Drop 14 lbs in 14 days

Cornell-educated M.D. uncovers the ingredients in “healthy” snacks that are making women fat and tired—and the simple swaps that fast-track weight loss

Reboot your fat burn with your favorite full-fat foods

Think back to the last time you touched up your deck or wood patio furniture with a fresh coat of sealant. When you first apply the sealant, it gives the surface a beautiful shine and repels water off in big droplets—all while letting the wood breathe. But after a few seasons of snow, rain, sun and foot traffic, the coating can become thin and worn, making it easier for water to seep through and mold to set in.

Now imagine that deck sealant is responsible for your health and well-being. Each and every one of the body’s 30 trillion cells is protected by a membrane—a thin layer of fat that acts as a sealant. This protective layer allows certain molecules, like nutrients and oxygen, inside the cells and keeps invading organisms, toxins and other harmful compounds out. “These cell membranes

are composed of the fat you eat,” explains Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., author of Radical Metabolism. And the type of fats you consume, she says, determines the strength and integrity of your membranes.

The problem: Processed fats in the standard American diet make cell membranes stiff and rigid. “Studies show that within minutes of digesting processed fats, the body incorporates the fats into the cell membranes,” says Gittleman. The membranes then can’t optimally take in fat and sugar to be burned for energy, plus they trap toxins inside, causing damage that leads to aging and illness.

Complicating matters: Damaged cellular membranes can cause hormonal havoc. “Our cellular membranes are embedded with thousands of hormone receptors,” explains Gittleman. “When the cellular membranes become damaged by processed fats, the hormone receptors also become damaged.” This pulls the body’s hormones out of balance, leading to increased fat storage, nagging cravings and low energy.

Even women who stick to a healthy diet are affected. “Everyone tends to think, I don’t eat highly processed fats, but we’re all eating them,” says Cornell-educated physician Cate Shanahan, M.D. “They’re served in restaurants and found in packaged foods, including nut butters, salad dressings, cereal, granola bars, dried fruit and even frozen vegetables.”

Fortunately, it’s easy to avoid this fat trap and heal cell membranes so weight-loss becomes effortless. The key: replacing processed fats with omega-6 fatty acids from whole foods like nuts, seeds and full-fat dairy. “Omega-6s have gotten a bad rap in the past—we’ve been told that they trigger inflammation and that we should avoid them,” says Gittleman. “But they’re actually some of the most powerful fats for activating your metabolic engine.” Indeed, omega-6s make cell membranes stronger and more supple, so cells are able to release toxins and burn fat and sugar for fuel more efficiently.

Once you increase omega-6s, the benefits kick in fast. These fats boost serotonin levels enough to decrease appetite by 37%, so sticking to any diet is easier. And in a study at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, increasing intake of these membrane-healing fats helped subjects shed 88% more body fat over eight weeks than those who didn’t increase their intake— and women report that a diet rich in omega-6s helps them melt up to five belly inches every week!

Speedy weight loss is just the beginning. “Omega-6 fatty acids can also control menopause symptoms, lower high blood pressure, ward off arthritis and help skin retain its moisture to stay smooth,” cheers Gittleman. What’s more, research shows that increasing your intake of these healthy fats can reduce joint pain by 41% and dial down stress by 51%. And women FIRST spoke with rave that the fats help eliminate middle-of-the-night awakenings, lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and improve memory. Read on for the plan that will work wonders for you!

“Omega-6s are unparalleled in promoting fat burning.” —Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D.