Saturday, October 8, 2011

Only Good Cholesterol Diets Lower Cholesterol

The idea is to stop eating those foods that increase cholesterol and only eat those foods that dismantle, mop up and expel bad cholesterol from the body. Only good cholesterol diets lower cholesterol.
Foods that are rich in saturated fats, trans-fats, sugars, salt and white flour are the foods that increase these cholesterol deposits in the bloodstream. These deposits then attach themselves to the walls of the blood vessels causing dangerous blockages to occur.
Foods that are rich in fiber such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, cereals, ground provision, peas and beans - these foods have the ability to neutralize the effect of bad cholesterol by absorbing or mopping up these fats and trans-fats, build strength in the walls of the blood vessels to protect from further erosion.
Low cholesterol foods also have low calorific value and also aid in any weight loss program. They are rich in vitamins and minerals which are vital for the proper functioning of the body. These foods also reduce the risk of cancer, high blood pressure and because of its anti-arteriosclerotic activity they reduce the risk of heart disease.
There is a great debate going as to whether lean meat is a source of good cholesterol. Some people say that such meats as chicken, turkey, fish, lean red meat, are sources of low cholesterol and they contain much essential minerals, proteins, vitamins and micronutrients that are good for efficient metabolism. The problem with meat today is that it is filled with hormones and in the case of fish, mercury toxins. Meat is not low in calorific value and over time makes one obese. The obesity problem in America is mainly due to the consumption of meat.
Here then is a sample of a diet for low cholesterol which you can use for breakfast lunch and dinner:-
Breakfast - Soy milk, oat bran cereal with fruit and almonds, oat meal bread, olive oil.
Lunch - Soy cold cuts, oat bran bread, bean soup and fruit
Dinner - Stir-fry vegetables, fruit, nuts.
This type of diet will ensure low cholesterol if followed over time. Also of great importance is the consumption of large quantities of pure water and a daily exercise program.
The following are some more general guidelines that will serve one in good stead:-
  1. As a general rule you should eat more foods that increase the level of good cholesterol such as garlic, fruits and vegetables, whole grain foods and fibrous foods,
  2. If you are a fish eater, eat those fatty fishes because of their omega-3 fatty acid content. These are mackerel, salmon, herring and tuna fish.
  3. Your good cholesterol foods must be rich in antioxidants and nutrients - vitamin C, beta carotene (vitamin A), vitamin E and selenium. All fresh fruit, dried fruit and vegetables will supply these.
  4. Consume 2-3 liters of pure water daily. This will flush out toxins and remove bad cholesterol.
  5. Consumption of saturated fats in the form of animal fats should be avoided. These contain lots of bad cholesterol. If this is to be consumed, it should be with fibers and water,
  6. Increase your intake of unsaturated fats such as olive oil, almonds, nuts and unrefined vegetable oils. These prevent cardiovascular diseases and some kinds of cancers,
  7. Decrease or eliminate the use of foods that decrease the level of good cholesterol such as margarines, butter and sunflower oil. Replace with white vinegar, olive oil and canola oil,
  8. If you are to consume alcohol, limit it to two glasses of wine or beer a day. These are particularly rich in antioxidants and help in the production of good cholesterol.
All this advice should confirmed with your health professional before embarking on same.

