Ireferny

Pterostilbene, a berry compound found in blueberries and grapes, can help lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease. It was found that pterostilbene was similar in activity to ciprofibrate, a commercial drug that lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

Agricultural Research Service Chemist Agnes Rimando said: “But ciprofibrate can have side effects such as muscle pain and nausea. Pterostilbene targets the same specific receptor as ciprofibrate, but it’s likely to have fewer side effects.”

The announcements generated a wave of attention for pterostilbene, not only in the United States but in other countries as well. At least two news organizations in Great Britain directly attributed a boom in British blueberry sales to Rimando’s findings. And the Oxford lab’s results have since been cited by companies marketing products ranging from blueberry extract to juice concentrate to commercially available pterostilbene itself.

Researchers recently ran a study with high-triglyceride male volunteers, aged 39 to 66, to see the effect of DHA (short for docosahexaenoic acida, a polyunsaturated fatty acid found naturally in oil-rich fish, such as salmon and mackerel) on both fasting and postmeal triglycerides and on the quantities and sizes of HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and VLDL cholesterol particles. High trigylcerides, high total cholesterol, and a high number of small particles of LDL cholesterol in the blood increase risk of cardiovascular disease.

For 90 days, half of the 34 volunteers consumed about one-half teaspoon of DHA daily, in addition to regular meals, while the other half consumed the same amount of olive oil.

Blood samples showed that DHA reduced by 22 percent the number of small LDL cholesterol particles, the size most harmful to the cardiovascular system. It also decreased triglyceride levels by 24 percent in both fasting and postmeal samples, while increasing the number of large LDL cholesterol particles by 127 percent. Conducted by federal and university co-investigators, this is one of only about a dozen studies that have been done in humans to assess the effects of DHA by itself.

In the Dietary Intervention Study in Children (DISC), children who adopted a recommended low-fat, low-cholesterol diet decreased their intake of total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol within the first year of the study maintained lower levels of LDL cholesterol for several more years.

“This is the first study of this size to examine the long-term effects of reduced dietary saturated fat and cholesterol intake among children,” said Dr. Claude Lenfant, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) director. “DISC confirms that dietary changes in children with high levels of LDL cholesterol may thwart the development of atherosclerosis without adverse effects.”

The Dietary Intervention Study in Children was conducted at six medical centers and involved more than 650 children who began the study at ages 8 through 10. Eligible participants had levels of LDL cholesterol that were considered borderline to high (111.5 mg/dL or higher for boys and 117.5 mg/dL or higher for girls).

In the study blood cholesterol levels in the intervention group were lower than those in the usual care group, with significant differences between the groups found at one year and three years. At three years, LDL cholesterol levels of DISC participants in the intervention group were on average 2.5 percent lower than the LDL cholesterol levels of those in the usual care group.

Breastfeeding in infancy is associated with lower body mass index (BMI) and increased HDL cholesterol in adulthood compared to bottle-fed participants according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

Overall 26 percent of participants had been breastfed as infants, as reported by their mothers, and those participants were found to have lower BMI and increased levels of HDL cholesterol in adulthood.

A new analysis of a subgroup of participants in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) hormone therapy clinical trials suggests that healthy, postmenopausal women whose blood cholesterol levels are normal or lower are not at increased, short-term risk for heart attack when taking hormone therapy.

In particular, postmenopausal women who had no history of heart disease but whose ratio of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or “good”) cholesterol was less than 2.5 were at no increased risk of heart attack or death due to heart attack from taking estrogen plus progestin or estrogen alone, compared to their peers who did not take hormone therapy, after four years of follow up.

However, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recommends that women should not take hormone therapy to prevent heart disease, and women who choose to use hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms should use the lowest possible dose for the shortest duration.

Disclaimer: The information and opinions on this website is for information purposes only and is believed to be accurate and sound, based on the best judgment available to the author. Readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. Readers who fail to consult appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries.

Coffee Makers

With all of the diets out there, it’s a wonder which one is the right one for you. Do you have the money to invest in just trying to see if it works? Is it worth the time or even the possible harm that it can put on your body? These are some of the questions that you may want to ask yourself.

