So many people are prescribed cholesterol-lowering medications to lower their cholesterol and decrease their risk of heart disease. But who really wants to take drugs that can cause different side effects if you can avoid it, right? Natural methods to reduce cholesterol are still the best and safest way to get those numbers down.

You probably already know about some of the methods you can apply, such as exercise, diet modification and weight loss. Well, let's look at some not so common natural ways to lower cholesterol that you may not have heard of before.

1. Red Wine

Though not exactly conclusive yet, many people have touted the benefits of red wine in lowering the risk of heart disease. It seems that this potent drink has been shown to increase HDL (good cholesterol) level and stop the formation of LDL (bad cholesterol).

There are also some studies that red wine may help reduce damage to the body's blood vessels, and help prevent the formation of blood clots. In fact, people from the Mediterranean region who drank red wine routinely seem to have lower rates of heart problems.

Grape skins and seeds contain Resveratrol and Flavonoids, which are antioxidants that have a lot of health benefits. So drinking red wine may be one of the natural methods to reduce cholesterol you should try. But remember to always drink in moderation - the American Heart Association recommends a maximum of one to two glasses of alcoholic beverages in a day.

2. Orange juice

Studies have shown that drinking a glass or two of orange juice at breakfast daily can help get those numbers down. It seems Vitamin C helps in the elimination of cholesterol from the blood, as it aids in the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids, which are then excreted from the body. There have been studies that the orange juice has been able to lower LDL and total cholesterol levels by more than 10 percent, but drinking regular juice did not.

Of course, remember to use fresh oranges or other fresh orange juice options, not those artificially flavored juices out there.

3. Black Tea

There have been ongoing studies that drinking three to five cups of black tea a day can help lower cholesterol levels. It is rich in antioxidants that can help strengthen your blood vessels and prevent the occurrence of heart disease.

The problem with black tea, however, is the fact that it contains around 4% caffeine, so it can be rather addictive and too much of it can cause side effects due to caffeine overload, such as headache, nervousness and dizziness. So if you want to try this natural method to lower cholesterol, make sure to stop at five cups a day and remember to drink water as well.

So there you have it - three not so common natural methods to reduce cholesterol. You may be interested in trying out these techniques to get those cholesterol numbers down and keep your heart healthy.

To learn more effective natural methods to reduce cholesterol, don't forget to visit http://www.lowercholesterolbydiet.com/. And make sure to sign up for our mini course so you can easily get started on getting your numbers down.

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If you are one of the millions of people who are told by your doctor that your cholesterol is too high, you are faced with a tough decision. Most likely, the doctor will prescribe a medication to reduce you level of bad cholesterol.

What if you are one of many who prefer not to take medication? There is good news for you as well. Natural ways to lower cholesterol are available, and they just may do the trick for you.

Step one

One fast common sense way to fight high cholesterol is to drink lots of water. By drinking up to eight glasses of water per day, several good things happen for your body. First, by keeping your body hydrated with non sugar based fluids, you are cleansing your system, including your heart, kidneys, and especially your liver.

The process is two-fold; first, your liver actually processes cholesterol and assigns the good cholesterol to the areas of the body that need it, and dumps out the bad cholesterol. By cleansing your liver with refreshing water, you help it to perform at optimum levels.

A second reason for replacing soda, or caffeine drinks is that these drinks actually contribute to increased levels of LDL, or bad cholesterol. Sugar and cream add to potential weight gain which results in increased cholesterol. By adopting a water regimen on a daily basis you are employing one of the natural ways to lower cholesterol.

In addition, drinking an eight ounce glass before every meal diminishes your level of hunger. This will enable you to eat less, causing weight loss and less bad cholesterol in your system.

Step two

Integrating more omega 3 fatty acids into your diet is also one of the natural ways to lower cholesterol. Omega 3 fatty acids have been clinically proven to lower excess LDL while boosting the good cholesterol we need in our system. The good cholesterol is known as high density lipoprotein or LDL. Aside from eating more foods containing omega 3, the simplest way to achieve this goal is to take fish oil capsules. Always make sure that the fish oil contains plenty of the fatty acids DHA and EPA. These essential fatty acids, found in cold water fish are one of the most effective natural ways to lower cholesterol.

Another benefit of fish oil capsules is that for those that aren't big fans of sea food, taking fish oil capsules alleviates the need for eating meals centered on sea food.

Step three

Moderate exercise is also considered by the American Heart Association to be one of the most natural ways to lower cholesterol. The reason is simple. By increasing the heart rate and working up a sweat, one burns the fat and calories in your system. This fat that is stored in your system as a source of energy for the body called triglycerides.

The great news is that one can achieve an elevated heart rate by simply walking a mile, four or five times a week for half an hour. It's recommended, if you are just starting out a new exercise regimen, to work up to the desired pace by starting out on a level surface. You can always progress to walking hills when you work up to it.

A perfect time to integrate step one, is when you are on your walk. Take a bottle of water with you to stay properly hydrated. By doing this, you are burning the fat and staying refreshed. This will keep you from cramping or getting a head ache on a warm day.

Conclusion

Believe me, now that you are armed with this information, knowing that natural ways to lower cholesterol are at your disposal, there is no reason for delay! Fish oil capsules, combined with moderate exercise and drinking plenty of water will go a long way to lowering bad cholesterol. Take up the fight and get healthy today. Here's to your good health.

Jim Morham is a vocal advocate for healthy living and products that promote good health. Due to personal needs, Jim strives to find the very best quality products that aid good health, in order to share them with others. Visit his site at http://purest-omega-3.com/

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Protein Storage - A Time Bomb!

Obese people have both high concentrations of fats and excessive amounts of protein in the blood. The blood's tendency towards clotting, considered to be the greatest cause for heart attack or stroke, stems almost exclusively from the saturation of proteins in the blood. (Note that smoking also increases blood protein concentrations, as shown below). Fats, on the other hand, have no blood-clotting ability. In their attempt to avert a heart attack, the capillary cells absorb the excessive protein, convert it into collagen fiber, and store it in their basal membranes. Although this emergency response has a blood-thinning and, therefore, life-saving effect, it also makes the blood walls thicker and more vulnerable to injury.

Examinations of connective tissue in obese people have proved that it contains not only plump fat cells, but also large amounts of dense collagen-fiber. Collagen is 100 percent pure protein. Building more collagen-fiber than normally needed is one of the main emergency measures the body takes to deal with dangerously high protein concentrations in the blood. By removing the protein from the blood and thereby putting it out of circulation, the blood becomes thin and a major crisis is avoided. But the situation changes drastically when the body's 'protein stores' are all filled up to capacity, and protein consumption continues. This time, the blood becomes and remains saturated with protein. In such a case, the blood begins to permanently thicken and develop a tendency towards clotting.

Unless the afflicted person takes aspirin, which has a blood-thinning effect, a stroke or heart attack may occur. Yet in the long term, aspirin not only fails to prevent such an incidence but strongly encourages it. A heightened risk of deadly uncontrolled bleeding may also result from regular or excessive use of aspirin. In addition, once aspirin treatment discontinues, the risk of suffering a heart attack is greatly increased.

Warning: If you suffer from macular degeneration, the #1 cause of blindness in people over 55 years old, avoid taking aspirin. Also avoid smoking. Recent research found that smoking is the leading cause of macular degeneration; half of all smokers develop it. As soon as a person stops smoking, the risk lessens by one third. A major study linked aspirin to America's epidemic of macular degeneration. The often prescribed one-aspirin-a-day routine makes the retinas more likely to hemorrhage. Besides, aspirin belongs to the same class of painkillers as Vioxx, Celebrex and Aleve, all of which were found to increase heart attack and stroke risk by over 50 percent.

Tests have shown that abstaining from food for a periodic length of time reduces the size and amount of both fat cells and collagen fiber deposits. This also demonstrates that overeating protein does, in fact, increase protein tissue in the body. As explained before, and to emphasize this crucial point, the protein deposits accumulate in the basal membranes of the capillary walls and the connective tissues that surround the cells. As a direct consequence of this development, the thickened blood vessel walls are no longer capable of absorbing sufficient amounts of oxygen, water, and nutrients, and hence they cannot remove all the metabolic waste products that the cells produce.

Therefore, the cells that make up these blood vessels become injured and eventually die from malnutrition, suffocation and dehydration. In a young person, the main blood vessels of the heart have a diameter of about 3mm. By regularly overeating protein foods, the normally smooth and polished inner wall of a blood vessel becomes uneven, and the blood vessel as a whole thickens and loses its elasticity. This leads to a deterioration of blood flow throughout the circulatory system and may culminate in a complete blockage. Coronary arteries that are totally blocked resemble old rusty, calcified water pipes. Their walls are brownish-red and are clogged with yellowish, calcified material.

