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Resolved Question: I need help or advocacy groups for hiv/hcv infected people?

July 28th, 2007 by admin

I am a refugee i have hcv/hiv disease really i have no medical or financial support group any is there a group or agencies that help people like me and is it possible that thse aid agencies take me to a third country i have also bad breath adour really i am in abad mood i need help help any one, any organization or is is forbidden to take by airplane hiv refugees ? plz look for me any one, or organization that can help me .

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Systematic review of randomized trials for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma chemoembolization improves survival

July 9th, 2007 by admin

Author's objectives To assess the impact on survival of primary medical treatments for people with unresectable hepatocellular cancer. Author's conclusions Chemoembolisation improves survival in people with unresectable HCC; tamoxifen offers no survival benefits for people with advanced disease. Structured abstract from Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects

Posted in Gastroenterology & Liver Diseases | No Comments »

9 ways to protect your heart from diabetes

July 9th, 2007 by admin

9 ways to protect your heart from diabetes

Diabetes and heart disease often go hand in hand. Here’s how you can uncouple them.

Diabetes and heart disease were once thought to be entirely unrelated disorders. New thinking suggests that they may actually spring from the same underlying cause — chronic, systemwide inflammation — or at least be influenced by it. This intertwining is a bad thing, since developing diabetes usually means developing heart disease as well. It also has a silver lining: Protecting yourself against one of these chronic conditions works against the other, too.

More than one million Americans are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes each year. Traditionally, up to 80% of people with diabetes develop some form of cardiovascular disease, from heart attack and stroke to peripheral artery disease and heart failure.

The connection between the two diseases isn’t ironclad. The American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association have joined forces to fight both heart disease and diabetes. Their latest effort focuses on helping people with diabetes whose hearts seem healthy keep them that way.

As you scan the tips below, remember that almost every recommendation is good for diabetes as well as heart disease.

1. Know your risk

Goal: Knowledge is power. Calculate your risk of heart disease, or ask your doctor to do it.
Getting there: The Framingham calculator is a general heart disease–risk estimator. Specific ones for people with diabetes have been developed by two diabetes groups.

2. Exercise

Goal: Aim for at least 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise (like walking) or 90 minutes of vigorous exercise.
Getting there: If you do just one thing on this list, choose exercise. It is a key to controlling blood sugar, strengthens the heart and lungs, improves blood pressure, corrects out-of-whack cholesterol, and has other beneficial effects.

3. Control your weight

Goal: If your weight is in the healthy range, work to keep it there. If you are overweight, try to lose 5% to 7% of your weight over the next 12 months. (That’s about a pound a month for someone weighing 200 pounds.)
Getting there: Cutting out just one 12-ounce can of sugared soda a day (150 calories) is enough to help you lose a pound a month. You can easily double that by burning more calories with exercise.

4. Improve your diet

Goals:

  • Cut back on unhealthy fats: Lower saturated fat to under 7% of calories (about 17 grams), and keep trans fat intake as close to zero as possible.
  • Add more unsaturated fats from fish, grains, and vegetable oils.
  • Include at least 30 grams of fiber a day.
  • Watch the salt — reduce your intake to under 2,500 milligrams a day.
  • Choose whole grains and other slowly digested carbohydrates.

Getting there: The foods you eat can help you control blood sugar and protect your arteries. The main strategy is to get more fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, fish, and vegetable oils (especially olive oil), and less fast food, salty or fried food, and rapidly digested carbohydrates. There is no one-size-fits-all “diabetes diet.” The American Diabetes Association released a comprehensive set of nutrition recommendations in January 2007. But rather than trying to wade through these, ask your doctor to refer you to a nutritionist.

5. Lower your blood pressure

Goal: A healthy blood pressure is 120/80 or below. If you have high blood pressure, aim for a systolic pressure of 130 or lower and a diastolic pressure of 80 or lower.
Getting there: Measure your blood pressure often; home monitors are a good investment. If it is above the goal, try exercise, the DASH diet, and, if needed, weight loss, smoking cessation, or medications.

6. Control your cholesterol

Goal: Aim for and LDL under 100 mg/dL, an HDL above 40 mg/dL, and triglycerides under 150 mg/dL.
Getting there: A healthful diet and exercise can do a lot to reverse risky lipid levels. A cholesterol-lowering statin can help protect against heart attack and stroke even when LDL levels are near the recommended goal. Niacin or a fibrate can improve HDL and triglyceride levels.

7. Quit smoking

Goal: If you smoke, try to stop. Avoid secondhand smoke whenever possible.
Getting there: The most effective quitting strategy includes talk therapy plus nicotine replacement therapy along with drugs such as bupropion (generic, Wellbutrin, Zyban) or varenicline (Chantix).

8. Control your blood sugar

Goal: Aim for hemoglobin A1c to be at least under 7% and, ideally, as close to 6% as possible without causing bouts of low blood sugar.
Getting there: Managing carbohydrate intake and switching to whole grains can help ease the blood sugar roller coaster. Exercise is vitally important. Use medications such as metformin, thiazolidinediones, and insulin as needed.

9. Prevent clots

Goal: Take a low-dose aspirin (75–162 milligrams) every day unless your doctor tells you not to.
Getting there: Aspirin prevents platelets from latching onto each other, an early step in clot formation. Preventing clots helps prevent heart attack and stroke.

For more information on controlling diabetes, order the Special Health Report, Healthy Eating for Type 2 Diabetes, at www.health.harvard.edu/HED.

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Cholesterol drug hits diabetes with one-two punch

July 9th, 2007 by admin

Patients with type 2 diabetes may soon be able to control their glucose and their cholesterol levels with a single drug, according to a study led by Vivian A. Fonseca, professor of medicine and pharmacology at Tulane University School of Medicine and chief of the Tulane University Health Sciences Center Diabetes Program.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Heart Healthy Lifestyle Choices

July 9th, 2007 by admin

Lucky for women, estrogen helps prevent heart disease in the younger years. Unlucky for women, when estrogen drops in menopause so does the heart disease protection. Follow these life-long recommendations to keep your heart as healthy as possible for as long as possible. This is good advice for any age and it's never too late to change.

  • Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, fatty fish and other lean proteins.
  • Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate activity daily.
  • Keep a healthy weight.
  • Choose and prepare foods with less salt to help lower your blood pressure.
  • About two-thirds of women who die of heart disease had no previous symptoms. So it's important to realize that heart disease is a woman's health issue, too.

