Author: tierradecinefagos

 

There are hundreds of different diets that claim to do all kinds of things, but do diets lower cholesterol or is there something special that a person has to do in addition to the diet? For instance, along with the diet, do you need to take a prescription drug in order for a diet to actually lower cholesterol levels? Are there special diets that are designed to lower cholesterol or can any diet do the trick? To answer these questions, you first need to know that there are several factors that can increase your cholesterol to an unhealthy level. One of the factors that can increase your cholesterol level is your weight. Being overweight not only is a risk factor on its own for heart disease, but also can be a contributing factor to high cholesterol. So, with that in mind, losing weight is a good place to start if you want to lower your cholesterol and also lower your risk for heart disease. In order to lose weight you need to stick to a diet plan that is not only safe, but is also able to lower your cholesterol. Which Diets Lower Cholesterol and Which Diets Can Actually Raise Your Cholesterol. Since there are so many different diets out there I’m not going to cover everyone of them. Instead, I will go over a general guideline for you to follow and let you use that in order to pick which diet will specifically fit your needs. The first guideline I will cover is the types of diets that can lower your cholesterol. The type of diets that tend to lower your cholesterol are the kind that stick to a plan that avoid foods that are high in bad fats. These fats include saturated and trans fats. Your body can make all of the saturated fat that it needs, so you need to avoid this fat. Typically, you find saturated fat in foods like red meat, poultry with skin and whole dairy products, to just name a few. Trans fat is made from a process called hydrogenation. This is a very bad fat and is commonly found in margarine, processed and fried foods. There are many foods that contain these types of fats, so it would be hard to completely eliminate them from your diet. Instead, you can stick to a diet plan that limits your intake of saturated and trans fats and focuses on healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and lean cuts of meats. The next guideline we will look at are diets that can actually raise your cholesterol. These types of diets focus on low fat, high-carbohydrate foods. The idea behind these types of diets is to trick your body into thinking that it is in a “starvation mode.” What this does is causes your liver to produce even more cholesterol to make sure your body has an adequate amount to survive. As you can see these types of diets can actually raise your cholesterol even higher. So, as a general guideline, it is important to not only choose a diet that focuses on the proper types of fats, but also focuses on eating healthy foods. These types of diets lower cholesterol and help you lose weight which will lead to a healthier, happier life.

 

by Cate Stevenson

Over the past 10 years, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have invested a lot of time and effort to educate the public about the dangers of high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol. But despite some improvements, far too many Americans still have out-of-control blood pressure and cholesterol levels – the primary risk factors for heart disease.

According to a new report just released from the CDC, one-third of U.S. adults have hypertension, with similar numbers being recorded for high cholesterol levels.

And, according the CDC, only 46% of people with high blood pressure actually have the condition controlled, despite the fact that the majority have some form of health insurance. Similar numbers were reported for cholesterol too – only 48% are actually treated for the condition.

Roughly how many adults does that add up to who are in danger of getting heart disease? The CDC says 100 million U.S. adults have either high blood pressure or high cholesterol – almost half the adult population!

Make sure you get your levels checked regularly by your doctor or health-care provider. The “Affordable Care Act” signed into law in March 2010 by the U.S. government offers free screenings for both blood pressure and cholesterol.

The CDC urges everyone to take initiatives to keep blood pressure and cholesterol in check. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has just released dietary guidelines and many health-care institutions are advocating for people to reduce salt and trans fat intake.

Getting numbers down for heart disease risk factors requires a concentrated effort in a number of areas. The CDC’ “Vital Signs” report on hypertension and high cholesterol sets out a series of preventative measures: improved access to care; better preventive care; and better patient adherence – .meaning that it’s up to you to hold up your end of the bargain. Set your own initiatives to promote staying active, eating well and maintaining a healthy weight.

The leading preventable cause and leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease, and the leading causes of that include high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It is a scary thing when the heart starts having difficulty – it’s best to give it lots of healthy foods and exercise so that it can continue to do its life-saving job every day.