[This is an excerpt from the book 'Timeless Secrets of Health and Rejuvenation' by Andreas Moritz]

Andreas Moritz is a writer and practitioner in the field of Integrative Medicine. He is the author of 13 books on various subjects pertaining to holistic health, including The Amazing Liver and Gallbladder Flush, Timeless Secrets of Health and Rejuvenation and Cancer Is Not a Disease. His most recent book is titled 'Vaccine-Nation: Poisoning the Population, One Shot at a Time'.

Moritz is also the creator of Ener-Chi Art ( http://www.ener-chi.com/ ) and Sacred Santémony.

Much of his life's work has been dedicated to understanding and treating the root causes of illness, and helping the body, mind, spirit and heart to heal naturally.

Connect with Andreas at: http://www.facebook.com/enerchi.wellness

Copyright © 2011 by Andreas Moritz

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There are many ways to get your body's cholesterol to a safe, healthy level. You don't just have to take statin prescriptions and other scary medications prescribed by your Doctor to lower it.

Certainly, you should always follow the advice of your Doctor, but if you start adding the foods below to your diet, you will really be amazed at how much healthier, stronger and more alert you feel. And feel free to check with your Doctor before adding the foods below to your diet.

I think you'll find he will pat you on your back and applaud these choices. Below are listed 5 of the top foods that lower cholesterol quickly that Doctors, Dietitians and Fitness experts alike agree are part of a healthy-heart diet.

1 - Oats and whole grains
A 5 year study on Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis proved that those of us with diets higher in whole grains have the thinnest, healthiest carotid artery walls, and the lowest incidence rate of hardening of the arteries.

2 - Blueberries
This miracle berry appears on almost every health professionals "Top 10 Perfect Foods" list. With incredible antioxidants and health-helpers, blueberries have been shown to be one of the foods that lower cholesterol as effectively as commonly prescribed commercial drugs, and with zero side effects.

3 - Walnuts, Almonds and Pistachios
These particular nuts were shown in a Penn State study, and many others, to effectively lower LDL (bad cholesterol) levels. The Journal of the American College of Cardiology even stated that eating walnuts after a meal high in fat may protect your heart. It is the Omega 3 fats in these nuts that make them one of the top foods that lower cholesterol quickly, and they also reverse any arterial damage.

4 - Avocados, Olive Oil and Olives
A whopping 25 of the roughly 30 grams in an average avocado are heart-loving unsaturated fats that raise up your HDL (good cholesterol) levels. These "good fats" in avocados, olives and olive oil have been shown to protect against and prevent diabetes and heart disease. They are a part of the heart-healthy Mediterranean Diet.

5 - Fish and Fish Oil
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology discovered that people who already had Type 2 Diabetes lowered their cholesterol levels significantly with the addition of fish or fish oil to their daily diets. Fish and fish oil are also one of the foods that lower cholesterol that also help mental health and skin health, as well as having a host of other health benefits.

Just about everyone can find something on this list to add to their diet, regardless of taste and preference. I personally make a shake with the blueberries and some yogurt (another of the many wonderful foods that lower cholesterol), and take a daily dietary supplement of fish oil.

However you do it, make sure you add some of the amazing foods that lower cholesterol above to your diet, and you will feel healthier and stronger before you know it.

If you would like to know more about foods that lower cholesterol to protect yourself against a heart attack, stroke or coronary artery disease, then visit my website today for FREE quality information to guide you to success.

Mary Ruddy is a former high cholesterol sufferer, from a family with a history of heart disease, and has successfully achieved perfect cholesterol levels, reversing and eliminating the risk of heart disease, and is a strong advocate of natural health care. Mary enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily at: http://www.howtolowercholesterolwithoutmedication.org/

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Are you trying to learn how to lower cholesterol without medication? If so, you have probably been to a Doctor recently and found out that your cholesterol is a little too high, and your Doctor gave you some pointers about how to lower it. Then he or she may have suggested a prescription. But prescriptions can have dangerous side effects, and if you've never taken something before, how do you know it won't have a negative effect on you?

The great news is that with proper diet and exercise, the human body is a master at policing itself, and it runs optimally when certain things happen. Follow the Top 7 tips below for 30 days, then have your cholesterol checked again. I'll bet you'll find that you have discovered how to lower cholesterol without medication, and will be feeling more energetic and healthier.

How To Lower Cholesterol Without Medication Tip #1
Lower your intake of saturated fat

I know saturated fats make foods taste yummy, but they will put you in a pine box 6 feet under if they get half a chance! Look for unsaturated fats listed on food labels, and cut back or eliminate cheese, cream, coconut oil, lard, fatty meats, butter, chocolate and ask about or check the label on prepared meals and foods. More meals at home also means easier monitoring of your saturated fat intake.

How To Lower Cholesterol Without Medication Tip #2
Increase your intake of fish or natural Omega 3 fish oil

We have been told fish is good for us for many years now, but getting fish that you know is safe and free of contaminants is tough. How do you know when you are looking at that salmon or mackerel in your grocer's window how much lead, arsenic or mercury it has in it? If you want to play it safe, Omega 3 fish oil supplements are the way to go, but adding tuna, salmon, mackerel and other large-body, cold water fish to your diet will also help your heart tremendously.

How To Lower Cholesterol Without Medication Tip #3
Support your system with natural supplements

There are safe, all natural supplements that can lower your cholesterol, prevent cholesterol from hardening in your arteries when it does enter your body, and teach your body to make less cholesterol. Especially if your Doctor suggested a Statin medication, this is a much safer, side-effect-free way of treating the problem.

How To Lower Cholesterol Without Medication Tip #4
Increase your level of physical activity

This is the one that always seems to stop people from taking action, but I don't mean running the Boston Marathon right away! Did you know that 15 minutes of walking at a faster than average pace helps your body fight cholesterol, improves heart health and burns calories for up to 6 hours? Start off slow and smart, and take the stairs instead of the elevator, stand up at your desk when you can, and get off of the couch.

How To Lower Cholesterol Without Medication Tip #5
Stop smoking

Smoking has been known to weaken your heart and your body's internal system, but you already knew that. The benefits of stopping smoking are limitless, and the downside of continuing smoking is incredibly well known. Also, cholesterol has a much worse effect on a weakened heart, so cut back or stop smoking altogether.

How To Lower Cholesterol Without Medication Tip #6
Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables

Yep, this is one that is tough to do with today's fast-paced, fast food, preservative-laden eating styles, but you and I have known about its benefits for a long time. What makes them so healthy is that they are "one ingredient" foods. Don't like healthy veggies and fruits? Take a one-a-day vitamin, and refer to tips #2 and #3.

How To Lower Cholesterol Without Medication Tip #7
Drink alcohol in moderation

This is another one that, like smoking, we know has grave side effects if taken in large quantities, or for many years. One glass of red wine every couple of days has actually been proved to help fight heart disease and improve heart health. But 3 glasses every day at happy hour is definitely risky, both to other motorists if you are driving, and also to your cholesterol levels long term. The same applies to beer and alcohol.

Follow these simple, do-at-home tips for 30 days, then have your cholesterol level checked. I'll bet you feel better, healthier and stronger than before. Now about that Boston Marathon...

If you are ready to learn how to lower cholesterol without medication to protect yourself against a heart attack, stroke or coronary artery disease, then visit my website today and download your FREE copy of "Don't Let High Cholesterol And Heart Disease Claim Your Life"

Mary Ruddy is a former high cholesterol sufferer, from a family with a history of heart disease, and has successfully achieved perfect cholesterol levels, reversing and eliminating the risk of heart disease, and is a strong advocate of natural health care. Mary enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily at: http://www.howtolowercholesterolwithoutmedication.org/

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Heart disease is the greatest killer in the western world today, but in the majority of cases it can be avoided. Smoking, alcohol consumption, eating too much saturated fat, obesity and lack of exercise (among others) can all have a detrimental effect on our hearts. Let me show you how to take care of yourself and keep your heart in tip-top condition.

Top Tips For A Healthy Heart

Keeping your heart strong and healthy is in your hands, here are a few suggestions to help you look after your heart: -

1. Every Second Counts

As you get older, your heart muscles and vessels go through changes which can harden arteries and you are more at risk of developing other conditions. Things change more rapidly as your body ages, don't put off that sensible diet or new exercise regime another day. Eventually the damage you have done may not be repairable, so every second counts.

2. Keep Control Of Your Calorie Intake

Your diet can have such an impact on your heart, and obesity increases your chances of type 2 diabetes and heart conditions. Cut out all those empty calories (that have no nutritional value) that come from beer and soda. Practice portion control and never eat until you are stuffed again.

3. Eat Your Heart Healthy

Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as whole grain bread, cereal and pasta. Grill and steam meat, fish and vegetables to keep the goodness in. When it comes to a healthy diet, fresh is always best

4. Listen To Your Body

You need to recognise the warning signs, if your heart is developing problems. If you are suffering chest pains or heart palpitations, shortness of breath or reduced stamina, then get yourself checked out. It is also a good idea to have a cholesterol test, particularly if high cholesterol runs in the family.