     

    Full article and additional links 

    Posted in Cholesterol | No Comments »

    All You Need To Know About Choresterol

    July 9th, 2007 by admin

    Dear Reader, 

    We hope our collection of Article below, can be a useful guide for you and loved one 

    Today’s Summary  

    Article 01:     Lower Cholesterol For Better Overall Health

    Article 02:     Natural Help With Cholesterol and High Triglycerides

    Article 03 :    HDL Cholesterol Is Actually Good For You

    Article 04 :    Benefits Of Normal Cholesterol Level Reports Are Great

    Article 05 :    A Low Cholesterol Diet Doesn’t Have To Taste Bad

    Article 06 :    How to Design a Lower Cholesterol Diet

    Article 07 :    5 Tips for Lowering Your Cholesterol

    Article 08 :    How To Lower Your Cholesterol Naturally

    Article 09 :    Lowering Cholesterol - The Ulitmate Diet Guide

    Article 10 :    Is Cholesterol The Silent Killer?   

    If You wish to contact us, please use the below form. 

    Thank you 

    God Blessed 

    I Care Haven- Admin 

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     Article 01:      Lower Cholesterol For Better Overall Health  

    With heart attacks remaining one of the leading causes of death in America, many are looking for ways to lower cholesterol to lessen their chances of becoming a statistic. For those who are successful in the effort, there can be some very good side effects along the way.  

    When a person manages to lower cholesterol levels, they generally do so by adding healthier foods to their diet, removing not-so-healthy foods and even by exercising. In the process, as the lower cholesterol levels are realized, many other wonderful things can happen. For example, weight loss, increased health due to better diet and exercise, and so on can all be side effects of the quest for lower cholesterol.  

    There are many reasons why a person would want to achieve lower cholesterol levels. First off, high cholesterol levels are widely connected to such things as cardiovascular disease and are sometimes connected with obesity. While the higher cholesterol numbers aren’t to blame for the obesity, the food intake and lack of exercise that goes along with them generally are.  

    The road to obtaining lower cholesterol numbers can be a long one, but the end result is generally worth the effort. Getting started will first involve understanding where you stand at this moment. For example, normal cholesterol levels should typically be below 200 mg/dL, or milligrams per deciliter, for a healthy adult with the LDL, known as the bad cholesterol falling it at under 130 and the good cholesterol, or HDL above 40.  

    On the upside, managing cholesterol levels isn’t generally a big deal. If some cases, medication will be necessary to help bring down numbers and lower cholesterol once and for all. For many others, however, nothing more than diet and exercise is required to get those levels where they should be.  

    One of the best ways for a person who is a little overweight to lower cholesterol levels is simply to lose weight. It’s been shown that those who are overweight tend to have poor metabolism for dietary fat. When the weight is loss, the metabolism level tends to increase, which is great for fixing cholesterol levels.  

    Dietary changes are not necessarily what anyone wants to endure to lower cholesterol, but the truth is most people could benefit from healthier diets. While it’s not necessary to avoid fats all together, smarter choices are always recommended. Foods that are helpful in lowering cholesterol levels include such things as low-fat items, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and so on. Choose lean meats over fatty ones, avoid the junk food (most of the time) and only fry on occasion and then use cholesterol free or low products to do so.  

    The road to obtaining low cholesterol levels isn’t always a fun one to go down, but the benefits of doing so are many. If the process is followed smartly, a person who is striving for lower test results might find their weight drops and their over all health improves in the process. Those are two pretty good side effects of obtaining lower cholesterol tests. 

    Still looking for a way to reduce your cholesterol?

    Try visiting http://www.eliminatecholesterol.com

    - a website that specializes in providing cholesterol advice, tips and resources to included information on lower cholesterol.  

    Author: Riley Hendersen

    Author’s Email Address: Riley.Hendersen@gmail.com  

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    Article 02:      Natural Help With Cholesterol and High Triglycerides  

    High cholesterol is a common affliction for those in Western societies. It is estimated that 101 million Americans suffer from high cholesterol which is defined as blood cholesterol greater then 200mg per deciliter. Americans are not the only ones with cholesterol problems, an Australian study found that 51.5% of male Australians have high blood cholesterol.  

    While some cholesterol is good, it is when the levels get too high that we run into problems. Cholesterol is necessary for hormone production, and is a major component in cell walls. Cholesterol also aids in the production of bile and aids in the metabolism of the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.  

    High cholesterol is one of the five leading risk factors leading to coronary heart disease. If your cholesterol levels need to drop a bit and you want to work on your good to bad ratio, drugs are not the only option.  

    As far as diet goes, adding soluble fiber is a good move as it binds to blood serum cholesterol and helps it leave the body. Good dietary sources of soluble fiber can be found in ground flax seeds, oat meal and oat bran, apples and a variety of other foods.  

    Niacin, known as Vitamin B3, is a water soluble vitamin that has also been proven to be helpful in lowering cholesterol levels and improving cholesterol ratios. The main function of niacin is to metabolize fats.  

    Niacin has been shown to reduce LDL, or bad cholesterol levels by 10-20%, reduce triglycerides by 20-50%, and raise HDL, or good cholesterol by 15-30%.  When choosing a Niacin product, be sure to start with 100mg dose and gradually ease your way up to avoid the flushing and tingling of skin that can happen with higher doses. This flushing is a result of niacin’s effects on widening blood vessels which usually last beginning at 15 minutes after taking the pill to about an hour after. If you do suffer from the flushing sensation, taking your niacin with food can decrease your risk of these negative symptoms. Also, do not purchase niacinamide as it does not help in lowering cholesterol. It is common to work up to 1.5 to 3 grams per day for therapeutic doses.  

    Another great benefit of niacin for anyone who has suffered a heart attack or stroke is that the use of niacin has been shown to reduce the risk of having a second heart attack or stroke.  

    People who take niacin to lower cholesterol typically get their cholesterol levels checked every 6 to 12 months as niacin works gradually over time. Having your blood tested more often then that is not necessary as the cholesterol changes can be slow.  

    I do want to note that if you have been taking statin drugs or Red Yeast Rice, it is very important to add both Niacin and CoQ10 as statins and Red Yeast Rice both deplete your body of these nutrients. Be sure to consult your physician on this issue too.  It is important to work with your doctor on this to avoid any complications like high blood sugar or liver problems. High doses of niacin can also increase the effectiveness of medication for high blood pressure. 

