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 ..Despite the fact that accurate nutrition information can be accessed... Read More
Magnesium is an important mineral that serves numerous essential functions... Read More
Ionized minerals, colloidal minerals, chelated minerals . . . What... Read More
Nutrition has everything to do with health. This isn't news,... Read More
The above foods contain high antioxidant capacity. These foods were... Read More
What if I told you tap water and homogenized milk... Read More
Most red and white meats are very fatty and are... Read More
During a recent discussion with my father about low carb... Read More
What is nutrition? We hear so many reports today on... Read More
Niacin, also called nicotinic acid, is a member of the... Read More
"To eat an apple before going to bed will make... Read More
When it comes to food, we can't ignore the facts... Read More
Coq10 is also known as Coenzyme Q10.This co q10 is... Read More
According to the renowned research scientist and inventor of the... Read More
A hundred years ago, life was very different here on... Read More
The field of nutrition is awash with charts, tables, diagrams,... Read More
Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry capsules are a nutritious, all-natural alternative... Read More
"It is a bone-deep change you are going into, my... Read More
OK, no more excuses. Here's how to stop making everyone... Read More
Hi Readers,My message today is simple short and perhaps blunt... Read More
Salt was used long before recorded history began. One of... Read More
Quick Overview- I think the most important thing for people... Read More
1880s - Characterization of monosaccharides by Emil Fischer.1952 - Fresh,... Read More
Apart from eating many of the wonderful vegetables and fruits... Read More
With summer comes more sun and with more sun comes... Read More
cleaning lady near Lincolnshire ..Remember the old adage, you are what you eat? The... Read More
Milk is highly underrated. Experts say, America finds itself in... Read More
A green and lush oasis in the middle of a... Read More
The secret of success is knowing how to deal with... Read More
Dr. Barry Sears revolutionized nutritional thinking around the world with... Read More
All of my life I believed the best way to... Read More
Cholesterol. What images come to mind when you see this... Read More
The best weight training and cardio workouts will do very... Read More
At any grocery store in North America right now, there... Read More
Weight loss plans are almost always trying to get you... Read More
With so many people concerned about natural and organic foods... Read More
THE RISKWhen you consume food that's high in acid or... Read More
Carbohydrates have gotten a lot of bad press in the... Read More
Protein is one of the basic building blocks of the... Read More
Vitamin EThere has been a lot of controversy about vitamin... Read More
You may have heard of the "Portfolio Diet" wherein it... Read More
Are you sick and tired of the confusion about our... Read More
1. Look for high quality, crystalline, free-form, amino acids (AAs)... Read More
Eating out when you are on a restricted diet always... Read More
This free list of fat burning foods will help you... Read More
Did you know that the food you eat could be... Read More
It is ironic how something as obvious as nutrition has... Read More
After we have eaten a meal -- and often we... Read More
In this fast paced world, good nutrition may sound very... Read More
A fictional overheard conversation at a Thelma's Fine Dining.Hi, I'm... Read More
Nutrition |