5. Avoid A Full Fat Lifestyle

Lots of fatty food in your diet is bad news for your heart, all that saturated fat will soon start blocking your arteries. Start substituting your full-fat foods such as milk, cheese and butter for healthier low-fat alternatives. You should also cut out junk and processed foods in favour of fresh healthy alternatives.

6. Kick Out The Cigs

Smoking is one of the major causes of heart disease and blocks vital arteries to the heart. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your heart and overall health.

7. Get Active

The heart is just like any other muscle, it needs a good workout on a regular basis. Aerobic exercise that gets the heart beating faster for at least 20 minutes at a time is ideal, such as swimming, running and cycling.

8. Reduce Your Salt Intake

Too much salt is bad for your heart, but I do not think the majority of us realise just how much is contained in food. Avoid at all costs putting extra salt on your food or adding it during cooking, try using herbs and spices to add flavour. Start reading labels and look for foods that are low in salt,

Follow my top tips for a healthy heart, and make looking after your heart a priority in your life.

If you would like to find out more about diet patches that work then visit my online weight loss resource. Discover the benefits of wearing a diet patch and grab a great deal today.

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Heart Attack - Warning Signs & Prevention

Approximately 1.5 million people suffer from heart attack in the United States each year, with a third of those resulting in death. About 50% of those deaths will happen within one hour of the onset of symptoms, therefore, it is important that everyone recognizes the signs in order that sufferers can get to a hospital as soon as possible to avoid death and limit damage to the heart.

Normally oxygen will be carried by the blood flowing through the arteries and into the heart to feed the heart muscles. A heart attack can occur if part of the heart muscle dies/is damaged due to not receiving enough oxygen. Most are caused by blockages due to plaque build-up inside the arteries or to hardening of the artery walls.

How do I know if I'm having a heart attack?

The most common symptom of heart attack, which should never be ignored, is a feeling of pressure/heaviness on the chest. If you feel as if someone is sitting on your chest, it lasts for more than a few minutes and does not go away when you sit or lie down, then you need to dial 9-1-1 immediately. Another possible symptom is pain, which spreads across your back, neck, jaw, shoulders and arms. This may be accompanied by feeling dizzy, nauseous and/or short of breath. There could also be a sudden feeling of extreme fatigue. Sometimes you may feel as if you have heartburn - it can be hard to distinguish between a severe case of heartburn and a heart attack.

The symptoms experienced by men and women can be similar; however, women have reported other symptoms in addition to or instead of the more typical symptoms and these include: difficulty breathing and flu-like symptoms (fatigue, sweaty skin and weakness).

What to do?

If you are in any doubt, call 9-1-1 immediately... better to be safe than sorry! Unless you are in a remote location, do not attempt to drive yourself to the emergency room. If you're not allergic to aspirin, then chew one while you wait for the ambulance arriving.

Whether or not someone survives a heart attack and how well they survive it is dependent upon how quickly they get treatment, how much damage there has been and where the damage is.

Risk Factors

The most common risk factors for a heart attack are:

Age - about 85% of people who die of a heart attack are over the age of 65.SmokingHigh blood pressureHigh cholesterolFamily historyDiabetesObesityStressLack of exerciseAtherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)

How to avoid having a heart attack?

Discuss your risk factors with your doctor and he/she will be able to advise you on how to reduce the risk of heart attack. This advice will include: eating a healthy diet (which will help lower blood pressure and cholesterol); getting plenty of exercise; if you are overweight, then he/she will advise you on the best ways to lose weight; if you're a smoker - stop; if you have hypertension, then make sure you control your blood pressure; and if you have diabetes, you need to control your blood sugar levels.

Your doctor may also want to consider putting you on a course of aspirin as this prevents clots from forming and blocking the arteries.

http://www.bwellmag.com/

Responsible for all editorial content - research, writing, proofreading and editing. This is a magazine aimed at all health professionals - doctors, dentists, chiropractors, etc. As a certified Reiki Master, my articles tend to lean towards preventative measures; healthy eating; healthy lifestyle; alternative therapies and natural healing.

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Following a lowering cholesterol diet may be helpful in improving your heart's health, as this essential component of any cell is known to be involved in the fat's storage process. Still, cholesterol is not as guilty as most people think, simply because this element is not the main nor the only responsible for fat deposits found inside the blood vessels walls.

A person with healthy dietary habits, who avoids saturated fats, acid drinks, greasy products and sugar-rich foods, is less prone to heart diseases than someone who bases his or her meals on junk foods. Cholesterol does nothing else by transporting these harmful elements, so its contribution to atherosclerotic plaque formation or heart diseases is not as great as most people think.

So if your heart's health and functioning aren't exactly the best, you should concentrate less on finding a diet that lowers cholesterol and more on improving your cardiovascular system's health by reducing the amount of trans fats you eat. Many researchers believe that you should also reduce the amount of saturated fat.

But be careful, reducing doesn't mean eliminating, so do not exclude saturated fats from your diet completely! This will lead to important imbalances in your organism, affecting not only your heart's health, but your overall physical and psychical condition as well. Your body needs fats just like it requires proteins and carbs in order to work properly.

The key here is to choose the right fats, the ones that are considered good and called unsaturated. These can be found in various oils, such as olive, flaxseed or fish oils, and they're considered good because they have an important contribution in preventing blood from clotting.

You may be surprised but this is a proven fact. Fats can be good for your body and contrary to the general opinion they decrease the risk of atherosclerosis and other heart issues. So remember, if you really are concerned about your heart's health and want to improve it, you should not cut off the fat consumption, but choose the friendly ones.

Feeding your body properly is extremely important in maintaining your energy level, your concentration and good mood, your working ability, skills, muscular tone and psychical comfort. If your dietary habits are rather unhealthy and cookies and fast foods are your best friends, there's no surprise your blood cholesterol levels are high and your hearth's not functioning as well as it used to.

But the problem is not the so called bad cholesterol and the key is not adopting a diet that lowers cholesterol! Try changing your dietary habits for a while and you'll see the difference! Include more fibers in your menu, start your day with some oats cereals and fruits and replace the unhealthy, rich in sugars snacks with nuts, carrots or light yogurts. Opt for fresh salads made of pulses, lentils, tomatoes and other healthy vegetables and replace the greasy burgers with grilled chicken or oven cooked fish.

Once you do these simple dietary changes you'll feel your overall health improving and you'll reduce the risks associated with heart diseases, by protecting your cardiovascular system from atherosclerosis. The sooner you do it, the sooner the results will come.

So if you really want to strengthen your heart and improve your stamina, start eating healthier and smarter and do regular physical exercises - this is by far the best recipe for a healthy heart!

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Pulse Oximeters are a none invasive medical device that is used to measure the oxygen saturation of a patient's blood, changes in the blood volume of the skin as well as the patient's pulse rate. It is attached to the patient's fingertip or ear lobe which is linked to a computerised unit that will conduct the reading. These devises can be attached to a medical monitor so that staff can record a patient's oxygenation at all times. Due to their simplicity and speed, pulse oximeters are of critical importance in emergency medicine and have their value when it comes to patients with respiratory or cardiac problems. A pulse oximeter is useful in any situation where a patient's oxygenation is unstable, including intensive care, operating, recovery, emergency and hospital ward settings, pilots in unpressurised aircraft, for assessment of any patient's oxygenation, and determining the effectiveness of or need for supplemental oxygen.

Pulse Oximeters can be used for number different situations but is at its most valuable when it comes to monitoring oxygenation and pulse rates throughout anaesthesia as well as being commonly used during the recovery phase. Those patients suffering from long standing respiratory disease or those with cyanotic congenital heart disease will have a lower level of oxygen saturation which should always be above 95%. Pulse Oximeters are used during intensive care and can detect problems with oxygenation before they are noticed clinically. They can be used to assess whether or not a patients oxygen therapy is sufficient and as a guide when reducing ventilation. Oximeters are used on the wards and in casualty departments when patients are awaiting procedures as a means of alerting staff to unexpected hypoxia.

Portable, battery-operated oximeters are readily available for home blood-oxygen monitoring and are increasingly less costly to purchase than ever before. If you intend to purchase a pulse oximeter than there are a number of important considerations to keep in mind. If it is being purchased for primary care purposes then it is essential that it is reliable, robust, portable, easy to use, safe and cost effective. As with any medical equipment it is vitally important that those who will be using the pulse oximeter are fully aware of how to use the equipment correctly. It's also essential to understand when it should be use and how to generate accurate readings and interpret the results as well as having an awareness of any limitations.

DeVilbiss Healthcare is an industry leading expert with a wealth of experience in producing quality pulse oximeters

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What is high cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fatty substance known as a lipid. The majority of the cholesterol in our bodies is manufactured by the liver. Cholesterol is, in fact, vital to the normal functioning of the body and, contrary to what many may suppose, we need a certain amount of cholesterol to keep healthy.

