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
family-safe home cleaners Lincolnshire ..Food nutrition factsFinding food nutrition facts and dietary nutrition used... Read More
There seems to be fairly poor tracking by any formal... Read More
What is nutrition? We hear so many reports today on... Read More
Everyone can benefit from understanding how food affects our... Read More
If you're suffering from constipation, you are no doubt looking... Read More
Essential Fatty Acids are oils, omega-3 and omega-6, that you... Read More
I confess: I'm completely addicted to Pringles. My determination weakens... Read More
If you have a business trip tomorrow morning, you've probably... Read More
Fibromyalgia is a chronic and potentially life-altering disorder with symptoms... Read More
Summer brings a lot of fantastic things with it, but... Read More
Fats (triacylglycerols) ...Some basic terminology ...fat or fatty acid ...In... Read More
Do you know the risks to daily intakes of Starbucks... Read More
Have you seen those "fat free" foods in supermarkets? Have... Read More
The topic of food additives is not quickly addressed in... Read More
I'll preface this article by saying that it will help... Read More
When you actually sit down and think about it, bottled... Read More
This free list of fat burning foods will help you... Read More
Approximately 30 years ago, food manufacturers were competing against the... Read More
One of the biggest mistakes many new bodybuilders make is... Read More
It's really hard to believe that something could be worse... Read More
1880s - Characterization of monosaccharides by Emil Fischer.1952 - Fresh,... Read More
I want to tell you about the most healthful and... Read More
Vitamin EThere has been a lot of controversy about vitamin... Read More
We sometimes hear about ways that we can take care... Read More
Following these simple nutrition guidelines will allow you to lose... Read More
after renovation cleaning Bannockburn ..Because I believe diet and exercise are so important, I'm... Read More
The body is a marvelous creation, a carbon, oxygen combustion... Read More
Tired of having stare-downs with those boxes of Krispy Kremes,... Read More
Fruit calories are very healthy as compared to calories in... Read More
Beans. Legumes. Pulses. Whatever you call this plant group, they... Read More
Diet nutrition physiqueToday, learning about diet nutrition physique isn't all... Read More
Chances are you may have had a food product that... Read More
THE RISKWhen you consume food that's high in acid or... Read More
The secret of success is knowing how to deal with... Read More
Your healthOrganically grown fruit and vegetables are not covered in... Read More
Are you worried yet about your health? Are you anxious... Read More
Fats (triacylglycerols) ...Some basic terminology ...fat or fatty acid ...In... Read More
People want to get the very best they can when... Read More
I first learned of Milk Soy Protein Intolerance (MSPI) in... Read More
Eating orange mean absorbing vitamin C to our body, is... Read More
Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential to the development... Read More
Vitamin EThere has been a lot of controversy about vitamin... Read More
The ingredients list found on the back or side panel... Read More
During the Second World War, the Germans used fluoride as... Read More
According to the Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis... Read More
The acai (ah-sigh-ee) berry has been around for thousands of... Read More
Are there any benefits to be obtained from drinking water... Read More
Arthritis - if you suffer from this illness, I don't... Read More
Can the colors on your plate tell you what health... Read More
You've heard that old saying: True beauty comes from within.... Read More
Nutrition |