 

It is important that you take responsibility for your own health. Research shows that unhealthy cholesterol levels can contribute significantly to health problems that can lead to heart disease and stroke. If you want to lower cholesterol by diet you need to know that it requires some knowledge about the foods in your diet and also some basic understanding of cholesterol. Given time and practice you’ll be able to create and adapt to a new diet and enjoy a healthier lifestyle. Why It’s Important to Reduce Cholesterol Levels When you order a test for your cholesterol profile you’ll typically obtain three results. These will be measurements of your levels of LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. HDL or high-density lipoprotein is generally considered as “good” cholesterol because they contain more protein than cholesterol. Increased HDL levels can help lower your risk of heart disease. LDL or low-density lipoproteins however is considered the bad guy since it is essentially responsible for cholesterol deposits within the arteries and consequently increases your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Triglycerides are essential to our health but too much of it could also cause heart problems. Food You Can Eat When preparing your meals it is better if you know the types of food which can help lower cholesterol by diet. So do your research on foods. The more foods you find that you can include in your low-fat and low cholesterol diet the better. Having variety in your diet will help keep you healthy and prevent you from being tempted to eat foods which may increase your cholesterol levels. Olive Oil Leading a health-conscious diet doesn’t mean you have to stay away from everything fried or anything that has to do with oil. When you’re frying, sauteing or cooking food, you can try replacing cooking oil or butter with olive oil. It’s not the ideal way to reduce your cholesterol levels, but it’s a lot healthier than using ordinary cooking oil or butter for your food preparation. Omega-3 Fatty Acids Fatty fish are considered excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to reduce heart problems. Examples of fish you can include in your diet are mackerel, salmon, herring and halibut. Canola oil and ground flax-seed are also good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. High-Fiber Foods Increase your intake of oat bran or oatmeal, which has high levels of fiber. They’re very effective in reducing your body’s LDL levels. Soluble fiber can also be found in foods like apples, kidney beans, and prunes. Nuts Believe it or not, but having a nutty diet can do remarkable things for your health and, more specifically, your cholesterol levels. You can include them in your diet by replacing add-ons like croutons and cheese with nuts. Just make sure that you’re eating them in their natural state. Those mixed with salt or are sugar-coated can still cause you health problems, albeit in a different way. Exercise is Essential Whereas diet is good for weight loss and improving your health, it’s not enough to get your body into shape. Exercise is what you need if you want your skin to regain its previous firmness and for your muscles to be more toned and defined. With proper and regular exercise, you can be sure that your efforts to lower cholesterol by diet would be twice as effective.

 

It is well known that there is a positive correlation between the levels of cholesterol in the blood and the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The higher the cholesterol count, the higher the chances of the arteries in the body, especially those supplying the heart and the brain, getting clogged up with plaques, leading to narrowing of the lumen and subsequently death of the organ supplied by the vessels due to poor blood flow.

This problem of raised cholesterol in the blood, most of which is contributed to by synthesis of the substance in the liver (the balance being taken in through the diet as high cholesterol foods such as egg yolk, fatty meats and butter), is solved very well by the usage of potent chemical substances known collectively as statins. Statins function by inhibiting the enzyme HMG CoA reductase in the liver which is involved in the biosynthesis of cholesterol. As the production of cholesterol by the liver is a continual ongoing process, this results in the statin being recommended for continual long term use to lower high cholesterol.

Examples of statins in common use are: Mevacor (lovastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), Lipitor or Lipator (atorvastatin), and Crestor (rosuvastatin). Currently the most popular statin in use in the world is Lipator.

All is not well in the world of treatment of high cholesterol levels with statins, however.

While statins are extremely effective in the treatment of cholesterol levels, the problem arises of statin side effects. These statin side effects are common to statins as a group, but can be more for certain members of the statin family, and less for others. The incidence of statin side effects also varies depending on the individual taking the statin, and whether the statin is taken alone or in conjunction with other drugs. Statin side effects, while minimal, can be sometimes potentially disturbing and can be serious enough to warrant discontinuation of the drug.

Following is the list of the most common statin side effects.

Muscle pain. This is said to be the most common side effect. This comes on as soreness, weakness or tiredness of your muscles. This may be so mild as to be a simple discomfort when walking or can be so severe that it causes pain when climbing stairs. Very rarely, the condition of rhabdomyolysis may occur, where there is severe muscle damage, leading to liver and kidney failure and death.

Liver Damage. Sometimes statins cause a rise in liver enzymes. If the increase is mild, it is said to be safe to continue the drug. Moderate rises usually can be reversed by discontinuing the drug. Because the effect is different in different people and in different statins, the doctor may recommend a different statin. Continued use of the drug in the face of a marked rise of liver enzymes may lead to liver damage. Liver damage may be totally asymptomatic. It is thus advisable for one to have liver function tests done about 6 week after starting a course of statins, and monitor these every 3 to 6 months or so.

Gastrointestinal Symptoms. The usual symptoms are nausea, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea or constipation. These statin side effects, although very common as a whole for all users of all medicines, are said to be rather rare with statin therapy. It is suggested that statins be taking in the evening or nights to reduce the incidence of these side effects.

