Online Pharmacy

What You Need to Know about Using an Online Pharmacy

When using an online pharmacy you will generally be able to shop for all of the typical pharmacy items you are accustomed to like vitamins, over the counter medicines, diabetic supplies, and the like. Also, you will be able to have your prescription filled by the online pharmacy and either pick it up in store or have it mailed to you. Different pharmacies have different rules regarding mailing prescription drugs, so you should check with your online pharmacy regarding any special rules.

Once you have entered all of your information from prescription number to your name and address, as well as other identifying factors, the online pharmacy website will ask you for your insurance payment information as well as how you want to pay for the prescription. Some online pharmacies will allow you to either pay online or at the store for in store pickup. However, if you are ordering for delivery from the online pharmacy you will have to pay online.

Always be sure your online pharmacy has a secure checkout system. You can be sure of this if in the direction bar it says https:// rather than just http://. That extra s means the page is secure and you can enter your payment information without the stress of wondering whether your information will be stolen while using the online pharmacy.

An online pharmacy is generally the web presence of your general pharmacy. However, you should always check for verification of your online pharmacy before you place any orders. You will want to make sure your online pharmacy is a Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site as is defined by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. If you have any questions or concerns about an online pharmacy then find another online pharmacy that seems more legit or can at least answer your questions.

When you search for online pharmacy on the Internet you will get plenty of results from some of the bigger chains. If you are familiar with these pharmacy chains then you should trust their online chain as well. Remember, never enter any credit or bank information on an online pharmacy website unless the site is secure.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jay Moncliff is the founder of http://www.bestpharma.net a website specialized on Pharmacy, resources and articles. This site provides updated information on Pharmacy. For more info visit his site: www.bestpharma.net

Personal care products can lead to Cancer

Our skin is a two way membrane. During perspiration toxins are eliminated from our body through it. Recently scientists have found that some chemicals when applied to the skin can penetrate the body and can be absorbed by the body in significant amounts. Many personal care products contain chemicals which are considered hazardous by EPA. National Institute of Occupational safety and health found 884 chemicals used in personal care products and cosmetics which are known to be toxins. The numbers of products used by adults and children that contain potent carcinogens are very high. It was reported recently that 500 dangerous chemicals have been found on a single fat cell in a healthy looking British woman. Another report was of 350 man made chemicals and residues used in personal care products found in breast milk.

Ammonia derivative DEA-Diethanolamine,TEA- Triethanolamine and MEA-Monoethanolamine when combined with products containing preservative nitrates form notrosamines which are carcinogenic. FDA urged the companies to remove them from shelves but even now almost 37% if products tested contained nitrosamines.

If Alcohol content in mouthwash rises to more than 25% it is known to cause mouth, tongue and throat ulcer.

FD&C or D&C color pigments are from coal tar and are carcinogenic.

Mineral oil made from petroleum ingredient found in baby oil and skin care can hinder skin respiration and can age skin prematurely. Baby oil is almost 100% mineral oil.

Phthalates exposure through hair mousse and hair spray can cause genital abnormality. It can be absorbed into the body through skin and also through inhalation.

Propylene glycol used in hair conditioners deodorants cosmetics baby products body lotions skin care and tooth pastes and even added to human and pet food can cause eye irritation, skin irritation, headaches and nausea.

Scientist recently found paraben in breast cancer tissue. It is used as a preservative and is considered to increase oestrogen levels in women and can drive the growth of breast tumors.

Methylisothiazolinone –M.I.T found in anti microbial soap, shampoo and other personal care products can cause nerve damage. It is chemically identical to Agent Orange used in Vietnam War.

SLS- Sodium laureth sulphate found in shampoos, toothpaste, gels, and cleaners used as a foaming agent can cause permanent impairment of eyes and corrodes hair follicles and impairs the ability to grow hair.

These are some of the harmful chemicals added to our personal care products. There are much more chemicals added to these products and scientists are discovering more chemicals to be harmful. Even many of the so called natural and organic products have these harmful chemicals added to them. Try to use chemical free and organic products.

Anita cherry is a health enthusiast who offers informative tips on health. For more information on your health and chemical free products and multi level marketing visit http://www.healthinfoforyou.com/a/real_organic.htm

Heart Attack: Are You At Risk?

If you're male and you lead an inactive lifestyle you probably have at least 3 risk factors associated with heart disease.

I know, I know, you feel fine but so do most people before they have a heart attack. Unfortunately, most people find out they have heart disease the day they are admitted in to hospital, and they are the lucky ones!

Ladies, don't think this is just something for men to worry about (as it has been in the past). Women, as well as men, are more likely to die of heart disease than of any type of cancer.

This is because of our modern lifestyle. We are working longer hours, so we eat fast food, and there's no time for exercise. To make matters worse, machines are taking the 'work' out of work. We are less active and it's killing us!

So what are the risk factors for heart disease?

Firstly, there are two types of risk factors: those that can be changed, and those that can't be changed. It's important to know that you only need to have 3 of these to be at risk. Each extra risk factor that you have increases your chance of having a heart attack substantially.

Risk factors that can't be changed:

Heredity: You are at greater risk if your parents, grandparents, brothers, or sisters, have heart disease.

Gender: Men are at greater risk than women, though the risk for women increases after menopause.

Age: As you increase in age, so do your chances of having a heart attack. Once you reach 40 you should have regular check-ups.

Risk factors that can be changed:

Smoking: A smoker is twice as likely than a non-smoker to have a heart attack. It not only places extra strain on the heart and lungs but also makes blood cholesterol stickier, making it easier to block arteries.

High Blood Cholesterol: Cholesterol is produced naturally by the body and is essential to our health. The problem comes when we consume too much in our diet.

High Blood Pressure: Just like with high cholesterol there are no early symptoms. The first most people learn they have this is when it's at a dangerous level.

Physical Inactivity: If you are inactive, you are more likely to have a heart attack. Even a 10 minute walk each day can make all the difference.

Obesity: If you are obese, you are placing your heart under a great deal of strain even at rest.

I might be at risk, what should I do?

If you think you could be at risk, the first thing you should do is visit your doctor. Secondly, you need to modify your lifestyle. Exercise for at least 10 minutes per day (30 minutes is better but anything is better than nothing!). You also need to eat foods that are low in fat. If you smoke you need to give up.

Even if you don't have many risk factors it's a good idea to visit your doctor each year. Some risk factors can change within a short period of time and getting on to them early can make all the difference.


About the Author
Ray Kelly is an Exercise Scientist with 15 years experience in the health and fitness industry. Sign up for his free 7 Day Weight Loss Course at Symptoms of Heart Attacks and Diabetes

Blood Pressure Treatment: High and Low Blood Pressure Tips and Medication

High blood pressure is on the rise worldwide. But, doctors believe that small lifestyle changes can go a long way in preventing this silent killer.

High blood pressure (BP) is one of the 10 leading health risks worldwide and causes seven million deaths a year, according to WHO report. The organsiation estimates that about one-third adults in most countries suffer from high blood pressure.

