How To Identify Symptoms Of Vitamin D Deficiency

By Paulette Mason

Vitamin D is manufactured by the skin when you lay it open to light from the sun. Nourishment, for example, dairy items and fish can additionally get the body this component. Without the correct amount of vitamins the body will not function properly. Vitamin D deficiency can prompt well-being issues, for example, depression and a frail body framework.

You need to ensure that you get the right amounts of this component every day. Complications that result from lacking this vitamin are among the most common when it comes to problems associated with vitamins. Over the last several years these problems have been greatly minimized. However, this deficiency still hangs on due to several factors.

The beams of the sun are needed for your body to create the component. Vitamin D is regularly alluded to as the daylight vitamin in view of this reason. Numerous individuals are affected on the grounds that they do not have enough information about vitamins. It is critical to know what causes this problem. It is likewise prudent to know the manifestations that you have to search for. Ladies who are pregnant and kids are likely to have symptoms than the rest of the individuals.

The indications of this insufficiency show up as issues with the bones and muscles. This is because this component is known to help your bones and muscles get solid. Absence of it will create conditions, for example, bowed legs and powerless lower body development. These conditions are popularly known by names such as osteomalacia, osteoporosis and rickets. They all allude to the same things however on distinctive ages.

Other than these symptoms which are obvious there are other symptoms that should be checked as well. Some symptoms that are not easy to identify include periodontal disease, tuberculosis, chronic fatigue, bowed limbs, pain in the bones, muscles and joints as well as diabetes type one. Lower levels of calcium may also be experienced.

All these signs are not exclusive. They do not always mean that there is not enough amounts of the Vitamin in the body. However, if you experience these signs you should regard them as a warning sign and proceed to see a doctor. A qualified medical practitioner will run tests on you to determine whether you have the right levels of this component.

The individuals who run a more serious danger of getting effects of inadequacy are people who are experiencing a period in life where needs for vitamins are increased. These are babies, pregnant ladies and individuals who do not get enough sunshine. Other causes could also be due to low absorption of the rays of the sun because of hormones drugs that lower cholesterol and use of antacids.

To avoid any health issues it is important for everyone to ensure they get enough levels of this component. This is especially so for small kids and women who are pregnant. There are multivitamins which are made for pregnant women and other people who are not able to get to the sunlight. A little exposure to the rays of the sun will keep you healthy and strong.

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This online page has the latest information on how to overcome vitamin D deficiency that people need to know about. To learn more, visit the relevant website on http://www.energyfitgirl.com right now.

How Can I Follow The Mediterranean Diet With Olive Oil?

By Katie Onson

If there's one regimen that is worth taking up in the long haul, it has got to be the Mediterranean diet. It is one that promotes the intake of the healthiest products with as little fat as possible to boot. It's a great regimen to take up in the long run but what are some of the ways in which olive oil can come into effect, you may wonder? If you are looking to incorporate products like these as far as the Mediterranean diet is concerned, here are a couple of paths to follow.

For those who are looking to make the most out of the Mediterranean diet, it is worth including the best oils possible. Olive oil is a terrific example of this, as it is one that can not only be replaced with foods like butter in many cases but contains healthful antioxidants. In short, what this means is that the immune system can be given a tremendous boost in the long term. This is just one of the many foods to consider with the Mediterranean diet, though, which authorities the likes of Unaprol can tell you of.

When it comes to the many products that are associated with the Mediterranean diet, you are going to want to talk about nuts. To me, these are tremendous for the purposes of snacking but I feel as though there are qualities to consider in the way of health. Not only do certain nuts contain unsaturated fats but one's level of health can become even greater thanks to the presence of protein. If you are looking to account for all nutrients, you will do yourself a tremendous favor by using nuts.

For those who consume alcohol, you may be happy to know that the Mediterranean diet supports such a product as well. In particular, you are going to want to turn to wine, since this product typically contains antioxidants, not unlike olive oil. In addition, it's been said that the intake of alcohol like this can actually elevate the levels of LDL cholesterol in the body, which is the good type that the body requires. However, you must manage your intake of wine; anything more than a glass could be too much.

These points are only a few that help to make the Mediterranean diet stand out that much more over the course of time. It is one that entails the intake of the healthiest of products, which is a point that cannot be overstated. However, is health the only reason that an individual should take up a particular regimen? I believe that there is a focus on taste as well and, fortunately, the many products associated the Mediterranean diet make certain that this aspect is not lost.

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If you'd like to know more in regards to olive oil, visit Unparol for specifics.. This article, How Can I Follow The Mediterranean Diet With Olive Oil? has free reprint rights.

Natural Cholesterol Treatments

By Julieanne van Zyl

Modern society speaks familiarly about "lowering your cholesterol", but do we even know what it is? All that most people know that it is bad for your health and that it is related to fatty intake, which is to some degree, correct.

Cholesterol is a fatty substance. Yellow in color, soft, it clings to your membranes and cell walls throughout the interior of your body systems. In order to stay healthy your body does need cholesterol, but since your body produces it we definitely do not need to add to it.

In order to stay healthy your body does need cholesterol, but since your body produces it we definitely do not need to add to it. There are things that you can do to keep your cholesterol in check and to keep your body healthy without use of medications, unless your cholesterol is critically out of control. Some cholesterol natural remedies have quite a bit to do with lifestyle changes.

