Practical Health Information

The Place To Come For All Health And Fitness Topics

Monday, June 30, 2008

10 Ways to Lower Your Cholesterol

In order to understand why it is important to lower
cholesterol, it is necessary to first understand what
cholesterol is. Cholesterol is a fatlike waxy substance and
is produced by the liver. Although cholesterol has purposes
and is important to overall health and body function, too
much cholesterol in the body has damaging effects.

Cholesterol can be managed for life with success! It is
recommended that you visit your physician on a regular
basis to keep a keen eye on your levels. Talk with your
doctor before changing your diet. If you have other health
problems this is necessary before changing diet.

1. Regular exercise will effectively lower cholesterol and
will maintain your body strength to function best. Just 20
minutes of aerobic exercise, including walking, each day
will lower cholesterol.
2. Buy cooking oils that are unsaturated. Use low fat
cooking sprays to replace heavy oils whenever possible.
3. Limit your sodium intake to 2400 milligrams a day. Sea
salt is a better option, but reducing your intake of all
salts is the better choice.
4. Enjoy foods high in soluble fiber. These foods include:
* Oats, rye, and barley
* Fruits (especially try oranges and pears)
* Vegetables (especially brussel sprouts and carrots)
* Dried peas and beans
5. Choose chicken and turkey that has the skin removed. You
can keep the skin on to seal in the juices so long as you
remove the skin before eating.
6. Increasing your intake of fresh (not canned, not
poached, not sweetened or boiled) fruits and vegetables
significantly should be your first goal.
7. If you are very 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.
8. Watch out for bottled and canned drinks and especially
for sports beverages - many are very high in sodium,
calories, and sugars.
9. Read labels. Many foods that claim to be
"low-cholesterol" are full of saturated fats that are
terrible for your cholesterol level. Many foods that claim
to be "low fat" still have plenty of fat or have small
portion sizes.
10. Make heart-healthy food more convenient. If you can
make low-fat alternatives easier to reach for than fast
food, you are more likely to reach for meals and foods that
are good for you as well as schedule-friendly. Luckily,
fruits, vegetables, and other low-fat foods are among the
most convenient foods out there.

Research is providing good evidence that there several
effective natural herbs and supplements to help lower LDL
and raise HDL or "good" cholesterol. This research has been
done in lab settings. If you visit a naturopath or health
care practitioner who specializes in alternative medicines,
you may be advised to try some of these treatments.

If you are worried about the side effects of pharmaceutical
cholesterol-lowering drugs or testaments, you may wish to
speak with your doctor about drug-free ways to lower
cholesterol or you may wish to ask for a recommendation for
a natural health practitioner. Considering alternative
remedies gives those dealing with higher levels of
cholesterol new options. It is especially good for those
who do not react well to traditional pharmaceutical
cholesterol-lowering medications.


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Janice Lockeby has published many articles about health
issues. They have been about cancer, diabetes and high
cholesterol. To find out many more easy ways to lower high
cholesterol visit her at http://www.easylowercholestrol.com

Monday, June 23, 2008

How To Eat For Your Healthy Heart

Bad cholesterol or a bad diet is something we all
experience at some point in time. It's impossible to eat
healthy our whole lives, even though we may try hard to do
it. Eating healthy for your heart is something everyone
should try to do, especially when it comes to restoring
health and reducing heart attacks.

Your heart and food. We know these things for sure - a diet
high in saturated fats will help raise your cholesterol,
which is a risk factor for heart disease. People that are
obese are more prone to heart disease. A diet high in
sodium may elevate your blood pressure, leading to
inflammation and even heart disease.

To help prevent heart disease and improve your health, put
the tips below to good use.

Eat plenty of fish. Herring, sardines, and salmon are all
excellent sources of Omega 3 essential fatty acids. Other
fish are great to, although Omega 3 may help to get your
cholesterol down to a healthier level.

Choosing healthy fats and oil. Saturated fat will increase
the risk of heart disease. It's found in meat, butter, and
even coconut oil. You should avoid them until your
cholesterol levels are down and you are at a healthy
weight. Even those that love red meats can enjoy seafood
and nuts for their main sources of protein.

Monounsaturated fats such as olive oils will help you to
protect your heart. Olive oil is an ideal choice for
cooking, dressing, or even as a dipping sauce.