By 2025, more than 1.5 billion people will have high BP and most importantly, the world's poorest countries will be the worst hit, warns US experts. The expert's warning is the result of the study based on two decades of global data. Based on the trends, the researchers believe that the prevalence of high blood pressure will increase by about 60 percent by 2025. And they expect to see it slightly more in women(30 percent) than in men(29 percent)

Looking at these alarming figures, there could be a worldwide epidemic of strokes and heart attacks in the future.

Here are some steps to control your Blood Pressure (BP)!

. Shed those extra kilos. Cut down on calories. The more overweight you are, the more susceptible you are to high BP.

. Stop smoking. This will keep your BP in control and will also diminish your risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Must Visit: Find enormous quit smoking tips, motivation and an effective quit smoking program at http://www.weightloss-health.com/quit_smoking_ways.htm

. Add more fruits, vegetables and low-fat diary products to your diet.

. Eat foods high in calcium, magnesium and potassium like banana, raisins, potato and dates.

. Reduce your salt intake as it is linked to high BP. According to experts, one shouldn't consume more than 2 grams of sodium per day.

Must Visit: Get free low sodium diet and recipe at http://www.weightloss-health.com/low_sodium_diet_recipes.htm

. Curb your alcohol consumption as excessive alcohol raises your BP.

. Exercise regularly. A 30-minute workout is healthy.

. Use relaxation methods like yoga, meditation and biofeedback to lower your stress levels.

Caution: You may have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. Since high blood pressure is silent killer, only way to find out if you are suffering from it is to have your blood pressure checked regularly. The Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of high blood pressure(JNC), has formulated norms to diagnose pre-hypertension, where blood pressure readings show 120-139 over 80-89 mmHg, which help identify people who are at a higher risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes.

Not many know that high blood pressure can lead to heart and kidney ailments and may be fatal too. Those who have recently become hypertensive can heal themselves by losing weight, increasing physical activity, curbing alcohol consumption, increasing fruit content in their diet and practicing yoga. Also one should watch out for sleep apnoea- a common cause for hypertension at http://www.weightloss-health.com/sleep%20apnea%20treatment.htm.

Exercise Tips to fight Hypertension!

. Low level aerobic training (biking, treadmill)

. Walking

. Water aerobics, swimming

. Resistance Training (Bench Press, squats and leg press).

. Circuit training


About the Author
Ashley Green: for http://weightloss-health.com your complete and most comprehensive family guide on Health. To learn more tips on various health issues and natural health care, visit http://www.weightloss-health.com/articles5_temp.htm

Treatment Options for Prescription Drug Addiction

There is help available for people addicted to prescription drugs. There are countless inpatient and outpatient programs around the world that are specifically created to help people kick their drug addictions. These programs usually include detox centers, psychologists, and often include safe alternative substances to help curb withdrawal symptoms. The level of treatment needed depends on the length and severity of the addiction. It is important that people realize that some type of treatment or rehabilitation is always a good idea. It can be dangerous for an addict to try to quit taking drugs without any medical advice or intervention.

Inpatient treatment centers are the best option for people with severe addiction problems. These centers require that the patient live in the facility for a specified length of time while receiving treatment. Inpatient treatment centers can be extremely expensive, but they are sometimes covered by health insurance policies. The prescription drug addiction treatment provided by these facilities has several phases.

Outpatient prescription drug addiction centers are a great option for other people. If someone cannot afford to live in an inpatient facility, or if the problem is not so severe, outpatient treatment is a great alternative.

There are several components to a prescription drug addiction treatment. First is a period of detoxification, which is when the drug is slowly cleared out of the addict’s body. This can be the most difficult part of the treatment. Withdrawal symptoms can be so severe that medical intervention is needed. At the very least, detox is time consuming and uncomfortable.

Another aspect of prescription drug addiction treatment is psychological counseling. This helps the recovering addict cope with a drug free lifestyle, and deal with any symptoms of withdrawal. Availability of emergency counseling is vital for keeping addicts from relapsing. Counseling helps the patient see how much better life is without the complications of a drug addiction. Counselors also help the patient figure out how to avoid situations that could lead to a relapse.

Many prescription drug addiction treatment programs give replacement drugs to patients who need them. Some of the most common drugs of this type are methadone, buprenorphine, and naloxone. These are safe alternatives to opioids; they can help curb withdrawal symptoms while helping the addict detoxify. Drug alternatives are usually only available for opioids and not for CNS depressants or stimulants.

It is vital that anyone who is addicted to prescription drugs gets treatment. Prescription drug addiction treatment helps the addicts to safely deal with their drug problems in a supervised and secure environment.


Author Info:
Prescription Drugs Addiction provides detailed information about prescription drug addition symptoms, treatment, statistics, and forums, as well as personal prescription drug addiction stories. For more information go to http://www.e-prescriptiondrugaddiction.com and/or visit its sister site at http://www.e-drugtesting.com for related information.

Asthma Treatment

Asthma is considered to be a respiratory system disease. This condition causes the person with Asthma to have difficulty breathing in the form of shortness of breath, coughing, the feeling of chest tightness, and sometimes feeling winded.

Asthma attacks the narrowing of the bronchial tubes that can leave the person without enough air to receive the oxygen they need. When these “attacks” occur the person can be left breathless, dizzy, and can cause them to faint.

Many things can bring on an asthma attack such as a burst of cold air, running, odors, mold, and other allergens. These attacks or asthmatic episodes can include breathless, fast breathing, delayed expiration of breath, and a faster heart rate. With severe asthma attacks the person experiences lack of oxygen which can bring on chest pain, fainting, and unconsciousness. In some rare cases with severe attacks their have been incidences of respiratory arrest and even death. Other that during these asthma attacks the person shows no signs of asthma.

The major symptoms of Asthma include shortness of breath, a “wheezing” sound and coughing. During the coughing the mucous will be clear with no sign of green or yellow. Green or yellow mucous shows signs of an infection. Asthma is not an infection, so the mucous will be clear.

In allergic asthma the attacks are brought on by allergens. This type of attack is always brought on by inhaling something like pet dander, mold, dust, or even the pollen from plants and flowers. These allergens bring on a reaction of the airways to the lungs to become swollen and the oxygen that you breathe in can not go through the airways. This can cause coughing, a wheezing sound, and shortness of breath.

In non-allergic asthma is usually brought on by nervousness, tension, a burst of cold air or hot dry air, exercising, smoking, or other inhaled irritants. The symptoms are the same but it is not caused from an allergy.

Asthma is a hereditary condition, but just because one or both of your parents have asthma does not necessarily mean you will also have asthma. Many with no history of asthma also can have this condition. It can be triggered by a cold, exercise, allergies, etc...