    The author of this article recommends visting the natural health site, http://www.jeffshealthyliving.com

    and to learn more about alternative therapies visit the health blog at http://www.jeffshealthyliving.com/blog 

    Author: Mike Fletcher

    Author’s Email Address: mike@audiobookstoreportal.com 

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    Article 03 :                 HDL Cholesterol Is Actually Good For You  

    Everyone knows that cholesterol is bad. It can block the arteries and lead to heart attacks. But, what many people don’t know is that there are two different kinds of cholesterol. LDL and HDL cholesterol are two very different things and one is actually good for the body.  

    LDL cholesterol is different than HDL cholesterol. The LDL type is the kind that forms plaque in the arteries. Over time, this plaque can build up badly and lead to a clogging of the arteries. This can, of course, lead to heart attacks and even strokes. It’s highly recommended that people have their cholesterol levels checked on a regular basis to ensure low levels of the bad type of cholesterol.  

    On the other hand, HDL cholesterol is considered the “good” kind. It is believed by many to actually help the body get rid of the bad cholesterol by bringing it back to the liver where the body can ensure it’s removed. Considering its “good status,” hdl cholesterol is desired in the body in certain levels.  

    Making sure the body has enough HDL cholesterol is something most people don’t even realize they need to do. In reality, the hdl levels should be 40 mg/dL or more to decrease the chances of heart disease. Any less and the risk tends to go up. 

    There are ways for those who have too little HDL cholesterol to increase the levels in their blood and help take advantage of its heart attack foiling properties. Let’s take a look at some of the best ways for boosting the levels of good cholesterol in the blood stream.  

    Exercise: Aerobic exercise especially can boost HDL cholesterol levels. Pretty much anything from running and cycling to aerobics and beyond can help raise the level of good cholesterol in the blood.  

    Weight loss: While this is a good idea for anyone that has a few extra pounds, it can really help increase HDL cholesterol levels in the blood. This can also decrease the levels of bad cholesterol in the process.  

    Reduce trans fat intake: Anything that says it has hydrogenated vegetable oils can be removed to help increase hdl cholesterol levels and decrease the bad type of cholesterol in the process. Removing these fats from the diet or at least cutting them back can help with weight loss, too.  

    Alcohol: Some research supports that a drink or two a day can help increase HDL cholesterol levels. This one should be exercised with caution and it’s important to remember that overdoing won’t improve health.  

    Quit smoking: Anyone who smokes can increase their HDL cholesterol levels simply by quitting.  

    Diet change: When fiber is added along with monounsaturated fats, the results toward hdl cholesterol level increases can be great. Whole grains, olive oil and so on can actually increase levels and lead to a better overall diet.  

    We all know that cholesterol is bad for the body. What many people don’t know is that there are two types. The good type, HDL cholesterol, should be a priority to actually have high levels of. Still looking for a way to reduce your cholesterol?

    Try visiting http://www.eliminatecholesterol.com

     - a website that specializes in providing cholesterol advice, tips and resources to included information on HDL cholesterol.  

    Author: Riley Hendersen

    Author’s Email Address: Riley.Hendersen@gmail.com 

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    Article 04 :     Benefits Of Normal Cholesterol Level Reports Are Great  

    No one wants to find out they have a time bomb ticking in their bodies. But, that’s the reality for many who deal with high cholesterol levels. Shooting to get those test results into the normal cholesterol level range can be a vital step toward better health.  

    Doctors will perform cholesterol level checks on people generally from the age of 20 forward. Those between 20 and about 45 will be asked to submit to a basic blood test about once every five years. If reports come back with normal level ranges in place, no further action will be taken. If they aren’t, however, a person might be asked to make some adjustments to their lifestyle to ensure a healthy heart down the road.  

    For those that don’t know, normal cholesterol level ranges are in the 200 mg/dL area or below. Anything between 200 and 239 is considered borderline. Above 240 means a person is at high risk for having some bad things happen.  

    Having normal ranges is very important for ensuring over all good health. The fact is high cholesterol is a marker for some pretty serious conditions. Anyone who has long-term high cholesterol is at much higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease, clogged arteries and even for having a heart attack or a stroke. With these kinds of things on the line, it’s no wonder doctors push their patients to get their cholesterol levels in check.  

    Going from a high level to normal cholesterol level results on blood tests will take a little work, but really it’s not that much. A heart smart diet, some exercise and possibly medication will be involved to bring levels lower fast. Losing weight, too, can really help in the quest for lowering levels.  

    When it comes to keeping cholesterol level results on blood tests, it doesn’t mean a person has to give up everything they enjoy in life. Rather, they might want to make minor adjustments while still enjoying foods that aren’t the best for them on an occasional basis.  

    Remember that not all cholesterol is bad. The kind known as HDL is known to help lower bad cholesterol and help a person maintain a good cholesterol level. Good cholesterol levels can be increased by eating right, exercising, quitting smoking and even by having an evening drink.  

    While heart conditions used to strike without warning, the fact is that’s not the case any more. With cholesterol level checks serving as a good marker of things to come, anyone can see and measure their risks. And, thanks to these tests, there are things that can be done quickly and easily to reduce the chances of serious problems.  

    Making sure levels are maintained can be one of the single most important things a person does to protect their health. Get regular check ups and be certain normal cholesterol level checks are included at least once every five years from age 20 to 45 and more frequently after that. Doing so can save your life. Still looking for a way to reduce your cholesterol?

    Try visiting http://www.eliminatecholesterol.com

    - a website that specializes in providing cholesterol advice, tips and resources to included information on normal cholesterol level.  

    Author: Riley Hendersen

    Author’s Email Address: Riley.Hendersen@gmail.com 

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    Article 05 :     A Low Cholesterol Diet Doesn’t Have To Taste Bad  

    Anyone who has just been told they need to adopt a low cholesterol diet will likely be lamenting a loss of their favorite foods. While fatty foods won’t be allowed on daily basis, there’s no reason this particular kind of diet should signal an end to great tasting foods.  

    The truth is a low cholesterol diet might even taste better than one that’s high in the bad stuff, if all the choices are fully explored. Offering something for just about every taste, a diet that’s lower in cholesterol can be gourmet all the way around. To fully explore the possibilities, let’s look at some of the main categories of foods that fall under the heading of being low in cholesterol.  

    Fruits and vegetables. There’s no reason to cut these out of menu plan. You might want to avoid frying these, but steamed, boiled and fresh fruits and vegetables are more than okay.  