Rheumatic Heart Disease Alert

Definition of Rheumatic Heart Disease (RO)
Rheumatic heart disease is a disease where it can damage the heart valves, such as leaks or strictures, particularly mitral valve (mitral stenosis) caused by rheumatic fever. This disease is very dangerous because it caused the valves of the heart valve in the course of the disease process that begins with a throat injury.
Rheumatic fever is a systemic disease itself, which can cause acute, subacute, chronic or fulminant, leading to infection of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci in the upper respiratory tract. Rheumatic fever is characterized by prolonged fever, palpitations, sometimes tired. In general, attacks of this disease at the age of 5-15 years, the disease is rarely seen in children under the age of 4 years and over 50 years.
Symptoms of Rheumatic Heart Disease (RO)
In general, shortness of breath experienced patients are caused by heart problems already in motion, pain in joints, reddish spots on the skin, the hand movements, irregular and uncontrollable. In addition, a sign that accompanies neyi also on the abdomen, weight loss, rapid fatigue and fever.
Diagnosis of Rheumatic Heart Disease (RO)
Besides the presence of signs and symptoms that appear directly on the physical, the doctor will usually perform some lab tests that indicate, for example, routine blood tests, Asto, CRP and throat culture. The most accurate survey is echocardiography do to see the status of valves and heart muscle
Treatment of Rheumatic Heart Disease (RO)
If the diagnosis is established by rheumatic heart disease and persistent infection with streptococcus bacteria, but the main thing is that comes from the team doctor gave antibiotics and anti-inflammatory. For example, the provision of oral antibiotics penicillin and benzathine penicillin G. In patients who are allergic to other medicines, there is another alternative, erythromycin or cephalosporin group. While anti-inflammatories are usually cortisone and aspirin. Patients are encouraged to think rest is in a hospital bed, next to the medical team on how to deal with the likelihood of complications such as heart failure, bacterial endocarditis or thromboembolism Trombo.
Rheumatic heart patients (PJR) without symptoms require no treatment. Patients with mild symptoms of heart failure, medical treatment to address his complaint. Symptomatic patients who require invasive treatment or intervention surgical. But surgical and intervention therapy is still limited and the cost is relatively expensive and require long-term follow-up.
Prevention of Rheumatic Heart Disease (RO)
When we see above that Cor is lung might occur in the presence of a triggering event, rheumatic fever (CD), of course, the best prevention, as we do not get rheumatic fever (CD) (Streptococcusbeta hemolytic infections is).
Can see that there are several factors that support a person develops the germ, including environmental factors such as poor living conditions, crowded living conditions and poor access to medical care is a major determinant of the distribution of this disease. Weather variations occur have a significant role in the pathogenesis of strep DR.
A person who is infected with streptococcus bacteria and rheumatic fever should be given with antibiotics. This is to prevent possible attacks a second time or even lead to rheumatic heart disease.

