. It's always been in the back of my mind. It just ate at me the whole time. That may be part of the reason I shoved food in my mouth so much. That satisfaction. But what clicked was three years ago I did a Santa Clause movie. I looked at it and I was really unhappy about the way I looked. For years, at Christmas-time I'd get fed up and make a resolution, and I'd lose 60 pounds, 65 pounds. And then I was off to the races again in the summer. I'd just eat whatever I want, and the big key was drinking. I'm an alcoholic.

So I went to a man named Mackie Shilstone in New Orleans, who is our own fitness guru. He trains Serena Williams. He's trained many boxers. He brought Ozzy Smith back--gave him a few more years in his career.

I set up a program with him, medically, first.