To maintain optimum cholesterol levels you can:

If you are overweight take measures to reduce or maintain your weight if it is already optimal. Not only does excess weight cause your cholesterol levels to rise but it also keeps it imbalanced. high levels of cholesterol can and do clog up your blood vessels. Excess fat carried around the abdominal area and is a significant indicator that your cholesterol is too high.

Get regular exercise, ideally four times a week for 30-minutes is a very good way to keep your overall health at optimal condition. Regular exercise has been found to lower your cholesterol. By exercising regularly you are able to heighten your good cholesterol, HDL, and lower your bad cholesterol, LDL. Also, by exercising regularly you will be able to lose weight at a faster rate and to keep your weight maintained once you have lost it. Although some forms of exercise are better than others just concentrate on any form of exercise to get you moving.

Foods that lower cholesterol are:

Fruits, such as mangosteen, grapes, citrus fruits, strawberries, and apples Chicken Fish Whole grain cereals Lean meats Seeds Nuts, such as walnuts and pecans Olives and more.

Levels of cholesterol greater than the average will cause a great deal of harm to your body. It will cause health complications, such as heart disease and high blood pressure. If you have high cholesterol, confirm with your doctor about additional ways of lowering your cholesterol. A few lifestyle changes in regards weight, exercise, and dietary modifications and you can be healthier sooner than you think. It takes work, patience, self-control and lots of ambition, but it can be done. Your cholesterol levels can be returned to good health by following these natural remedies.

About the Author:

Julieanne van Zyl operates a site about Vemma Mangosteen Juice which has current information about Mangosteen Juice. If you would like to to buy a healthy energy drink, which is a whole fruit Mangosteen and the Mangosteen pericarp extract supplement , go here: Vemma Mangosteen

The main benefits of using fish oil

By Daniel Fittman

The benefits of fish oil have largely been debated by scientists of traditional medicine and homeopathy, and while some of the myths about its extraordinary benefits have been dispersed over time, the fact remains that, as a dietary supplement, fish oil is still one of the main sources for Omega-3 essential fatty acids, and is still being prescribed for patients with Omega-3 deficits worldwide.

Many health problems are associated with our diet, our bad unbalanced diet that lacks certain substances that are vital to human health. Omega-3 fatty acids are one of those substances. The lack of them can lead to diseases like stroke, heart disease, cancer, Arthritis, psoriasis and depression. So people with low levels of Omega-3 acids or people that already suffer from the before mentioned conditions should take diet supplements that will give them additional Omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil is one of those supplements.

There have been quite a few researches made in the past decades and all have proven that fish oil is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Even though there are (or can be) some side effects to taking fish oil, the benefits definitely prevail.

The main reason that our western diet and cuisine is short on Omega-3 fatty acids is the fact that we do not eat a lot of sea food. Fish, shellfish, seaweed are all sources of these fatty acids. On the other hand our nutrition is rich with the other, not so good type of fatty acids - Omega-6. So until we improve our way of cooking and eating it is wise to take some sort of supplements that will introduce enough Omega-3 in our system.

Fish oil can bring your cholesterol and triglycerides levels back to normal. It will also keep them there if you keep taking it. It has quite a big positive influence on your heart and coronary system. Fish oil can also prevent illnesses like lupus, kidney malfunctions, Crohns disease, prostate and colon cancer and strokes.

Another disease where fish oil can be helpful is the prevention of the onset of schizophrenia. Especially if fish oil is included in the diet of young patients that have only shown the first signs of schizophrenia it seems that fish oil helps control this disease or even reverse the symptoms. Studies on this matter have not been fully confirmed yet.

Good results have also been achieved by using fish oil as a supplement in cases of depression. It has been noted that sometimes depression can be caused by chemical imbalances, and the Omega-3 deficit can manifest itself through an exacerbation of depressive states.

Fish oil is a very effective supplement to your diet but it is not some sort of a miracle cure for all your problems. So do not take any action without consulting your doctor about your condition and if taking fish oil can be beneficial to your health or not.

About the Author:

Daniel runs a website dedicated to the fish oil where you can find information about omega-3 benefits and other fish oil related information.

How To Raise Hdl Cholesterol

By Adrian Fletcher

When you are told your cholesterol is too high and what you should do to bring down the cholesterol levels, your goal should also be to raise HDL cholesterol in the bloodstream. High HDL cholesterol levels are thought to lower the bad effects of LDL cholesterol, thus avoiding complications associated with the high cholesterol count.

If your HDL cholesterol is at a low level, you may have a greater chance of developing heart disease. Low HDL cholesterol levels will cause the LDL cholesterol to stay in the arteries where it can cause a blockage leading to a stroke. If you raise HDL cholesterol, this causes cholesterol to move from your arteries and go to your liver where it can be removed.

The first thing the doctor will do when you consult him about your high cholesterol is monitor your diet. A nutritionist can help you decide your diet, so that your LDL levels are lowered and to allow you to raise HDL cholesterol levels. This will include lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet, and reduced amount of fat.

You should do plenty of research and plan out a fun, easy exercise routine targeted to reduce excess weight and bad cholesterol. This will help you to raise HDL cholesterol and thus help to unclog your arteries. Daily attention to your health, by way of proper diet and exercise, can result in a decrease in your risk of most forms of heart disease.