Cholesterol is used by the body to make up the outer layer of every cell in the body and to insulate nerve fibres. It is also used to make hormones and the bile acids which we need to digest and absorb fats.

Cholesterol is carried round the blood by molecules known as lipoproteins. The two main lipoproteins are LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. LDL cholesterol makes up the majority of cholesterol in the blood and is often known as 'bad' cholesterol because it can cause a build-up of harmful deposits when there is too much cholesterol in your blood for the cells to use. So, ideally, we want lower levels of LDL.

HDL cholesterol is often called 'good' cholesterol as it aids the body in disposing of the cholesterol in our blood stream by carrying it back to the liver which either breaks it down or cause it to be passed from the body as waste. So, ideally, we want higher levels of HDL.

Another type of cholesterol is VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) which helps to distribute triglycerides (a type of fat found in the blood) through the blood stream. A certain amount of VLDL also converts to LDL. Unlike LDL and HDL, VLDL cholesterol levels are not measured directly but estimated based on the measurement of triglyceride levels in the blood.

This is the reason why a blood test that measures cholesterol levels, also includes a measurement for triglycerides. High cholesterol, then, is a higher than normal level of HDL, or 'bad' cholesterol, often combined with a lower than normal level of LDL, or 'good', cholesterol and a high level of triglycerides.

Why you might want to lower your cholesterol
High cholesterol itself is not a disease but it significantly increases your risk of serious medical conditions such as heart disease and stroke. With high cholesterol small fatty lumps accumulate on the walls of the arteries which can lead to a condition known as atherosclerosis or 'hardening of the arteries' which makes the arteries narrower and therefore restricts the flow of blood to your heart, brain, or other parts of the body.

In turn, this increases the chances of a blood clot forming which, on top of a previous narrowing, can block the artery completely, stopping the blood from flowing. If the blocked artery leads to a portion of the heart or brain, this can cause a heart attack or stroke. Other heart or vascular diseases caused by atherosclerosis include angina, TIA (transient ischaemic attack) and peripheral vascular disease.

How to lower your cholesterol
Several factors can lead to high cholesterol, some of which, such as heredity and genetics, are beyond our control. However, lifestyle and diet are key factors in increasing the risk of developing high levels of blood cholesterol.

An unhealthy diet, made up of large amounts of food types containing saturated fats is a major, but easily preventable, cause of high cholesterol. For many people with high cholesterol, a diet low in saturated fats can substantially reduce levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol.

A healthy, balanced diet can lead not only to lower levels of LDL in the blood but can also increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels, helping to keep the 'bad' cholesterol at bay. In addition a low fat diet, combined with some regular, moderate exercise can also lead to weight loss, which in turn can help normalize cholesterol levels.

Simeon Wolf is a nutrition expert. For more information on lower cholesterol, visit http://www.foodsloweringcholesterol.com/.

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Heart disease has surpassed cancer as the number one leading cause of death in the United States, and your risk of developing it is dramatically increased if you have high cholesterol. High cholesterol also adds greatly to your risk of having a stroke, the third leading cause of death in the US. Because cholesterol contributes so significantly to both of these potentially fatal medical conditions, knowing what lowers cholesterol can literally be a lifesaver.

One of the reasons so many people die of high cholesterol every year is that it presents no symptoms, so those who have it often don't even know it until they are hit with a heart attack or stroke. If you know about your high cholesterol, you are already ahead of the curve, but just knowing about it isn't going to prevent you from developing heart disease. You need to actually do something about it.

Lowering your cholesterol is simple, but it does require some effort and determination. Below is a short list of things you can do to take control of your high cholesterol.

1. Make dietary changes. Changing your diet is the most effective way of lowering your cholesterol. Foods that are full of saturated fats and trans-fatty acids will increase your cholesterol levels, whereas unsaturated fats and fiber will lower them.

Your body needs some fat and cholesterol in order to function, but too much will lead to health problems. Fats should make up no more than thirty-five percent of your daily diet, and most of these fats should be the unsaturated kind.

Omega-3 fatty acids are especially good at raising your HDL (good cholesterol) levels and bringing your LDL (bad cholesterol) levels down. These fatty acids are found mainly in oily fish. Fiber, found in fruit, vegetables, and grain products, will also help bring LDL cholesterol out of your blood stream.

2. Exercise. Being overweight contributes to high cholesterol levels, and exercise helps you lose this weight. Not only that, but exercise itself actually reduces the bad cholesterol in your body, and strenuous exercise increases the levels of HDL in your body. If you are wondering what lowers cholesterol, this is honestly one of the best solutions around.

3. Take Nutritional Supplements. If simply reducing your fat intake isn't helping as much as you would like it too, you might want to consider taking a supplement to lower your cholesterol. So what lowers cholesterol as far as supplements are concerned?

Garlic, niacin, policosanol, and red yeast rice are all supplements that have been proven effective at lowering cholesterol levels, sometimes to an even greater extent than prescription drugs. These supplements can all be bought at your local health store, and they have relatively few side effects when compared to the much harsher drugs your doctor might prescribe.

4. Use Herbs. The herbs that have been found to lower cholesterol are primrose and guggul. Some people have also found sunflower seeds, hawthorn, alfalfa, and grape seed extract to be effective, but these herbal supplements have not been formally tested to the same extent.

5. Ask Your Doctor About Medication. If you go to your doctor and ask them what lowers cholesterol, he or she will probably tell you about different kinds of cholesterol-lowering medications. There are certainly plenty of drugs on the market that can be used for lowering high cholesterol levels, but these should be used only as a last resort as they can cause some bad side effects.

Now that you know what lowers cholesterol, I hope you will use this information to keep yourself from becoming another heart-disease statistic. There is no reason that so many people should die from something that can be so easily prevented through diet and exercise. Please take your high cholesterol seriously and start doing something about it today!

For more information about high cholesterol, a life threatening problem, and how to manage it, visit http://www.loweringcholesterolfoods.com/

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If you are worried that your cholesterol is too high, your first question may well be, "Well, what should my cholesterol be?" The answer to this question is not as simple as you may think. To really understand what your cholesterol levels should be, you must first know about the different types of cholesterol and how they work in your body.

Have I Got Too Much Cholesterol?

The first thing you should know if you are asking, "What should my cholesterol be?" is that not all cholesterol is bad for you. In fact, your body needs some cholesterol in order to function. It helps to create hormones, digestive juices, vitamin D, nerve synapses, and is a major component in cell membranes.

When you have more cholesterol in your blood than your body needs, however, the excess starts to build up on the walls of your arteries, causing them to narrow and harden. This can lead to heart disease, and if a blood clot gets caught in these narrow arteries, it can cause a heart attack or stroke. For this reason, it is incredibly important that you keep your cholesterol levels in check.

"Good" and "Bad" Types of Cholesterol

There are two main types of cholesterol, and it is the ratio between these two that will determine whether or not your cholesterol levels are healthy. The first type is of cholesterol is called low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol, and it is usually referred to as "bad" cholesterol, because it is the type that will clog your arteries. The other kind of cholesterol is high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol, and it is known as "good" cholesterol because it helps to carry excess LDL cholesterol out of your blood.

Both LDL and HDL cholesterol is needed in your body, but it is essential to maintain the proper ratio of these two in order to avoid heart disease. In women, this ratio should be no less than one part HDL cholesterol per four parts total cholesterol (1:4), and for men it should be no less than 1:4½.

What Numbers Are Right For Cholesterol?

So now that you know about the two different kinds of cholesterol, you are probably saying to yourself, "Yes, but what should my cholesterol be numerically, for both types?" Cholesterol levels are measured inmilligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), and they can only be determined though a blood test. Your results will normally be broken down into your total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL levels.

An optimal range for total cholesterol levels would be less than 180 mg/dL, although anything below 200 is still desirable. Anything between 200 and 239 mg/dL is considered to be borderline high and should be watched closely to make sure it does not go up. Levels of 240 mg/dL and over are considered high, and your doctor will probably recommend that you make dietary changes or take medication to lower them.

For LDL levels specifically, the optimal range is considered to be lower than 100 mg/dL. Levels of 129 mg/dL and below are still good, but if they are any higher than that you should start considering making dietary changes. Levels of 160 mg/dL and above are considered high, and anything about 190 mg/dL is very high.

HDL cholesterol levels should ideally be above 60mg/dL. Levels of 40 mg/dL and below are considered low. Remember, if your LDL or total cholesterol levels are high, you want to actually raise your HDL levels, not lower them. Increased HDL levels will carry more LDL out of your blood, lowering your bad cholesterol levels.

If you have been wondering "What should my cholesterol be?" hopefully this article has helped answer your question. If you have any doubts or further inquiries, you should discuss them with your physician. They will be able to give you further information and advice about lowering your LDL cholesterol levels.

