High Cholesterol

Lower Cholesterol Or Risk Death

2007-06-07T10:08:00.000-07:00

Seemingly in excellent health, Beth goes to the doctor for her regular checkup. In the past year, she has lost weight, begun an exercise routine, and finally landed her dream job. Life is good! During the checkup, Beth tests all come out great, except one. She has high cholesterol. Since the other tests look good, Beth is not overly concerned. Unfortunately, her "put off until tomorrow" attitude is her final, and fatal mistake. At the age of 57, Beth dies.

Although the name has been changed, and a few irrelevant details omitted, the circumstances are true. If a patient is diagnosed with high cholesterol, especially above 240 mg/dL, he/she is 50% more likely to have a life cut short unnecessarily. Thus, lowering high cholesterol is paramount. The risks of suffering from a debilitating illness, or leaving life behind prematurely are simply not worth the gamble.

First, people with high cholesterol are daring a heart attack to strike. Many individuals, like Beth, die before paramedics or doctors can administer possible life-saving medical aid. For the person who is lucky/unlucky enough to survive, the future is no picnic. Usually, blocked arteries have to be replaced, in order for the heart to have a chance to function properly. Thus, the doctors have to pull the breastbone apart to perform open-heart surgery.

Question: Where will the replacement artery come from? Answer: The doctors need to take a long vein from the patient's leg. Now, after suffering a heart attack, the patient also has to recover from a lengthy incision in the leg, and the process of healing bone and tissue from cracking the ribcage and invading the heart. Not fun! The healing process is lengthy, and many people do not regain 100% of pre-attack abilities. For the people who may still feel invincible, consider an alternative possibility.

The second possibility is a stroke. When most people contemplate a stroke, older senior citizens come to mind. However, anyone with dangerously high cholesterol levels is a prime candidate for a stroke. To explain, think of arteries as highways and blood as the car. High cholesterol leaves fatty deposits in the bloodstream. The resulting plaque adheres to the artery walls, much like plaque sticking to teeth. However, as plaque builds up, the roadway for the blood gets clogged, basically causing a physical traffic jam. If an sufficient amount of blood cannot continue on the journey to the brain, an individual suffers a stroke. Thus, any adult with high cholesterol can die, or become severely disabled.

Knowing someone who has survived a stroke is a real wake up call. While some people die, many people technically live, although a stroke can render an individual into a vegetative state. Most people are unable to move on one side of the body, speak without slurring, are unable to swallow-and drool as a result, unable to communicate, and an innumerable combination of other disabilities. Sometimes, with therapy, a person can regain physical abilities torn away by the stroke. However, most people have lingering and permanent effects to contend with throughout life. Also, the process to reach an individual's full recovery potential can take years, is extremely costly, and terribly frustrating.

Hopefully, by now the reality regarding the importance of lowering high cholesterol is becoming scarily apparent. If not, consider the effects dying, or suffering a debilitating stroke, will have on loved ones. Children will grow up without a parent; parents will miss monumental milestones in a child's life. Grandchildren will have to depend on pictures and memories to know a grandma or grandpa. Friends will mourn the loss, and gather to reminisce, until life moves on, and the memory is delegated to the anniversaries of special events, or a trip down memory lane.

Instead, make the effort to stick around and remain more than a melancholy memory. Finally, do not risk leaving friends and family the responsibility of taking care of a disabled loved one, when medical science can prevent a catastrophe from happening in the first place.

Scared? Good! If the diagnosis is high cholesterol, do something! If the levels are dangerously high, the doctor will probably prescribe medication, in addition to the necessary lifestyle changes. Do not put off until tomorrow, what needs done today. Do not invite a heart attack or stroke. Instead, do everything possible to stay healthy and vibrant. Life is too precious to lose prematurely. Friends and family do not want to mourn a loss, or be responsible for rehabilitative care. Learn the dangers of high cholesterol. Do not become a memory; stay an active and loving presence.