A Holistic Approach to Depression and Anxiety

If you have depression and/or anxiety, in addition to conventional medical treatment, consider major changes to your diet and vitamin, trace mineral and herbal supplements. You may have vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Avoid processed, packaged and junk foods. Processed, packaged and junk foods are filled with sugar (primarily high fructose corn syrup), chemicals and toxins. They do not have much fiber or nutrients in them. Avoid soda and artificial fruit drinks. Soda and artificial fruit drinks contain a lot of sugar and toxins that can damage the brain. Also, artificial sweeteners in processed foods and drinks contain chemical sweeteners that are toxic to the brain.
We are bombarding our brains with toxins in our food. At the same time, we are starving our brains of nutrients (vitamins and minerals) because of the food we eat and the beverages we drink. Our energy is being drained by these foods and drinks.
For healthy brains, we need a lot of nutrients (vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants). We need to hydrate ourselves with pure, filtered water (not soda and artificial fruit drinks). This is achieved through a high nutrient diet and through large doses of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. A high nutrient diet primarily consists of fresh, non-starchy vegetables, some starchy vegetables and some fruit, berries, nuts and seeds) and some whole grains. Fresh vegetables, fruit, berries, nuts and seeds and whole grains have the fiber our bodies need as well. Some protein is fine, but should be limited. At least 80% of your diet should consist of vegetables, fruit, berries, nuts and seeds. You can get protein from beans, legumes, eggs, fish and lean meat. But, limit your intake of protein and red meat. For starch, eat whole grains, whole potatoes and whole yams along with whole grain pasta, because they contain nutrients.
Fresh, whole, organic vegetables are best because they contain the maximum amount of nutrients in them. They contain the minimum amount of toxins in them. But, fresh non-organic whole vegetables and whole (non-processed) frozen vegetables are better than processed, packaged and junk foods. Avoid genetically modified foods.
Substantially reduce refined sugar and starch in your diet (such as white bread, white rice, white pasta and chips). Substantially reduce fat in your diet - especially poly unsaturated and hydrogenated fats such as vegetable, corn and safflower oil and margarine. Use natural fats such as olive oil and butter. But, go light on olive oil and dairy products such as butter and cheese because they have a high caloric content.
A raw diet is best. Raw, fresh vegetables, fruit, berries, nuts and seeds contain the most nutrients. But, if you wish to cook your food, lightly cook it. This will preserve many of the nutrients in them. Steam them lightly. Boil, bake and grill them lightly. Limit your consumption of processed sauces and condiments. They contain a lot of high fructose corn syrup, salt and toxins.
Some of the best vegetables with a lot of vitamins and minerals in them include green leafy vegetables (such as spinach and kale), broccoli, tomatoes, cucumbers, mushrooms, asparagus, avocados, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, yams, cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, string beans, lima beans, peppers, artichokes and root vegetables (such as beets, parsnips and turnips). Eat plenty of garlic and onions. Eat berries especially blueberries and strawberries. Eat fruit, especially apples, bananas, grapes, peaches, plums, pears and melons. Super foods such as pomegranates and acai and goji berries are also good. Eat nuts. Almonds and walnuts are especially healthful. Seeds are very healthy too.
Supplement your high nutrient diet with vitamins, minerals and other supplements. A multi-vitamin is good, but it not enough to give you the vitamins and minerals you need for good health even if you are on a high nutrient diet. This is because the nutritional value of fresh and frozen vegetables, fruits and berries has been depleted. This is due to depletion of nutrients in the soil.
So, on a daily basis, take a multi vitamin, but fortify it with additional vitamins and supplements including vitamin A, B-Complex (B-6 and B-12 and Folic Acid and Niacin especially), C, D (D3 especially), E and K Take trace minerals daily. You can get trace minerals in liquid form. Some of the essential trace minerals include iron, zinc, manganese, potassium, magnesium, copper, iodine, selenium, molybdenum, chromium, calcium, sulfur, cobalt, nickel, boron, beryllium, sodium, copper, tin, silicon, vanadium, fluorine. Get lots of sunshine on your face, forehead and arms.
Also, on a daily basis, take (i) Antioxidants (CoQ10, green tea and green tea extract and Resveratrol are good), (ii) Adatogens (such as cordyceps, reishi and shitaki mushrooms), Asrtalagus and Tumeric (Curcurim), (iii) anti inflammatory supplements such as fish oil and (iv) protein/amino acid supplements. When your energy is low, take Echinacea and Aasian Ginseng, Astalagus and Asian Mushrooms and Asian Mushroom supplements (i..e, reishi, cordyceps and shitaki mushrooms). When you feel anxious, take Holy Basil and Kava Kava. When you feel depressed, take St. John's Wort.
Vitamin B-12, D, Co-Q 10 and Astralagus are especially important for depression and anxiety
Drink plenty of water. Some prescribe at least eight, eight ounce glasses of water per day. Filter your water, because tap water contains chemicals. Get plenty of exercise. At the very least, walk two to three miles a day. When you are sitting for long periods, stretch your legs and body and get up and move around or exercise. Breathe more deeply and take a lot more deep breaths to draw the maximum amount of oxygen into your lungs.
To maximize absorption of nutrients, it is important to be in a relaxed and balanced state. This will require you to manage stress, center yourself and purge anger, fear and negativity, while living in the moment and controlling negative thoughts. This is done through deep breathing, centering yourself in your heart, reiki treatments along with meditation and yoga. My books, End of Mood Disorders, The Road to Happiness and The Road to Healing, Good Health and Wellness will teach you the techniques needed to develop inner peace, peace of mind and joy. The books are comprehensive guides that approach depression and anxiety as energy and spiritual disorders as well as mental illnesses and problems with brain chemistry. My books recommend to readers energy-related, positive thinking, meditation and spiritual techniques to achieve and maintain peace of mind, balance, a lot of energy and happiness.