For more information about high cholesterol, a life threatening problem, and how to manage it, visit http://www.loweringcholesterolfoods.com/

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The word "cholesterol" has become a popular term in these last few years. It is no longer an exclusive term used by medical professionals and old people. This is because we often hear and see it being discussed in normal conversations, in tv shows, in newspapers and magazines, and even in TV commercials. You may ask why, the only answer to that is the fact that thousands of people died or are suffering from coronary diseases because of high cholesterol.

But is Cholesterol really that evil? Believe it or not, Cholesterol has a special and beneficial function to our health system. In moderate levels, it is actually responsible for the maintenance of healthy cell walls and development of bile acids that help in fat digestion. It also helps the body produce its own vitamin D. Only when taken in excess does it become a bane to our body.

There two (2) types of cholesterol: the good one is called the HDL or high density lipoprotein and the bad one known as LDL or low-density Lipoprotein. The latter is the one that causes the blood vessels to clog and eventually leads its sufferer to a heart disease or stroke.

The good type of cholesterol or HDL (High-density Lipoprotein) actually removes ldl from your blood. The most common sources for hdl are fatty fish like tuna and trout, all kinds of berries,nuts, cranberry extract juice, eggs.

Therefore, it is important that we are able to maintain a high level of HDL in our body so that it can counter the ill effects of LDL that is also present in our system. The best way to do it is by being careful and picky of what we eat. If you want to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, you need to start with a healthy diet program.

Maintaining good and normal cholesterol levels is important but most people falter in this aspect. For one, it is a bit difficult to say NO to delicious foods that are easily available in the supermarkets. Unfortunately, most of these foods are packed with preservatives and dairy products. We all know that dairy products such as butter and cheese can cause our cholesterol levels to shoot up. However, there are also healthier alternatives such as low cholesterol dairy products or trans fat free foods. Trans fat is commonly found in canned goods, chips, sausages, and other commercially prepared food.

Keep in mind that it is always important to have any thing in moderation especially food. The excess cholesterol in our body are the ones that cause the clogging of the blood vessels that may eventually lead to stroke or heart disease.

It is a really good thing though that there is an increasing awareness about cholesterol and the right diet to counter the evil consequences of high cholesterol in our body. As you age, having your cholesterol levels checked from time to time can truly help manage and monitor a good health.

Learn more about the Cholesterol Chart to successfully manage your Cholesterol Levels. Stay away from heart diseases now.

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We as human beings in our western culture know all too well the foods we adore and that come to mind without effort. We naturally think of eggs, bacon and buttered toast or a beautiful stack of pancakes when we think of a good breakfast. At lunch time, if it's not McDonald's it's a good ole ham sandwich or something similar. Our Dinner also consists of a familiar menu that is automatically envisioned in our minds long before we take a single bite. Foods with cholesterol are programmed into our psyche and our culture to the deepest level and to the core of our existence.

The first thing you should know about foods with cholesterol is that it is big business and we will continue to be bombarded with marketing that will ensure this diet never leaves our minds. Secondly and just as effective is the fact that we love this food and are willing to make the trade-off or the sacrifice to enjoy it. This is a large part of our culture that defines who we are. Without the Philly Cheesesteaks, the New York style Pizza and the Texas bar-be-cue, who would we be? Good-googley, do we eat good or what? It is a part of us and we deserve to eat good.

We so eat to our hearts desire that also incorporated into our society is our hearts disease. Our hearts desire turns into our heart's disease and there is nothing we can do about it. It goes with the territory so to speak.

Heart disease will continue to be our number 1 cause of death. That is O.K. with us for we at least enjoyed the journey. Besides the fact that we have a plethora of doctors and prescription medications that stand to the ready to help prolong our lives and our lifestyles. The medical and pharmaceutical industries must continue to thrive also, it also is a big business that helps to define us. The cycle must continue to ensure our way of life.

Cholesterol and cholesterol medications r-us. Please do not attempt to adjust your dial or our minds. It is what it is. The whole of our economy and culture depends on the foods we eat and the pharmaceuticals to fix it.

Billions upon billions are spent in advertising and then the delivering to us the fine foods we eat. Then more billions are spent advertising and delivering the medications we will need. Who are we to alter this great structure with talk of getting back to nature and eating healthy. Sure, we can stand for a few to think for and about themselves and adopt a more healthy diet, but we can ill afford (no pun) mass selfishness. Leave our heart disease where it is. When our turn to become ill arrives we can feel proud to contribute to our way of life.

For those who wish not to participate you need to know that great lengths have been taken for you to enjoy the foods we have made famous. For you to want to think outside the box and live a healthier lifestyle is good for you, but what about the rest of us? It is sort of an insult and we wonder who do you think you are? It makes us feel like the serpent in the Garden of Eden saying "Eat this, for you shall not surely die." Of course you won't die, at least not right away, as a matter of fact we guarantee you'll enjoy it. You'll enjoy it so much you won't be able to stop, at least not right away. If you do not partake with us and you're walking around fit and trim and full of energy and exuberance, we will hate you inside of ourselves, for this is not our way of life. Or haven't you noticed our obesity and illnesses of late? It's for the good of our society, our way of life.

For those who are ready to make the change visit http://www.yourcholesterolcenter.com/ and discover the healing powers of Blue Water in our exclusive and free of charge Ecourse.

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Sad to say that many young adults neglect to have their blood work done at least once a year. Probably until they have this burdensome feeling, then that's the time they see a physician. Without them knowing, their cholesterol level had actually skyrocket. This can be a turning point when they set out to be more conscious of their diet. However, for some people, it may be too late to lower cholesterol normally. As an alternative, their doctor may have to order a medicine to help reduce their cholesterol levels.

As a general rule, anything that's consumed in excess is most often dangerous to us. Same thing applies to the cholesterol quantity in your body. If you're not particularly interested in the nutrients of the meals that you eat, you may lose tabs on the quantity of cholesterol you're taking in your body. Obviously, it's absurd that you calculate the cholesterol in the food you eat. By far the most practical and precise method to have your cholesterol administered is actually getting a fat profile test every now and then.

The cholesterol levels are different from person to person. Age, lifestyle or diet plan cannot be the sole basis of a person's health. There are people who seem to be in top shape and are leading a healthy lifestyle but on the contrary they nurse some cholesterol problems. On the other hand, it is also possible for a couch potato to be in the pink of health despite his lousy lifestyle. Thus, you cannot really judge a person's health condition based on his physical attributes alone. Generally, factors that may affect a person's heart condition are his genes, his lifestyle habits, or his eating habits. When you are investigating the root cause of a health problem, you can eliminate the causes one by one.

As you check your cholesterol level, it's also extra helpful if you know and comprehend the cholesterol level chart. It doesn't mean that you will not have your physician interpret the results but with some knowledge you get to understand your health status as well. Based on the total cholesterol level chart, if your cholesterol range is somewhere below 200, then that simply indicates that you are spared from the risk of acquiring coronary diseases. However, if your cholesterol range is between 200 to 239, then that is considered as borderline high. Meaning, there is a possibility that you will develop heart disease. Lastly, if your cholesterol level fall between 240 and above, then you will just double the risk of acquiring heart disease.

The chart does not mean to scare you. It only serves as your guide in keeping a healthy heart.

Learn more about the Cholesterol Chart to successfully manage your Cholesterol Levels. Stay away from heart diseases now.

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If you look at all of the different options of nuts that are available on the shelves of your grocery store you will quickly notice that many of them have a statement that is often depicted with a big red heart symbol. This statement reads, "Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease." This comes from the FDA. For the FDA to make a statement like that it must mean that there is some strong research to back it up.

While many nuts are included as being good for your heart, one nut stands above the rest. That nut is the almond - though, almonds are technically seeds and not nuts. What makes almonds so good for you?

Almonds are high in dietary fiber. In one serving you can get 3mg of fiber, which is a lot. Including fiber in your diet is known to help reduce cholesterol levels and to decrease the risk of heart disease.

Almonds are full of Vitamin E. This is very important for fighting plaque buildup in the walls of your arteries. Plaque is created when bad cholesterol (LDL) is broken down through a process called oxidation. Vitamin E interacts with LDL molecules in a way that it prevents this breakdown process. In a study at Harvard it was discovered that the most dangerous type of cholesterol have very low levels of Vitamin E.

Almonds are high in monounsaturated fat. In recent years fat's role as being enemy number one has decreased and doctors are becoming aware that some fats are very good for the body. One 'good' fat is monounsaturated fat. In several studies it has been shown that monounsaturated fats help to decrease the level of LDL cholesterol in the blood. It is thought that this link is due to monounsaturated fat changing the LDL molecules so they 'stick' to the liver, thus reducing the amount flowing in your blood.

However, it is wise to be aware that almonds do contain a lot of calories in even small amounts. A serving of almonds, which is typically 20-30 almonds, can contain 200 or more calories. Therefore, it is best to use some restraint when eating almonds. Gaining weight will counteract any positive effects you may achieve by eating these nuts.