Asthma can be treated in two different forms one with and inhaler and one in pill form. Inhalers are considered to be the quick cure. This will relieve the symptoms and the person will be able to breathe normally in just a few minutes. The long term controllers are of course pills. The pills are normally anti-inflammatory medications that can keep control of the inflammation in the airways to the lungs.

There is no way to prevent asthma but you can lead a very normal life by doing as your physician suggests.


Author Info:
John Smith: Visit http://www.healthcaredir.com/asthma/ for news about asthma

25 Reasons Why You Should Drink Green Tea Now

Green tea has increasingly become a very popular drink worldwide because of its immensely powerful health benefits. It is extraordinarily amazing what green tea can do for your health. And if you're not drinking 3 to 4 cups of green tea today, you're definitely NOT doing your health a big favor.

Here Are The 25 Reasons Why You Should Start Drinking Green Tea Right Now:

1. Green Tea and Cancer
Green tea helps reduce the risk of cancer. The antioxidant in green tea is 100 times more effective than vitamin C and 25 times better than vitamin E. This helps your body at protecting cells from damage believed to be linked to cancer.
Read more about green tea and cancer at http://www.finegreentea.com/green-tea-cancer.html

2. Green Tea and Heart Disease
Green tea helps prevent heart disease and stroke by lowering the level of cholesterol. Even after the heart attack, it prevents cell deaths and speeds up the recovery of heart cells.
Read more about green tea and heart disease at http://www.finegreentea.com/green-tea-and-heart-disease.html

3. Green Tea and Anti-Aging
Green tea contains antioxidant known as polyphenols which fight against free radicals. What this means it helps you fight against aging and promotes longevity.

4. Green Tea and Weight Loss
Green tea helps with your body weight loss. Green tea burns fat and boosts your metabolism rate naturally. It can help you burn up to 70 calories in just one day. That translates to 7 pounds in one year.
Read more about green tea weight loss at http://www.finegreentea.com/green-tea-weight-loss.html

5. Green Tea and Skin
Antioxidant in green tea protects the skin from the harmful effects of free radicals, which cause wrinkling and skin aging. Green tea also helps fight against skin cancer.
Read more about green tea and skin at http://www.finegreentea.com/green-tea-skin.html

6. Green Tea and Arthritis
Green tea can help prevent and reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Green tea has benefit for your health as it protects the cartilage by blocking the enzyme that destroys cartilage.
Read more about green tea and arthritis at http://www.finegreentea.com/green-tea-and-arthritis.html

7. Green Tea and Bones
The very key to this is high fluoride content found in green tea. It helps keep your bones strong. If you drink green tea every day, this will help you preserve your bone density.

8. Green Tea and Cholesterol
Green tea can help lower cholesterol level. It also improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol, by reducing bad cholesterol level.
Read more about green tea and cholesterol at http://www.finegreentea.com/green-tea-and-cholesterol.html

9. Green Tea and Obesity
Green tea prevents obesity by stopping the movement of glucose in fat cells. If you are on a healthy diet, exercise regularly and drink green tea, it is unlikely you'll be obese.

10. Green Tea and Diabetes
Green tea improves lipid and glucose metabolisms, prevents sharp increases in blood sugar level, and balances your metabolism rate.
Read more about diabetes and green tea at http://www.finegreentea.com/diabetes-and-green-tea.html

11. Green Tea and Alzheimer's
Green tea helps boost your memory. And although there's no cure for Alzheimer's, it helps slow the process of reduced acetylcholine in the brain, which leads to Alzheimer's.

12. Green Tea and Parkinson's
Antioxidants in green tea helps prevent against cell damage in the brain, which could cause Parkinson's. People drinking green tea also are less likely to progress with Parkinson's.

13. Green Tea and Liver Disease
Green tea helps prevent transplant failure in people with liver failure. Researches showed that green tea destroys harmful free radicals in fatty livers.
Read more about green tea and liver disease at http://www.finegreentea.com/green-tea-liver.html

14. Green Tea and High Blood Pressure
Green tea helps prevent high blood pressure. Drinking green tea helps keep your blood pressure down by repressing angiotensin, which leads to high blood pressure.
Read more about green tea and high blood pressure at http://www.finegreentea.com/green-tea-and-high-blood-pressure.html

15. Green Tea and Food Poisoning
Catechin found in green tea can kill bacteria which causes food poisoning and kills the toxins produced by those bacteria.

16. Green Tea and Blood Sugar
Blood sugar tends to increase with age, but polyphenols and polysaccharides in green tea help lower your blood sugar level.

17. Green Tea and Immunity
Polyphenols and flavenoids found in green tea help boost your immune system, making your health stronger in fighting against infections.

18. Green Tea and Cold and Flu
Green tea prevents you from getting a cold or flu. Vitamin C in green tea helps you treat the flu and the common cold.

19. Green Tea and Asthma
Theophylline in green tea relaxes the muscles which support the bronchial tubes, reducing the severity of asthma.

20. Green Tea and Ear Infection
Green tea helps with ear infection problem. For natural ear cleaning, soak a cutton ball in green tea and clean the infected ear.

21. Green Tea and Herpes
Green tea increases the effectiveness of topical interferon treatment of herpes. First green tea compress is applied, and then let the skin dry before the interferon treatment.

22. Green Tea and Tooth Decay
Green tea destroys bacteria and viruses that cause many dental diseases. It also slows the growth of bacteria which leads to bad breath.
Read more about green tea and tooth decay at http://www.finegreentea.com/green-tea-tooth-decay.html

23. Green Tea and Stress
L-theanine, which is a kind of amino acids in green tea, can help relieve stress and anxiety.

24. Green Tea and Allergies
EGCG found in green tea relieves allergies. So, if you have allergies, you should really consider drinking green tea.
Read more about green tea and allergy at http://www.finegreentea.com/green-tea-allergy.html

25. Green Tea and HIV
Scientists in Japan have found that EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) in green tea can stop HIV from binding to healthy immune cells. What this means is that green tea can help stop the HIV virus from spreading.
Read more about green tea and HIV at http://www.finegreentea.com/green-tea-hiv.html


How's that for only some of the health benefits that green tea has to offer you? Almost miraculous, I'd say.

Now, your health is in your hands. You know you're smart. So, start drinking three to four cups of green tea every day for a drug-free and healthier YOU!






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About the author:

You are free to reprint this article as long as you keep all the links pointing to http://www.finegreentea.comlive and clickable (this also includes the links in the article)

Find out more about green tea at http://www.finegreentea.comwhere you will find useful information about green tea health benefits, green tea weight loss, green tea diet and green tea extract.

Asbestos Related Diseases

Asbestos is used in over 3000 modern products and most people have suffered at least some degree of exposure to it at one point or another. Most asbestos exposure is limited to minute portions of well maintained building materials such as concrete, insulation and siding. Regular maintenance of these materials is important for preventing asbestos from degenerating into airborne fibers. Unfortunately, because asbestos is so widespread, it is impossible to compute the damage that even a small quantity can cause.