2007-04-13T01:00:00.001-07:00

Avoiding Cholesterol In Foods Wont Lower Your Cholesterol

Avoiding Cholesterol in Foods Won't Lower Your Cholesterol

Tip! Eating out can be a test for your determination to lower cholesterol. The best method to pass this test is to eat mainly in restaurants that are serving low cholesterol dishes.

If you avoid all foods that contain cholesterol, will your high cholesterol return to normal?

It's not that simple. Your blood cholesterol level is influenced far more by how many calories and how much saturated and partially hydrogenated fat you eat, than by how much cholesterol is in your food. Cholesterol is found only in foods from animals, such as meat, fish, chicken, dairy products and eggs. It is not found in plants. More than 80 percent of the cholesterol in your body is made by your liver. Less than 20 percent comes from the food that you eat. When you eat more cholesterol, your liver makes less.

Your liver makes cholesterol from saturated fats, which are found in most foods but are concentrated in meat, poultry and whole-milk dairy products. The saturated fat is broken down by your liver into acetone units. If you are not taking in too many calories, your liver uses the acetone units for energy, but if you are taking in more calories than your body needs, your liver uses these same acetone units to manufacture cholesterol. That explains why eating two eggs a day does not raise blood cholesterol levels in the average American. They are already taking in so much cholesterol from meat, fish and chicken and diary products, that when they take in more, they absorb less.

Effective Ways To Lower Your Cholesterol. With our Cholesterol Lowering Toolkit, you can find out what you need to know.

Read the Cholesterol Article

Read more about Cholesterol Lowering Foods or the complete Low Cholesterol Articles

Creatine - Not Just A Sports Nutrition Supplement

by Will Brink

Author of: Muscle Building Nutrition.com
Muscle Gaining Diet, Training routines by Charles Poliquin & Bodybuilding Supplement Review
Diet Supplements Revealed
Real World Fat Loss Diet & Weight Loss Supplement Review

Readers of the March 2003 issue of Life Extension magazine should recall the long list of potential medical, performance and anti-aging effects of creatine. The article outlined the substantial body of research that found creatine may help with diseases effecting the neuro muscular system, such as muscular dystrophy and may have therapeutic applications in aging populations, wasting syndromes, muscle atrophy, fatigue, myopathies, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and other mitochondrial cytopathies. Several studies have shown it may reduce cholesterol by up to 15% and has been used to correct certain inborn errors of metabolism, such as people born without the enzyme(s) responsible for making creatine.

The article also covered exactly what creatine is, how it works and how much is required to possibly treat the aforementioned pathologies. If you missed that article, refer to the March 2003 issue of Life Extension magazine, or view it at www.lef.org. In this article, we examine some additional properties of creatine, such as its effects on growth hormone release, homocysteine and chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as other important issues surrounding this supplement, such as its safety.

Although data is limited, some research suggests creatine can raise growth hormone equal to that of intense exercise. Growth hormone (GH) is known to play an essential role in the regulation of body fat levels, immunity, muscle mass, wound healing, bone mass and literally thousands of other functions both known and yet unknown. It is well established that GH levels steadily decline as we age and is partially responsible for the steady loss of muscle mass, loss of skin elasticity, immune dysfunction and many other physical changes that take place in the aging human body. Therefore, the possible effects of creatine on GH is worth exploring in aging populations.

One study found creatine could mimic the increased GH levels seen after intense exercise.1 In this comparative cross-sectional study, researchers gave six healthy male subjects 20 grams of creatine in a single dose at resting (non-exercising) conditions. The study found that all subjects showed a "significant" increase of GH in the blood during the six-hour period after creatine ingestion. However, the study also found "a large interindividual variability in the GH response." That is, there were wide differences among individuals in the levels of GH achieved from taking the creatine. For the majority of subjects the maximum GH concentration occurred between two and six hours after ingesting the creatine.