    Unsaturated fats. While deep-frying in lard might be out of the question, oils don’t have to be. Instead of lards and other saturated fats, lean toward canola and oil oils as they can actually help lower cholesterol levels while also tasting pretty darn good in the process.  

    Canola oil, for example, is more than acceptable for deep-frying. Although you might still want to avoid doing this on a nightly basis, it doesn’t have to be removed entirely to enjoy a diet that’s low in cholesterol.  

    Whole grains. White flour is great for cakes and cookies, but keep it out of an everyday diet. Instead, choose things like whole wheat and grains to add a little spice to a diet. There are even studies that show some of these things can help lower cholesterol levels.  

    Low-fat dairy products. No one wants to give up milk, cheese or ice cream forever to enjoy a diet. Thanks to low-fat choices, no one has to. Just pick skim or whole in the milk department and look for cheeses and ice creams made doing the same. This goes for other products like sour cream and so on. Low fat is always the better route to go anyway if the waistline is any concern.  

    Meat choices. While red meat won’t have to go out the window entirely, it’s best to choose wiser on a daily basis. Opt for chicken, turkey, fish and even white meat pork over more fatty options when choosing meat. Ground turkey, for example, can be a great substitute in most ground beef recipes and remember to keep the red meat to a minimum as it’s been linked to increasing cholesterol levels.  

    Living on a low cholesterol diet doesn’t mean giving up taste or choice. There are lots of potential foods available that fit the bill and taste great, too. To make the prospect of a diet even more appealing, explore new ways of cooking and spicing to really bring the taste buds alive while getting on the road to better health. 

    Still looking for a way to reduce your cholesterol?

    Try visiting http://www.eliminatecholesterol.com

    - a website that specializes in providing cholesterol advice, tips and resources to included information on low cholesterol diet.  

    Author: Riley Hendersen

    Author’s Email Address: Riley.Hendersen@gmail.com 

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    Article 06 :     How to Design a Lower Cholesterol Diet   

    Eating is one of the things that can affect your cholesterol level a great deal. If you have too high cholesterol, the foods you eat can be one of the things you can control to most effectively and quickly lower your cholesterol. In fact, if you have elevated levels of high cholesterol, a healthy diet is the one thing that you must absolutely do in order to ensure heart health.  

    Adapting to a Cholesterol Friendly Diet  

    Once your doctor has confirmed that you have high cholesterol, you can take steps to regain your health by following a low cholesterol and low fat diet. Being true to such a healthful diet will ensure that you can reduce total cholesterol levels by as much as 15 percent. As an added benefit, this sort of diet will also make you feel generally healthier and more energetic as well.  

    You will benefit further with a regular exercise schedule and this will raise your “good” HDL levels for a total package of healthy living. Do this and within as short as 30 days you will experience a renewed sense of energy and vitality. The effects over all will be immediate.  

    Following a low cholesterol and low fat diet necessitates that you must do the following:  

    Get less than 7% of your day’s total calories from saturated fat. Your doctor may recommend less.  

    Receive 25-35% or less of your day’s total calories from fat. Your doctor may recommend less.  

    Consume less than 200 milligrams of dietary cholesterol each day, or follow the limits for dietary cholesterol that your doctor sets for you.  

    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.  

    You should be resolved to eat only enough calories to improve your healthy weight and reduce your blood cholesterol level.  Refuse foods made with harmful trans fats such as margarine, salad dressing and sauces.  

    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  

    Avoid the Following Foods for Best Health:  

    High cholesterol foods can increase your level of blood cholesterol. High cholesterol foods include:  

    Organ meats (this includes liver, which may be eaten in small quantities)  

    Egg yolks  

    Full fat dairy products  

    Fried and processed foods are often high in fat and salt, which can wreak havoc on your heart health. Limit and eat only in moderation if at all:  

    Highly processed foods, and especially processed meats such as deli meats, sausages, hot dogs, bologna, salami and fatty red meats  

    All foods that are fried, especially deep fried foods  You will produce meals that have lower saturated fats when you try the following methods of food preparation:  

    Bake  

    Broil  

    Microwave  

    Poach  

    Steam  

    Grill  

    Roast (only if you remove fats that are melted in the process)  

    Lightly stir-fry or saute using low-fat and low-salt broth  

    Selecting your Foods  

    Enjoy a wide variety of foods regularly, including select cuts of meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs and nuts each week.  

    You can further keep your blood cholesterol levels low by doing the following:  

    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.  

    When selecting meat, choose leaner cuts, white meat, and cuts that have less white “marbleized” texture. The white “marble” is fat that can increase your cholesterol.  

    Select fish such as cod that has less saturated fat than even chicken or other meats.  

    Even the leanest cuts of meat, chicken, fish, and shellfish have saturated fat and cholesterol so limit your daily intake to 6 ounces or less.  

    Remember: You can increase soluble fiber if LDL is not lowered enough from reducing saturated fat and cholesterol.  

    These factors can help you lower the level of cholesterol that is part of your normal food intake. 

    Who Else Wants To Lower Their Cholesterol Safely And Quickly With A Simple Low Carb Diet?  

    Click here for FREE online ebook!     http://www.thelowcarbdiet.net/ 

    Author: Jimmy Cox

    Author’s Email Address: articles@trading-systems-review.com 

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    Article 07 :      5 Tips for Lowering Your Cholesterol   

    You’re intelligent enough to know that if you have high cholesterol, then most likely it is an unhealthy diet that is to blame for the problem. Having high cholesterol is a serious problem which can lead to even more serious problems such as a heart attack or stroke. If you have high cholesterol then the time to give up the junk food and fast food dining is now, before matters take a turn for the worst.  

    In order to lower your cholesterol you need to revamp your diet. In order to do so, you need to follow these tips.  

    Tips for Lowering Your Cholesterol #1 Eat oatmeal  

    Replace the eggs and bacon in the morning with a bowl of oatmeal, but not the flavored kind. I recommend the plain kind of oatmeal. If the idea of eating oatmeal isn’t appealing for its lack of taste, you can always slice up a banana and add it in to give it a little flair. Oatmeal is a great source of fiber which helps remove harmful nutrients from your body and has been scientifically proven to lower cholesterol.  

    Tips for Lowering Your Cholesterol #2 Exercise  

    Exercise speeds up your metabolism, which in turn allows your body to breakdown food faster so that the chances of cholesterol building up drop. In addition, the act of sweating is a great way to purify the body of harmful toxins.  

