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Modern high pressure lifestyles often result in stress with its concomitant health problems like cardiovascular diseases associated with high blood cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is a lipid, or fat, needed for building cell membranes. It comes either from diet or is otherwise manufactured by the body (endogenous cholesterol). The lipid is combined with certain proteins by the liver to make lipoproteins which carry the lipid through the bloodstream, to the cells. There are two types of lipoproteins. One is low density lipoprotein (LDL) and the other is high density lipoprotein (HDL). While cholesterol is essential for the cells and for making certain hormones, too high a concentration in the blood is a major risk for coronary heart disease.

Cholesterol in the blood comes preponderantly from LDL while a small portion is from HDL. The risk of coronary disease from cholesterol comes chiefly from the so called “bad” LDL cholesterol. If the level of LDL is too high, deposition of fat (lipid), as plaque, occurs on the artery walls, narrowing them. This often leads to high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes. Hence a low level of LDL is desirable. The HDL cholesterol is thought to scour the artery walls of deposited plaque, and is therefore called “good”. Hence the higher the level of HDL, the better it is.

To stay healthy, the aim should be to reduce the LDL cholesterol level; increase the HDL level; and maintain the total cholesterol level within normal limits i.e. desirable levels which correspond to lower risk of heart diseases. As per the American Heart Association (AHA), less than 200 mg/dL (milligram per deciliter) i.e. < 200 mg/dL, corresponding to < 5.2 mmol/Lt (millimole per liter) of total cholesterol is the desirable (low heart disease risk) level; 200 to 239 mg/dL (5.2-6.2 mmol/Lt) is a borderline high risk level; and greater than 240 mg/dL (> 6.2 mmol/Lt) is the high risk category. Considering that LDL and HDL cholesterols are determined separately, the desired upper limit for the ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol is considered to be 100mg/dL (2.6 mmol/Lt). In the case of the ‘good’ HDL, >60 mg/dL is considered the best.

There are a number of medicines available to reduce cholesterol levels, including the ’statin’ group of drugs. However, the first option, before use of drugs, should be the non-prescription route of diet, physical exercise and weight loss - a tried and tested method when other reasons for high cholesterol level, like previous history of artery disease, do not exist.

Source: articledashboard.com
diet to lower cholesterol

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Healthy eating and exercise are key to living a healthy lifestyle. By having a healthy diet you may reduce your risk of many chronic diseases such as heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes and certain cancers. Eating Healthy also can increase your energy levels, strengthen your immune system and help you to maintain a healthy weight. You can also increase your chances of living longer. A healthy diet should be based on a combination of complex carbohydrates, fiber, lean protein, and include at least five portions of fruits and vegetables a day.

Tips To Healthy Eating:
* Eat a balanced diet * Eat lots of fruits and vegetables daily * Eat more lean protein-fish is a great choice * Cut down on salt and sodium intake * Maintain a healthy weight * drink lots of water * Cut back on saturated fat and sugar-try not to eat cake, cookies, brownies, candies… all the time-moderation is key * Eat five small meals a day instead of three big meals-this will keep you from getting too hungry and over eating, it also increases your metabolism * Women should only consume one alcoholic drink a day and men should consume no more than two a day * NEVER skip breakfast-eating breakfast has so many benefits such as o Improves your overall ability to control weight o Improves your concentration-it has a huge impact on metal performance o Increases energy for the entire day o Helps improve the body’s metabolism-you burn more calories during the day o Breakfast eaters are healthier and slimmer o Can help reduce stress

You need to make sure you are always at a healthy weight! A good way to see if you are at a healthy weight is by calculating your Body mass index (BMI). BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both men and women. If your BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, you are healthy. If your BMI is over 25 than you are overweight and if it is under 18.5, you are underweight. You can find your BMI by dividing your weight by your height squared.

Your body uses food as energy. Your body stores excess energy as fat. If you consume more food than your body needs daily, you will gain weight.

The equation for weight loss is simple: Burn More Calories Than You Take In, and You Will Lose Weight! It is really not so simple to accomplish, is it? It is very simple in theory but it is very hard to actually do. If you are not at a healthy weight you must take action to get to a healthy weight.

I recommend researching until you find a diet that is best for you. Find a diet that you can stick to. There are so many diets you can choose from such as The Best Life Diet, South Beach Diet, Zone Diet, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Mediterranean Diet, Atkins, Body for Life, Detox Diet, Raw Food Diet, Just to name a few.

One of the hardest parts about dieting and losing weight is keeping the weight off once you’ve lost it. If you want a diet that will help you learn to change your bad eating habits and keep your weight off forever, I highly recommend The Best Life Diet by Bob Greene.

The Best Life Diet by Bob Greene is not one of those conventional plans where you are either “on” or “off” a diet. It’s a way of living - of eating, of exercising, of viewing your life - that puts you at your healthiest. One of the primary goals of The Best Life Diet Program is to lose weight but it also has another very important purpose and that is to keep the weight off and develop life changing healthy eating habits. Bob Greene helped Oprah achieve her dramatic weight loss, and he can help you too.

Tips For Sticking to a Diet:
* Set a realistic goal-if you set a goal that is unrealistic and you fail to meet that goal than you will become discouraged * Do not be too hard on yourself * Stop buying junk food-do not bring junk food in your house and you will not be tempted to eat it * Eat five small meals a day-this will keep you from getting hungry and over eating * Find an exercise program that you enjoy and stick to it * Have portion control and eat reasonable portions-restaurants DO NOT have sensible portions, only eat half of your meal when you are eating out * Reward yourself-when you reach a goal get a manicure, pedicure, facial or buy a new outfit * Drink plenty of water throughout the day * Do Not Give Up - Remember that losing weight is a long-term goal and life changing and it will be very difficult at times but it will be well worth the struggle

Author: bwats
Source: articledashboard.com
atkins diet plan

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Is your ever increasing belly fat bothering you? Does the protruding belly often leave you ashamed and embarrassed?

Colon cleanse could be your savior. Read on to know how to lose that flab with colon cleanse supplements:

1. Choose A Natural Supplement

A natural colon cleanse supplement is the best way to get rid of your belly fat. While laxatives and enema kits remove the sludge off the body, they act selectively and often leave the fat deposits unaffected. Natural supplements ensure that the body gets rid of every unwanted particle within and that too without harming the system in any way.

2. Eat Right

Colon cleansing yields super quick results but to retain the effects, one needs to eat right. For instance, during the period of the therapy, it is advised that an all fruits and raw (or boiled) vegetables diet be consumed. Juice fasting is also a good alternative. And post treatment, one must try cutting down on junk food items, aerated, caffeinated drinks and other stuffs that unnecessarily pressurize the colon. Lots of water intake too helps in sludge removal and acquiring of a flat tummy.

3. Exercise Well

There is no alternative to exercising in a weight loss regime. Though the colon cleanse effects save you from the trouble of rigorous workouts, moderate exercising in the form of brisk walks and simple workouts must be incorporated in your daily routine.

4. Combine It With Acai Berry

Acai berry is another great way to naturally lose pounds of fat in amazingly little time. This health food perfectly compliments a colon cleanse therapy and increases its effects manifold. So, try a combination of the two to wipe off those “weighty” woes for ever.

Loosing belly fat is so simple and easy today that one need not bear those embarrassments about being out of shape. This therapy is so convenient; you can accomplish it within the confines of your home and get super quick results too. I used a colon cleanse and an acai berry supplement to loose 7 inches from my waist line. Getting a flat stomach really was never so easy!

Author: Janet Elizabeth Pierce
Source: ezinearticles.com

dual action cleanse

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