How to Identify Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome, more commonly known as CFS, is a complex disorder that is characterized by long-term fatigue that is not relieved by rest. It is usually worsened by physical or even mental activity. CFS can significantly lower a person's level of activity, affecting even their activities of daily living. A lot people with CFS have difficulty securing jobs or even with just taking care of themselves. Even if the causes of chronic fatigue syndrome are still unidentified, there is a lot we can do for people who suffer from this condition.
Many diseases have fatigue as one of its symptoms which can make identifying chronic fatigue syndrome difficult. However, it is not impossible. If you or someone you know meets the two criteria below, see your physician immediately so you can get medical care. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the criteria for diagnosing the disorder are:
1. Severe or intense fatigue that lasts for more than 6 months, is not relieved or improved by rest and is not caused by any psychiatric or medical condition as excluded by clinical diagnosis; and
2. Simultaneously have at least four of the following: frequent or recurring sore throat, muscle pain, multi-joint pain that doesn't have redness or swelling, tender lymph nodes on the axilla or cervical collar, headaches that are you have not had before in terms of pattern, type or severity, sleep that does not refresh or reenergize you, post-extertional malaise (exhaustion and sickness that follows mental or physical activity) that lasts for at least 24 hours, and impaired concentration or memory.
In order for a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome to be made, the above symptoms should have occurred for more than six months, but should not occur before the onset of the chronic fatigue. Even if you do not meet the criteria, but still suffer from chronic fatigue, it is still suggested that you go see a doctor. As mentioned, there are several diseases that could cause this fatigue.
There are other symptoms of CFS as well. While they may not contribute to the diagnosis, they are still very troublesome and deserve medical care. These symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, abdominal pain, chronic cough, alcohol intolerance, bloating, earache, jaw pain, dry eyes, dry mouth, nausea, morning stiffness, alcohol intolerance, night swears, irritability, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, tingling sensations and weight loss.
If you know someone that has CFS, now is the time to show him support and help him out any way you can. Even cooking, doing a few errands, helping out with house chores or helping them relax can be very helpful. Even the simplest acts do matter.
There is still no cure for chronic fatigue syndrome, and its management require that the patient should be monitored frequently by health care professionals. An individualized treatment program is needed because the condition can have varying symptoms. Both traditional and alternative therapies that target the symptoms, coping techniques and activity management can be used. There are several treatment options that can be explored, but remember that the relief of symptoms is always the primary goal.