In view of the potential of getting the above side effects, should one then just avoid them altogether? The answer is no. Currently statins are by far the best and most effective treatment for the lowering of the blood cholesterol to normal cholesterol levels, far more than any other measure. If one weighs the pros and cons of statin treatment, it will be obvious that the risks of getting heart attacks and strokes in an untreated high cholesterol patient far outweigh the risks of side effects of statin therapy. It is thus suggested that statins be
recommended strongly still for the treatment of high cholesterol, but with the proviso that there be regular monitoring of blood for liver function tests as well as levels of creatine kinase, a rise of which indicates muscle damage. We find Lipator or Lipitor to have much less side effects compared to other statins.

 

Eggs also go well with bacon, ham and sausage. A fresh green salad would be incomplete without a hardboiled egg. As time goes by, eggs has proven it’s not just a breakfast buddy and showed its versatility by being the most sought after ingredient in numerous kinds of recipes. A lot of our all-time favorite dishes would be inexistent like cakes, cookies and brownies if it wasn’t for eggs. Several countries also have their own innovative recipes using eggs. Chinese steamed eggs is a home-style dish where the eggs are beaten in consistency and then steamed. This is a common dish and is found all over China. Japan’s Chawanmushi which literally means tea cup steam is an egg custard dish that is made of egg mixture seasoned with soy sauce, dashi, mirin and other ingredients and is placed in a tea cup container. This dish is somewhat similar to China’s steamed egg but may often differ in toppings used. Scotch eggs which originated from London is a hardboiled egg, wrapped in a sausage, coated in breadcrumbs and deep fried is also a proof of egg’s adaptability. Regardless of its popularity in many countries as an important item in the kitchen, some people think there should be precautions in the use of eggs in our daily diet.

A study revealed that eggs are not just a rich source of protein, but also abundant in cholesterol. According to Mayo Clinic, one large egg contains approximately 213 mg of cholesterol-all of which are found in the egg yolk. A healthy person has a cholesterol limit of 300 mg a day while people with heart diseases, diabetes or high cholesterol should limit their cholesterol intake to less than 200 mg which is less than one large egg. Those who are health conscious, they prefer to remove the egg yolk and use the egg white instead because the egg whites do not have cholesterol. For those who are a big fan of egg yolks, they are recommended to limit the intake of other cholesterol sources throughout the day to avoid increase in cholesterol level. But egg enthusiasts; fret no more, as a recent article by CBS News revealed that eggs are really not bad after all.

A recent study by government research shows that the amount of cholesterol found on eggs is actually 14% lower and 64% richer in Vitamin D compared to what was actually thought. One large egg in fact contains 185 mg of cholesterol instead of 213mg which is lower than the maximum value for people with heart diseases. The best way to enjoy your eggs is to avoid pairing them with meat. Instead substitute serving of meat with vegetables because cholesterol is mostly balanced diet. So satisfy your egg cravings without the cholesterol in egg scare. Found in animal protein. Plant based foods and eggs actually make a good team for a healthy and balanced diet. So satisfy your egg cravings without the cholesterol in egg scare.

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What is cholesterol? Usually people only focus their interest in ways to lower without ever really understanding what is If you understand what is, at least give you a little better understanding of why it is necessary that it is small, and so on. If not, then at least help to prepare you for high risk. What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that presents itself naturally in cell walls and membranes everywhere in your body, including the brain, nerves, muscles, skin, liver, intestines, and heart. Your body uses to maintain the overall health and body function, someis good, it works to build and repair cells, produces hormones such as estrogen and testosterone, vitamin D, and produces bile acids which are proven to assist in fat digestion. Cholesterol produced by the liver and is also found in certain foods. It only takes a small amount of in the blood to meet these needs and our body produces enough needed. Olive oil contains a potent mix of antioxidants that can lower your “bad” (LDL) but leave your “good” (HDL) untouched. Try using about 2 tablespoons (23 grams) of olive oil a day in place of other fats in the diet to get his heart healthy benefits. To add olive oil to your diet, you can saute vegetables, add it to the marinade and mix it with vinegar as a salad dressing. Basting meat or as a substitute for butter bread dip, you can also use olive oil. Olive oil is high in calories, so do not eat more than the recommended amount. Cholesterol-lowering effects of olive oil are even greater if you choose extra-virgin olive oil, the oil is less processed and contains more heart-healthy antioxidants. But keep in mind that “light” olive oil is usually more processed than extra virgin or virgin olive oil, and a lighter color, not fat or calories. 5th Added plant sterols or stanols foods Food products are now available that have been fortified with sterols or stanols – substances found in plants that help block the absorption of cholesterol. Margarine, orange juice and yogurt drinks with added plant sterols can help reduce LDL cholesterol by more than 10 percent. Daily plant sterols needed for results of an amount not less than 2 grams, which equals about two 8-ounce (237 milliliter) servings of plant sterol-fortified orange juice a day. Plant sterol or stanol fortified foods do not appear to affect levels of triglycerides or high-density lipoprotein (HDL), “Good” cholesterol. The problem comes when you have too much cholesterol in the blood. Too much cholesterol in the blood, especially LDL “bad” cholesterol in the arteries will be prevented from working at their best. Fat and cholesterol are deposited in artery walls in many of the body and damages your arteries blockage. This allows you to have a serious illness such as heart attack and stroke risk. Indeed, the main reason behind heart attacks and strokes clog your arteries from high cholesterol. To understand cholesterol are serious consequences when you have high levels of bad cholesterol, because cholesterol can cause blockages in the arteries. For this reason it is essential, then, that you keep the bad cholesterol in the arteries of optimal health. The good news is, there are things you can do to control your cholesterol. They can be used with success in life. It is recommended that you visit your doctor regularly so that a keen eye on your levels.