The researchers concluded "In resting conditions and at high dosages creatine enhances GH secretion, mimicking the response of strong exercise which also stimulates GH secretion." These researchers felt that the effects of creatine on GH could be viewed as one of creatine's anabolic properties with the lean mass and strength increases observed after creatine supplementation. Although creatine supplementation has been found to increase lean muscle mass and strength in many studies, the effects of creatine on those tissues via GH enhancement has yet to be elucidated.

Creatine may reduce homocysteine levels

Homocysteine has been recognized as an important independent risk factor of heart disease, more so than cholesterol levels according to some studies. Creatine biosynthesis has been postulated as a major effector of homocysteine concentrations,2 and oral creatine supplements may reduce levels of homocysteine. Many studies have found that methyl donors (such as trimethylglycine (TMG) reduce levels of homocysteine, which also reduces the risk of heart disease. Conversely, pathways that demand large amounts of methyl groups may hinder the body's ability to reduce homocysteine levels. The methylation of guanidinoacetate to form creatine consumes more methyl groups than all other methylation reactions combined in the human body.

Researchers have postulated that increasing or decreasing methyl demands on the body may increase or decrease homocysteine levels. In one study researchers fed rats either guanidinoacetate- or creatine-supplemented diets for two weeks.3 According to the researchers "plasma homocysteine was significantly increased (~50%) in rats maintained on guanidinoacetate-supplemented diets, whereas rats maintained on creatine-supplemented diets exhibited a significantly lower (~25%) plasma homocysteine level." These results suggest that homocysteine metabolism is sensitive to methylation demand imposed by physiological substrates such as creatine.

Creatine and chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia

Because of creatine's apparent abilities to improve the symptoms of other pathologies involving a lack of high energy compounds (e.g., congestive heart failure, etc.) as well as the aforementioned afflictions outlined in the introduction to this article, it has been suggested that creatine may help with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia (some researchers now posit that they are in fact the same syndrome). Although the causes of both pathologies is still being debated, a lack of high energy compounds (e.g. ATP) at the level of the mitochondria and general muscle weakness exists. For example, people with fibromyalgia have lower levels of creatine phosphate and ATP levels compared to controls.4 No direct studies exist at this time showing creatine supplementation improves the symptomology of either chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia.

Considering, however, the other data that finds that creatine supplementation increases creatine and ATP levels consistently in other pathologies where low levels of creatine and ATP are found, it stands to reason that people suffering from either syndrome may want to peruse the use of creatine. Another similar syndrome to chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, is Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome, which may also be potentially improved by the use of creatine supplements, though more research is clearly needed.

Creatine safety issues: fact or fiction?

After the first article in Life Extension magazine on the many potential medical and anti-aging uses of creatine, I received several letters and many e-mails that basically said "I would like to use creatine for the various reasons stated in the article, but I am worried about its safety." This fear over the safety of creatine was usually generated from some hysterical news report or poorly researched article. It's odd, but predictable that the media and conservative medical establishment have desperately tried to paint creatine as an inherently dangerous or "poorly researched" dietary supplement. The fact is, creatine may be the most extensively researched performance-enhancing supplement of all time, with a somewhat astounding safety record.

True to form, the "don't confuse us with the facts" media and anti-supplement conservative medical groups have had no problems ignoring the extensive safety data on creatine, or simply inventing safety worries where none exists. A perfect example of this was the news report that mentioned the deaths of three high school wrestlers who died after putting on rubber suits and riding a stationary bike in a sauna to lose weight. Amazingly, their deaths were linked to creatine by the media, rather than extreme dehydration! Even more amazingly, on further examination, it was found that two of the three wrestlers were not using creatine!

Creatine has been blamed for all sorts of effects, from muscle cramps to dehydration, to increased injuries in athletes. However, these effects have been looked at extensively by researchers without a single study reporting side effects among several groups taking creatine for various medical reasons over five years.5-8

In some, but not all people, creatine can raise a metabolic byproduct of creatine metabolism known as creatinine. Some people-including some medical professionals who should know better-have mistakenly stated that elevated levels of creatinine could damage the kidneys. Elevated creatinine is often a blood indicator, not a cause, of kidney dysfunction.