The lightweight nature of the asbestos particle facilitates airborne spreading of these deadly carcinogens. This is why most asbestos-related diseases affect the respiratory system. These are incurable diseases. Even tiny amounts of asbestos can inflict irreversible damage as symptoms usually only emerge 20 to 30 years down the road.

Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and lung cancer are consequences of prolonged asbestos exposure. Any contact with asbestos merits immediate medical consultation because treatment options and survival rates are greatly improved the earlier they’re detected. Unfortunately most asbestos-related conditions don’t show symptoms until the disease is terminally advanced. Most patients diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition rarely survive more than 18 months after diagnosis.

For more information on asbestos related diseases and mesothelioma please visit http://www.resource4mesothelioma.com .

Healthy Nutrition Benefits

The Benefits of Healthy Nutrition

Question: What are some of the benefits of healthy nutrition? What makes a healthy diet worth it?

Answer:

The effects of having a healthy nutritional diet are innumerable. The human body needs various nutrients and minerals to keep it functioning in tip-top shape, and the only way this can be accomplished is by maintaining a healthy diet including vitamins and minerals. These nutrients are necessary to the body for three different reasons; they are crucial for obtaining energy, helping your body grow, and repairing worn out tissues. If your diet lacks certain necessary vitamins, your health may suffer. Therefore, the primary benefits of healthy nutrition are mainly that it keeps your health up.

A sound nutritional schedule is recommended by doctors when a patient is inflicted with any of a number of diseases. Keeping your nutrition up when afflicted with such diseases as cancer or aids can be key to your survival.

Question: How can I make my diet more nutritious?

Answer:

For a balanced and nutritious diet, it is recommended to cut down on red meat consumption. Also, consumption of dairy foods, desserts, refined foods, tea, coffee, alcohol, and all types of oil except olive oil should be kept to a minimum. Olive oil is a powerful anti oxidant, which we take daily within our diets.

Most people do not get enough vegetable proteins. These can be great for your health, and eating such foods as whole grains, lentils, beans, nuts, fresh vegetables and fruits, or soy based products is highly recommended. In addition, you need to pay careful mind to your daily mineral intake. Vitamins and minerals help your body operate on a more sound schedule, and a lack of these precious materials can really show in your health and well-being.

The benefits of healthy nutrition combined with a steady vitamin regimen are the keys to keeping your body in the best shape possible. There are multi-vitamin supplements that can greatly aid in your quest for sound health.

Why not look in to a product that meets all of the above and more. Total BalanceTotal Balance from Xtend-Life Natural Products is well worth looking in to. We have been using this supplement and have noticed a general sense of well being. Our energy levels have also improved, and we generally feel more positive than ever before.
We have searched around for many multi ingredient supplements, and to be honest, haven’t even come close to finding a supplement that can give these types of quality ingredients at the prices they offer.

Check out what we use daily at Herbal nutrition

The site dedicated to healthy nutrition.



Author Info:
Cody hawke publishes for www.nutritional-supplement-guides.com

Cholesterol - Lower It Naturally

Ways To Keep It Low

These days we hear a lot of warnings about cholesterol, but the funny thing is, cholesterol isn't all bad. Your body produces it naturally and it performs some pretty vital jobs - helping to build new cells, as well as produce hormones and insulate nerves. Only when you've got too much do you have a problem.

Unfortunately, there's a lot of confusion surrounding this substance because it's made up of both good and bad cholesterol, and is known as HDL and LDL. So which is the good guy, and which is the bad guy ?
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is the good guy (higher the better), and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is the bad guy - the artery-clogging little devil.

Every Day Ways Of Keeping Your Cholesterol Low.

Watch your weight.
The more overweight you are, the more cholesterol your body produces. So if your weight is up, this is one more reason to bring it down, but do so with a healthy diet.

Cut Out The Fat.
You'd be wise to cut back on such sources of saturated fat as meat, butter, cheese and hydrogenated oil. Whenever possible, replace these items with fish, poultry, low-fat dairy products and polyunsaturated oils.

Switch To Olive Oil.
Olive oil contains monounsaturates which is said to help lower cholesterol levels if added to your food on a daily basis. Two or Three table spoons full a day should be sufficient

Go Easy On The Eggs
Don't feel you have cut them out entirely, if you want to play safe then limit your eggs to about three a week, or use egg whites only.

Be Full Of Beans
Nutritious and inexpensive, beans and other pulses contain a water-soluble fibre called pectin that helps clear cholesterol out of the body.

Eat More Fruit
Fruit also gets it's cholesterol lowering punch from pectin, so by eating lots of fresh fruit you will help to lower your cholesterol levels.

Have Your Oats
Oat bran also helps to lower cholesterol in a similar fashion to pectin rich fruit. In fact it was a high oat bran diet that helped me to reduce my cholesterol level. I used it on cereals, and mixed it into meals that I ate. It looks a bit like sawdust, but it's really effective.

Other Foods That Are Recommended.
Carrots can lower cholesterol. Carrots by way of their pectin content the same as fruit. Two carrots a day should be enough to help when combined with other foods which have been recommended. Eat them raw if possible.

Take Garlic
Eat raw garlic. As well as reducing your circle of friends, it will reduce harmful blood fats. If you don't fancy eating raw garlic, then use the liquid garlic extract which can be bought in capsule form. These can be purchased at your local supermarket or health food store.

Don't Smoke
Studies have shown that heavy smokers have a higher cholesterol than non smokers, so here's another reason to give up. You'll also save yourself a bundle of cash as well ! - In smoking trials which were carried out in Sweden, smokers tended to suffer from low levels of the beneficial HDL cholesterol.

Medication - Drugs
There's now plenty of drugs on the market for lowering cholesterol levels. But, as with all drugs there's always side effects to take into account, so try the natural methods first. Only use drugs as a last resort.

When I found out my own cholesterol levels were high, I managed to get my levels back to normal by using the methods mentioned in this article. I hope you've enjoyed reading it.
Author - John Moore..please use my link.
http://www.information-city-online.com

Diabetes 101 - What You Need to Know About

One of the leading causes of death in the US is diabetes. It affects the way the body uses food after digestion, for growth and energy, known as metabolic disorder. If proper treatment and medication is not administered, at times aggressively, it can lead to fatal complications and can also be seriously disabling. However, proper treatment and preventive measures allow people with diabetes to lead a relatively healthy and normal life, in most cases.
Knowing Diabetes

Most of the food we eat is broken down into glucose (a form of sugar in blood). Majority of the fuel in the body is supplied by glucose. Cells of our body use this glucose in the blood for growth and energy. However for glucose to get into cells, blood must have insulin contents. Pancreas (a large gland situated behind the stomach) produces this chemical known as insulin and which is the major factor in proper digestion and health. Under normal conditions, right after eating, the body produces the exact amount of insulin, to allow the body to process glucose properly. But in people with Diabetes, little or no amount of insulin is produced, or the cells don't respond properly to the insulin produced by the pancreas.