We all know iron is one area we need to stay healthy and stop anemia. But were you aware that too much dietary iron can hurt your well being? When selecting a cereal, most of the people grab what tastes good. If they are health conscious, fiber rich cereals may very well be chosen. Or, a cereal lacking in sugar and calories could possibly be selected. But, savvy health conscious consumers should also be planning on iron in cereal.

One from the main complications with iron fortification could be that the cereal is fortified with the part from the population that really needs the most iron. That part with the population is women of childbearing age. So, pay attention adult males and older women: you, particularly, have to be mindful from the iron content of your respective favorite breakfast cereal.

Check the Nutrition Fact Label for iron

When taking a look at a Nutrition Fact Label, note the share of DV iron. Looking at the above label, in case a young female of child-bearing age includes a 3/4 cup serving of Wheat Chex, she’ll be consuming 80% of her iron requirements (or about 14 mg of iron). However, somebody who is adult male or older woman eats 3/4 cup in the above cereal, he/she’s going to be consuming almost twice the iron recommendation of 8 mg of iron. The fact that a great deal of our food supply is fortified with iron boosts the risk of getting an excessive amount of.

Problems resulting from an excessive amount iron

Constipation. Aside from being unpleasant, this isn’t healthy for the body. Any toxins or food pathogens within your food will linger with your gastrointestinal tract. And, this can potentially threaten your overall health. There is also scientific evidence that constipation is usually a risk factor for colorectal cancer.

Possible accelerated aging. Researchers recently pointed this outside in worms, all of which will likely attempt to evaluate if this applies to aging in humans. In the interim, we know that iron causes oxidative stress. Oxidative stress in humans is believed to be working in the development of diseases including cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Iron overload concerns. Healthy people generate a hormone, hepcidin, which swings into action to prevent excessive iron from being absorbed. However, inside a now common genetic condition called iron overload (or technically Hemochromatosis), the entire body is unable to placed the brakes on iron absorption and iron starts to build up within the tissues. Early symptoms are varied including fatigue, abdominal pain, and increased infections. Later symptoms include liver failure and heart failure, bone damage, and diabetes.

For anyone who has yet being diagnosed with iron overload, buying a cereal with generous iron is specially problematic. Healthy males and older women should look at the cereal Nutrition Fact Label to create the best choice for iron intake. Chances are your cereal has an excessive amount of, so caution.

Osteoporosis: a silent stalker

Osteoporosis can be a public health condition that affects about 54 million people. It’s a condition the location where the bones become thin after which weaken. It can occur around the skeletal frame and it’s always silent when it comes to symptoms. When a fracture occurs, it is usually life altering because it’s difficult to repair the extensive fracture. I can still remember my sharp and nimble 85-year-old grandfather stumbling over a hose and breaking his hip. He never left the surgery. Fortunately, an initial line of defense is selecting foods for osteoporosis prevention. A diet with foods providing nutrients for bone strength starting at the outset of life is key.

Foods for osteoporosis prevention

Choosing the correct foods for osteoporosis prevention will give you the best nutrients for bone strength. Most people know the value of enough calcium and vitamin D for strong bones. Furthermore, could diets full of bone building nutrients at the outset of life support stronger bones later. We all start losing bone strength as our bodies age. Think of your metal framework as a calcium bank which you start withdrawing from around 4 decades of age. For that reason, the harder strength with your bones earlier in your everyday living, better off you is going to be when old.