Another tip is to make the task of improving cholesterol a family affair. When you get used to a healthy diet, it will be quite simple and natural to follow the diet plan. Persuading your family members to join you will actually help in improvement of their health too. Your children should be taught the effects of nutrition on their health and the eating habits that will provide them with nutrition so this is good knowledge for them too. If we are able to do so successfully, this will help them throughout their life to maintain health and avoid health related difficulties.

There is a whole lot of information available about how you can alter the way you live your life to take care of your health problems. You should find several cookbooks that will show you how to cook great tasting meals that are good for your heart. A lot of the recipes will let you know to what extent you raise HDL cholesterol and decrease LDL cholesterol at the same time.

If you are able to lower your cholesterol level with the foods that you consume and some light exercise, then there is a good chance you won't need to take medication to remedy your cholesterol reading. However, remember that a diet plan alone may not be sufficient to lower bad cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol concurrently. Depending on your particular circumstances it may be prudent to take medication in conjunction with the other methods. Ultimately this decision will be up to you and your doctor who can make a decision based on your unique circumstances.

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Learn more about Cholesterol Level and High Cholesterol Level.

How To Lower Cholesterol And Triglycerides

By Adrian Fletcher

There is a good chance that an overweight person, who has a high level of cholesterol, will also have very high level of triglyceride. The type of food that you eat and the lifestyle that you maintain is the common thread between cholesterol and triglycerides.

The chemical triglyceride is the body's way of storing excess fat from food for future use. There are a lot of things that can be done to reduce your cholesterol and triglycerides. The first step is to figure out if the foods you eat and the type of life you live influences your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Much information is available regarding the various types of foods that you could consume for maintaining optimum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Your first task should be to gather as much as information as you possibly can about the food that you consume which pose challenges for maintaining acceptable cholesterol levels.

It's a good idea to develop a suitable diet plan for improving your cholesterol levels and reducing the chances for development of heart disease. It is important to know about the foods that can assist your physical health and avoid problematic ones that contain excess fat and other unhealthy food choices.

A lot of people don't know about the types of foods that can make their cholesterol levels higher. When you are educated about the types of foods that can cause trouble you can substitute these foods with more wholesome alternatives. You should seek out foods that you like to take the place of foods that are bad for you. It won't be long before you learn to eat and enjoy healthy foods more than unhealthy foods. The reason is that you will feel so much better when you are eating this way. In most cases you don't have to stop eating your favorite meals, simply substitute certain ingredients for others.

Moderately exercising for a minimum of a half hour for five days out of each week will help to decrease your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Exercising is good for your body because you will feel renewed and full of energy. When you feel like you are worn out and groggy the majority of the time, just including a half hour of fast paced walking each day this could help you feel well. You will be surprised with how much energy you will have after you have exercised.

Dieting and exercising are just two of the methods that you can use to reduce your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Certainly, your physician can give you a prescription medicine that will decrease the level of your cholesterol. But, if you take control of your own health and well being by watching what you eat, this is the best thing you can do to be on the road to a healthier and happier life. It is actually very simple to make these changes and you will reap the benefits with improved health as you grow older.

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Learn more about high cholesterol including high blood cholesterol .

Fish Oil that's Good for Heart Health and Research

By Michael Byrd

Fish oil for heart health is an interesting topic. And there is a good reason for this.

Almost all newspapers or magazines have their own research news on the amazing health benefits of fish oil for heart health. Doctors, nutritionist, trainers and exercise buffs highly recommend it. And just recently, my vet recommended fish oil capsules for the heart health of Phytho, my choco lab.

Certainly most people may have heard of the wonderful cardiovascular health benefits of omega 3 fish oil, however not many know the exciting scientific studies which proves the results behind the fish oil for heart health craze.

A report that was published in Circulation, an official journal of the American Heart Association, provided an extensive detail of how omega 3 fatty acids from fish enhances circulation and why fish oil is effective for the health of your heart and cardiovascular system in several ways.

The study showed that fish oil fatty acids can help in decreasing cholesterol, avoid irregular heartbeat and reduce blood clots. It also lowers blood pressure and triglycerides and balances HDL and LDL, loosens the arterial walls and inhibits the development of new plaque and inflammation, vasoconstriction, platelet aggregation and a lot more. [Vol. 106:2747]

Remarkable! How some scientists have even suggested that a depressed person can get help from omega 3 fish oil. It is good for the broken hearted.

A group of doctors published a study in the Journal of American Medical Association on all the positive effects that increase fish oil consumption can do on lowering a man's risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Nevertheless, because more women die of heart disease than any other cause, the scientist also wanted to discover if fish oil can provide the same health benefits for women as it can for men.

84,688 women were followed for 16 years and the doctors came to the conclusion that those who consumed 5 or more servings of fish a week had lesser chances of CHD or dying from a heart attack, compared to those who consumed less fish. [Vol. 287, No. 14]

In my own point of view, this makes it clear that fish oil for heart health is essential. But it may be interesting to know how much is needed? Recommendations usually suggest 5 or more servings of oily, cold water fish a week. It can greatly help enhance your heart health, but sometimes it may fall short. Studies however recommend that 1 to 3 grams of fish oil daily is enough for a healthy cardiovascular system.

