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
detailed home cleaning Lake Forest ..Did you know that there might be poison in many... Read More
Fats (triacylglycerols) ...Some basic terminology ...fat or fatty acid ...In... Read More
In this newsletter we will discuss the current controversy about... Read More
Recently, trans fats have risen to the forefront of the... Read More
With so many people concerned about natural and organic foods... Read More
Oats (botanical name Avena sativa)An oat is a grass that... Read More
Coke, more commonly known as cocaine is a highly addictive... Read More
Vitamin EThere has been a lot of controversy about vitamin... Read More
Having spent most of my life living off of junk... Read More
Finally, dieters and healthy eaters everywhere have reason to rejoice,... Read More
Students might start thinking a little differently, once they learn... Read More
The problem with sugar is that it doesn't contain any... Read More
The egg, the symbol of birth, of life and, therefore,... Read More
With new research, new products and new skin protection advice... Read More
Protein must be a part of a healthy diet for... Read More
Remember the old adage, you are what you eat? The... Read More
Nature works mostly on the principle of thing and no... Read More
Have you ever thought about where your drinking water comes... Read More
Despite the fact that accurate nutrition information can be accessed... Read More
If you are like most people, you are probably confused... Read More
About 12.6 million Americans currently have heart disease.1.1 million Americans... Read More
Healthy eating is important for everyone, from babies to the... Read More
Information on potassiumWhen you read about potassium and senate document... Read More
If you drop a bomb, you kill not only your... Read More
"It's not what you eat, it's what's eating you that... Read More
trusted cleaning company Des Plaines ..BASIC MEAL & MENU PLANNINGAs a basis for meals and... Read More
If you're looking for a power-packed entr?e or soup to... Read More
Dr. Christine Wood, M.D, a practicing pediatrician in Encinitas, California,... Read More
"It's not what you eat, it's what's eating you that... Read More
Meal replacements have been part of the diet landscape for... Read More
Mannatech's patent-pending glyconutrients complex, Ambrotose, is perhaps the greatest wellness... Read More
Constipation is the passing of dry, hard faeces fewer than... Read More
We sometimes hear about ways that we can take care... Read More
1. Enjoy what you eatWhether someone is following the Atkins... Read More
Since 1994, food manufacturers have required the Food and Drug... Read More
The key to better health is learning the difference between... Read More
High Fructose Corn SyrupBefore we get to high fructose corn... Read More
Remember the old adage, you are what you eat? The... Read More
Most red and white meats are very fatty and are... Read More
(ARA) - By now you probably think you've heard all... Read More
Great news on the chocolate front! Chocolate is good for... Read More
Do we really need a home water filter? Can't we... Read More
The best weight training and cardio workouts will do very... Read More
Originally, all foods were "organic" ? grown and prepared without... Read More
Recently I found the book : "Eating and health according... Read More
Our diet is an essential factor for the formation of... Read More
The Zone Diet has been around since around 1995, when... Read More
Soy, and most soy-based products, are nutritional powerhouses. Soybeans are... Read More
ABC News has recently focused on the possible anti-aging benefits... Read More
In a study review conducted by David A. Geier, B.A.... Read More
Nutrition |