This situation leads to a built up of glucose in the blood stream. Glucose starts accumulating and overflowing into urine as it is produced. This leads to the loss of majority of the fuel resources of the body. Even with high glucose contents in the blood, it leads to no good as it cannot be used by the cells to produce energy.

Signs and symptoms of Diabetes vary, however doctor must be immediately contacted on coming across any of these symptoms. Diabetes is of varied types and all have different onset times, with varying symptoms thus it is important to keep a track of these symptoms and must be reported to the doctor. Like many other disease, better results can be sought with early detection of the disease. Generally it is classified into two types Type One and Type Two.

While type one is an auto immune disorder where the immune system turns against another part of the body. In this case the attack is on beta cells of the pancreas that produce insulin. This type of Diabetes is more common in children and young people though symptoms may occur at any age.

More common form of diabetes which accounts for almost 90% of the cases reported is the Type 2 diabetes; patients are generally older in age.Majorly in such cases the body fails to make an effective use of the insulin produced by the body. About 80% patients of the type two diabetes are overweight. Symptoms for both types are similar and include nausea, fatigue, weight loss, frequent urination, thirst, and blurred vision.

Patients diagnosed with diabetes can be ensured a better quality of life, with proper treatment and proper planning. The most basic part of the treatment for diabetes includes a healthy diet and exercise. Administration of oral drugs and insulin are other forms of treatment.


Author Info:
Mansi gupta writes about. diabetes . Learn more at http://www.diabetessection.com

Are You Pre-Diabetic? How Does One Know?

Diabetes
Diabetes consumes fully 25 percent of Medicaid resources. Just one disease out of hundreds, eating up one quarter of that budget. The numbers keep rising, with more and more people across all age groups developing the disease.

When you consider that diabetes is a largely preventable disease, it becomes all the more distressing. It's hard to imagine that a health care crisis of this magnitude could be allowed to develop in America. And if it arose from some other source, like the spread of some virus or other contagion, it's quite likely it would not have.

Type II diabetes, generally speaking, is a lifestyle disease. It comes from how we eat and what we do. People do have genetic predispositions that make them more or less likely to develop the disease, but the illness won't develop without the right conditions. And when it comes to diet and health, that means the most wrong conditions: a poor diet of processed, high-carb foods and perpetually low activity levels.

Subtle and gradual changes in the American lifestyle over the last 50 years have set most of us up with circumstances that put our lives in that rut: we eat poorly and in greater quantities and our lives are geared more and more toward sedentary past-times. It's easy to slide inexorably toward diabetes without even noticing it, and many, many people are doing just that.

However, with a little more awareness among the public and medical professionals, we could really turn the tide on this disease.

It is called "pre-diabetes" when a person has the complex of symptoms that indicate they are on their way to developing diabetes. When a person is in the pre-diabetic state, they have got higher-than-normal insulin levels because they have become resistant to the hormone that helps metabolize energy, so the body cranks into overdrive and chronically produces an excess of insulin in order to get the job done.

We can test for this. It's easily identifiable. And when we find that and the other conditions of pre- diabetes present, we can treat them, and stop the disease from developing.

It isn't standard protocol to check for insulin levels. It's common to have blood tests, particularly for older patients. Most doctors will check a patient's blood sugar, and when the numbers come back high, often, this is the first hard evidence a doctor has that the patient is in trouble with their body chemistry.

Insulin levels rise years before abnormalities in blood sugar develop. We see high insulin levels in kids as young as 14 in our office. But if a patient is not specifically getting tested for it, that insulin resistance and their pre-diabetic condition may not show up in an exam, and such people may continue on in dangerous ignorance of their real risk.

Therefore, what can you do to identify the problem and possibly forestall disaster? If you are overweight, it's probably a good idea to ask your doctor to test your insulin levels, especially if there's a family history of diabetes.

If you have got pre-diabetes and you are insulin resistant, you should know that it's a reversible condition, and most of the time, it can be turned around without the use of medication, just through diet and exercise. You have an awful lot of control over whether or not this situation worsens for you.

The most significant differences you can make will come from changing the way you eat and that's what you eat, as well as how much. Replacing your processed foods and added dietary sugar sources with whole grains, proteins and fresh fruits and vegetables will do more to improve your condition than cutting your calorie count in half, and eating the same stuff. And it will probably help you lose weight, too.

Yet even if for some reason, you are not concerned about your excess weight or your body image, but you really do want to get healthier, then consider this. Researchers recently made some dramatic findings in a controlled study looking at how exercise alone, without weight loss, would affect key health risk markers for diabetes, like those elevated insulin levels.

They had subjects in groups assigned to a diet-and- exercise weight-loss program, a diet-only weight-loss program, and a third group of subjects on a daily exercise program designed to burn about 500 calories, but they also increased their dietary intake by that same amount.

Of the three groups, naturally, the diet-and-exercise group had the greatest health improvement overall, but the weight-maintenance exercise group showed significant reductions in visceral fat and insulin resistance, key risk factors for diabetes. And these factors improved for them as much as for the group on a weight-loss diet, even though they didn't lose any weight. It just shows again that there's no one right way to do it, as long as you do it.

Many overweight people reach a point where they just accept that they are going to be heavy. As an aesthetic issue, they may not like the way they look, but they come to accept that their appearance doesn't bother them enough that they are willing to make the adjustments necessary to change that.

People often regard their weight issue with inspired seriousness when they see how it's affecting their health, and many times, that's the impetus for a patient starting to exercise, adjusting the diet, and developing a real awareness about keeping disease at bay.

With simple conclusive testing possible for pre- diabetes, more people could get started on that sooner, and we could turn the tide on this debilitating, and often fatal disease.

THROUGH THICK & THIN:

Weight problems lead to health problems, and the epidemic of diabetes in America is among the most serious of these. But the conditions that lead to diabetes are easy to identify with appropriate medical testing, and easy to reverse with meaningful lifestyle changes.

Caroline J. Cederquist, M.D. is a board certified Family Physician and a board certified Bariatric Physicians (the medical specialty of weight management). She specializes in lifetime weight management at the Cederquist Medical Wellness Center, her Naples, FL private practice, you can also get more information about Dr Cederquist and her weight management plan by visiting www.DietToYourDoor.com

New Hope to Prevent Breast Cancer: What Every Woman Needs to Know

In March, 2005, a major nutritional breakthrough in the fight against breast cancer was announced by U.S. scientists. This new information is absolutely critical for every woman looking for a natural way to reduce breast cancer risk.

Researchers at Cornell University found that extracts from ordinary apples "effectively inhibited mammary cancer growth" in laboratory animals. The study concluded that "consumption of apples may be an effective strategy for cancer prevention."

The study, "Apples Prevent Mammary Tumors in Rats," was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Phytochemicals from apples- known as polyphenols- have previously shown effectiveness against colon, lung, liver and stomach cancer, among others. But this is the first published study showing that apple polyphenols may be even more effective against breast cancer tumors.