A definite way to get this amount is from supplementing your diet with pure omega 3 fish oil capsules which can provide you a balance of all eight naturally occurring omega 3 fatty acids.

So that is the reason why everyone recommends fish oil for heart health. Would you want to do something about your health now? It actually won't get you into too much trouble to improve your health and believe me it is worthwhile. You will definitely find it nice to have a pain free, happy, healthy life when you grow old.

Of course it is! And it may start this moment, if you take action and follow this advice.

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What you just learned about omega 3 oils and your health is just the beginning. To get the full story and all the details, check us out at our fish oil website.

Cholesterol Blood Test - Finding Your Correct Cholesterol Level

By Adrian Fletcher

Next time you get a check up from your doctor, ask about getting a cholesterol blood test. This can tell you how much cholesterol is in your blood and will indicate if you have to make some lifestyle changes. This test is just one of several that are done on a regular basis. There is a battery of tests that is done regularly on every patient once he or she reaches a certain age.

After the results of your cholesterol blood test have been reviewed by a doctor, you in turn will be notified as to what actions you may need to take, if any, in order to lower your cholesterol levels. You may be fortunate enough that your current diet or lifestyle is keeping your cholesterol level low; however if a change is needed, medication in conjunction with a new diet and exercise may be the way forward to lowering your cholesterol.

Changing your diet can have a large, positive impact on your goal to lower your levels of cholesterol. In order to regulate your cholesterol levels, it is imperative that you eat the right foods that will help bring it under your control. Creating a diet plan with the assistance of a dietitian will allow you to lower your cholesterol without you having to forsake your favorite foods. Inmost cases you can simply alter the ingredients.

If you are attempting to lower your cholesterol, there are many tasty foods available to you, and many different ways you can prepare them to maximize their nutritional value; finding healthy ways to eat the foods you love the most will help you stick to your diet and will help you get the best results.

You can get asy access to plenty of information on ways of lowering cholesterol. You will discover that there are actually plenty of beneficial, healthy and delicious foods and many cook books geared to reducing cholesterol. They will not only recommend certain ingredients but also methods of preparing the food. It will not be difficult to become comfortable with the diverse foods and preparation techniques once you become accustomed to them being a part of your daily life.

Your family's cooperation and support with your heart healthy cholesterol lowering diet will be paramount in your success. With their cooperation you will be able to clean your cupboards, refrigerator and freezer and replace all the foods that have contributed to high cholesterol with new, delicious, heart healthy choices. The changes you make could well have benefits for your family too if they eat some of the meals you prepare.

Within a few months of implementing your new habits, your health care provider will want you to have a new cholesterol blood test. A regular cholesterol blood test is the best way to ensure that your new habits are having the desired effect of lowering your cholesterol levels; if you are not making sufficient progress, you might need to make some additional changes. In addition to the test results, the way you feel will also indicate that you are moving towards a healthier lifestyle.

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Find out more about getting a cholesterol test and the information contained in a cholesterol blood test .

The Fight Between The Good Cholesterol and The Bad Cholesterol

Our bodies know that we need cholesterol to be healthy. The liver manufacturers and distributes cholesterol.

Cholesterol is soft, it is waxy and is found in the bloodstream and is in all of the cells of our bodies. It is a normal state for the body to contain cholesterol. Your body needs the substance, cholesterol in order to build cells, and to function. Too much of a good thing is bad though and too much cholesterol in the bloodstream can lead to a heart attack or a stroke. When there are high levels of cholesterol in the blood stream it is called "hypercholesterolemia".

The substance cholesterol is not able to dissolve in our blood, so it has to be transported to and from the body cells by carriers, called, "lipoproteins". LDL is known as Low-density lipoprotein and is known as the "bad cholesterol. High-density lipids and triglycerides are known as the "good cholesterol". When the doctor orders a total Lipid panel; he is wishing to know the total LDL, HDL and triglycerides in the bloodstream.

The LDL or "bad cholesterol", can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries slowing down the blood to the heart and brain. When LDL combines with other substances they form plaques, which are, think hard deposits that can then be used to put humans at risk for stroke and heart disease. A clot that has formed due to atherosclerosis can break off and become a heart attack or can result in a stroke.

The other component in the total cholesterol value is the triglycerides. They are formed from fat. When you have elevated triglycerides you can become overweight, or obese especially if you are inactive, smoke cigarettes or consume excessive amounts of alcohol. Individuals with high triglyceride levels often consume foods that are high in cholesterol. Individuals who have diabetes or other heart disease will also have high levels of triglycerides.

The Lp cholesterol means that there is a high level of Lp (a), which is a risk factor for premature development of fatty deposits in the arteries. Keeping all these levels together is the job of your doctor.

In order to keep the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides under control it is important to schedule a screening so that you can find out what your cholesterol levels are, eat a diet that is low in cholesterol and saturated fats, reach and maintain a healthy weight, exercise on a daily basis and follow all of your health care professionals advice.

Maintaining proper levels of both the good cholesterol and the bad cholesterol will go along way in keeping your body strong and healthy.

Dee Braun, a single mom of 6, is a Cert. Aromatherapist and natural health practitioner. Click now to visit Health or High Water at http://www.healthorhighwater.com/ where you'll find info to improve your health using nutritional supplements to battle the ravages of time, poor nutrition, & toxins.