That's a very important distinction, and several short- and long-term studies have found creatine supplements have no ill effects on the kidney function of healthy people.9,10 Though it makes sense that people with pre-existing kidney dysfunction should avoid creatine supplements, it is reassuring to know that creatine supplements were found to have no ill effects on the kidney function of animals with pre-existing kidney failure, showing just how non toxic creatine appears to be for the kidneys.11 Bottom line, creatine safety has been extensively researched and is far safer than most over-the-counter (OTC) products, including aspirin.

Conclusion

Though additional research is warranted regarding the pathologies outlined in this article, creatine has a substantial body of research showing it is an effective, safe and worthwhile supplement in a wide range of pathologies and may be the next big find in anti-aging nutrients. Although the dose used in the studies was quite high, recent studies suggest lower doses are just as effective for increasing the overall creatine phosphate pool in the body. The dose of 2 to 3 grams per day appears adequate for healthy people to increase their tissue levels of creatine phosphate.

People with the pathologies mentioned in this article may benefit from higher intakes in the 5 to 10 gram per day range. People interested in more information regarding creatine, in particular the use of creatine and other supplements for athletes, should consider referring to my recent ebook Muscle Building Nutrition found at www.MuscleBuildingNutrition.com for additional information.

About the Author - William D. Brink

Will Brink is a columnist, contributing consultant, and writer for various health/fitness, medical, and bodybuilding publications. His articles relating to nutrition, supplements, weight loss, exercise and medicine can be found in such publications as Lets Live, Muscle Media 2000, MuscleMag International, The Life Extension Magazine, Muscle n Fitness, Inside Karate, Exercise For Men Only, Body International, Power, Oxygen, Penthouse, Women’s World and The Townsend Letter For Doctors. He is the author of Priming The Anabolic Environment and Weight Loss Nutrients Revealed. He is the Consulting Sports Nutrition Editor and a monthly columnist for Physical magazine and an Editor at Large for Power magazine. Will graduated from Harvard University with a concentration in the natural sciences, and is a consultant to major supplement, dairy, and pharmaceutical companies.

He has been co author of several studies relating to sports nutrition and health found in peer reviewed academic journals, as well as having commentary published in JAMA. He runs the highly popular web site Brink Zone which is strategically positioned to fulfill the needs and interests of people with diverse backgrounds and knowledge. The Brink Zone site has a following with many sports nutrition enthusiasts, athletes, fitness professionals, scientists, medical doctors, nutritionists, and interested lay people. William has been invited to lecture on the benefits of weight training and nutrition at conventions and symposiums around the U.S. and Canada, and has appeared on numerous radio and television programs.

William has worked with athletes ranging from professional bodybuilders, golfers, fitness contestants, to police and military personnel.

See Will's ebooks online here:

Muscle Building Nutrition http://musclebuildingnutrition.com
A complete guide bodybuilding supplements and eating to gain lean muscle

Diet Supplements Revealed http://aboutsupplements.com
A review of diet supplements and guide to eating for maximum fat loss

Free Creatine Report

The "Creatine Report" is a free and in depth report on creatine's usage in sports, health and anti-aging.

In this report you will learn what creatine is and how it works, and what it can do for you.

This excellent free report exposes the facts and fiction of creatine, and details it's effects on the brain, heart, the body's production of growth hormone, anti-aging effects, fatigue, muscle atrophy, Parkinson's disease, and much more!

You'll also learn how to use creatine properly, as well as topics such as purity, safety, and loading are fully explained...

...And of course, as with all Will Brink's writing, it's based on the actual studies with creatine and backed up with scientific references, not conjecture and pseudo science many self proclaimed "experts" rely on.

Click here for information on the instantly downloadable Creatine Report

Creatine Articles

Creatine Insulin Dilema | Creatine: Not Just a Sports Supplement Anymore
Do Creatine and Alcohol Mix?