People who face the reality of high cholesterol may not also want to go the route of prescription drugs. By changing your diet, even in the slightest ways, it is possible to manage cholesterol levels without facing the possible side effects of medication. Nuts, and more specifically almonds, are a great way to start.

For more information on how to reduce bad cholesterol, including more info regarding the question of ' are almonds good for you ', read more articles that Christine Crotts has written about this subject.

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For decades eggs have gotten a bad rap. They have been blamed for high cholesterol and have been placed on the 'do not eat' list for anyone wanting to control cholesterol levels. However, recent studies and a better understanding of cholesterol is making many experts and doctors question this old way of thinking.

When considering a whole egg, it is relatively high in cholesterol. The total amount of cholesterol in an egg is around 200mg. This is considering a large egg, since that is what most people in the U.S. consume. This is also an estimate, since the size can vary a little. While this number may seem high to some people, it is around 60mg lower than what was previously thought. Even so, the recommended amount of cholesterol that should be in your diet every day is 300mg or less. This recommendation comes from the American Heart Association (AMA). Therefore, at 200mg per egg, you are already close to your daily maximum.

This may not be as bad as it seems, though. Many other notable organizations and doctors suggest that the AMA recommendation is quite restrictive and that most people can consume more than 300mg of cholesterol every day and still maintain healthy levels and a low risk of heart disease. Not only that, but you need to consider that the cholesterol in an egg is not evenly spread out.

It is important to note that all of the cholesterol in an egg is found in the yolk. This changes things quite a bit since you can eat as many egg whites as you want and not consume any dietary cholesterol. Therefore, it is possible to create meals with several egg whites. You can even add in a whole egg or two if you want to add the texture and taste of the yolks. Another option is to purchase prepared egg substitutes. These are just egg whites that are fortified with nutrients and have some flavoring and color added. When prepared properly many people are not able to distinguish between cooked whole eggs and egg substitutes.

While the bad rap of eggs is starting to erode, it is still important to consider what you eat. You may now safely eat an egg or two a day, but you will add more problems if you cook them in butter or add a pile of bacon to your breakfast plate. As with most things related to your diet, it is best to stick to moderation. Enjoy the occasional egg and try to eat more egg whites or egg substitutes instead of whole eggs.

For more information on how to reduce bad cholesterol, including more info regarding eggs and cholesterol, read more articles that Christine Crotts has written about this subject.

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Are you looking for the quickest ways to lower cholesterol naturally and safely, without possibly dangerous side effects from the frequently prescribed statin drugs? Then you are to be commended, because simply taking a pill does not change the actions that are getting bad LDL cholesterol into your body in the first place.

If you can change the actions you are taking, and learn just what to do to reduce the intake of LDL and increase the levels of HDL cholesterol you ingest, you can experience improved health and strength quicker than you may have thought possible.

To lower cholesterol naturally, all you do is stop ingesting and creating LDL and starting ingesting and creating HDL cholesterol. The differences and all the scientific, medical terminology are far above the scope of this short article.

Just remember HDL is good, and LDL is bad. And remember, the human brain is the most amazing computer on the planet. All you need to do is program it for health, and have a little willpower, and you can kiss high LDL cholesterol levels goodbye.

The first step to lower cholesterol naturally is to eliminate fast foods for the most part. Also, fatty meats, animal fats, red meat, dairy products, butter and cheese are all high in the unhealthy LDL that leads to the heart diseases and artery problems you are trying to avoid.

And a great percentage of processed foods and sweets are unnaturally low in HDL and high in LDL as well, so cut back or eliminate entirely. If this is too hard at first, apply the "once a day" rule.

Next, you need to replace these "bad foods" with good ones. Walnuts, high fiber veggies and breads, whole grains and oats, blueberries and beans are all excellent "health foods" that either ramp up your HDL and/or lower your LDL cholesterol levels. Even a small change from the heart-harming foods mentioned earlier to these heart-healthy foods can make a life-saving difference.

And finally, you can lower cholesterol naturally by becoming more active. Multiple studies have shown that only 25 to 45 minutes of moderate to heavy physical exertion shoots your HDL cholesterol level through the roof, and makes your heart healthier.

You also burn calories for up to 6 hours afterward, so losing a couple of unwanted pounds is an added health benefit. And exercise also breaks down LDL, so you have the awesome double-edged sword of natural cholesterol health here.

As you can see, it really isn't rocket science, and you can start right now. Turn off your computer and take a brisk walk, and when you return, have a snack of walnuts or blueberries, and you will have healthier, lower cholesterol naturally and quickly.

If you are ready to learn more about how to lower cholesterol naturally to protect yourself against a heart attack, stroke or coronary artery disease, then visit my website today for FREE quality information to guide you to success.

Mary Ruddy is a former high cholesterol sufferer, from a family with a history of heart disease, and has successfully achieved perfect cholesterol levels, reversing and eliminating the risk of heart disease, and is a strong advocate of natural health care. Mary enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily at: http://www.howtolowercholesterolwithoutmedication.org/

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Stanford University Medical Center celebrates National Heart Month with an informative Go Red event. Heart disease is the number one killer of women, taking the lives of over half a million women every year. The Go Red for Women campaign's mission is to educate and create awareness regarding women and heart disease, enabling women to live stronger, longer lives. This program provides information on nutrition, cardiac imaging, and prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

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HEART PLUS with proline, lysine, Vitamin C and rose hips. This is the formula proscribed by Linus Pauling to eradicate heart disease. Your body cannot produce Vitamin C resulting in hairline cracks in your veins which your body patches up with fat. These deposits build up clogging the arteries causing high blood pressure and heart attack. Vitamin C in the form of ascorbate dissolves those fat deposits. Amino acids proline and lysine coat the circulatory system like teflon. Eradicate heart disease with Heart Plus 180 - 750mg tablets

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The ComboPack of Cholesto-Rite and High-Rite consists of multiple remedies that work well together to provide increased support for your condition. This ComboPack offers complete control of hypertension and cholesterol levels. The Cholesto-Rite naturally controls both good and bad cholesterol levels while the High-Rite helps to support healthy blood pressure levels and promote cardiovascular health.

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Study after study supports the old idea that pet owners live longer. They do! Both dog and cat owners have been shown to have lower incidences of heart disease that those who do not own pets. In the United States, over 60 percent of households have pets and now it has been shown that not only do they provide companionship, they provide health benefits too.

One study conducted by the University of Minnesota's Stroke Institute followed 4,000 Americans for ten years. The result of the study was the risk of a heart attack was reduced by almost a third when compared with people who did not own a cat. A key point seems to be that the lower levels of stress and anxiety among cat owners leads to a healthier cardiovascular system. Researchers cannot prove that it is the calming effect of owning a cat that lowers the risk for heart attack but the study conclusively showed that the cat owners had a significantly lower risk of fatal heart disease. Studies like this one point out the fact that many people are prevented from having pets due to regulations in apartment buildings.

Another study conducted by the Baker Medical Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia, measured blood pressure and cholesterol levels in pet owners and non-owners. This study found a significant difference in both measures. Men who were pet owners had lower systolic blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels. Women showed the same results. One issue raised in this study was that pet owners, especially dog owners, tend to get more exercise than non-owners. When all other factors including body-mass, smoking, and socioeconomic level were taken into consideration, a significant difference in blood pressure and cholesterol was found based on pet ownership.

An interesting study from 2002 shows that both heart rates and blood pressure increased less when pet owners were asked to solve math problems while their pets were present. The physiological sign of stress were reduced just by the presence of the pets.

These are just a few of the research studies that support the theory that pet ownership can reduce hypertension, reduce cholesterol, increase exercise and provide therapy for those who may suffer from coronary disease.

Monique Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate for the use of safe and effective high quality, natural, alternative health products to treat and prevent heart disease. To learn about how to prevent and treat heart disease naturally, visit her blog for weekly tips at heart disease and women

How is coronary heart disease detected?

Unfortunately, in one third of all cases the first sign of coronary heart disease is sudden, unexpected death. The victims are completely unaware of the blockages in their coronary arteries until it is too late.

In the rest of the cases, coronary heart disease first appears as chest pain or even a heart attack. Chest pain due to coronary heart disease is usually brought on by physical exertion. Physical activity increases the demand of the heart muscle for oxygen; if significant blockage is present in a coronary artery, the demand cannot be met. This produces pain, usually in the middle of the chest behind the breastbone. The pain is often pressing or constrictive. Some people describe it by clinching their fist over their chest. The pain may radiate up into the throat or jaw.