Plenty of fiber. Fiber can help you control your
cholesterol. You can find fiber in whole grain products to
help control sugar absorption as well, which will help you
keep your digestive system healthy.

Choosing carbohydrates. Eating for your heart involves
staying away from sugary foods such as candy, cookies,
cakes, and pastries. Eating a lot of sugar isn't good for
your heart disease at all. Healthy carbohydrates involve
whole grain breads, whole grain pasta, brown rice, and a
lot of vegetables. You should make fruits and vegetables
the main aspect of your diet.

Healthy cooking methods. Stir frying and sautéing with
olive oil or canola oil are both great methods, as you
shouldn't dip your food in batter and fry it anymore. If
you cook chicken, remove the skin and bake it in the oven
in foil.

Instead of frying your fish you should always bake it.
Steaming your vegetables can help maintain the most
nutrients. You should use cream sauces or lots of butter
anymore either. When you eat vegetables, try squeezing
lemon juice on them or using your favorite seasonings.

As you make the proper changes to your diet, keep in mind
that it takes time for them to become habits. Eating
healthy is always great for your body and your lifestyle,
especially when it comes to your heart and the prevention
of heart disease.


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Stewart Levison is an Anti-Aging practitioner and expert
who constantly provide valuable anti-Aging guidelines and
resources. Learn how to make your life healthier, younger,
and energetic. To receive your Free resources visit:
http://www.Anti-AgingSecrets.com

Monday, June 16, 2008

Hoodia: All Natural Weight Loss

Most everyone you have ever met has had a problem with
their weight. Either wanting to gain weight or trying
desperately to lose weight, it is a constant on most
peoples minds. The one that usually gets to most people is
trying to lose weight. People try a bunch of different ways
to lose weight and fail. They didn't really have to help
they needed to keep at it and eventually revert back to
their old habits.

Now you can get the help you need with a weight loss
wonder. The weight loss wonder is called Hoodia. Hoodia
comes from a cactus called Hoodia Gordonii, and is of the
"succulent" cactus family. Hoodia Gordonii has grown for
thousands of years in the South African Kalahari Desert
region. Natives there have used it for an appetite
suppressant when they went on long hunting trips and have
been doing so for thousands of years. Hoodia Gordonii is
being mass produced on Hoodia farms for drug companies
trying to keep up with the enormous demand that has
followed the world wide discovery of this natural wonder.

Studies have shown that Hoodia helps reduce calorie intake
by nearly 1000 calories per day. Hoodia works by
reproducing the effect food has on your brain. When you
eat, glucose in your body rises, and it tells the
hypothalamus that you are in fact full. The hypothalamus is
the part in your brain that control hunger and a feeling a
fullness. What Hoodia does is trick the hypothalamus in to
believing you are full and in turn controls your hunger
making you not want to snack on various junk foods when you
are bored.

What is great about Hoodia is that it is a 100% natural
supplement. There are currently no known side effects to
taking Hoodia to lose weight. Hoodia is a safe weight loss
drug. Many other diet pills include ingredients that can
cause serious health risks. Hoodia doesn't include the
very controversial Ephedra, which can increase the risk of
heart attack, stroke, and even death to the people who
become desperate enough to use it. Hoodia will help you
increase energy and bring only positive effects to your
body.

Taking Hoodia when on a diet will greatly improve your
chances when trying to lose the weight that you want to
lose. Using it in accordance with a healthy diet and
regular exercise will improve the results you receive by
this perfect supplement.


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This article was written for our friends at Low Fat Body -
http://www.lowfatbody.com to let people know that there
still is hope in losing weight! Article written and
distributed by Steve Cancel, IT Manager of Secure Link -
http://www.slwebsolutions.com .

Monday, June 09, 2008

Why Are My Eyelashes Falling Out?

Common Causes of Eyelash Loss

Trichotillomania

A psychiatric condition in which the sufferer pulls or rubs
the lashes causing them to fall out. More evident at times
of stress.

Alopecia Areata (AA)

An autoimmune disease characterized by areas of hair loss
involving any hair bearing part of the body. AA confined
solely to the eye lashes is extremely rare.

Blepharitis

A chronic disease with no known cure but can be kept under
control with regular long term treatment. Symptoms include
any combination of redness, excessive watering, burning,
itching, light sensitivity and a gritty irritation.