    Tips for Lowering Your Cholesterol #3 Eat less red meat  

    Our digestive system was not made to process red meat very effectively. Thus, the fat and other unhealthy nutrients it contains often gets stored in our body where it builds up until the day you find out you have high cholesterol or you have a heart attack.  

    Tips for Lowering Your Cholesterol #4 Stop eating fast food  

    One of those popular combo meals from a fast food restaurant can contain twice the daily allowance of calories that your body needs, and that’s just one meal. Don’t forget that you’re likely to get hungry again later and need to eat, and then you’re going to add more calories to your system on top of that. You don’t want this if you’re trying to lower your cholesterol; thus, it would be in your best interests to forego fast food dining completely.  

    Tips for Lowering Your Cholesterol #5 Drink water  

    You should drink eight big glasses of water per day. Water keeps you hydrated and moving like a well oiled machine when working out. By staying hydrated, you burn fat more efficiently when exercising, as well as help purge your body of harmful toxins. What’s more, drinking plenty of water negates hunger pangs by tricking your stomach into feeling full.  

    Having high cholesterol should not be ignored. If you have high cholesterol then you need to change your diet immediately. By eating the foods above you can begin to lower your cholesterol, but don’t forget to add exercise to help the process work optimally. 

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    Author: Yuki Shoji

    Author’s Email Address: yuushoji@comcast.net 

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    Article 08 :     How To Lower Your Cholesterol Naturally   

    No medications can do a better job than treating your high cholesterol naturally. And, if you are one of those lucky people who do not have cholesterol concerns, you may want to take steps to keep it that way!  

    What can you do to improve your cholesterol levels? Here’s the list and we will cover each item thoroughly.  

    Reduce fat in your diet  

    One of the best plans is covered previously in our chart on saturated fat. But there is more you can do. Buy the leanest cuts of meat you can find. Regularly substitute poultry (without the skin) and fish for red meat. Both are lower in saturated fat. Switch to low fat cottage cheese and yogurt, reduced fat hard cheeses and skim or 1 percent milk.  

    Eat no more than four egg yolks a week  

    Many people don’t have to worry about eating cholesterol. Normal bodies adjust to increased intake by cutting back on regular product. However, since one third of Americans are cholesterol responders their blood cholesterol does go up when they eat cholesterol. You probably don’t know if you fall into this category so play it safe. Eat no more than four egg yolks a week. An average egg yolk contains 213 milligrams of cholesterol!  

    Eliminate fried foods  

    Buying low fat is just the beginning. You need to institute low fat cooking methods to keep the cholesterol from sneaking back in to your diet. Remove fatty skin from chicken and turkey. Don’t fry foods. Roast, bake, broil, grill or poach them instead.  Use fat free marinades or basting with liquids like wine, tomato or lemon juice. Use olive or canola oils for sauteing or baking. Both are very low in saturated fat. Use diet, tub or squeeze margarines instead of regular. Watch for the term hydrogenated, which means some of the fat is saturated.  

    Eat vegetables and complex carbohydrate 

    Lowest fat foods of all are vegetables, fruits, grains (rice, barley and pasta), beans and legumes. Try substituting some of these for meat and high fat dairy products. Don’t douse your pasta with butter or your potato with sour cream. Use tomato base sauces instead of cream base. Use lemon juice, low sodium soy sauce or herbs to season vegetables. Make chili with extra beans and seasonings while leaving out the meat.  

    Snack all you want  

    Yep, that’s what we wrote. Snack several times a day on low fat foods. Yogurt, fruit, vegetables, bagels and whole grain breads and cereals are excellent for snacking. In fact, there is evidence that points to lower cholesterol levels in people who eat several small meals a day. Eating often can keep hormones like insulin from rising and signaling your body to make more cholesterol. Make certain that your total intake of calories doesn’t go up when you eat more often.  

    Nuts to you!  

    Do you like nuts? If you do, sprinkle a few on your cereal, bake them into muffins or pancakes or add them to casseroles or stir-fries. Walnuts and almonds are especially good. Eating about three ounces of walnuts a day is shown to decrease blood cholesterol levels by 10% more than an already low fat, low cholesterol diet. Walnuts are high in fat, but it is mostly polyunsaturated fat, which is the kind that lowers cholesterol. Another study shows that about three ounces of almonds which are rich in monounsaturated fat, lowers LDL by 9%!  

    Drink fruit juices  

    You may have read about the low rate of heart disease in France. It led researchers to believe that the French habit of drinking red wine with meals contributes to this. Apparently some of the non-alcoholic ingredients in red wine raises HDL and suppresses the body from producing LDL.  Purple grape juice works the same way. It will work like red wine to lower the fat level in your blood. The LDL lowering effect of red wine and grape juice comes from a compound that grapes produce normally to resist mold. The darker the grape juice, the better.  

    Eat garlic  

    Cholesterol lowering effects of garlic have been demonstrated repeatedly in people with normal and high cholesterol. Eat all the garlic you can. It also seems to raise the HDL levels as well. If you are worried about the odor, take the tablets instead. They have proven to be nearly as effective as the cooked or raw cloves.  

    Take niacin carefully  

    We discussed niacin earlier. Remember as one of the B vitamins, it is proven effective for lowering LDL and raising HDL. It is also one of the cheapest drugs available for lowering cholesterol. But, without medical supervision it may not be totally safe. A dose high enough to lower cholesterol can cause extremely high blood sugar or liver damage.  

    Take vitamin E  

    Studies indicate that vitamin E may have a positive impact on lowering cholesterol when taken in fairly large quantities up to 800 IU per day. This is more than you can get from your diet alone. Larger amounts do not seem to cause any harm.  

    Further studies showed that even amounts of just 25 IU per day helps in preventing LDL from sticking to blood vessel walls. That amount is only slightly higher than the recommended daily amount (RDA) of 12 to 15 IU. It’s interesting to note that even that small amount has an impact on preventing that hardening of the arteries.  

    Take Calcium  

    One study indicates that when 56 people took a calcium carbonate supplement, their total cholesterol went down 4 percent and their HDL increased 4 percent. That was taking a dosage of 400 milligrams of calcium three times a day with no harmful effects reported. That does refer to calcium carbonate.  

    Take a multivitamin it can’t hurt  

    While you are building your calcium and vitamin E intake, remember the old standby, vitamin C. It is the number one immune system booster and also drives up HDL. A study of people who took more than 60 milligrams of vitamin C per day (60 milligrams is the RDA) had highest LDL levels.  