Weight Gain & Muscle Building Articles

Keep Your Cholesterol Down!

Tip! Watch your salad dressing. Most of them are full of trans fats and cholesterol.

Everybody knows that cholesterol has much to do with heart disease. Do not worry too much about the dangers of high cholesterol. Knowing what cholesterol is and how it affects you will undoubtedly help you avoid high cholesterol.

1. Cholesterol And Heart Disease

Your blood cholesterol is a major factor in the risk of suffering from heart disease. In fact, the higher your cholesterol level, the greater the chances you have of getting a heart attack. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States. Every year more than a million Americans suffer heart attacks, and half of that number die from heart disease.

2. How Does Cholesterol Cause Heart Disease?

When your body has too much cholesterol, it builds up in the walls of your arteries. This causes your arteries to harden. Your arteries, as a result of this, narrow down or get blocked. This reduces the flow of blood through your body. Oxygen is carried throughout your body by blood. If an inadequate supply of oxygen to your heart occurs because of reduced blood flow, you may experience chest pains. And if the blood supply is completely cut off, the result is a heart attack.

Unfortunately, high blood cholesterol has no symptoms. So it is hard to gauge the status of your arteries. Whether or not you suffer from heart disease, lowering your cholesterol is important to maintain good health.

3. What Affects Cholesterol Levels?

Read more about Keep Your Cholesterol Down

2007-04-12T13:00:00.001-07:00

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2007-04-11T14:00:00.001-07:00

Diet of Oatbran and Naicin To Redue Cholesterol Safely

Tip! When cells and tissues are damaged, cholesterol helps repair them – its in scars too.

A month ago, I received news that a former colleague of mine collapsed in his office, and had a sudden massive heart attack and did not survive the night to see his family. He was in his early fifties.

This incident motivated another former colleague to have his blood checked for cholesterol. The cardiologist recommended immediate hospitalisation and he was operated on for a triple coronary bypass within days. Without that bypass, this friend would likely encounter a fatal massive coronary heart attack.

These two ghastly incidents jarred me into researching ways to bring down my own level of cholesterol, and to read medical books on cholesterol.

In my research, what amazed me was there were safe and effective ways to lower blood cholesterol and hence reduce the probability of a heart attack.

I was encouraged that it was possible to cut the risk of heart attack by more than half by limiting the amount of cholesterol produced by the body, and increase the amount of cholesterol eliminated by the body.

Read more about Lowering Your Cholesterol Safely

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2007-04-11T07:00:00.001-07:00

Prescription Free Cholesterol Cure

Prescription Free Cholesterol Cure

Frank Mangano discovered a proven method to lowering your high cholesterol in an all-natural way. Using his prescription free method, you can lower high cholesterol…and do it naturally.

Frank isn't a doctor, but rather a hardcore researcher. He finds solutions for people, especially those close to him. It all started with his mother who had high cholesterol. Since she didn't want to begin taking a statin, or prescription strength cholesterol lowering drug due to her fear of side effects, she turned to Frank for help. He buried his nose in all the medical books, reports, and articles he could find to discover a way for her to lower her cholesterol.

And the hard work paid off. What he gave his mother was a plan based on hard science that allowed her to lower her cholesterol without drugs. Her cholesterol dropped 40 points with his all-natural system. This kind of result normally leaves doctors slack-jawed at the amazing results.

Frank came up with the 60 Day Prescription Free Cholesterol Cure and in it, he teaches more than you'll probably ever learn from your doctor. His Natural Health book is helping people lower cholesterol all over the world and it's exhaustive research brings you only the facts based on science.

Read more about the 60 Day Prescription Free Cholesterol Cure

2007-04-10T18:00:00.001-07:00

Diet of Oatbran and Naicin To Redue Cholesterol Safely

Tip! When cells and tissues are damaged, cholesterol helps repair them – its in scars too.

These two ghastly incidents jarred me into researching ways to bring down my own level of cholesterol, and to read medical books on cholesterol.

