Our bodies need cholesterol. We use cholesterol to produce vitamin D, hormones, and certain acids that help us digest fat. Only a small amount of cholesterol is needed to meet these needs; in fact, our bodies actually produce enough cholesterol on their own, and any cholesterol derived from food is unnecessary. Problems arise when we have too much cholesterol, commonly known as LDL. Many factors help determine whether your LDL-cholesterol level is high or low. The following factors are the most important:
-Heredity
-What you eat
-Weight
-Physical activity/exercise
-Age and sex
-Alcohol
-Stress
Of these, you obviously cannot control your heredity, age, or sex but you should always consider those factors when embarking on a plan to lower your LDL level. On a good note, most of the known factors that contribute to cholesterol problems and heart disease ARE under your control.
The foods you eat, your weight, and your amount of physical activity are all inter-related components that can contribute to decreasing your LDL levels. The two main ingredients in many of the foods you consume that can cause an increase in LDL are saturated fat and cholesterol. Both of these nutrients are found in animal products, so eating more lean meats and fish, along with a heavy supply of fruits and vegetables, can cut down on these elements. Also, by eating this healthier diet, weight loss will most likely occur naturally; this will lower triglycerides, which will raise "good" cholesterol, known as HDL. Increasing physical activity is also all tied in to a healthy diet and weight loss, and will not only help you lose weight, but build up your stamina and improve your overall health
Alcohol intake increases HDL cholesterol, but does not lower LDL cholesterol. Doctors are unsure as to whether alcohol reduces the risk of heart disease. Drinking too much alcohol can damage the liver and heart muscle, however, causing high blood pressure and raising triglycerides; because of the risks, alcoholic beverages should not be used as a way to prevent heart disease.
Finally, stress is something we all want to avoid, but which is sometimes unavoidable. Many times, when we stress, we don't make wise choices and wind up eating fatty foods that are high in saturated fat. Some ways to de-stress: yoga, exercise, breathing exercises. Even taking twenty minutes out of your day to take a quiet bath or read a book can calm your nerves and reduce stress.
There has been a long-standing belief in natural medicine that there are certain foods that provide more than just dietary value and are believed to have disease-fighting and healing properties. One of these foods that has been proven to be a way to fill up on antioxidants is the blueberry. In recent USDA studies blueberries been shown to be number one in antioxidant activity, as compared to 40 other fruits and vegetables and makes this humble fruit the ideal health supplement.
Find out more: http://blueberrysupplements.co.uk
professional maid services Park Ridge ..Nuts of all kinds (I am talking peanuts, cashews etc)... Read More
Better sleep = better metabolism. I have been saying it... Read More
The Zone Diet has been around since around 1995, when... Read More
The importance of protein in diet has been clearly established... Read More
Dr. Barry Sears revolutionized nutritional thinking around the world with... Read More
Recently, I had the pleasure of seeing my 6-month old... Read More
America's major dietary deficiency - EFA a panacea for good... Read More
Vitamin EThere has been a lot of controversy about vitamin... Read More
It is always amazing to me when I find a... Read More
If you are like most people, you've tried dieting before.... Read More
Following a diet program of any sort can sometimes be... Read More
If you're looking for a power-packed entr?e or soup to... Read More
Did you know that the food you eat could be... Read More
Have you seen those "fat free" foods in supermarkets? Have... Read More
LIFESTYLE WELLNESS = An Adventure of Health + Vitality!Not a... Read More
Do you need omega 3 fatty acid in your diet?... Read More
I want to tell you about the most healthful and... Read More
With the array of different diets and diet foods available... Read More
I know you've heard this many times - "Drink more... Read More
You really are what you eat. You are also very... Read More
During a recent discussion with my father about low carb... Read More
What is the best protein powder to buy? I get... Read More
Get back to the basics - eat fresh at home... Read More
(ARA) - By now you probably think you've heard all... Read More
Eating grain products - breads, cakes, cereals - have long... Read More
cleaning lady near Lincolnshire ..Did you know that the food you eat when you... Read More
White-spotted or yellow splotched teeth may reveal more than needed... Read More
How To Have A Healthy ThanksgivingEnd of the year holidays... Read More
You say you don't know what glyconutrients are? You are... Read More
I spent a few days at a resort in Mexico... Read More
Numerous reports have recently appeared in both the lay and... Read More
Better sleep = better metabolism. I have been saying it... Read More
According to the Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis... Read More
With today's time constraints, stressful jobs, and "thin is in"... Read More
Being vegetarian is one of the greatest things in the... Read More
The natural antioxidants in Oat Bran can significantly reduce blood... Read More
What is health? Everyone wants this thing called health, and... Read More
"It's not what you eat, it's what's eating you that... Read More
At any grocery store in North America right now, there... Read More
Fad diets have been around for more than 50 years... Read More
When it comes to the topic of sports nutrition there... Read More
With so much 'diet advice' around today it is little... Read More
Arthritis - if you suffer from this illness, I don't... Read More
Just as our country is currently engaged in a war... Read More
1. Enjoy what you eatWhether someone is following the Atkins... Read More
We've heard it not only once or twice or even... Read More
Aging occurs when the body's cells die at faster rates... Read More
Summer is the time when we sweat highly and beating... Read More
Salt is vital for our health. Right now, you have... Read More
Nutrition has everything to do with health. This isn't news,... Read More
Nutrition |