    Fill up on fiber  

    Remember several years back when oat bran was the latest craze for lowering cholesterol? Later studies arrived at inconsistent results, but the medical community do agree that soluble fiber, the kind found in oat bran, does help lower LDL and raise HDL. As little as three grams per day of fiber from oat bran or oatmeal can be effective.  

    There are 7.2 grams of soluble fiber per 100 grams of dry oat bran and five grams of soluble fiber per 100 grams of dry oatmeal. There are other sources of fiber as well such as barley, beans, peas and many other vegetables. Corn fiber is also good for reducing LDL, lowering it by as much as 5 percent in a recent study. Researchers used 20 grams of corn fiber a day.  

    That would be a bit difficult for the average user when you take into account that one serving of corn has three grams of corn fiber. But, every little bit does make a difference. Pectin, which is found in fruits like apples and prunes, reduces cholesterol even better than oat bran, as does psyllium which is the fiber you find in many breakfast cereals and bulk laxatives.  

    Quit smoking  

    Smoking promotes the development of atherosclerosis. Tobacco smoke is actually more damaging to the heart than the lungs. Smokers have a higher chance of having a heart attack (three times greater than nonsmokers) and a greater risk of dying of the attack (twenty one times greater than nonsmokers.) Tobacco smoke contains carbon monoxide, which is uniquely damaging to the heart. Not only does it reduce the amount of oxygen the heart receives, it also actually damages the cells of the heart, rendering them less able to produce energy and thereby weakening the hear.  

    In addition to the dangers of carbon monoxide, there’s the danger of the nicotine. Nicotine interferes with the electrical impulses that cause the heart to beat. When the blood flow is compromised, the heart can beat in a fast, uncontrolled, irregular beats that actually cause a heart attack. If you smoke, reducing the risks of atherosclerosis is yet another reason to stop. Even if you have smoked for years, stopping now can still immediately help combat the development of atherosclerosis  

    Reduce sugar intake  

    Many people don’t realize that sugar affects cholesterol and definitely affects triglycerides. Sugar stimulates insulin production, which in turn increases triglycerides. Men in particular, seem to be sensitive to this effect from sugar. The mineral chromium which helps to stabilize blood sugar, can also raise the level of HDL. 100 mcg of chromium three times daily can help to improve your cholesterol levels.  

    Eliminate alcohol  

    The jury is still out and the different schools of thought are still at odds regarding the benefit or lack of benefit to consuming alcohol. This suggestion has nothing to do with our previous discuss on red wine. A moderate amount may be helpful. The problem is that to one person a moderate amount might be a glass of wine with their meal, while to another it might be a half bottle of Scotch!  

    Anything above the arbitrary ‘moderate’ amount elevates serum cholesterol triglycerides and your uric acid levels as well as potentially increasing blood pressure all of which promote heart disease. So, the best bet would be to eliminate it totally.  

    Eliminate caffeine  

    We Americans definitely have a love affair with our coffee! People who drink large amounts of caffeine (more than 6 cups a day) are far more prone to elevated cholesterol. That connection does not hold for tea drinkers. Limit your coffee intake to no more than one cup a day and eliminate caffeinated sodas entirely. 

    Gaetane Ross is a Certified Natural Health Consultant who has spent 4 years focusing on Nutrition and Health. She also specializes in Alternative Medicine. Gaetane’s mission is to positively transform the lives of everyone she meets by providing advice on Healthy Living.  http://Live-O-Natural.com  

    Author: Gaetane Ross

    Author’s Email Address: rossgaetane@yahoo.ca 

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    Article 09 :     Lowering Cholesterol - The Ulitmate Diet Guide   

    Today, more and more people suffer from high cholesterol and obesity due to improper food intake, unbalanced diet, and unhealthy lifestyle. Whatever the reasons behind the certain condition such as having high blood cholesterol level, the first treatment any physician will recommend is a low cholesterol diet.  

    A Guide to Low Cholesterol and Cholesterol Diets  

    As defined, cholesterol is a complex alcohol constituent of all animals fats and oils. It is a sterol that is related to other sterols and is contained in many foods such as dairy products and meat fats. Other sources of cholesterol include eggs, poultry, fish, and shellfish.  

    Studies show that that people with high levels of cholesterol are more likely to develop heart attacks more specifically, atherosclerosis which is a disease involving blockage of certain arteries compared to those with lower levels.  

    Diet is indeed very significant in treating high blood cholesterol level. If you would want to lower your cholesterol levels, try eating foods that are less high-fat food especially those high in saturated fat while replacing part of the saturated fat in your diet with unsaturated fat. You should also eat less high-cholesterol foods.  

    Aside from veering away in eating high-fat foods, you should also learn how to choose foods that are high in complex carbohydrates like starches and fibers. By lowering your carbohydrate intake, you can also reduce your weight especially if you are overweight.  

    Although the basics of low cholesterol diet may seem easy to follow, more people who have high cholesterol are having a hard time sticking to a specific low cholesterol diet.  

    But, if the person is really determined to lower his/her cholesterol levels, a low cholesterol diet can be easy to follow given the wide variety of foods available. In fact, more and more food manufacturers come up with foods that have low cholesterol content so if you are out shopping grocery items, take the time off to look at the labels. Here are additional tips to make a low cholesterol diet successful:  

    1. Load on lots of fruits and vegetables because these are low in calories, cholesterol, and fat.  

    2. Lower your intake of saturated fats or the foods that contain these to lower the possibility of developing heart diseases.  

    3. Take note of “trans-fatty” elements that are usually found in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils like margarines and shortenings because they increases blood cholesterol levels the way saturated fat does.  

    4. Consume foods that use whole grain foods instead of those that contain white flour.  

    5. Compared regular, full-fat dairy products, opt for low fat or skimmed ones. These are not only good for your cholesterol level but also for your weight as well.  

    6. Choose lean meats like turkey and chicken meats instead of red meat because it is closely-associated with decreasing cholesterol levels.  

    7. Use olive and canola oils when cooking instead of using cooking oils because these are lower in monounsaturated fats that help lower cholesterol levels.  

    And since food and eating properly contribute so much to a healthy diet, people should focus more on considering the food their body needs especially on a diet. Experts remind that diet foods should contain the necessary vitamins and minerals that are quite essential for weight control and metabolism. These diet foods should include Vitamins B2, B3, B5, B6, Vitamin C, choline, inositol, chromium, manganese, and zinc. Here is a partial list of some of nutritious diet foods that can be taken by people who are on a diet plan or diet program.  

