Top 7 Ways to Lower Your Cholesterol Without Prescription Medications

Nowadays many people suffering from high levels cholesterol. High levels of cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases and chronic cardiac failures. The medical records reveal that every year in United States of America, over a million people experience heart attacks and added ½ million die owing to the other heart diseases. In fact, according to the American Heart Association, people who have a total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) are twice as likely to experience a heart attack as people who have a cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL. There are two primary types of cholesterol: Low -density lipoprotein (LDL), which is bad cholesterol because it collects in the arteries and blocks blood flow and High-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is very good cholesterol because it tends to take off the LDL deposited on the artery walls as it passes through your bloodstream. This means LDL elevates our cholesterol levels and HDL lowers our cholesterol levels

There are ways to lower cholesterol naturally and keep it at a healthy level. Listed below is the best natural remedies for lowering your cholesterol levels:

1. Regular Exercise – Doing regular exercise for about 30 minutes of exercise 3 or 4 times a week can significantly lower the risk for many major life threatening disease. Regular exercise has been found to help lower cholesterol and reduce triglyceride levels. With regular exercise you can lower your body mass index and achieve a healthy weight. This helps you to reduce your risk for heart disease and diabetes.

2. Healthy eating

• Increase soluble fiber intake. By increasing your intake of soluble fiber to 10 grams per day, you can lower your cholesterol levels a great deal according to some recent studies. The best sources of fiber include certain types of fruits, bran and oat products, and many kinds of vegetables.

• Cut down on saturated fat and Trans fats.

- Saturated fats are found in animal-based foods, including meats, butter, whole-milk dairy products (including yogurt, cheese, and ice cream), and poultry skin. They are also found in some high-fat plant foods, including palm oil. The Nurses’ Health Study, which included more than 80,000 participants, showed that saturated fats increase the risk of coronary artery disease - Trans fats are found mostly in fried foods, pastries, cookies, and other similar foods. Avoiding these types of foods limits your calories, fat intake, and helps lower your cholesterol. The American Heart Association`s Nutrition Committee recommends limiting trans fat to one percent of your daily calorie intake.

• Avoid Red Meat, Eggs, & Whole Milk – Red meats, whole milk, and egg yolks are concentrated cholesterol foods. They should be avoided and replaced with some of the healthier foods that are low in cholesterol.

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Stock up on foods containing Omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids raise HDL and lower LDL cholesterol levels. Some good sources include salmon and herring fish, walnuts and almonds, dried cloves, and flaxseed oil. Many of these foods also contain antioxidants and vitamins.

• Blueberries, Garlic, & Apples – These three foods are tasty and can be easily combined with many other foods in home-made recipes. Garlic and Blueberries lower blood pressure and cholesterol. The fiber pectin in apples decrease the amount of cholesterol produced in the liver. Using these ingredients in your meals can make a healthy impact on your cholesterol.

• Soy. Soy products are another example of cholesterol lowering foods. Several studies suggest that foods containing soy can lower a person’s bad cholesterol by about 10 percent. Soy contains natural chemicals known as isoflavones. Researchers believe that isoflavones, along with the protein contained in soy, help reduce the bad cholesterol.

3. Watch cholesterol consumption. If you’re on a low cholesterol diet, you’ve got to pay attention to the food labels and make sure you keep your intake below 200 mg per day. That means watching serving sizes, too.

4. Reduce Stress. Stress and anxiety cause chemicals to be released into your body, raise your blood pressure, and reduce blood flow to your heart.

5. Stop smoking. Smoking increases the build up of plaque in the arteries, exacerbating the affects of high levels of LDL cholesterol.

6. Lose Weight – Being Overweight changes your metabolism and the way your body deals with fat and cholesterol. Losing weight in a slow and steady manner improves your health and lowers your cholesterol. Natural dieting results in consistent weight loss and reduces your risk of diabetes and high blood pressure.

7. Taking Supplements to Lower Cholesterol. Supplements can lower cholesterol naturally without side effects and more or less with same results as drugs. The only difference if there’s any, would be the time: it may take a bit longer to lower cholesterol naturally through supplements. It is important to use supplements such as vitamin C, selenium, green tea extract, and ginseng to keep cholesterol levels in check. Cholesterol lowering supplements shouldn’t be used as a crutch or instead of good food choices, but just how the name supplement implies – as an addition and help to the cholesterol lowering work the right foods can do.