Fibromyalgia - Treating the Symptoms Naturally

What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia's primary symptom is the presence of chronic, dull muscular pain in the muscles, usually above the waist though it can occur anywhere in the body. In addition, these painful areas are sensitive to touch, where even slight pressure can trigger acute pain.
A number of symptoms often go along with fibromyalgia, the most notable being fatigue. In addition, someone with fibromyalgia may suffer from anxiety, depression, headaches, TMJ, memory issues and irritable bowel syndrome.
The cause of fibromyalgia is so far unknown. Some suspect there may be an autoimmune factor involved, though no evidence has shown this yet. There is a correlation with hormonal and neurotransmitter changes in the body, and it is suspected that people with fibromyalgia have an increase in the neurotransmitters that signal pain in the body, leaving a person hypersensitive to pain.
While fibromyalgia often comes on without any specific reason, it can be triggered by physical trauma, infection, or psychological stress. There is reason to suspect that underlying factors may be involved in fibromyalgia, including long term buildup of stress or tension, fatigue, or unaddressed mental/emotional issues.
Treating Fibromyalgia
The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, which makes it a difficult condition to successfully treat. Conventional medicine focuses on treating the symptoms with pain relievers, anti-depressants, or anti-seizure medications, which can help improve some of the symptoms but rarely offer full recovery from the condition.
Because of this, it is important to take an active role in successfully dealing with fibromyalgia. Basic things you can do independently to decrease symptoms include:
  • Exercise and stretching: Both of these activities may make the pain worse at first, but over time, strengthening and stretching the affected muscles can help relieve tension and decrease their sensitivity to pain. It is important to start slowly, and not push your muscles too far, as pain from any sort of muscular damage will compound the pain.
  • Sleep: People with fibromyalgia may have a difficult time getting restful sleep, and find that even though they are sleeping a lot, they may not feel rested in the morning. Still, it is important to get enough sleep as this is the body's chance to replenish its energy and is a natural part of the recovery process.
  • Maintain a healthy weight: There is a correlation between worsening symptoms of fibromyalgia and being overweight. Eating a healthy diet, and avoiding eating triggered by stress or depression can help improve the overall health of your body and reduce pain.
Stress is also a well-known factor that is correlated with fibromyalgia. People with the condition will often find that their pain and other symptoms worsen during times of increased stress, and improve when life is going more smoothly.
For this reason, dealing with stress on a day-to-day basis can be a great way to help reduce the pain of fibromyalgia. While it isn't possible to completely get rid of stress, you can do some simple things to make it easier to relax throughout the day. Taking breaks from stressful situations like work or home responsibilities, going for a walk, taking some time for yourself, remembering to breathe, doing something you enjoy - these or anything else you come up with to relax and reduce stress will go a long way in improving fibromyalgia if done on a regular basis. It is easy for stress to compound itself if left unchecked - this is something to avoid.
Potential Mind-Body Connection in Fibromyalgia
It is possible that at least in part, the cause of fibromyalgia is related to suppressed anger. It is already well known that unexpressed anger can lead to ongoing anxiety and depression, which are common symptoms that accompany fibromyalgia. Stress and tension are also symptoms related to frustration, and can consume a ton of energy which will increase fatigue. In addition, the difficulties in concentration, TMJ and digestive issues that are associated with fibromyalgia can also be related to suppressed anger.
Consider that fibromyalgia often comes on after traumatic physical or psychological experiences - this type of experience naturally will produce a feeling of anger, as in the question, "Why did this happen to me?" But there is a tendency to want to forget painful experiences, and mentally suppress the feelings associated with that experience, whether the experience is a one-time thing or an accumulation of difficult experiences in life.
In addition, fibromyalgia affects women more than men. That is not to say that women are naturally more predisposed to suppress anger than men, however society definitely does place more pressure not to be angry on women, than it does on men.
The symptom of pain may be representing the unexpressed anger being internalized and taken out on the physical body. If you are suffering from fibromyalgia and suspect this may relate to you, it is important to address the source of your anger so that it can be expressed and directed appropriately, rather than back toward yourself. Even deep-seated difficult or traumatic experiences can be moved on from, and are not meant to be your responsibility or a burden for you to carry throughout your life.
Natural Medicines and Treatments for Fibromyalgia
  • Adaptogens: These herbal medicines help strengthen the adrenal glands which are involved in improving energy, can improve certain neurotransmitter levels involved in mood, and can help reduce excess stress hormones like cortisol which can disrupt a number of the body's physical processes. Examples of these kinds of medicines are ginseng, eleutherococcus, holy basil, rhodiola, cordyceps, and ashwaghanda.
  • Massage: A massage tailored to your personal tolerance level can help reduce muscular tension and alleviate pain.
  • Acupuncture: Some people report a benefit from acupuncture, a Chinese medicinal practice involved in placing small needles along specific meridians, aimed at releasing blocked energy, improving circulation and other physical processes. While this type of treatment may not work for everyone, it is worth considering.
Fibromyalgia can be a very frustrating condition to deal with, but taking an active role in doing daily things for your health can help improve the symptoms over time. Addressing stress and other potential mental or emotional components that may be associated with the condition, as well as incorporating natural medicines or treatments can also be of help. With patience and consistency, it is possible to fully recover from fibromyalgia over time.