Facts Worth Reading About Cholesterol

By Jay Coleman

There is both good and bad cholesterol which means that it is important to be able to differentiate between each type and know how it impacts a person' s health and know the ways and means to lower it in case such is required.

The diverse types of cholesterol are LDL and HDL and the preceding is a bad type because when there's excess of it in a person's blood it will build up in the inner walls of his or her arteries which can end up causing the blocking of the arteries and thus causes atherosclerosis that's not a desirable condition.

HDL In Large Amounts Will Prevent Heart Attacks

However, the good form of cholesterol is HDL, which when present in high quantities will actually help in preventing heart attacks, though when the level of HDL is low, it can put the person at risk of experiencing a heart attack.

There's another aspect to cholesterol and that's triglyceride, which is a type of fat that is obtained from the food that you eat and which is also produced in the body, and when there is a high level of triglycerides, you're at risk of having high total cholesterol in which you can get high LDL as well as low HDL, which is bad for your health.

In order to test your cholesterol level, you may require to take a test that is aimed at measuring your lipoproteins which are sorted according to their density. In case of high density, the ratio of proteins compared to fat will be high and high density lipoproteins or HDL is the good cholesterol which does the work required to aid unblock your arteries and which also aids in getting rid of unwanted fat from the body.

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Sharing is learning and that's why I (Jay Coleman) try my best to share all the info with everyone. Please visit my blog too on Cholesterol

High LDL Cholesterol Levels and Health Risks

By Chris Campell

A lot of people are not in fact anxious of the risks associated with high cholesterol level. As it typically takes place, they only appreciate the harmful effect of this when they already suffer from a heart attack or stroke.

If you do not want to have the same as one of these people, you should concentrate on what you eat and your diet, and certainly find time to do exercise regularly in order to preserve a healthy cholesterol level and evade the increase of LDL cholesterol.

The name of the offender is LDL cholesterol, or the Low-Density Lipoproteins cholesterol, is one of the two types of cholesterol found in the body. It is believed to be the major cholesterol carrier in the blood, therefore, but the overload of this cholesterol circulating in the blood can increasingly build up in the walls of the blood vessels that feed your heart and brain.

LDL cholesterol has the ability to join with other substances, and this can form plaque that can block those blood vessels. Therefore, when this happens, you are under the danger of the progress of coronary artery disease, heart disease, and stroke.

Due to the risk that a high LDL level brings, it is necessary that you keep up a desirable level of it. Human's body should maintain healthy level of low-density lipoproteins, which is 130mg/dL or less, in the bloodstream. A number more than this, particularly over 160mg/dL, makes you in a high-risk category. That is why it is highly important that you include in your diet low-cholesterol products and engage in regular exercise.

Moreover, in order to reduce the level of low-density lipoproteins cholesterol in the body, you are to increase high-density lipoproteins cholesterol level, or HDL cholesterol, which is measured to be good cholesterol. The HDL fights against the harmful build-up of LDL that can clog blood vessels. In order to increase the levels of so-called good cholesterol, a healthy and low-fat diet on top of regular training should become to be a part of your existence.

Keeping your LDL cholesterol at a suitable level can aid lessen your risks for both heart attack and stroke. Should your LDL cholesterol level be above the normal level, you have to ask for your doctor's advice right away.

How to lessen LDL cholesterol level?

It's clear that the level of activity of the low-density receptors should be better in order to lower LDL cholesterol. Some tablets such as Zetia and low-fat and cholesterol diets can aid to increase the LDL receptor activities. The principle of the treatment for high cholesterol is to diminish the triglyceride levels, lowering the LDL or the bad cholesterol and simultaneously improving the "good" (HDL) cholesterol levels. Decrease of total cholesterol by 10 percent can cause a 30 percent reduction in coronary heart disease.

Recurring physical exercises, losing excess weight, keeping diet that is low in cholesterol and saturated fats is the essence of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol treatment involves. From time to time it takes place when healthy food and gym do not seem to aid lower the LDL cholesterol to suitable levels, and then medications are prescribed. Statins are the most widespread tablets that aid us to lessen LDL cholesterol levels.

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Cholesterol Reviewer website is a place for cholesterol medicine description and ways to lower cholesterol levels advice. You'll find extra info about zetia by visiting Cholesterol Lowering Medications Guide.

Ginger Root's Medicinal Value

By Susannah Singer

Ginger is one of the most widely used herbs in the world. We use the root of a plant native to Asia but today cultivated in the West Indies, Jamaica, and Africa. Francisco de Mendosa introduced ginger to Spain in the early 1500's (and from there to the new world) but its value was known in the far east long before that.

Ginger powder comes from a perennial tuber type root (like a potato) that creeps and grows underground. The stalk has narrow leaves and grows to be about two feet tall. In the fall the tuber is harvested, dried, and ground into the herb powder. Black or coated ginger means the root was immediately scalded (not peeled) after harvesting. White or uncoated ginger was washed and scraped to prevent sprouting. To whiten it even more, white ginger is at times bleached or limed but this process robs it of some of its value.

Ginger's value is found in chemicals like potassium acetate, lignin, acrid soft resin, gum, vegeto matter, asmazone, volatile oil (up to 3%), acetic acid, starch, and sulphur.