When fast paced America discovers that fast food diets will add the weight, it is a wonder why we are all becoming obese. Well who is going to stop it? Unfortunately we have to just take care of our own family now and days.

If we learn to balance our health then it is in the best interest of our family overall. There are many things that we can enjoy but then there is a time to lose the weight that has over taken our bodies. There are so many diets but the Atkins Diet comes to mind.

The History of the Atkins Diet

This diet was formulated by Dr. Robert Atkins in 1998. The main purpose for this diet is the fact that it is a low carbohydrate diet. It was founded in 1989 but not yet released until 1998. Shortly after the death of Dr. Atkins the Atkin’s Nutritionals filed Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. Then in 2005 the company arose to open the new diet trend, called the Atkins Diet.

Why Should We Consider the Atkins Diet?

Atkins knew that the main cause for concern in the US and obesity was the fact that we are consuming too many carbohydrates. Many of these include sugars and flours. Some of the foods are breads, high in fructose syrup and then there is foods that are are rich in oils that are not good for your body either. All oils are not good for you unless it is canola oil or olive oils. Breads consist of the most carbs, especially white bread.

What Does the Atkins Diet Consist of?

You can eat meats and other foods that are high in cholesterol. There may even be some controversy over that but it is part of the Atkins Diet. As long as you are eating foods that are not high in carbohydrates then you are okay. Yes, you are allowed to eat foods such as avocado dip and eggs (with yolks) and that is fine when it comes to the Atkins Diet.

Stay away from sweets and things of that nature. Sugars of all kinds need to be avoided. If you are a coffee drinker, no sugar! You must avoid things like milk, rice, white bread, white potatoes and pastas but you are allowed to eat different fruits and vegetables after the first couple weeks.

Basically you are eating foods that are extremely high in fats and protein. You are able to eat everything from red meats and fish to regular cheeses and even mayonnaise. If you are wanting to cook, it is advised to cook with butter and olive oil if it is fried.

Also it is advised to eat foods that are high in fiber as well. There will be a slack on the diet after the first few weeks. You will be allowed to eat a minimal of carbs as well as fruits and other foods that have natural sugars.

The intentions of the diet is to get your body balanced and to use it’s natural carbohydrates to remove fat. It also decreases your appetite to where you are not always hungry. This may seem strange to those of us who find breads and pastas filling. Eating ‘thick’ foods such as avocado and even eggs are sure to fill you up.

There is a Downside to this Diet as Well

As with any diet, you have to roll with the punches ’so to speak’. You have to just get out there and do something about your weight and your doctor will definitely be the one that you can go to. He is the one that will tell you about your body and what would be the best diet for you.

There are many ways that you can diet and it is totally up to you to which one that will best suit your body and your everyday life. There are downfalls in all diets and you won’t know unless you try it. Then there is that question; do I really want to try it? It takes time and dedication. Results don’t come over night. It depends on whether or not you want to go on the diet and give it a try or not. There are many ways that you can diet. Choosing the right one for you is totally up to you.

It is also recommended to exercise on a regular basis as well. There are ways that you can exercise to keep the ultimate fit. There are things that you can do to maintain your weight and find a balance in the Atkins diet, just like any other diets.

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Haven’t you heard of the Snow white story where in she was sent into the underground for taking an apple bite. You should not be surprised to know that apples can infact do wonders to your health.

Death caused by any disease is the worst end anyone can encounter. But while you reach that stage one should learn that there are many natural home treatments for any illness.

Many houses still uses apple cider vinegar cure for a large number of diseases. It has been brought out by many researchers that it cure ailments such as allergies, acne, sinus infections, flu, high cholesterol, candida, chronic fatigue, contact dermatitis, sore throats, gout, arthritis, and acid reflux.

Many people are suffering from a disease commonly known as GERD or gastro esophageal reflux. Acid Reflux symptoms occur when the lower esophageal sphincter weakens. This causes the ingredients of stomach especially the liquids to climb back from stomach. These liquids contain pepsin and stomach acids.

Once diagnosed by your physician, you should comply with the medication and treatment given to you to prevent complications.The use of antacids neutralizes the stomach acid which can elevate the discomfort felt by the patient. 