You may have heard the phrase angina pectoris used to describe such pain (angina from the latin for throat, pectoris from the latin for chest). The pain of angina pectoris may also radiate up into the left shoulder and down the left arm. when triggered by exercise or exertion, angina pectoris is usually relieved by rest. Occasionally, angina is brought on by tension or emotions; or it may occur after eating a meal, or even at night when sleeping. Angina that occurs at rest is an indicator of even more serious atherosclerosis, because the heart is not getting enough oxygen even when it is not working hard. Angina pectoris may be the first signal that you have underlying coronary heart disease.

A heart attack develops when a clot forms on top of the blockage in a coronary artery. This completely prevents blood from flowing through the artery, and deprives the tissue beyond the blockage of needed oxygen and nutrients. The cells in the heart muscle (myocardium) then die, producing what is commonly referred to as a heart attack (myocardial infarction).

Often the first sign of a heart attack is the development of pressing chest pain. When a heart attack is taking place, the chest pain is often not relieved by rest. This persistent chest pain is often also accompanied by weakness, fainting, profuse sweating, nausea, and vomiting. Emergency medical attention is needed, and hospitalization is required. When a heart attack occurs, the part of the heart muscle that is injured is left with a scar.

Is your heart being deprived of oxygen without symptoms?

If you have significant blockages in your coronary arteries, you may be having "silent" episodes in which your heart muscle is not receiving enough oxygen (ischemia). Such episodes are transient, lasting only several minutes at a time, and are termed "silent myocardial ischemia" by heart doctors (cardiologists). People with this problem may be totally without symptoms, may have suffered a heart attack but gone on to be symptom free, or may have attacks of angina alternating with episodes of silent ischemia.

How common is silent ischemia?

Some doctors estimate that 2 to 3 out of every 100 men have silent ischemia during exercise; that survivors of heart attacks have one chance in ten of having silent icshemia; and that of the four million patients with angina pectoris in this country, about 80% also have episodes of silent ischemia. If you are having angina attacks, you probably are having more episodes od ischemia than is suggested by your angina attacks alone.

How is ischemia detected? Your doctor can use several different tests.

Resting electrocardiogram. The electrocardiogram (or EKG) is the best known test for heart disease. The muscle cells of your heart contract in response to electrical impulses from the nerves. Electrodes attached to your body detect these impulses as they travel through the various parts of your heart. The recording or tracing that results is the EKG. If part of your heart muscle has been damaged by a heart attack, the electrical impulses do not travel through it properly, producing an abnormal EKG. A resting EKG can also detect abnormalities (arrhythmias) in the rhythm of your heart.

The resting EKG has its limitations. For example, about three out of four patients with angina pectoris have normal resting EKGs. Many patients with with significant blockages of their coronary arteries have normal EKGs. Having a normal resting EKG does not mean that you do not have any blockages in your coronary arteries, nor does it mean you can ignore risk factors you may have for coronary heart disease.

Other tests to ask your doctor about.

Stress Exercise Electrocardiogram (Stress Test).

Stress Thallium Exercise Electrocardiogram (Stress Thallium Test).

Holter EKG Monitoring.

Coronary Angiography.

Angelo Abruzzese Author Do You Understand The Risks of Coronary Heart Disease? Coronary Heart Disease

Eating for a healthy heart isn't complicated, and it is not about making radical, short-term changes to your diet. It really is about making a life-style change. Eating for a healthy heart is an important initial step to lowering the threat of developing heart problems. Coronary disease will take more lives than the next seven main causes of death. Discover why eating for a healthy heart, seriously, isn't as rigid as you thought, however it is essential to a happy healthier life.

If coronary disease runs within your family you will need to be especially careful. Heart or cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of people in the United States. It kills much more Americans than all types of cancer put together. Heart attacks tend to be devastating, especially whenever they come as a surprise, and many people who experience a heart attack do not recover. Coronary disease is actually a huge, blanketing term that encompasses each and every illness or condition related to your heart. It is the result of clogging of the coronary arterial blood vessels because of the build-up of fatty deposits inside the blood vessels. Heart attacks can be averted, yet lots of people in the western world multiply their own danger of having a heart attack by some of the things they do every day. There are many factors that can influence your risk of cardiovascular disease. How and what you decide to consume may significantly impact the health of your heart. You can find food that you could eat that will promote and preserve a healthy heart. To keep your heart and body healthy, focus on a diet around the following guidelines: Consume many different foods. Your heart is begging you to stay away from that cheeseburger. You are learning to create healthier choices about food that will take care of your heart for the rest of your lifetime. Put simply, a heart-healthy diet is not that tough to attain. If you wish to get into the specifics, the American Heart Association recommends always keeping your intake of total fat to about 30 percent of combined daily calories.

Healthy eating is very important for a healthy heart. Follow a proper diet. Healthy cooking recipes are definitely popular as many us strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Two healthy cooking techniques are stir frying and sauteing using olive oil or canola oil. Healthy carbs involve whole grain bread, whole grain pasta, brown rice, and a huge amount of vegetables. Top salads with heart-healthy avocado rather than mayonnaise. Plain yogurt is always an excellent substitute for sour cream.

Eating for your heart will involve avoiding sugary foods like candy, cookies, cakes, and pastries. Eating healthy vegetables and fruits is good, as these foods are rich in anti-oxidants. Eating healthy is always great for your body and your lifestyle, especially when it comes to your heart and also the prevention of heart disease. Eating healthy for your heart is one thing everyone needs to try and do, particularly when it involves rebuilding health and minimizing heart attacks.

As the scientific facts amass, it appears to indicate that eating for a healthy heart is not about what not to eat -- it's about what to enjoy.

Everyone wants to feel better, look better and be happier. For more information on eating-for-a-healthy-heart go to http://healthylivinginformation.net and start your plan of reducing your risk of heart disease today! You can find other important healthy living information there as well.

Your heart is the organ that pumps the blood throughout your body. It is made up almost entirely of muscle and works nonstop as a blood pump right up until the moment you die. Anything that causes your cardiac muscle to not function properly, is an immediate problem for the rest of your body. You just cant "tough it out" when it comes to disease, like you might be able to with other diseases.

The term heart disease, is a term that refers to a broad scope of ailments, that effect the cardiac muscle and the job it has to do. They are all very serious, though some are more serious than others. Some are also more treatable than others. The following are some of the most common diseases of it but are not all of them.

Coronary heart disease is caused by a build up of plaque, within the walls, that supply the cardiac muscle, with the blood that it needs to survive. It also needs a blood supply to it, just like nay other organ, or muscle in your body and if the hearts blood supply is cut off to any part if it, this will cause a heart attack. This is when part of the heart dies, due to lack of blood flow to it.

Ischaemic heart disease is another disease of the heart, that is brought on by reduced blood supply to the heart. Unlike other muscles in your body, your cardiac muscle can not ever take a rest, it works even while you sleep. So any interference with its blood supply is a serious threat to your life. Cardiovascular disease is a term that describes a number of diseases that affect the blood vessel system, as it pertains to your heart.

It is very difficult to have a disease of the blood vessels and not have it effect your heart also. The main blood vessels of your body run right through your cardiac muscle. Your heart is interconnected with your blood vessel system. So almost any problem that affects your blood vessel system as a whole, is going to have some negative affect on your heart. This is not a blanket rule though and there are exceptions.

Cor pulmonale is a failure of the right side of the heart. Hereditary heart disease is any type of heart disease that you inherit through your families genes. This can be any one of a number of type of disorders of the heart muscle.Inflammatory heart disease is cause by it getting bigger than it should be. This might not seem like it would be too much of a problem but in actuality is life threatening.

Your heart is enclosed in a limited amount of space that it has to work in. When it becomes inflamed, or grows larger than it normally should be, it cant do its job as well as it should do it. This disease can also affect the tissue surrounding the heart.

Experiments have been done, involving a radical operation, that involves removing a section of the heart and then stitching it back together, to reduce its size, but research is still ongoing and the operation is still not approved for humans in the United States. It has been performed successfully in other countries though.

Valvular heart disease is a disease that affects the valves of the cardiac muscle. Heart valves must open and close properly for your cardiac muscle to pump blood effectively. Damaged or malfunctioning heart valves, allow blood to leak by them, or if they aren't opening properly, not enough blood to pass through them.

As pumps go, your heart is as complex as you can get. So remember to take care of it because unlike other organs in your body such as your kidneys or your eyes, you only have one.

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The most effective change you can make to help heart disease is a total lifestyle change. This includes changing your diet. Your diet should consist of very little fat and numerous servings of fruits and vegetables. The other part of lifestyle change is exercise. I've spoken in length about both of these in past articles. So today we will concentrate on natural supplements for the heart.

Heart disease is serious and you should be under a physicians care before taking any supplements. At any sign of heart problems you need to get an immediate diagnosis and treatment plan from your medical doctor.

Many heart attacks start slowly without any warning signs. There is usually a discomfort in the chest that lasts a few minutes. It may go away and come back. There can be pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck or arms.

Shortness of breath may be a sign of heart problems. Other signs may include sweating, nausea, vomiting, and sudden ringing in the ears.