7 Home Remedies for Joint Pain Relief At Home

Living with chronic joint pain?
Many times in life, body pains as such may inevitably affect our living lifestyle and even cause inconvenience to our lives, as moving of joints is almost indispensable.
Basically the causes of joint pain can be triggered by various injuries and conditions besides aging. It may be a result of sports injury, excessive straining due to the overuse of joints, or even be one of the symptoms for arthritis. Hence it is important to understand your body well and detect the symptoms early as an average person may not be able tell if it's the joints or a torn tendon.
Here are a few remedies which can give you a better quality of life and may help to eliminate the consumption of painkillers as medications commonly prescribed for joint pain are usually pain killers and anti inflammatories:
1. Take a shower with warm water
It can effectively reduce your joint discomfort easily.
2. Consumption of banana
Bananas provide strength and grease to your joints, which may help in reducing the pain in joints suffering from pain.
3. Intake of carrot juice
It helps in improving the condition of joint stiffness by making our ligaments stronger.
4. Use hot and cold compresses on the painful areas of your joints
It will help in reducing your pain from the joint.
5. Joint Pain Exercises
Effective in resolving the problem of joint stiffness. Such workouts will help in improving your joint flexibility and also strengthens your bones.
6. Warm olive oil massage
It is a cost-saving solution and natural remedy for joint stiffness.
7. Mixture of carrot juice and lemon juice
This is one of the good home remedies to reduce joint pain.
Although there is no permanent cure for joint pain, but changing your lifestyle and taking good care of your body can yield positive results on a long run. Start keeping up to a weekly or daily exercising habit as workouts can effectively help in reducing the pain in the joints. Researches have shown that working your body with motion exercises will help to improve your mobility and keep your fitness levels up. While performing those exercises, be cautious with the movements and perform it with good control.
However, do not hesitate to seek for medical support if your joint pain still persists after trying out the suggested remedies. It is advisable to seek for professional treatment if your pain is giving you symptoms that can be interpreted into serious health issues.

Arthritis Pain Treatment - Does Exercise Really Help To Reduce Inflammation? Lets See!

Do you have Arthritis? Maybe too scared to exercise?
There are hundreds of arthritis pain treatment modalities that are available in the market today, and most of these are in the form of pharmacological agents or drugs. Pain relievers or analgesics are on top of the list and are often recommended by physicians to their client to ease the arthritis pain. There are also topical pain agents that can be applied over the swollen joint area to relieve the inflammation that causes the severe and throbbing pain. But Exercise is one of the best for the Pain!
However, with all these possible pain treatments widely available and easy to use, many sufferers of arthritis still face a problem in choosing which of these is the best to apply. It is a big problem indeed since there are lots of pain medications and books on alternative therapies being sold in the market today, which are being advertised to give a promising and satisfying result, but they do not prove much what they are claiming. People are getting confused about these products, because they do not know which of these is bogus and which one is not.
Exercise is the best medicine, but every time you try to strengthen your muscles you hurt your joints. What if you could strengthen your muscles without hurting your joints? Then your stronger muscles will help support your weaker joints and you have broken the cruel cycle of arthritis.
Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions affects millions of people worldwide with over 4 million or almost 1 in 4 Canadians affected. Arthritis can occur in any joint, especially at the hands, knees, hips, or spine. Regular physical activity, a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight can help to prevent the onset of osteoarthritis.
Using a Personal Trainer is the perfect way to set up a exercise program that is designed especially for you. When you exercise with a Personal Trainer, they will implement proper technique and form so your joints remain still while you work on the muscles surrounding the joint. This is isometric and static exercise, which reduces joint pain and stiffness, builds strong muscle around the joints, and increases flexibility and endurance.
By training on a regular to moderate basis, this will help relieve pain in your joints and build muscle tissue. You can also prevent the onset of osteoarthritis and relieve your pain naturally.
Whether you are performing cardiovascular or resistance exercise overworking your muscles is dangerous and can greatly alter your peak performance.
Thankfully personal training has been designed to help assist you from muscle fatigue from resistance exercise and can help you recognise the early signs of dangers ahead. A Trainer displays your muscle strength from various training positions and by keeping track of this data can help alert you when there is a weakness in a muscle group. This in turn helps you to appropriately rest the muscle group.
Exercising should be fun and should not cause permanent injury if done properly. With a personal trainer you are more likely to maximize your performance and avoid over training your muscles which will benefit your overall health and well being, that is what I focus on in
Richard Stadnyk - Owner/Personal Trainer Specialist
Exercise is the best medicine, but every time you try to strengthen your muscles you hurt your joints. What if you could strengthen your muscles without hurting your joints? Receive a Free Personal Training session - Call or email today. Thank you.