    1. Fruits. Studies show that the perfect diet food out there includes a wide range of fruits. Aside from being an all-natural product, fruits are low in calories, rich in dietary fiber that helps boosts satiety, and satisfies a person’s sweet tooth without worrying about weight gain.  

    Containing all the nutrients and vitamins it has, fruits are an ideal diet food for those who are into losing weight or weight reduction and those who are striving to maintain their weight. Other nutritional benefits of fruit include the prevention of vitamin deficiency, a rich source of dietary fiber and rich in folate.  

    2. Vegetables. Just like fruits, vegetables are also considered perfect diet foods especially for those who are controlling their weight control. Aside from being low in calorie-content, high in dietary fiber, and full of dietary nutrients that help maintain efficient metabolism, veggies in various preparations also make good and appetizing snacks.  

    Aside from being a rich source of important vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B-complex micronutrients, vitamins C, E and K that combat vitamin deficiency, vegetables are also excellent sources of the protective plant micronutrient called “phytochemicals.” Having vegetables as diet food also lowers the risk of heart disease, cancers, and high blood pressure while protecting the body from having illnesses caused by muscle degeneration.  

    3. Grains. Whole grains have a long history of being an effective diet food for excellent weight management. Aside from heir high energy content, carbohydrate-rich grains especially whole grains are rich in dietary fiber and a useful source of dietary nutrients that helps metabolism.  

    4. Meats. Lean red meats or lean chicken/turkey meats, and fish are also ideal diet food because these are rich in protein, essential minerals and vitamins, and micronutrients for excellent metabolism.  

    5. Nuts and seeds. Although these are not high in calorie-content, nuts and seeds great diet foods because these satisfy the dieter’s appetite especially if consumed during snacks. These also make for a good diet food because they contain large amounts of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber for good metabolism. 

    Low Jeremy maintains http://diet-plans.articlesforreprint.com.

    This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. 

    Author: Low Jeremy

    Author’s Email Address: lowjeremy@gmail.com 

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    Article 10 :     Is Cholesterol The Silent Killer?  

    Contrary to popular belief, the liver creates most cholesterol and only a small percentage is acquired through food. However, the more saturated fat a person eats, the more cholesterol his or her body makes.  

    Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that forms a part of each cell in your body. A persons body needs cholesterol for daily functions, such as making hormones, producing healthy cell walls and making vitamin D. It also produces bile acids that help in digestion.  

    Although this waxy substance helps your body in a number of ways, excess production of cholesterol can also be risky to your body and to your heart. When this happens, the extra cholesterol spills out and circulates into your bloodstream. Be aware that excessive levels of cholesterol in a persons blood can causes clogging of blood vessels, while elevating the risk of stroke and heart disease.  

    Food Based Cholesterol  

    Cholesterol comes from animal-based foods like dairy products, eggs and meat. The two types of cholesterol are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL is the bad cholesterol that usually cause the clogging of blood vessels, while HDL is the good cholesterol that is responsible for clearing LDL out of your bloodstream, reducing the risks of heart disease.  

    The Connection Between Fat and Cholesterol  

    Saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are the three types of fats found in food. Each type of dietary fat affects a persons blood cholesterol in different ways.  

    Saturated fats are those found in lamb, pork, beef and other red meat products. Excessive saturated fats in the body can be dangerous to your health because the more saturated fats you eat, the more cholesterol your body produces, which eventually will end up in your bloodstream. Consuming too much saturated fat in the diet is the main cause of excess cholesterol levels in the blood.  

    Monounsaturated fats are those found in plant oils, such as canola, peanut and olive. Polyunsaturated fats, such as omega-3 fatty acid, can help to slow down blood clot formation and fight heart disease. They are found in fishes and plant oils, such as soybean, corn, safflower and sunflower.  

    Eating any fat will contribute to weight gain, but in lowering blood cholesterol, substituting saturated fats with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats will help get rid of newly formed cholesterol in the body. For this reason, people with elevated levels of blood cholesterol need to improve their eating habits to ensure that the right kind of fat enters their bodies.  

    Bad Cholesterol Can Cause Death Later In Life  

    In our junk food society we are on the brink of complete disaster because of unhealthy eating. More children today are considered obese and this is a direct result of the eating habits taught to them at an early age. Bad cholesterol rates are rising among the youth of today. We are even seeing cases of coronary heart disease in people in their early 30’s. This must be because the foods we are eating today have high levels of LDL cholesterol and saturated fat.  

    There are two things you should do to prevent the build up of bad cholesterol in your body: Change your diet, and exercise daily.  

    So what types of food are good for lowering cholesterol levels in the blood? Foods high in antioxidants and fiber are the types of foods you should be looking for. These include fruit and vegetables, whole grains and similar things. Stay away from foods that are considered fatty. Remember to eat mono- and polyunsaturated fats if you eat fat at all. Most fast food restaurants cook their meals using an alarming amount of oil. Yes I know, it does taste great, but so do bananas, grapes and pears. Maybe next time you having a craving for a nice juicy hamburger, why not go down to the local farmer’s market instead and pick out a new exotic fruit that you have never tried before. You might be surprised!  

    To find out if you have a excessive level of bad cholesterol in your blood, you should make an appointment with your doctor to be tested. It only takes a couple of minutes and you never know, it might save your life!  

    As a nation, if we are ever going to get out of our fast food, sugar loving mindset, we need to start with our children. Some schools today who are putting in place new healthier menus in their cafeterias. Is there more that could be done though? Children learn from watching adults, so starting to develop good eating habits will be good for you and your children.  

    Perhaps the ideal place to start is with the parents and guardians who need to set the example for their kids. There are any number of families out there who practically live off French fries and hamburgers. If those families could reduce the number of times they visit a fast food restaurant by one time in a week, then we will go a long way to reduce the rapidly escalating rate of bad cholesterol in the people of our country. 

    Steve Dolan is one of many who has high cholesterol. If you want to find out how to manage it go to http://www.healthylivingwebonline.com/cholesterol 

    and for a healthier you try http://www.healthylivingwebonline.com 

    Author: Stephen Dolan

    Author’s Email Address: steve@goldveinmarketing.com 

    Posted in Cholesterol | No Comments »

    Tea Green Benefits

    July 9th, 2007 by admin

    The Chinese have long known that green tea has a real benefit to living a good, healthy, long life.  Green tea has been part of the Asian daily diet for years and they have been gleaning benefits from consuming the drink on a daily basis.  On a whole, Asians have been healthier than any other race and many believe that’s because of the benefit of green tea.