Top important nutrients for bone health are calcium and vitamin D in conjunction with vitamin K, C, and A. Some recent reports have described some novel foods that may help prevent osteoporosis.

1. Dried plums (aka prunes)

According to researchers, prunes employ a unique nutrient and dietary profile that seem to use a beneficial effect. A variety of phenolic compounds in this particular fruit could be the factor that helps in avoiding bone loss. As little as 6 prunes every day might be therapeutic.

2. Olives

It seems utilization of olives along with olive oil improves bone health. The beneficial effect of olives and extra virgin olive oil may be assigned to their ability to scale back inflammation. Human studies have said that daily use of olive oil could stay away from the decline in density of bone and improve bone turnover markers.

3. Fish

The Framingham Osteoporosis Study has demonstrated that people who visit least 3 weekly servings of fish gained hip bone mass density over 4 years in comparison to people with low to moderate fish consumption. The correlation is caused by a number of dietary factors. Fish includes scary levels of protein plus omega 3 fat, which can be known to decrease inflammation.

4. Beer

Researchers have long known that silicon may bring about bone mineralization. Silicon is obtainable from h2o and some foods. But, the silicon content of beer is pretty high. Researchers have noted that dietary silicon intake in males and women aged 30-87 years of aging was correlated using a higher bone mineral density.

5. Wine

In particular, the Framingham Osteoporosis study identified red as particularly useful to bone girls. This ended in the believing that perhaps the resveratrol obtained in wine was the protective factor. Resveratrol is often a naturally occurring polyphenol full of wine, grapes, and many nuts. Researchers cautioned that moderation was key because excessive alcohol stood a negative impact on bone strength and density.

Apples are precious fruits, and is owned by Rosaceae family. The skin from the apple is thin but solid, plus the inner flesh is thick and juicy. The inner code holds seeds, and that’s harmful to health. Apples contain nutrients including Anthocyanin and Tannins. Many of them point out that an apple daily keeps the physician away. Apples cost nothing from cholesterol, and sodium. It contains antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin B, and vitamin. Apples will also be known to be Nutritional Power House.

#1 Nutritious
Apples are abundant in nutrition, also it consists of polyphenols. They are the good supply of fiber and vitamin C which may have numerous health advantages. those are the good method of obtaining dietary fiber, and it also provides 12% from the daily fiber. Apples are full of Phytonutrients and Flavonoids like Quercetin, Epicatechin, Phloridzin, along with other polyphenolic compounds.

#2 Apples are Good for Weight Loss
According towards the researchers, apples tend to be more filling as a result of less energy-dense, nevertheless, they deliver fiber. The fiber content fills the stomach with fewer calories. Recently, a work was conducted in the competition. Few participants ate apple slices before lunch. They felt full as compared to other participants who ate normal food.

#3 Prevent Heart Disease
Apples contain fiber which enables to reduce blood cholesterol level in the body. They lessen the risk of heart strokes as well as other heart ailments. They may also contain polyphenols which may have antioxidant effects and concentrated inside the peel. Polyphenols is really a flavonoid and called as Epicatechin. It helps to lessen blood pressure within the body. The antioxidant property of apples lessens the oxidation of fats that are considered lipid peroxidation.

#4 Prevent Cancer Disease
Apples had anti-cancer abilities that protect the body from cancer cells. Several compounds are enclosed in apple peels called Triterpenoids that destroys the expansion of cancer cells in your body.

#5 Avoid Alzheimer’s
Drinking apple juice might help us to protect yourself from Alzheimer’s away and can decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s and fights back up against the decaying on the brain. Apple juice contains flavonoids helps you to repair the damaged cells.

#6 Reduce the Risk of Diabetes
Eating apples lessen the risk of Type 2-Diabetes. Apples contain soluble fibers to blunting blood glucose levels swings. Apples contain pectin which supports in controlling the glucose levels levels within the body. Polyphenols in apples prevents damaged tissues to beta cells inside the pancreas. The beta cells produce insulin in your body, this also leads to Type 2- Diabetes.

#7 Good for Bone Health
Apples are associated with higher bone thickness. The compounds like antioxidant and anti-inflammatory which are present in apples which promotes the bone strength and density and strength plus preserve bone mass because you age.

Conclusion
Apples are great for health. By eating them reduces the probability of several diseases. So, just what are you expecting? Grab an apple and begin increasing your degree of health with one bite at any given time.