How To Stay Feeling Young

HOW TO STAY YOUNG ==================

1. Throw out nonessential numbers and factors. This includes age, height, eye and skin color, who your parents are, past stuff and present stuff that you can’t change. Don’t worry about what you cannot change.

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. Who you are attached to will bless you up or mess you up. Make sure that YOU are a cheerful friend and not a grouch.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. ‘An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.’ And the devil’s name is Alzheimer’s.

4. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

5. Enjoy the simple things. Breath is one of the simple things.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. Don’t blame others for your situation. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it’s family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help. Your body is the most important vehicle you will ever own.

9. Don’t take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

Feel young and live life to its fullest each day!

Health tip: Try eating vegetarian sometimes

The simple act of replacing meat with something healthier, like soy protein, can make a big difference to our health. Doing this on a regular basis, perhaps once a week or more, can add up to a lot in the long run. Meat is high in saturated fat and cholesterol, [...]

The simple act of replacing meat with something healthier, like soy protein, can make a big difference to our health. Doing this on a regular basis, perhaps once a week or more, can add up to a lot in the long run. Meat is high in saturated fat and cholesterol, and it’s much better for your body if you can avoid it. I became a vegan last year, and I’ve never eaten healthier. You don’t need to become vegan (although I highly recommend it!) to eat healthier, but trying vegan or vegetarian dishes now and then can be a good and healthy experience.

I suggest trying out an easy-to-make vegetarian dish at first, something simple yet delicious. There are some good soy protein replacements out there, for ground beef, chicken, sausages and more. Like spaghetti? Try using the soy ground round instead of ground beef.

To get you started, I’ll give you one of my favorite, yet easiest to make, vegan recipes. This is my original recipe, so if you like it, you are obliged to close your eyes, and savor the deliciousness.

Zen Habits Three Bean Vegan Chili 1 package Morning Star Meal Starters (or any ground beef replacement) one 14.5-oz. can each: black beans, pinto beans, and kidney beans one 14.5-oz. can corn one 29-oz. can each: stewed tomatoes & tomato sauce half a yellow onion, diced half a green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and diced 2-4 cloves garlic, diced (depending on how much you like garlic) black pepper, salt, chili powder to taste olive oil

Dice up the veggies first, because the cooking will go fast. On medium high heat, heat up some olive oil, then saute the onions, then the garlic and bell pepper. Throw in the Meal Starter ground beef replacement (still frozen is fine), and let it brown. Add a liberal amount of chili powder and black pepper, and a bit of salt (I never measure, sorry).

Now dump in the beans and corn, one can at a time, stirring as you go along, making sure the bottom doesn’t stick and burn. Add more chili powder and black pepper. Spice it up nice! Throw in the stewed tomatoes, stir, and then dump in the tomato sauce. Done! Lower the heat and let it simmer for as long as you can resist. You can actually eat it right away (prep and cooking time: 10-15 minutes) or you can simmer it for 30 minutes, an hour or more. The longer it simmers, the better the flavors will all mix together. Taste it and spice it as needed. I like to add a lot of chili powder and black pepper. To crank up the heat, feel free to add your favorite red peppers early on in the cooking process.

Serve with brown rice, good bread, or blue corn chips.

This is a favorite at every party, whether people are vegetarian or not. They’re often amazed that it’s vegetarian. Enjoy!

Abdominally Obese at Increased Risk of Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease

August 17, 2009 by Steve · Leave a Comment Filed under: Cholesterol, Diabetes, Heart Problems, Lose Weight

The Following Article Courtesy of Steve Pohlit, Bios Life Franchise Owner Watch This Video On Weight Loss, Fat Loss, Cardiovascular Disease http://budurl.com/qaj6 ————————————

A new study published in the Medical Journal of Australia has shown that Australians who are abdominally obese (large waist circumference) are at heightened risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.The landmark AusDiab study surveyed 11,247 Australian adults aged 25 years or over in 1999 and 2000. In 2004 and 2005, 6537 of these participants returned for a follow-up physical examination.

The study found that men and women who were obese were more than twice as likely to develop diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal blood lipid (cholesterol) levels and the metabolic syndrome over the next 5 years compared to those with a normal waist circumference.