Beyond Breast Cancer Prevention?

In the recent study, treatment with apple extracts prevented new tumor formation by up to 44% in animals given the highest amount.

But the most startling finding- and by far the most significant- is this: after 6 months of treatment, the number of existing tumors was reduced by 61%.

This remarkable finding indicates that adequate doses of apple polyphenols may go beyond prevention, and actually reduce existing mammary tumors.

What Can This Mean for You?

The researchers at Cornell believe that apple polyphenols may prevent breast cancer in humans. If this were the only study available, it might be too early to recommend increased doses of apple phytochemicals.

However, there are multiple studies in different types of cancer, showing that apple polyphenols are anti-proliferative, anti-mutagenic, and highly antioxidant. Consistent results have been obtained in studies on skin cancer, lung cancer, and six other types of human cancer cells.

Now, a new study from Cornell shows that apple polyphenols are also anti-metastatic- they seem to prevent cancers from spreading. This is a crucial finding for those at risk for breast cancer, as well as survivors of the disease.

Can I Just Eat More Apples?

In nearly all the available studies, the highest benefit from apple polyphenols comes with the highest intake. The Cornell scientists said the highest benefit was seen in rats eating the "human equivalent" of six apples a day.

There is no question that phytochemicals in apples are good for you. And one way to get more of them is to substantially increase the number of apples in your diet. But there's a problem...

Aside from the difficulty and expense of eating that many apples (42 apples a week), there is another important health issue- pesticides. Apples are one of the "dirtiest" foods in the U.S. when it comes to pesticides.

A Perfect Solution?

If you or someone you love is at risk for breast cancer, you need to know the answers to these three questions:

1. How many different pesticides are lurking in your apples?

2. Does washing the fruit take care of the problem? (This one may shock you.)

3. How can you get these apple phytochemicals with zero risk of pesticides?

Get the answers by clicking the link at the top of this article now...
___________________________________________________

David L. Kern is a researcher and publisher of New Health & Longevity, a newsletter devoted to the latest advances in medical nutritional science. Get the full story on this new health discovery at http://www.applepoly.com/preventbreastcancer

Chocolate Is Good For You!

Great news on the chocolate front! Chocolate is good for you. Under certain circumstances.

Katherine Tallmadge, spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, says, in the February 9, 2005, WASHINGTON POST, that “cacao, or cocoa beans, contain ‘flavanols,’ naturally occurring plant compounds also found in tea, red wine, and apples. Their properties have been studied as heart disease inhibitors.”

Carl L. Keen, chair of the department of nutrition at University of California, Davis, states in the same article that “the flavanols in cocoa help maintain a healthy vascular system. They reduce blood clotting -- an aspirin like effect -- reduce oxidative damage and improve blood flow.”

Unfortunately the flavanols in chocolate are bitter and are mostly removed from processed chocolate. The level decreases with each step, from the bean to the cocoa powder, and ultimately to a finished product. But big manufacturers like Nestle and Mars Inc.(producers of M&Ms) are working on chocolate items that are -- what else? -- good for you. We can soon expect chocolate bars and candies that advertise their high level of flavanols. In the meantime, the only product that states its flavanol level is Mars’ Dove Dark Chocolate, which has 150 mg. in 1.3 oz., a high level. It also has 200 calories. We live in an imperfect world.

While we’re waiting for more high-flavanol products, Ms. Tallmadge recommends unsweetened cocoa powder, but not the alkalized “Dutch processed” kind, which has had its flavanols reduced. Next in desirability is semisweet or bittersweet chocolate with a high cocoa percentage. Some chocolates contain as much as 70 percent cocoa, but they can have as little as 35 percent. The percent of cocoa in milk chocolate can be even lower, and she does not recommend it. She says, “I recommend cocoa or an ounce per day of dark chocolate, which may be about 110 to 150 calories, depending on the chocolate. Any more than that and you’re probably going to take in too many calories for weight control.”

Do you have any idea of what you just read? A highly qualified nutrition professional is RECOMMENDING that you eat chocolate! Maybe not large quantities of chocolate, but chocolate. If you have suffered much in the area of chocolate, you may want to enlarge that statement and post it on your bathroom mirror, where it can cheer you on rainy mornings.

Now comes the chocolate frosting on the cake. Deanna K. reports: “The Diabetic Educator told me about CARBOLITE, a 1.1 oz. low carb chocolate bar made with Splenda, containing 0 sugar carbs, 15-18g carbohydrates, depending on flavor. On Google type in ‘Carbolite’for more information.”

Deanna continues, “The other chocolate bar that I think is acceptable is Amber Lyn Chocolates (fine imported Belgian chocolate), sugar free and carb conscious. A little higher in calories than Carbolite, the 1.2 oz bar has 15-16g carbs. For nutrition information visit www.amberlynchocolates.com.” The dark chocolate bars have 157 calories.

Flavanols are not listed, but these dark chocolates are a good bet for that HEALTHFUL piece of chocolate it is your DUTY to eat regularly. And soon, no doubt, manufacturers will begin to formulate their candies to be high in flavanols -- and say so.


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Find Janette Blackwell’s storytelling country cookbook, STEAMIN’ DOWN THE TRACKS WITH VIOLA HOCKENBERRY, at Food and Fiction, http://foodandfiction.com/Entrance.html -- or visit her Delightful Food Directory at http://delightfulfood.com/main.html

Cooking And Cholesterol

If you would like to lower your cholesterol level, you will probably need to cook your own meals more often, since many restaurants add heaps of fat and salt to their foods in order to add texture and taste at a low cost. Convenience foods, obviously, are well known for offering bad nutrition and plenty of fat, salt, and sugar.

If you want to lower your cholesterol, avoid all fast-food, convenience, and prepackaged meals.

That's not hard to do, even if you are a dummy in the kitchen. There are lots of very fast and easy ways to ensure that you can whip up tasty and cholesterol-friendly meals - no matter how harried your schedule:

• If you are busy and tired at the end of a long day, a salad and sandwich take less time to put together than it takes to phone the pizza parlor. Wrap some veggies in a tortilla, cut more veggies into a salad, and drizzle the salad with olive oil and lemon juice. Use a mashed avocado or salt-free salsa as the “dressing” on your sandwich. Soups and stir-fries are other kitchen friends of busy people who aren’t very handy in the kitchen.

• Keep fresh ingredients handy and don’t tempt yourself by keeping convenience foods and junk food in your house.

• Choose fresh ingredients - the very freshest you can. Not only is this healthier for you, but you will need less fat and salt in your cooking if your food ingredients are flavorful on their own.

• Find low-fat and cholesterol-friendly recipes in cookbooks and plan to make these recipes. There are many recipe books at your local library - and many of these feature heart-healthy and fast recipes that can make cholesterol-friendly eating a snap. Don’t overlook cookbooks that feature Chinese, Japanese, Raw food, Vegan, and Indian recipes. These are often heart-friendly and contain enough variety to keep you happy with your low-fat diet forever.