Alternative medical practitioners have always recommended vitamins and supplements. Many medical doctors now recommend nutritional supplements when treating heart disease.

One of the most important heart supplements is CoQ10. After a heart attack some of the heart tissue dies. And then the heart becomes overworked. CoQ10 helps the heart cells produce energy. CoQ10 also works to help prevent heart disease by keeping cholesterol from oxidizing.

The herb hawthorn is considered to be a heart tonic. It helps the heart fatigue that occurs in congestive heart failure. The herb is also a preventative since it improves blood flow. It has a mild blood thinning effect.

L-carnitine increases the energy production of the heart. Studies have shown it to be effective in the treatment of angina. Another study showed L-carnitine to be beneficial for congestive heart failure. It improved triglycerides, cholesterol, edema and helped breathing.

Magnesium is important for heart health. It helps to relax the arteries that feed the heart. Studies have shown that magnesium helps angina and heart arrhythmia.

Cayenne is a hot herb. It improves circulation. Studies have shown that it reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It is also a natural blood thinner.

There have been numerous studies on the benefits of garlic. Garlic is known to prevent the clumping of blood platelets. Garlic has a blood pressure lowering effect. One study showed that garlic helps to keep the arteries elastic. In another study garlic lowered cholesterol by 12 percent. If you don't want to smell like garlic use aged garlic supplements.

These are just a few of the heart healthy supplements that are available to you. Be sure to consult your doctor before trying these on your own. Once you find an open minded physician to work with you, you will be pleasantly surprised at the effectiveness of these supplements.

Linda Tremer has studied nutrition, weight loss and fitness for over 30 years. She is the owner of the website The Center For Weight Loss and Healthy Living. Her site is dedicated to helping you lose weight. Many weight loss programs and healthy diet plans are reviewed on her site.

Diseases of the heart and blood vessels are still the number one health problem in the United States. Approximately 35% of all heart attacks occur in people with normal total cholesterol levels.

Research has shown that high levels of an amino acid called Homocysteine contributes to the progression of heart disease. Many researchers believe that the connection between Homocysteine and atherosclerosis is even stronger than the case against cholesterol. Some studies have shown that for each 5 micromoles per liter increase in homocysteine level, your risk for heart disease can increase by as much as 60 to 80%. The American Heart Association has indicated that a reasonable therapeutic goal for homocysteine levels should be less than 10 micromoles per liter.

How Homocysteine causes damage

Homocysteine injures the walls of arteries. Injured artery cells absorb LDL, or "bad" cholesterol. Homocysteine promotes the growth of smooth muscle cells in the artery which in turn narrows the lumen of the artery. As levels increase, you are at increased risk for the formation of blood clots, which can lead to heart attack or stroke.

Risk factors for increased Homocysteine levels include :


Smoking and tobacco use
Post-Heart Attack or Stroke
Kidney Failure
Advanced Age
Post menopause
Chronic, excessive alcohol consumption

How Homocysteine levels become elevated

Homocysteine levels rise when your body does not have the necessary co-factors to breakdown Homocysteine.

The necessary co-factors to breakdown homocysteine to Cysteine and Methionine are Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin B6.

How to protect yourself against high levels of Homocysteine

Have your doctor check your Homocysteine level

Take adequate amounts of Folate. Natural Folate obtained from food is only 50% absorbed by the body when taken orally. Folic Acid, the synthetic form of Folate, is 100% absorbed after oral administration. Liquids are better absorbed than pills.

Take adequate amounts of Vitamin B12. The average diet supplies 5 to 15mcg per day in a form that is available after normal digestion. Recent studies have shown that at least 800mcg to 1mg of B12 given orally is necessary for proper gastrointestinal absorption.Liquids are better absorbed than pills.

Take adequate amounts of Vitamin B6. The need for B6 increases when the amount of protein increases in the diet. Liquids are better absorbed than pills.

Increased doses of Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin B6 have been shown to reduce elevated Homocysteine levels by up to 72%.

Prescription formulations of these vitamins with levels as high as 2.5mg of Folic acid, 1mg of B12, and 25mg of B6 have been shown to normalize plasma Homocysteine levels in patients at risk for coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis and stoke.

It is reasonable to assume that judicious dietary supplementation with these vitamins may aid in preventing these illnesses.

Dr. Messina became a Board Certified Family Practitioner in 1985. He had a solo practice until 1994. At that time he helped form a group Family Practice in which he was Vice President. He left group practice in 1997 and became Medical Director of a Wellness Center. He was responsible for coordinating the efforts of nutritionists, acupuncturists, massage therapists, exercise physiologists, and Chinese medicine practitioners into patient care plans.

He became Medical Director of an independent clinical research facility in 2000. He has been the Principal Investigator in over 50 clinical trials involving osteoarthritis, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, dry eye, migraine, and diabetes prevention.

He has served as consultant to a nutritional company, and has formulated nutritional supplements.

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Gym Junkies usually have the more probability of getting affected by the heart diseases. Here are some effective tips for the Gym Junkies to avoid them.

Blood Donation

Blood donation is always good in terms of helping the human. It is a great cause and for Gym Junkies, blood donation is very helpful to avoid the heart problems. Donating blood serves two important causes, saving your life and others as well. Usually, men have the high probability to get affected by the heart attack, heart failure and other heart diseases. Women have fewer chances of heart diseases as compared to men. Actually, men have high levels of blood irons in the body due to which the tendency to get affected by heart diseases is more. These high levels of blood irons can be reduced by donating the blood at least once in a year. Gym Junkies eat meat in order to retrieve the proteins. Eating more meat increases the blood iron level. Research has shown that the men who donate the blood reduce the chances of heart attack by 88%. Thus, if you are a Gym Junk, then you should better donate blood once in a year.

Magnesium

One of the effective mineral that has the capability to minimize the risk of various heart problems is Magnesium. Magnesium level must be high in the body to prevent the sudden death and other blood and cardiovascular problems. Although, this mineral has been vanished from the processed water, but this is very essential to avoid all kinds of blood or heart problems. Gym Junkies should take at least 1000 mg of the Magnesium on the daily basis. Try to include maximum potency of vegetables in your diet in order to get more magnesium. Include all those meals in your diet that contain high minerals. This way getting more magnesium will probably lessen the chances of heart problems for the Gym Junkies.

Fish Oil

Among all other remedies of heart diseases for the Gym Junkies, fish oil is considered the best. EPA and DHA are there in the fish oil that acts against the heart diseases. Both of these contain omega-3 fatty acids that help to avoid the all types of heart problems and diseases. EPA and DHA reduce the impact of the genes that are produced in the fattening area and assist to keep the slant mass.

These above three tips are suggested for the Gym Junkies to prevent the chances of heart diseases. But before adoption any of the above method, it is better to discuss it with your doctor as well.

The busiest walks of life belong to those who have sedentary lifestyles. But one must be very careful for lifestyle define what kind of life are you going to have.

In most cases, heart diseases have been the biggest problem of people. It has been related to one's way of living and it has been the number one, top killer and cause of disability in most progressive countries and world. So, one must take part in the battle against this disease.

Live a healthy lifestyle.

As simple as it sounds, people can be saved from the calls of death by simply altering and positively changing the outward direction of your physical self. Start with assessing yourself about how you live your day. Are you having enough time to see and take care of yourself and what can you do to improve the way you live your life now? Now that you have asked, here are some of the basics that you have to learn.

Eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight. The food one eats affects one's bodily function and explains why a person suffers from a certain disease. Being overweight or so as to say, obese, may increase your risk to heart attacks and other aberrations. One must seek the ideal body weight in order for one to keep track of how one's body is being affected by their intake. The body mass index or the BMI is the standard basis in determining and assessing one's status. In addition, the proper food intake should be taken into consideration. Watch out for your food, and put in mind that eating foods with low saturation of fat and cholesterol and those which are high in fiber will sweep u and prevent the buildup of unwanted fat deposits that may lead to plaques and cause heart insufficiency.

Have a diligent amount of exercise. A regular dose of 30 minute exercise will suffice to maintain a desirable weight and help maintain the blood pressure be lowered. Moderate in intense physical activity that lasts for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week is the most ideal habit to pursue a healthy way of life.

Refrain from smoking and alcohol intake. Though sometimes done in moderation, these two habits will increase your risk for heart problems for these stimulants basically cause the narrowing of one's blood vessels or pathways (or what they called vasoconstriction). This impedes the circulation of the blood and may alter the balance and continuity of blood flow that will lead to serious to fewer problems.

Have yourself checked and ensure a better future for you and your family. There are ways to prevent and treat medical heart conditions, take a step to lower the risk of your problems. Have your blood cholesterol checked and monitor your blood pressure, manage other underlying diseases such as diabetes and if there are any then take medications as prescribed.

Ralph J. Greene enjoys writing for Uniformhaven.com which sells baby phat scrubs and baby phat lab coats as well as a host of additional products.