In my research, what amazed me was there were safe and effective ways to lower blood cholesterol and hence reduce the probability of a heart attack.

Read more about Lowering Your Cholesterol Safely

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2007-04-09T16:00:00.001-07:00

High Cholesterol Risk Factors And Treatment Options

High Cholesterol Level: Risk Factors, Treatment Options

Tip! According to the American Heart Association, 'You can reduce cholesterol in your blood by eating healthful foods, losing weight if you need to and exercising.' What follows is a listing of the most potent foods to add to your diet if you want to fight high cholesterol and drive your levels down using your diet as a primary tool.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of fat (lipid) made by the body. About 80% of cholesterol is made by the body, the other 20% comes from the diet. Cholesterol is a building block for cell membranes. Our body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones (e.g., progesterone, estrogen, testosterone), vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat.

Many foods contain cholesterol and high intake of these foods can increase the level of cholesterol in the blood. Having too much cholesterol in the blood is not a disease in itself, but high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) can cause the formation and accumulation of plaque deposits in the arteries. Plaque is composed of cholesterol, other fatty substances, fibrous tissue, and calcium. When it builds up in the arteries, it results in the hardening and narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) in the major vascular systems.

Narrowing of the arteries around the heart (coronary heart disease) can prevent the heart from getting as much oxygen-rich blood as it needs, increasing the risk of a heart attack. Decreased blood flow to the brain can cause a stroke, and less blood flowing to the lower limbs may result in exercise-related pain or even gangrene.

Having a high cholesterol level does not cause symptoms and does not make you feel sick. If there is a huge excess, some people develop soft, yellowish skin growths called xanthomas, usually in the area near the eyes. Most people find out they have high cholesterol when they have their blood cholesterol measured as part of a medical check-up.

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2007-04-09T15:01:00.001-07:00

Cholesterol Does Not Cause Heart Disease
Breakthrough Crohn’s Disease Guide. Cholesterol is an essential building block of every cell in the body, required for all metabolic processes. It is particularly important in the production of nerve tissue, bile and certain hormones. On average, our body produces about half of a gram to one gram of cholesterol per day, depending on how [...]

Breakthrough Crohn’s Disease Guide.

Cholesterol is an essential building block of every cell in the body, required for all metabolic processes. It is particularly important in the production of nerve tissue, bile and certain hormones. On average, our body produces about half of a gram to one gram of cholesterol per day, depending on how much of it the body needs at the time. By and large, our body is able to produce 400 times more cholesterol per day than what we would obtain from eating 3,5 ounces (100 grams) of butter. The main cholesterol producers are the liver and the small intestine, in that order. Normally, they are able to release cholesterol directly into the blood stream, where it is instantly tied to blood proteins. These proteins, which are called lipoproteins, are in charge of transporting the cholesterol to its numerous destinations. There are three main types of lipoproteins in charge of transporting cholesterol: Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL), and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL).

Tip! Visit your doctor and have an annual medical check-up to prevent diseases.

In comparison to HDL, which has been privileged with the name good’ cholesterol, LDL and VLDL are relatively large cholesterol molecules; in fact, they are the richest in cholesterol. There is good reason for their large size. Unlike their smaller cousin, which easily passes through blood vessel walls, the LDL and VLDL versions of cholesterol are meant to take a different pathway; they leave the blood stream in the liver.

The blood vessels supplying the liver have a very different structure from the ones supplying other parts of the body. They are known as sinusoids. Their unique, grid-like structure permits the liver cells to receive the entire blood content, including the large cholesterol molecules. The liver cells rebuild the cholesterol and excrete it along with bile into the intestines. Once the cholesterol enters the intestines, it combines with fats, is absorbed by the lymph and enters the blood, in that order. Gallstones in the bile ducts of the liver inhibit the bile flow and partially, or even fully, block the cholesterol’s escape route. Due to back-up pressure on the liver cells, bile production drops. Typically, a healthy liver produces over a quart of bile per day. When the major bile ducts are blocked, barely a cup of bile, or even less, will find its way to the intestines. This prevents much of the VLDL and LDL cholesterol from being excreted with the bile.