• Buy some fresh herbs. Use these to add flavor to your cooking rather than relying on salt. If you must use salt, use only a pinch of the best sea salt you are able to buy.

Cooking to lower your cholesterol is simple. There are a few basic foods that almost anyone can make that can keep your health in good shape.

About The Author:
Antoinette Boulay writes for the fitness and health site http://www.xp9.biz/

Nutrition for a healthy lifestyle

Nutrition for a healthy lifestyle can be a large step in maintaining your body’s physical performance and your mind’s well-being. Proper nutrition is often neglected in this day and age, with most people opting for fast food’s convenience and low price. However, there are plenty of foods you can eat that are simple to prepare and low in cost that can help give your body the materials it needs to be in its best working condition. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is a must. They provide the body with nutrients it cannot receive elsewhere, and often feature anti-oxidants, a type of compound which helps the body to fight off free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that attack the cell membranes in your body, resulting in serious damage. Anti oxidants can be found in such foods as wild blueberries and tomatoes. Nutrition for a healthy lifestyle can also be maintained through regular use of supplements.

There RE many once-a-day pills out there that help you reach your daily required value of the vitamins and minerals your body needs to function properly.

Nutrition for a healthy lifestyle also requires you to eat a certain amount of proteins and carbohydrates. Proteins give the body a means for creating new tissues, and for helping to repair old tissues. Without a high protein intake, your body will begin to break down.

Carbohydrates, on the other hand, play as the energy source for the body. Without enough carbohydrates, you will begin to feel sluggish and lazy. Too much, however, can also be a problem. Your best bet is to visit a nutritionist, find a diet that is right for you, and take a supplement to give your body the vitamins and minerals it needs.

Look for a supplement that contains all the vitamins you need and a level of calcium. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and a lack of it can result in osteoporosis.


Check out what we use daily at Herbal nutrition
The site dedicated to healthy nutrition.

Side Effects of Fish Oil

Fish oil is oil derived from the tissues of fatty acids. Fish oil is recommended as source of Omega 3 fatty acids. Fish oil products are becoming increasingly popular due to the many health benefits. However, there are some side effects of fish oil. If you take large doses of supplements which contain high level of vitamins (especially vitamin D) in addition to Omega 3 fatty acids, the risk is possibility of vitamin poisoning. Vitamin poisoning is a condition wcan lead to toxic symptoms. For this reason, you should take fish body oil instead of fish liver based oil.

Another side effect of fish oil is heavy metal poisoning. Many fish contain heavy metal (mercury,lead, nickel, arsenic and cadmium) and other contaminants (PCB's, furans, dioxins). If you eat fish, avoid fish species which contain toxin mercury and contaminants, including Largemouth Bass, Sturgeon, and others such as Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, and Tilefish.

Now you may ask, should I give up fish oil? All the side effects of fish oil are avoidable. If you are concern about the side effects, you should take fish oil supplements as your source of Omega 3 fatty acids. In fact, only fish oil contains the form of DHA that can be used by your body. In addition, fish oil helps to protect you against wide spectrum of diseases and promote overall health. Specifically, fish oil is beneficial to:

Cardiovascular health
Skin health and skin disorder, like eczema, psoriasis and rosacea
Visual function
Brain function
Neurological health
Immune system
Diabetes
Gout and arthritis

So, how to avoid the side effects of fish oil? The best source of Omega 3 fatty acids is fish oil supplements. These tips would help you to choose pure and quality fish oil supplements, to ensure you are safe from the above mentioned side effects:

1.Choose supplements that are manufacture under strict GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) compliance.
2.Choose the supplements that contain high potency of DHA.
3.The fish oil should be in ester form. Ester's fish oil has good bioavailability that allow your body to absorb the essential nutrients.
4.The fish oil should be free from contaminants.
5.Choose the supplements that are processed with molecular distillation. This technology enables manufacturers to filter out contaminants and pollutants from the products.

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(c)http://www.health-supplements101.com - All Rights Reserved
Yi Lai is editor of Health Supplements Information: How to choose the most potent supplements for your health. Contact her at http://www.health-supplements101.com/archive.htm

Foods Rich of antioxidants

Antioxidants are abundant in fruits and vegetables, as well as in other foods including nuts, grains and some meats, poultry and fish. The list below describes food sources of common antioxidants.

• Beta-carotene is found in many foods that are orange in color, including sweet potatoes, carrots, cantaloupe, squash, apricots, pumpkin, and mangos. Some green leafy vegetables including collard greens, spinach, and kale are also rich in beta-carotene.

• Lutein, best known for its association with healthy eyes, is abundant in green, leafy vegetables such as collard greens, spinach, and kale.

• Lycopene is a potent antioxidant found in tomatoes, watermelon, guava, papaya, apricots, pink grapefruit, blood oranges, and other foods. Estimates suggest 85 percent of American dietary intake of lycopene comes from tomatoes and tomato products.

• Selenium is a mineral, not an antioxidant nutrient. However, it is a component of antioxidant enzymes. Plant foods like rice and wheat are the major dietary sources of selenium in most countries. The amount of selenium in soil, which varies by region, determines the amount of selenium in the foods grown in that soil. Animals that eat grains or plants grown in selenium-rich soil have higher levels of selenium in their muscle. In the United States, meats and bread are common sources of dietary selenium. Brazil nuts also contain large quantities of selenium.

• Vitamin A is found in three main forms: retinol (Vitamin A1), 3,4-didehydroretinol (Vitamin A2), and 3-hydroxy-retinol (Vitamin A3). Foods rich in vitamin A include liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, milk, egg yolks and mozzarella cheese.

• Vitamin C is also called ascorbic acid, and can be found in high abundance in many fruits and vegetables and is also found in cereals, beef, poultry and fish.

• Vitamin E, also known as alpha-tocopherol, is found in almonds, in many oils including wheat germ, safflower, corn and soybean oils, and also found in mangos, nuts, broccoli and other foods.

Lower Cholesterol Quick Steps

High cholesterol level in the body will put you at serious risk for disease such as heart and stroke. According to this fact, if you have a high levels of cholesterol on your blood you need to reduce it.

Paul DiLauro,MS gives several steps how to reduce cholesterol on his article published on GoArticle. Here is the summary of his 6 QUICK STEPS TO REDUCING CHOLESTEROL articles:

1. Reduce the amount of cholesterol in your diet
The first thing do is familiarize yourself with foods high in cholesterol. Cholesterol is found in animal products only, such as egg yolk, meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products. Below is a list of commonly eaten sources of cholesterol.

FoodCholesterol (mg)
Whole egg213
Chicken, white meat (1oz) 25
Cheese :american,blue,brie,cheddar,colby
monterey,parmesean,swiss (1oz) 30
Ground beef, extra lean (1oz) 30
Turkey, light meat (1oz) 25
Pork, center loin (1oz) 30
Shrimp (1oz) 55
Most other fish (1oz) 15 – 25


The American Heart Association recommends a three-step approach to lowering cholesterol.