It also found that the risk for each of these conditions started to increase at what were considered normal levels of waist circumference.

“Our findings confirm that abdominal obesity confers a considerably heightened risk of type 2 diabetes, the metabolic syndrome, and heart disease,” said Mr Adrian Cameron, an epidemiologist at the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne.

“No association between risk of death and obesity was evident; however as has been shown in many other studies, this may become evident only with longer follow-up of this population.”

Mr Cameron said that the AusDiab study assessed four of the top five health risks associated with obesity, but did not include several other obesity-related conditions, including osteoarthritis, cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, gall bladder disease, sleep apnoea and depression.

“Tackling the obesity epidemic will require environmental and policy initiatives that provide realistic and achievable opportunities for Australians to be more active, to avoid too much time spent sitting and to avoid unhealthy foods,” he said.

Mr Cameron said the data from the study would be used to make more precise estimates of the totalfinancial and health burden attributable to obesity in Australia. It could also be used to assess the likely impact of obesity prevention measures.

Professor Paul Zimmet, Director Emeritus of the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute said that these findings again underlined the pivotal role the AusDiab study has played in helping to define the importance and strategies for prevention of heartdisease and diabetes in Australia.

The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.

Top 7 Ways to Lower Your Cholesterol Without Prescription Medications

The Following Article Courtesy of Steve Pohlit, Bios Life Franchise Owner Watch This Video For More Cholesterol Ratio Information http://budurl.com/qaj6

—————————-

Nowadays many people suffering from high levels cholesterol. High levels of cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases and chronic cardiac failures. The medical records reveal that every year in United States of America, over a million people experience heart attacks and added ½ million die owing to the other heart diseases. In fact, according to the American Heart Association, people who have a total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) are twice as likely to experience a heart attack as people who have a cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL. There are two primary types of cholesterol: Low -density lipoprotein (LDL), which is bad cholesterol because it collects in the arteries and blocks blood flow and High-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is very good cholesterol because it tends to take off the LDL deposited on the artery walls as it passes through your bloodstream. This means LDL elevates our cholesterol levels and HDL lowers our cholesterol levels

There are ways to lower cholesterol naturally and keep it at a healthy level. Listed below is the best natural remedies for lowering your cholesterol levels:

1. Regular Exercise – Doing regular exercise for about 30 minutes of exercise 3 or 4 times a week can significantly lower the risk for many major life threatening disease. Regular exercise has been found to help lower cholesterol and reduce triglyceride levels. With regular exercise you can lower your body mass index and achieve a healthy weight. This helps you to reduce your risk for heart disease and diabetes.

2. Healthy eating

• Increase soluble fiber intake. By increasing your intake of soluble fiber to 10 grams per day, you can lower your cholesterol levels a great deal according to some recent studies. The best sources of fiber include certain types of fruits, bran and oat products, and many kinds of vegetables.

• Cut down on saturated fat and Trans fats.

- Saturated fats are found in animal-based foods, including meats, butter, whole-milk dairy products (including yogurt, cheese, and ice cream), and poultry skin. They are also found in some high-fat plant foods, including palm oil. The Nurses’ Health Study, which included more than 80,000 participants, showed that saturated fats increase the risk of coronary artery disease - Trans fats are found mostly in fried foods, pastries, cookies, and other similar foods. Avoiding these types of foods limits your calories, fat intake, and helps lower your cholesterol. The American Heart Association`s Nutrition Committee recommends limiting trans fat to one percent of your daily calorie intake.

• Avoid Red Meat, Eggs, & Whole Milk – Red meats, whole milk, and egg yolks are concentrated cholesterol foods. They should be avoided and replaced with some of the healthier foods that are low in cholesterol.

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Stock up on foods containing Omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids raise HDL and lower LDL cholesterol levels. Some good sources include salmon and herring fish, walnuts and almonds, dried cloves, and flaxseed oil. Many of these foods also contain antioxidants and vitamins.

• Blueberries, Garlic, & Apples – These three foods are tasty and can be easily combined with many other foods in home-made recipes. Garlic and Blueberries lower blood pressure and cholesterol. The fiber pectin in apples decrease the amount of cholesterol produced in the liver. Using these ingredients in your meals can make a healthy impact on your cholesterol.