    Green Tea 5 Benefits of Green Tea

    Cancer is a disease with no known cure. For people who suffer with this disease go through a lot of pain. Green tea can help alleviate the symptoms of this disease and ease the pain.

    Green tea can be of great benefit to those who are trying to lose weight.  The drink slows metabolism making it easier to shed pounds and its anti-oxidants can actually burn fat.  Of course, green tea alone won’t help you lose weight. It also has to be coupled with a well-balanced diet and exercise program.

    Green tea helps to heighten your good cholesterol and lower you bad cholesterol. So if you suffer from cholesterol problems than drinking green tea will aid in keeping your levels balanced.

    Green tea consists of an ingredient called EGCG which can aid in the prevention of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. By preventing this it lessens the chance of you having a heart attack and heart disease.

    Green tea can alleviate the body tremors that is Parkinson's disease and improve your memory if you suffer from Alzheimer's disease.

    Posted in Cholesterol | No Comments »

    Cholesterol Complications

    July 9th, 2007 by admin

    Many people have been perscribed to take cholesterol or statin drugs after theircholesterol test - very few of them have been informed about the real danger of these drugs. First off, it is important to always know who paid for the research and whether the principal author of your Doctors favorite source of info, has a financial conflict of interest. Independent papers are always superior.

    Let me get your feet wet;
    50 percent of all strokes and heart attacks have absolutely nothing to do
    with elevated cholesterol levels and this has been kept from the public eye and from physicians’ medical education. But if you visit your doctor and have even slightly elevated cholesterol, he is quick to fill out a prescription for a cholesterol or statin drug such as Lipitor™, Mevacor™, Pravachol™ and Zocor™. If you watch one of those Lipitor commercials, you’ll think that you’ll be taking a walk down the red carpet at a Hollywood premiere or still be diving into pools at 70 if you take Lipitor, so even if you don’t need a statin, you may beg your doctor to write that prescription.

    What the public is not told is that the cholesterol or statin drugs are associated with major complications and side effects. These include depletion of the body’s essential energy molecule coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which can lead to congestive heart failure, extreme muscle weakness, neurological disorders and even death. All cholesterol or statin drugs have been associated with causing or promoting cancer in experimental animals. This is especially important since millions of Americans have been advised to take these cholesterol drugs for the rest of their lives. It will take 20 years before the connection between the statins and a dramatic rise in cancer deaths becomes widely acknowledged — too late for many people! Read more from Dr. Blaylock regarding cholesterol.

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    naturfoods™ - study links gluten free guar gum to improved blood cholesterol management

    July 9th, 2007 by admin

    in a recent study from Pakistan and published in journal food, science and technology a common plant derived thickener, guar gum, used extensively as a thickener, stabiliser and emulsifier and also as a rising improver in gluten free baking has been shown to have blood cholesterol reducing properties.

    read more on this study: here

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    Fenugreek’s New Role Lies in Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Control

    July 9th, 2007 by admin

    Among the symphony of exotic spices that consti­tute a good, authentic Indian curry, you will find subtle, bittersweet maple syrup notes of fenugreek seed. Though Americans' exposure to this spice is likely limited to those who favor Indian food, fenugreek is far more influential in the eastern part of the globe. By virtue of its role in curry dishes, fenugreek is an integral part of pan-Asian cuisine.

    But fenugreek's true significance lies in its long history of medicinal use, spanning Ayurvedic, Traditional Chinese Medicine and folk medicine t practices in cultures all over the ' world. With its traditional usages almost too numerous to count, modern science has zoomed in on two critical fenugreek functions: its ability to reduce both blood sugar and cholesterol. While these proper­ties may appeal to anyone, they hold special promise for diabetes sufferers. (Visit Dean Coleman's Herbal Information Page)

    Ancient Tonic

    One of the oldest cultivated plants, fenugreek can be traced back to 1000 B.C., when Egyptian texts detailed its use as an embalming agent in the mummification process. Throughout history, fenugreek has proven itself as a multi-purpose herb; it has been prized as an aphrodisiac, used to enhance the appeal of stale fodder for livestock, roasted and brewed like coffee and even employed as a yel­low dye for clothing. ^ Not lost upon the ancient cultures that first cultivated fenugreek were its healing properties. In Northern Africa, the Middle East and Far East, fenugreek has been used medicinally for thousands of years. A tonic herb, fenugreek's myriad therapeutic usages include use as a treatment for arthri­tis and hair loss, male reproductive support, kidney health, wound heal­ing and more. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, fenugreek is valued as a "warming" herb that stimulates digestion. And fenugreek has long been used to increase milk produc­tion in nursing mothers—for which it is still widely used today.

    FENUGREEK FACTS

    What is it? A member of the pea family, fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgmecuni) is a slender, flowering plant consumed as both an herb (leaves) and spice (seeds).

    What does it do? The seeds have been used medicinally for thousands of years; modern research focuses on its ability to regulate blood sugar and reduce cholesterol.

    Modern Wellness

    How does fenugreek do it? The seeds are up to 25% galactomannan, a type of natural soluble fiber that can impart many health benefits— including a reduced risk of heart dis­ease. Galactomannan also slows digestion, thereby slowing glucose absorption and stabilizing blood sugar levels. As an added benefit for dieters, fenugreek's soluble fiber can impart a sensation of fullness.

    Of all fenugreek's amino acids, the most prevalent is 4-hydroxyiso/eucine (4-HI), which has been shown to stimulate insulin release (Diabetes 1998). That causes blood sugar levels to drop—an especially exciting boon for diabetes sufferers. Fenugreek also appears to regulate blood sugar by inhibiting the enzymes sucrase and alpha-amylase, which help break down carbohydrates.

    In people with type 2 diabetes, fenugreek supplementation has been shown to significantly lower overall cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (known as LDL or "bad cholesterol," associated with cardiovascular dis­ease), and triglycerides (blood fats)— all while easing diabetic symptoms (Alternative Medicine Review 2003). In another study of non-diabetics suffering from high cholesterol, fenu­greek was found to significantly lower trigylceride and LDL levels (Phytotherapy Research 1991).

    Next time you're mopping your brow while chowing down on a spicy curry, try to identify the unique taste of fenugreek. To best utilize fenu­greek's healthy compounds, however, drop the fork and head for your health food store—a standardized supplement is your best bet for blood sugar stability, cholesterol reduction and overall health.

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