Ginger will stimulate appetite, fight body odor, and promote perspiration. It is best known as a traditional Asian medicine to treat nausea. It has relieved morning sickness as well as the nausea related to chemotherapy. Some say ginger is more effective in relieving motion sickness than Dramamine.

Ginger also helps treat joint pain by stimulating blood circulation causing redness of the skin. This makes it effective in treating illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis and Raynaud's syndrome.

Often ginger is used in the treatment of indigestion, flatulence, menstrual cramps and diarrhea and relieves gastrointestinal distress. It is effective because it copies some digestive enzymes used to process protein in the body.

Ginger is beneficial to the heart as well. As little as 5 grams of dried ginger a day slows the production of triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol in the liver. Ginger also prevents platelets from sticking together, a condition that would increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Many like its flavor and aroma and like to use it in cooking as a seasoning or a tea. One online recipe for gingersnap cookies calls for one teaspoon of ginger powder. It is also a popular treatment for cold symptoms for it is said to loosen phlegm and spread a warm feeling throughout the body thus fighting chills.

Ginger is available in capsules, pickles, extracts, and prepared teas that can be made into compresses. The ginger root may also be consumed raw, but avoid small, wrinkled, or soft tubers. Steep ginger in hot water to make a tea, or just add it to a variety of dishes. The usual dosage is 1/3 of an ounce of fresh ginger root per day. Preserved Ginger is made by steeping the root in hot syrup. Store ginger root dry in your refrigerator for short periods. You can also freeze ginger root for up to three months.

If you are pregnant, it would be wise to restrict your use of ginger because it may stimulate uterine contractions. People taking beta-blockers, insulin, blood thinners, barbiturates, or diabetes medications should consult their doctor before using ginger because it may conflict with some of these medications. Ginger may also reduce the absorption of dietary iron and fat-soluble vitamins, and actually upset the stomach in higher doses. Also, ginger helps thin the blood. Therefore avoid taking it two weeks prior to surgery.

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But there are many more benefits of ginger to be explored. Visit More Than Alive, an internet store for bulk herbs and a trusted resource where you can get cut ginger root and learn about many other herbs.

Use Cholestorol Medications to Improve Personal Health

By Rich Benvin

There are over 100 million American adults that should seek medical advice to lower their high blood cholesterol levels. Statins, a cholesterol lowering medication which have few side effects have helped to fight heart disease and lower cholesterol levels, even though Americans are actually getting fatter.

There are things that can help you fight this problem. This article is designed to teach you how to do something about your cholesterol problems. First we will take a brief look at what cholesterol is and then we will show you how statin medications, prescribed by your doctor, can make you healthier. To treat high cholesterol there are many different types of statins, and we will review them for you.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat like substance that presents itself naturally in cell walls and membranes everywhere in your body. Your body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones. Where problems arise is when there is an over abundance of cholesterol in your bloodstream.

Your doctor may decide that you need help in controlling your cholesterol if you are not able to reduce it using natural treatments. Even if your doctor prescribes any of these medications, you must still follow through with healthy lifestyle treatments as well. There are several different types of medications used to lower cholesterol, but we will focus only on statins.

What are statins and how do they work? Statins repress the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme controls the rate that cholesterol produces itself in the body. These drugs can lower cholesterol from 20 to 60%. They slow the production while they increase the liver's ability to withdraw LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins). Statins lower the LDL levels better than any other type of drug.

Statins not only decrease total cholesterol and triglycerides, but they can also produce a moderate increase of HDL (High Density Lipoproteins). Encouraging results can usually be seen as quickly as 4 to 6 weeks after beginning use of the medication. Statins are also known to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other possible coronary illnesses.

You should not take statins if: you are allergic to statins themselves or their ingredients; you are pregnant or breastfeeding; you have liver disease; you regularly consume excessive amounts of alcohol; you have a history of myopathy; or if you have experienced renal failure.

Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor, Lescol, Altocor and Mevacor are all prescription brand name statins that you might recognize. Please know of certain food and/or drug interactions that may have adverse effects. If you drink more than a quart of grapefruit juice per day it can very well decrease the liver's ability to process some statin drugs. It is critical to know that there are other medications that you might be taking that can possibly interact with the statins to cause some weighty side effects.

It's important to let your doctor know about any other medication you are taking, whether prescription or non-prescription including vitamins, herbal supplements, medication for the immune system, other cholesterols drugs, medication for infections, birth control pills, medication for heart failure, HIV or AIDs, or Coumadin.

Side effects from statins are rare. If you experience muscle soreness, pain, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, discolored urine, stop taking the medication and contact your doctor immediately.

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Understanding Statins and Cholesterol Medications

By Rich Benvin

There are over 100 million American adults that should seek medical advice to lower their high blood cholesterol levels. Statins, a cholesterol lowering medication which have few side effects have helped to fight heart disease and lower cholesterol levels, even though Americans are actually getting fatter.

Don't worry; you are not out of luck. This article focuses on the actions you can take to lower your cholesterol levels and live a healthier life. After we quickly explain to you what cholesterol is we can then provide you with ways your physician can prescribe statin medications to help. Statins are not the only cholesterol reducing drug, but it is the one we will be discussing throughout this article.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat like substance that presents itself naturally in cell walls and membranes everywhere in your body. Your body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones. Where problems arise is when there is an over abundance of cholesterol in your bloodstream.