When it comes to a bottle of apple cider vinegar which causes three to four dollars only, it is more affordable than buying some antacids.

Consume few drops of apple cider vinegar mixed in water atleast few times a day or before meals as a natural rememdy to treat heart burn. Milder dosages may not work in case of long history of GERD, you might need stronger doses.

Certain Side Effects do occur when you take the vinegar, it either leaves a sensation of burning or tastes like you have had acid.

Still there are numerous acid reflux natural treatment methods available which we will be covering in our next series.

Cholesterol is a white, waxy substance that is found in some of the foods we eat; it is also manufactured by all the cells of our body, but most notably by the liver cells. Some cholesterol is essential to good health.

Not only is cholesterol an important component of cell walls, it is also essential for the production of certain hormones. For most people, between 70 and 75 percent of the cholesterol in their blood is manufactured by their liver; the other 25 to 30 percent comes from the food they eat. Your foods cholesterol, therefore, is something that you can directly affect yourself.

Your body requires fat and cholesterol to maintain good health. During infancy and childhood, fat is essential for normal brain development; throughout life, it is essential to provide energy and support growth. Cholesterol is used to build the walls of cells throughout the body and to manufacture essential substances like hormones and vitamin D. So it is important to have some fat and cholesterol available in your body at all times.

If cholesterol is needed for healthy bodily function, how is cholesterol bad for you? The answer to these questions is simple. A certain amount of cholesterol is important for the body. However when blood cholesterol levels exceed 200mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter), you become at risk for developing heart disease. That’s why so many people are looking for a high cholesterol cure.

Elevated total blood cholesterol is clearly a modifiable heart disease risk factor. Many times heart attacks, bypass surgeries, angioplasties, and sudden cardiac deaths occur in people with a total cholesterol level below 200mg/dL. Cholesterol medication is used to help control those levels.

But a better way to estimate risk of heart disease is to actually know your ratio of total cholesterol to good cholesterol. It’s not just the total cholesterol level that tells you what your risk is: you actually need to know what your ratio is.

Always seek your doctor’s advice for all health related issues. The information in this post is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose any ailment.

There are many foods that you need to be aware of that are laden with cholesterol. It is important that you are aware of the many types of foods for the sake of your family’s health.

A List of Cholesterol Laden Foods

Interesting enough, a sheep or beef brain is on the top of the list for the most cholesterol in foods. Makes you wanna run out and buy a couple, eh? Well, rest assured I won’t be anytime soon!! That is for sure.

Next on the list is fish oil. While there are many good attributes for it, there are also precautions that you must know about. Fish oil has a lot of cholesterol.

Chicken liver anyone? – Well, coming in as number three on the list is tasty chicken liver. I think that I will pass on this one as well. I am sure that many of us will.

Raw eggs (especially the yolk) – I am sure that there are many people out there who love the incredible edible egg, right? Yeah, I do but it doesn’t like us so we need to eat them in moderation.

Beef bi-products – Liver or tongues anyone? Nah, I didn’t think so. There are many people who like to fry up a batch now and again. If the grease isn’t bad enough, then eat some bi-products to add more to your already high cholesterol.

Canned crustaceans? – Uhm you mean as in shrimp and fish? I don’t think so. There are many that you think in your mind are very good for you. So since they are ‘good’ for you, you decide to go ahead and fry them; making them better? I sincerely doubt it. They are still high in cholesterol.

Fast foods – Well, this is definitely a no-brainer (to say the least). Uhm, maybe or maybe not, who knows. Maybe you didn’t know that those morning biscuits and sausage were loaded with all the fattening grease? Perhaps you don’t think about it while driving down the road on your way to work? Who knows, but now you do.

Pork anyone? – Did you know that pork is high in fat and cholesterol already. They are some of the nastiest animals and eat just about anything. They are full of cholesterol and sadly enough, many people fry them in grease.

There are many types of food that are loaded with cholesterol. We can choose to be knowledgeable in what we do or we can continue feeding our bodies junk. The choice is yours!

For more dieting tips, visit our blog by clicking the link in this sentence. Also, remember that the information in this article is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your physician before taking any medical advice.