Heart Disease Secrets Revealed. How to Save Your Life from Heart Disease, Quacks And Doctors. A Self Help Guide Without Drugs & Surgery.

Gallstones in the liver bile ducts distort the structural framework of the liver lobules, which damages and congests the sinusoids. Deposits of excessive protein also close the grid holes of these blood vessels (see the discussion of this subject in the previous section). Whereas the good’ cholesterol HDL has small enough molecules to leave the bloodstream through ordinary capillaries, the larger LDL and VLDL molecules are more or less trapped in the blood. The result is that LDL and VLDL concentrations begin to rise in the blood to levels that seem potentially harmful to the body. Yet even this scenario is merely part of the body’s survival attempts. It needs the extra cholesterol to patch up the increasing number of cracks and wounds that are formed as a result of the accumulation of excessive protein in the blood vessel walls. Eventually, though, the life-saving cholesterol begins to occlude the blood vessels and cut off the oxygen supply to the heart.

Banish Bad Breath And Gum Disease! Banish your bad breath and gum disease.

In addition to this complication, reduced bile flow impairs the digestion of food, particularly fats. Therefore, there is not enough cholesterol made available to the cells of the body and their basic metabolic processes. Since the liver cells no longer receive sufficient amounts of LDL and VLDL molecules, they (the liver cells) assume that the blood is deficient in these types of cholesterol. This stimulates the liver cells to increase the production of cholesterol, further raising the levels of LDL and VLDL cholesterol in the blood.

The bad’ cholesterol is trapped in the circulatory system because its escape routes, the bile ducts and the liver sinusoids, are blocked or damaged. The capillary network and arteries attach as much of the bad’ cholesterol to their walls as they possibly can. Consequently, the arteries become rigid and hard.

Tip! Get enough rest A woman with cardiac disease needs more rest than the average pregnant woman. Rest lessens the strain of the increased burden of the pregnant woman’s heart.

Coronary heart disease, regardless of whether it is caused by smoking, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, overeating protein foods, stress, or any other factor, usually does not occur unless gallstones have impacted the bile ducts of the liver. Removing gallstones from the liver and gallbladder can not only prevent a heart attack or stroke, but also reverse coronary heart disease and heart muscle damage. The body’s response to stressful situations becomes less damaging, and cholesterol levels begin to normalize as the distorted and damaged liver lobules are regenerated. Cholesterol-lowering drugs don’t do that. They artificially reduce blood cholesterol, which coerces the liver to produce even more cholesterol. But when extra cholesterol is passed into the bile ducts, it remains in its crystalline state (versus soluble state) and, thereby, turns into gallstones. People who regularly use cholesterol-lowering drugs usually develop an excessively large number of gallstones. This sets them up for major side effects, including cancer and heart disease.

Tip! Rinse with mouthwashes or oral rinses daily. These products help kill bacteria lodged beneath the gums and aid in reversing gum disease.

Cholesterol is essential for normal functioning of the immune system, particularly for the body’s response to the millions of cancer cells that every person makes in his body each day. For all the health problems associated with cholesterol, this important substance is not something we should try to eliminate from our bodies. Cholesterol does far more good than harm. The harm is generally symptomatic of other problems. I wish to emphasize, once again, that bad’ cholesterol only attaches itself to the walls of arteries to avert immediate heart trouble, not to create it.
This is confirmed by the fact that cholesterol never attaches itself to the walls of veins. When a doctor tests your cholesterol levels, he takes the blood sample from a vein, not from an artery. Although blood flow is much slower in veins than in arteries, cholesterol should obstruct veins much more readily than arteries, but it never does. There simply is no need for that. Why? Because there are no abrasions and tears in the lining of the vein that require patching up. Cholesterol only affixes itself to arteries in order to coat and cover up the abrasions and protect the underlying tissue like a waterproof bandage. Veins do not absorb proteins in their basements membranes like capillaries and arteries do and, therefore, are not prone to this type of injury.