Your doctor may decide that you need help in controlling your cholesterol if you are not able to reduce it using natural treatments. Even if your doctor prescribes any of these medications, you must still follow through with healthy lifestyle treatments as well. There are several different types of medications used to lower cholesterol, but we will focus only on statins.

What are statins and how do they work? Statins repress the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme controls the rate that cholesterol produces itself in the body. These drugs can lower cholesterol from 20 to 60%. They slow the production while they increase the liver's ability to withdraw LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins). Statins lower the LDL levels better than any other type of drug.

Statins not only decrease total cholesterol and triglycerides, but they can also produce a moderate increase of HDL (High Density Lipoproteins). Encouraging results can usually be seen as quickly as 4 to 6 weeks after beginning use of the medication. Statins are also known to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other possible coronary illnesses.

You should not take statins if: you are allergic to statins themselves or their ingredients; you are pregnant or breastfeeding; you have liver disease; you regularly consume excessive amounts of alcohol; you have a history of myopathy; or if you have experienced renal failure.

Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor, Lescol, Altocor and Mevacor are all prescription brand name statins that you might recognize. Please know of certain food and/or drug interactions that may have adverse effects. If you drink more than a quart of grapefruit juice per day it can very well decrease the liver's ability to process some statin drugs. It is critical to know that there are other medications that you might be taking that can possibly interact with the statins to cause some weighty side effects.

If you are taking prescription or even over-the-counter drugs such as: birth control pills, immune system medications, medication for infections, medication for heart failure, HIV or AIDS, herbal supplements, Coumadin, or other cholesterol drugs make sure to let your doctor know before taking statins.

Although very rare, it is possible for side effects to surface from the use of statins. If you happen to experience vomiting, discolored urine, pain, muscle soreness, stomach pain, or weakness immediately discontinue the use of the medication and contact your physician.

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You Need To Raise Your Cholesterol

You can imagine my surprise after my last blood test when my doctor told me I needed to raise my cholesterol levels. What? I had a stroke the year before and had revamped my diet to lower my cholesterol. I was slowly able to walk and move more and was adding as much exercise as my body could handle. I had successfully dropped an extremely high cholesterol level to well within normal ranges. Now she wanted me to raise my cholesterol levels again?

That’s because there are two types of cholesterol; good cholesterol, or HDL (high-density lipoproteins) and bad cholesterol, or LDL (low-density lipoproteins). HDL scour the walls of the blood vessels, sweeping away excess fat and cholesterol in the blood and carries it back to the liver for processing, preventing plaque build-up. We’ve all heard that it is important to decrease bad cholesterol, but it is just as important to keep our HDL levels high. I had lowered my bad cholesterol levels but my good cholesterol had dropped as well.

An HDL reading less than 40 mg/dL is considered to be a major risk factor for heart disease, with a reading between 40 and 50 mg/dL recommended, while readings over 60mg/dL indicate a significantly lowered risk of heart disease. My HDL had dropped to a risky 32 mg/dL. The question now was how to raise good cholesterol. Listed below are some suggestions that will help.
Lose Excess Fat by Increasing Activity: It is important to lose excess body fat. But, often dieting alone can cause the desirable HDL to drop along with LDL. By increasing regular physical activity with aerobic exercise, this trend is stopped and good HDL levels will increase. Aerobic exercise is any constant activity that increases your heart rate. Please note that exercise has a powerful, yet short-lived effect, so it is important to exercise on a consistent basis. Studies show that people who exercise regularly tend to have higher HDL.

Research shows that HDL may be elevated as much as 20 percent from regular aerobic exercise that expends at least 800 to 1,200 calories per week. For example, walking at 3 miles per hour burns roughly 300 calories per hour, so walking 3 to 4 hours a week would meet this goal. Further studies show that the duration of exercise, rather than the intensity is a more important factor in raising HDL. Any aerobic exercise will have a greater effect the longer you can participate in that activity. Instead of increasing how hard you exercise, try adding a little more time to your activity for the greater HDL benefits. Studies show that for every 10 minutes of additional exercise HDL may increase by 1.4 mg/dL

Weight control is critical to raising HDL levels. Researchers note that every kilogram (2.2 pounds) of weight a patient loses raises HDL levels by an average 0.35 mg/dL. So, get walking, hiking, swimming, biking or whatever. Just increase your activity and control what you eat.

Stop Smoking: Giving up tobacco will result in an increase of HDL. Studies show this can raise your HDL by about 4 mg/dL. If you do smoke, please stop! Smoking puts you at high risk for heart disease and stroke. Believe me, these are not experiences you want, especially since they are the #1 and #3 killers in this country and strokes are the #1 cause of disability.

Eliminate Trans Fats: High intakes of trans fats lower HDL. It is hard enough to improve cholesterol levels with food. Cutting out fast foods, processed foods and foods made with hydrogenated oils will at least stop drops in good cholesterol and will stem the rise of bad cholesterol. This is not an easy task since many of our favorite prepared foods contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oil.

Alcohol: One or two drinks a day, no more, can show a beneficial increase to HDL levels, regardless of the type of alcohol, by up to 4 mg/dL. But, use caution if you have liver or other conditions affected by alcohol or you have an addictive nature. Consult your doctor.