Cholesterol – Step One – less than 300 mg/day
Step Two – between 200 – 250 mg/day
Step Three – less than 150 mg/day ***

To realize the most dramatic reduction, step three is recommended.

2. Reduce saturated fat intake
Saturated fat should be around 5 - 7% of caloric intake. On a 1200 kcal/day diet you would be allowed 5-9 grams of saturated fat / day. The reduction of saturated fat in the diet has been one of the most successful strategies for lowering cholesterol. Saturated fats are most abundant in animal products, but can be found in large amounts in certain plant oils, such as palm & coconut oils.

Don’t be fooled by products claiming to be “cholesterol free”, they may contain coconut or palm oil, which are still high in saturated fats.

Foods high in saturated fat are as follows and should be consumed sparingly:
Animal sources
ButterCheeseWhole Milk
CreamIce CreamFat in BEEF, PORK & LAMB

Plant sources
Cocoa ButterCoconutCoconut Oil
Palm OilPalm Kernel Oil

3. Reduce sodium intake
Americans average from 4,000 to 5,800 per day. The American Heart Association recommends 2000 milligrams of sodium or less per day. To put this into perspective for you, one teaspoon of salt has 2,196 mg of sodium. Therefore practices such as salting your food contribute to about 18 percent of the average American diet. The other major source of sodium (67 percent) is in processed foods.

You were not born with the taste for salt – you acquired it. It will take about a month of eating less salt and high sodium foods to reduce your desire for it.

4. Increase fiber intake
Eating fiber can help lower cholesterol levels. Fiber binds to lipids such as cholesterol and carries them out of the body, therefore lowering blood concentrations and possibly the risk of artery and heart disease. Oat bran, oatmeal, rice bran, beans, and fiber from fruits, vegetables, seeds and legumes are the most beneficial. You should eat between 30-40 grams of fiber per day.

5. Exercise
Aerobic exercise can increase high-density lipoprotein HDL (good cholesterol) and decrease triglycerides (circulating fat in bloodstream). There is a dose related response between the amount of calories expended an increase in HDL. The threshold value to effect HDL levels is a weekly caloric expenditure is between 1000-1200 calories. Where expending between 2000-3500 calories / week has an optimal effect.

How much aerobic exercise is that? Put in terms of just walking, that means 10 – 12 miles / week to attain the threshold level or 20 miles to reach optimal value of exercise. If you are exercising 5 days / week, this means 2 miles per workout. This may seem like a lot, however if one were to walk at 3.5 miles / hr, 2 miles could be completed in approximately 34 minutes. Plus, walking is not the only form of aerobic activity one can perform to achieve a benefit. Activities such as cycling, swimming, elliptical training and stair climbing are also appropriate. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends this activity take place at 50-80% of VO2 max. Exercising at this intensity will burn approximately 250-300 calories / half hour.

Additionally, studies have shown whether aerobic exercise is done in a single bout or broken up benefits are similar. In other words, it does not matter is you do three 10 minutes bouts or one 30 minute bout of aerobic exercise.

Be careful; remember these are general recommendations for apparently healthy individuals. Before starting any sort of exercise program on should always consult their physician and be under the supervision and guidance of a qualified exercise professional.

6. Weight Loss
Numerous studies show weight loss combined with exercise is key to reducing total cholesterol and improving overall blood lipid profile. The formula for weight loss is simple, however a small percentage of dieters are successful at losing the weight and keeping it off. That is why losing weight needs to be approached as a lifestyle change, not a diet. Dieting does not work. Consume fewer calories than the body needs and weight loss will occur. If lowering cholesterol is your goal, a caloric deficit can be achieved be reducing sources of cholesterol and saturated fat, while increasing the fiber in diet.

Follow the 6 steps above and you can reduce your cholesterol level significantly. However, I have to emphsize here that High cholesterol can be avoided! And visit your physician on a regular basis to keep a keen eye on your levels.

Lower Cholesterol with Vitamin C

Can Vitamin C lower cholesterol? A relationship has been shown experimentally between high levels of Vitamin C and low levels of cholesterol. An article appearing in the National Library of Medicine shows that Vitamin C provides the same mechanism for inhibiting the production of cholesterol as do cholesterol lowering statin drugs.

The American Heart Association also reported that Vitamin C lowered LDL cholesterol in children who were predisposed to high cholesterol.

The facts about Vitamin C also show that Vitamin C lowers cholesterol without the dangerous side effects of these statin drugs. Statin drugs have been shown to inhibit the production of another essential nutrient called Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Decreased levels of CoQ10 result in significant muscle myopathy (wasting away). And since the heart is a muscle, statin drugs have been linked to Congestive Heart Failure (CHF).

Factors that Affects Cholesterol Level

Your blood cholesterol level is affected by these following important factors:

Heredity. Your genes influence how high your LDL-cholesterol is by affecting how fast LDL is made and removed from the blood. One specific form of inherited high cholesterol that affects 1 in 500 people is familial hypercholesterolemia, which often leads to early heart disease. But even if you do not have a specific genetic form of high cholesterol, genes play a role in influencing your LDL-cholesterol level.

What you eat. Two main nutrients in the foods you eat make your LDL-cholesterol level go up: saturated fat, a type of fat found mostly in foods that come from animals; and cholesterol, which comes only from animal products. Saturated fat raises your LDL-cholesterol level more than anything else in the diet. Eating too much saturated fat and cholesterol is the main reason for high levels of cholesterol and a high rate of heart attacks in the United States. Reducing the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol you eat is a very important step in reducing your blood cholesterol levels.

Weight. Excess weight tends to increase your LDL-cholesterol level. If you are overweight and have a high LDL-cholesterol level, losing weight may help you lower it. Weight loss also helps to lower triglycerides and raise HDL.

Physical activity/exercise. Regular physical activity may lower LDL-cholesterol and raise HDL-cholesterol levels.

Age and sex. Before menopause, women usually have total cholesterol levels that are lower than those of men the same age. As women and men get older, their blood cholesterol levels rise until about 60 to 65 years of age. In women, menopause often causes an increase in their LDL-cholesterol and a decrease in their HDL- cholesterol level, and after the age of 50, women often have higher total cholesterol levels than men of the same age.

Alcohol. Alcohol intake increases HDL-cholesterol but does not lower LDL-cholesterol. Doctors don't know for certain whether alcohol also reduces the risk of heart disease. Drinking too much alcohol can damage the liver and heart muscle, lead to high blood pressure, and raise triglycerides. Because of the risks, alcoholic beverages should not be used as a way to prevent heart disease.

Stress. Stress over the long term has been shown in several studies to raise blood cholesterol levels. One way that stress may do this is by affecting your habits. For example, when some people are under stress, they console themselves by eating fatty foods. The saturated fat and cholesterol in these foods contribute to higher levels of blood cholesterol.