Cholesterol - 6 Ways To Reduce Cholesterol

Everybody is trying to take care of their physical conditions these days and this is in response  to the fear of obesity and other health problems which are really becoming an epidemic in the world nowadays. However, it is important to know about cholesterol, because normally when people hear the word "cholesterol", they immediately think that it is bad, but cholesterol can be both good and bad.

Bad and Good Cholesterol 

There are 2 main forms of  cholesterol; low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) and high density lipoproteins(HDLs). LDL cholesterol is measured as bad cholesterol because it is inclined to drop off along the way, clogging arteries and blood vessels and contributing to the creation of plaques.  HDL cholesterol removes LDL cholesterol from the blood circulatory system and transmits it to the liver, which takes it away from the body.

If you are having cholesterol problems, you are required to keep away from egg yolks and organ meats such as the liver or kidneys because these are sources of bad cholesterol.

Here Is a list of 6 Natural Ways To Lower Cholesterol Levels 

1 . You are only required to do 30 minutes of exercise 3 or 4 times a week, which will considerably lower the risk for major life threatening diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. A brisk walk helps to reduce the amount of LDL cholesterol in the body.

 

2. You can consume food high in cholesterol but stay away from diets that are high in saturated fat, from both animal and plant sources.

3. You should eat plenty of different types of fiber, soluble and insoluble. Please keep in mind that soluble fiber removes cholesterol from the body by becoming bound to it.

4. Red yeast rice is tremendously helpful in lowering cholesterol levels by its ability to control the production of cholesterol. 

5. Take regular deep issue massages to decrease stress raises the cholesterol level.

6. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.

Why Do You Need To Go For Pre-Travel Health Advice ?

School holidays fall at the end of the year, which is also the best time to travel. When you are preparing the schedule for your trip, do you take into consideration health preparations?

THE BENEFITS OF A PRE-TRAVEL CONSULTATION ARE :

1. Up to date verbal and written advice on a range of travel health issues.
2. Information about recent disease outbreaks.
3. Travel health vaccinations, malaria tablets and other medications.

When you are preparing for your trip, do not forget to include the treatment for some of the common ailments that can occur during your trip. These common ailments and treatments are :

1. Travellers diarrhoea : you may bring along oral rehydration salt solution.
2. Insect bites such as mosquitoes : you may bring medication such as Tea Tree Cream or Zhimeko Medicated Rub.
3. Motion sickness : bring along some anti-motion sickness tablets or use elasticated wrist bands.
4. Sunburn : wearing day cream with protection and lotion containing Aloe Vera for moistening the skin.
5. Influenza : you may wear surgical mask to avoid infection. you can also get the annual flu vaccine and practice good hygiene habits to help keep you flu-free.
6. Dry itchy skin and chapped lips : apply lotion containing Aloe Vera for moistening the skin and lipstick or lip balm enriched with Aloe Vera, Shea Butter and Vitamin E to avoid chapping of the lips.
7. Common cold : consume Ganoderma or Lingzhi to boost immune system.
8. MMinor wounds and injuries : you may bring along plaster.
9. Allergy on skin, nasal and conjunctiva : avoid any food that is known to cause allergy for you.

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.

WITH NECESSARY PRECAUTIONARY STEPS AND PREPARATIONS, YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES CAN ENJOY THE TRIP.

Nutrients for Pregnancy

Good Nutrients For Mom-To-Be During Pregnancy 

 They say that any pregnant woman should eat for two people, but this is somewhat untrue!

 Logically, a pregnant woman needs to provide good nutrition for two individuals as the growing baby gets all its nourishment from its mother through the umbilical cord. Thus, a balanced and good quality diet is very important. 

 A well-balanced diet should include food from the different food groups : dairy products, fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, eggs, fat and carbohydrates. However, the total energy intake for a pregnant woman should be maintained at approximately 2500 calories per day (which is an addition of about 300-500 calories from a non-pregnant lady's intake). 

 Start with the basics in pregnancy nutrition. Understanding what food to be taken and avoid during pregnancy can help you choose proper nutrition for you and your baby. 

 Below are the recommended minor nutrients of vitamins and minerals for a healthy pregnancy excluding the common major nutrients like protein, fat and carbohydrate that you need to take regulary.