Improved Diet: What we eat can help lower overall cholesterol and increase HDL levels. It gets so hard with our lifestyles these days. I had a problem eating right while working an 8-5 job, juggling home life and personal activities. It is just so much easier to eat processed foods. But it can be done. The more I find foods I like that are good for me and include them in my diet, the less room I have for not-so-good foods.

Canola oil, avocado oil, olive oil and the oils found in peanut butter can increase HDL, as can soy, flaxseed, eating more nuts such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, peanuts and pecans. A 2004 study in Diabetes Care found that men and women with type 2 diabetes who included 30 grams of walnuts a day in their diet showed improved HDL levels.

Soluble fiber found in fruits, vegetables, beans and oats help reduce LDL and raise HDL. Orange juice and cranberry juice have also been shown to be beneficial, as are cold-water fish containing omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna and mackerel. High glycemic products like cereals and breads on the other hand are associated with lower HDL levels. Consumption of the products should be reduced.

Magnesium rich foods have been shown to both help raise good cholesterol, lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar levels and lower blood fats These include spinach, black beans, kidney beans, lima beans, soybeans, halibut, peanuts, pumpkin seeds and some whole grains.

Other herbs and nutrients that have been beneficial are niacin (vitamin B3), guggul (a gum resin from the mukul myrrh tree), curcumin, chromium and calcium citrate.

As you can see, with a few dietary changes and increasing aerobic physical activity you can win the battle over cholesterol for life. For the balance of this article discussing the above mentioned supplements, please visit my website for the full article.

Author Resource: Jeff Keto suffered a stroke in March, 2007 requiring a much healthier diet and lifestyle. Product links available at: http://njkmarketing.com

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Holistic Medicine Secrets: Does Cholesterol Really Matter?

Every American should be paying attention to the health of their heart, and particularly to the health of the arteries in their heart, because cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of Americans, including women. Overall, about 480,000 American women die of heart disease each year, which is 60,000 more women then men.

Women are very concerned about breast cancer and whether or not they should take hormones. What most women don't realize is that they have a much higher risk of dying from heart disease than dying from breast cancer. Heart disease is different for women and men. Women need to focus more on the health of their small arteries, whereas men with heart disease often have blockage of their larger arteries. The prevention and treatment of problems in the small versus large arteries are different. More importantly, we will be reviewing several basic steps that everyone should be taking to keep their hearts healthy.

More than half the people who have heart attacks have normal cholesterol. You do need to concern yourself with abnormally high or low cholesterol, but normal cholesterol levels do not protect you from heart attacks.

A cholesterol check is not the best test for determining whether or not you are at risk for coronary artery disease (I'll refer to it as heart disease). In fact, the American Heart Association now agrees that people with heart disease all have one factor in common, and it isn't high cholesterol. It's inflammation in their arteries (Heart guidelines urge test for inflammation; USA TODAY, Jan. 28, 2003).

The inflammation stimulates the body to use the cholesterol as a band-aid and cover up that irritated area in the blood vessels. So, chasing the cholesterol away from someone's arteries is like chasing the firefighters away from the fire. What we really should be doing is putting out the fire and not chasing the firefighters away.

Are there any functions that cholesterol has in the body or is it just something to get rid of?

Cholesterol has many very important functions in body; it is definitely not just a byproduct to get rid of. Cholesterol is an important part of each and every cell membrane. It acts as the rebar which stabilizes your cell membranes.

Additionally, all steroid hormones are made from cholesterol. Our steroid hormones include estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, testosterone, and cortisol. We all need those hormones, so we all need cholesterol to make those hormones. Vitamin D is also made from cholesterol, and we are learning more and more about the benefits of optimal amounts of vitamin D.

We definitely need cholesterol. Most people are worried about high cholesterol, but low cholesterol can also be a warning sign. An adequate cholesterol level is actually a sign of a healthy liver because the liver makes cholesterol.

The standard medical recommendation is for the LDL cholesterol - the "bad" cholesterol - to be less than 130 mg/dl and even below 100 mg/dl for people who have had a heart attack or are considered high risk for a heart attack.

I encourage people to look at the big picture and not just focus on a number. If your LDL is slightly elevated and you start taking a statin drug to lower your LDL cholesterol the benefits of your overall health are uncertain at best.

Can you decrease your cholesterol levels by changing your diet?

You can influence cholesterol levels by changing your diet, but the answer is not to remove all the cholesterol from your diet. The idea that eating cholesterol is what causes you to have high cholesterol is false. If you don't eat cholesterol, your body will make it. The body knows how much cholesterol it wants and, for some reason or other, it might allow too much cholesterol. Only 15% of cholesterol in the body comes from the diet anyway. The liver makes the other 85%.

However, you certainly can affect cholesterol by your diet. A significant way to lower cholesterol is to include adequate amounts of healthy fiber in your diet. Your body doesn't waste. Instead, your body is continually recycling; it even recycles cholesterol. If we have enough fiber, then the fiber acts as a sponge. So all the cholesterol that makes its way into the intestinal tract will not be reabsorbed but will attach to the fiber and be eliminated. The America Heart Association recommends including up to 30g of fiber/day.

Author Resource: And now I would like to offer you free access to my weekly Holistic Medicine Newsletter where you can receive additional information on important health topics.

You can sign up by going to Holistic Medicine

Dr. Lisa Hosbein, MD, FACOG - The Wellness Doctor at Holistic Medicine

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