These symptoms can cause the sufferer to excessively rub
the eyelids resulting in damage to the eyelash follicles
and consequent lash loss.

Some forms of treatment particularly those that are
recommended to remove the occurrence of crusting of the
eyelids in severe cases can also damage the lashes unless
carried out with extreme care.

Contact Allergic Dermatitis

A condition caused by an allergic reaction to a substance
most likely of which is one or more of the products used in
eye make up.

This condition should not be confused with blepharitis as
it easy to remove the cause of the discomfort.

Eyelash Loss Treatment and Prognosis

Trichtillomania

Psychiatric help should be sought as soon as possible. The
eyelash follicles will recover and growth should become
evident unless the pulling of the lashes is continued over
a long period of time.

There may be some thinning. The sooner the problem is
recognized and treatment is started the less damage is
likely to occur.

Alopecia Areata (AA)

Seek the advice of a dermatologist as soon as any areas of
hair loss on the body are observed

If the diagnosis is AA then the condition is treatable
possibly with systematic steroids.

If the eyelashes have become affected then regrowth can
usually be expected within three months.

Blepharitis

The bacteria causing this common eye problem can be hard to
treat.

There are three different forms of this condition so it is
important that your medical advisor investigates which type
you are suffering from in order to prescribe the best
possible treatment to control the problem and alleviate the
symptoms.

Contact Allergic Dermatitis

Although it is possible for the sufferer to discover the
source of the allergy by trial and error it is better by
far to seek the advice of a qualified dermatologist as soon
as the problem becomes evident.

Changing your make up may simply prolong the discomfort as
the same ingredient which is causing the allergic reaction
may be present in other make up products.

The longer the condition persists the more damage you may
be doing to the follicles, which may result in noticeable
thinning of the lashes.


----------------------------------------------------
Jaks Lloyd is the author of this article which appears in
her definitive website For your Eyes Only/ Model Tips and
Tricks for Beautiful Eyes
http://eyebeautytips.com

Monday, June 02, 2008

The Effects of Stress on the Body

Stress is something every individual has most likely faced
at some point in their lifetime. This condition can cause
an individual to suffer from physical, mental and emotional
ailments simply as a result of being stressed. There are
various effects of stress on the body which some
individuals may experience as a result thereof.

Physical Symptoms

Individuals who experience stress may experience some
physical symptoms due to their stressed out condition.
Symptoms such as stomach aches, headaches, chest pain and
problems sleeping are all physical symptoms which can be
attributed to stress. Since one can experience symptoms of
this type when they feel stressed, it is important to learn
to avoid stress whenever possible.

Mental and Emotional Symptoms

One may also find that they experience symptoms related to
their mental or emotional well-being. Those who experience
stress may find themselves worried, sad or angry as a
result of the stressful situation. In addition, one who is
stressed may find themselves getting tearful or moody from
time to time and unable to control it. These types of
symptoms may also lead to physical symptoms as well.

Detrimental Effects of Stress

When one experiences stress, that feeling can have various
detrimental effects on the individual and the individual's
body. Those who experience stress on a frequent basis may
find themselves turning to substances as they feel it will
help to conquer the stress. This can have detrimental
effects on the individual and their body.

In addition, those who experience stress may suffer from
sleep difficulties which make them tired during their work
hours and daily routines. This tiredness can have a
detrimental effect as it may lead to work-related incidents
and other accidents. Stress tends to be a facilitator of
various things which makes it detrimental to some
individuals.

How to Prevent Stress

There are a few tips on how best to prevent stress from
ruling one's life. The first way to do so is to try and
not procrastinate when it comes to engaging in various
tasks and duties. Those who wait to finish certain details
and duties may find themselves stressed and rushing to
complete the task. Therefore, if one wishes to take one
step towards combating stress, getting things done ahead of
time might just do the trick.

Another way to prevent stress is to engage in relaxing
activities in one's free time. One can read books, go for
walks, exercise or watch a movie, to name just a few
stress-relieving activities. So long as the activity is
relaxing and provides an individual with a healthy outlet
for stress, engaging in the activity might just do the
trick of relieving stress as well as preventing it from
occurring in the first place.


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Alex Wilson is currently one of the article writers and
editors for http://www.help-with-sleep-problems.com where
you will find lots of useful sleep related information,
reports, articles and tips.