NUTRIENT	FUNCTION	FOOD SOURCES
Calcium	Grow strong bones and teeth, healthy nerves, heart and muscles	Spirulina, milk, yogurt, dried figs, and soy products.
Folic Acid	Helps in nerve system and spinal fluid, synthesis DNA and normalize brain function.	Barley beans, fruit, Brussels, fortified bread, and broccoli, orange.
Iron	Produces red blood cells, builds bones and teeth.	Spirulina, beef,spinach, bran flakes, beans, and lean red meat.
Iodine	Regulates metabolism, helps develop nerve system.	Spirulina, Iodised table salt, fish, seaweed, and dairy products.
Copper	Helps form good heart, skeletal and nerve system, arteries and blood vessels.	Spirulina, green/ brown lentils, red kidney beans, and mango.
Magnesium	Helps build strong bones and teeth, regulates blood-sugar levels, builds and repairs tissue.	Spirulina, brazil nuts, spinach, and cooked brown rice.
Potassium	Aids muscle activity and contractions, energy metabolism and nerve function.	Spirulina, jacket potato, prunes, raisins, and dried apricots.
Phosphorus	Build strong bones and teeth; develops blood clotting and normal heart rhythm.	Spirulina, canned salmon (including bones), cooked pinto beans, and milk.
Zinc	Helps form organs sekeleton, nerves and circulatory system.	Spirulina, beef/lamb, sunflower seeds, and can of tuna.
Vitamin A	Important for eye development, healthy skin and mucous membranes, infection resistance.	Spirulina, carrot, and sweet potato.
Vitamin B	Promotes growth, bone, muscle and healthy skin. Essential for nerve development and immune system.	Spirulina, fortified breads, whole grains, lean meats, beans, mushrooms, green vegetables, and soy products.
Vitamin C	Essential for tissue repair and collagen production.	Fruits, tomatoes and broccoli.
Vitamin D	Helps build bones and teeth.	Milk and sunlight.

Besides the above recommended balanced diet, some supplements are also available in the market which may help to fill our body with the required nutrition and improve body immune system. For example, spirulina and soy products, as illustrated in the nutrition chart, naturally contains a varied and almost complete necessary nutrition with high protein and fatty acids. As a new mother, you should choose and practice whichever diet is good for both you and your baby. Be a happy and healthy mother today!

Top Inflammation Fighters

Eating Omega-3 Fatty Acid

They're great your heart and your nervous system, and now studies show that omega-3 fatty acid the "good fats" that are found in some fish like salmon can also slow down the overeager white blood cells that lead to inflammation. It is recommended to eat at least two servings of fish every week.

Munching On Fruits And Vegetables

Plants are the best source to fight against inflammation. They're chock full of anti-inflammatory elements such as Magnesium and antioxidants, as well as carotenoids and lycopene. Research shows that followings a Mediterranean-style diet full of veggies, fruits, and olive oil may curb inflammation.

Moving Your Body

Early studies show that exercise has powerful effects in reducing inflammation, which in turn can significantly lower cancer risk. Although you look lean doesn't  mean you're not harboring hidden inflamation. If, however, you are trying to shed some weight, here's the extra motivation :  exercise shrinks fat cells, which automatically  fights inflammation by quieting you body's immune system.

Boosting Your Mood

Lowering stress of any kind and getting adequate sleep can be a key component in beating chronic inflammation. Instead of obsessing over worst case scenarios, keep your immune system cool by taking a deep breath and not treating your negative thoughts as facts.

Researchers are learning more about the missing links between inflammation and disease every day. But until we have more answers, your best defense against inflammation is to control the factors you can choose to control.

Top Inflammation Triggers

Carrying Excess Weight

When your body fat cells get confused by the extra stress, they send an SOS to our immune system. Certain white blood cells respond to the alarm, rushing to and then inflaming the cells that called for help. Over time that inflammation can make healthy cells resistant to insulin, which in turn can lead to diabetes. 

Experiencing High Anxiety 

Unexpected nerve-racking situations have recently been linked to heightened levels of inflammation. It it because the parts of your brain involved in sensing pain are also activated by social stress. Other recent studies show that some people who suffer from long-term anxiety or depression also experience regular spikes in inflammation.

Breathing Bad Air

According to a study, women who lived in areas with polluted air were more likely to develop diabetes, probably because air pollution can encourage inflammation and therefore contribute to insulin resistance.  However, much worse than living near a congested roadway is cigarette habit; tobacco smoke is such an assault on the lungs that the immune system rushes in to fix the damage. Often, though, it overcompensates and, rather than healing, the white blood cells end up going on an offensive that can eventually lead to lung disease.

CHRONIC INFLAMMATION

The Silent Enemy Inside You

Inflammation. The world probably makes you think of a knee swollen from running or a puffed-up pimple on your face-common problems that can be cured with the help of some ice or OTC (Over-The-Counter) medicines (drugs that are safe and effective for use by the general public without a prescription). 

However, there's another kind of inflammation that means something else entirely; chronic inflammation - a slow, silent disturbance that never shuts off. You can't feel it. You can't be tested for it. Yet it has become a medical hot topic. More and more research shows that chronic inflammation is involved in heavy-hitting illnesses.

Inflammation May be the Root Cause Of :

CANCER

HEART DISEASE

ALZHEIMERS

DEPRESSION

DIABETES

ALLERGIES

STROKE

Scientists are still in the process of decoding exactly how inflammation works, but here's what we know so far: It all starts with the immune system, the body's first line of defense against any kind of harm. When you're injured or sick, your bone marrow releases white blood cells to fight against infection and jump-start the healing process. However sometimes the immune system gets a faulty distress signal and deploys an unnecessary first-aid squad. Those misguided white blood cells still mobilize but because there's no infection for them to attack, they end up just hanging around, often for a long, long time.

The problem lies with the fact that your body isn't made to accommodate this kind of unfocused immune activity, and eventually those white blood cells can start damaging your internal organs. They can also needlessly assault other cells in the body routinely used to push off diseases, leaving the door wide open for illnesses such as cancer. Fortunately, you can do something to prevent and quash chronic inflammation.