• Soy. Soy products are another example of cholesterol lowering foods. Several studies suggest that foods containing soy can lower a person’s bad cholesterol by about 10 percent. Soy contains natural chemicals known as isoflavones. Researchers believe that isoflavones, along with the protein contained in soy, help reduce the bad cholesterol.

3. Watch cholesterol consumption. If you’re on a low cholesterol diet, you’ve got to pay attention to the food labels and make sure you keep your intake below 200 mg per day. That means watching serving sizes, too.

4. Reduce Stress. Stress and anxiety cause chemicals to be released into your body, raise your blood pressure, and reduce blood flow to your heart.

5. Stop smoking. Smoking increases the build up of plaque in the arteries, exacerbating the affects of high levels of LDL cholesterol.

6. Lose Weight – Being Overweight changes your metabolism and the way your body deals with fat and cholesterol. Losing weight in a slow and steady manner improves your health and lowers your cholesterol. Natural dieting results in consistent weight loss and reduces your risk of diabetes and high blood pressure.

7. Taking Supplements to Lower Cholesterol. Supplements can lower cholesterol naturally without side effects and more or less with same results as drugs. The only difference if there’s any, would be the time: it may take a bit longer to lower cholesterol naturally through supplements. It is important to use supplements such as vitamin C, selenium, green tea extract, and ginseng to keep cholesterol levels in check. Cholesterol lowering supplements shouldn’t be used as a crutch or instead of good food choices, but just how the name supplement implies – as an addition and help to the cholesterol lowering work the right foods can do.

All You Need To Know About A Cholesterol Ratio

http://todayshealthtip.blogspot.com

The Following Article Courtesy of Steve Pohlit, Bios Life Franchise Owner Watch This Video For More Cholesterol Ratio Information http://budurl.com/qaj6

All You Need To Know About A Cholesterol Ratio

By: Henry Fong In this modern day and age, our health is one of the key areas of focus for many of us. We want to make sure that we are going to live long and happy lives and we need to make sure that we eat the right foods. We have to be careful that we monitor ourselves all the time so that we are aware of any telltale signs should they appear. You should definitely keep an eye on your cholesterol ratio.

There is quite a precise way in which one calculates this ratio. You achieve a number on the cholesterol ration by dividing the level of HDL cholesterol into one’s total cholesterol. According to the American Heart Association, you should have a maximum ratio of 5:1 and the best ratio would be considered a 3. 5:1.

The ratio serves as an indicator for health professionals as to your chances of having heart disease. This is very important as it is a good way of letting you know how you should be living your life. If you are in the danger zone then make sure that you take action.

Most doctors would recommend that you check this regularly at least once every six months. If the measurement that you achieve is not what the doctor ordered then they are likely to prescribe a course of treatment. This could either be in the form of medication or it could mean that you will need to change your diet.

Medication might seem like the easier path but at the end of the day you should choose to go for the eating plan is you have the luxury of choice. This will mean that you get to avoid having to take the medication for the rest of your life which is likely to happen if you go down that route.

It does make sense then to try and eat healthy as much as possible and you would want to stay away from foods that could increase your cholesterol. Examples of this include butter, red meat with fat on it and also ice cream. Don’t worry though as there is a host of healthy foods that you can eat.

The diet can be a challenge to start with but you will soon get used to it and of course you should focus on the foods that are allowed. Fish is a great source of the right types of fats and omega oils which are essential in our every day diet. Veggies are also very important and then of course you can enjoy foods such as walnuts and oat bran. The last one can also help with your digestion if this an issue for you. All of this will help your cholesterol ratio.

How To Stay Feeling Young

HOW TO STAY YOUNG ==================

1. Throw out nonessential numbers and factors. This includes age, height, eye and skin color, who your parents are, past stuff and present stuff that you can’t change. Don’t worry about what you cannot change.

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. Who you are attached to will bless you up or mess you up. Make sure that YOU are a cheerful friend and not a grouch.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. ‘An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.’ And the devil’s name is Alzheimer’s.

4. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

5. Enjoy the simple things. Breath is one of the simple things.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. Don’t blame others for your situation. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it’s family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help. Your body is the most important vehicle you will ever own.

9. Don’t take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

Feel young and live life to its fullest each day!