Tip! Make sure to have great water quality. Since poor water quality is the greatest case of fish disease and death you’ll want to be diligent about your tank maintenance and partial water changes.

Bad’ cholesterol saves lives; it does not take lives. LDL allows the blood to flow through injured blood vessels without causing a life-endangering situation. The theory of high LDL being a principal cause of coronary heart disease is not only unproved and unscientific. It has misled the population to believe that cholesterol is an enemy that has to be fought and destroyed at all costs. Human studies have not shown a cause-and-effect relationship between cholesterol and heart disease. The hundreds of studies so far conducted on such a relationship have only shown that there is a statistical correlation between the two. And there should be, because if there were no bad’ cholesterol molecules attaching themselves to injured arteries we would have millions of more deaths from heart attack than we already have. On the other hand, dozens of conclusive studies have shown that risk of heart disease increases significantly in people whose HDL levels decrease. Elevated LDL cholesterol is not a cause of heart disease; rather, it is a consequence of an unbalanced liver and congested, dehydrated circulatory system.

Tip! Marciani L; Coleman NS; Dunlop SP; Singh G; Marsden CA; Holmes GK; Spiller RC; Gowland PA. Gallbladder contraction, gastric emptying and antral motility:single visit assessment of upper GI function in untreated celiac disease using echo-planar MRI.

If your doctor has told you that lowering your cholesterol with medical drugs protects you against heart attacks, you have been grossly misled. The #1 prescribed cholesterol-lowering medicine is Lipitor. I suggest that you read the following warning statement, issued on the official Lipitor web site:

“LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) tablets is a prescription drug used with diet to lower cholesterol. LIPITOR is not for everyone, including those with liver disease or possible liver problems, and women who are nursing, pregnant, or may become pregnant. LIPITOR has not been shown to prevent heart disease or heart attacks.

Tip! Floss every single day. Pay special attention to flossing just below the gum line for reversing periodontal gum disease.

“If you take LIPITOR, tell your doctor about any unusual muscle pain or weakness. This could be a sign of serious side effects. It is important to tell your doctor about any medications you are currently taking to avoid possible serious drug interactions”

My question is, “Why risk a person’s health or life by giving him/her a drug that has no effect, whatsoever, in preventing the problem for which it is being prescribed?” The reason why the lowering of cholesterol levels cannot prevent heart disease is because cholesterol does not cause heart disease.

The most important issue is how efficiently a person’s body uses cholesterol and other fats. The body’s ability to digest, process and utilize these fats depends on how clear and unobstructed the bile ducts of the liver are. When bile flow is unrestricted and balanced, both the LDL and HDL levels are balanced as well. Therefore, keeping the bile ducts open is the best prevention of coronary heart disease.

Tip! The Extras: Daily Values have not been established for all minerals. For example, many multivitamins will contain CoQ10, Boron, and Lycopene which all help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

[Excerpt from the new edition of The Amazing Liver and Gallbladder Flush, by Andreas Moritz]

Andreas Moritz is a medical intuitive; a practitioner of Ayurveda, Iridology, Shiatsu and Vibrational Medicine; a writer and an artist. He has authored four books on health and healing: “The Amazing Liver and Gallbladder Flush”, “Timeless Secrets of Health and Rejuvenation,” “Lifting the Veil of Duality,” and “It’s Time to Come Alive” (all books are available through http://www.ener-chi.com or http://www.amazon.com). Andreas also is the artist who created the oil paintings for a new innovative approach to healing through energized art, called Ener-Chi Art.

Tip! Fraquelli M; Colli A; Colucci A; Bardella MT; Trovato C; Pometta R; Pagliarulo M; Conte D. Accuracy of ultrasonography in predicting celiac disease.

His latest healing tool for clearing emotional blocks and fear is called “Sacred Santèmony - Divine Chanting for Every Occasion.” Andreas runs a free forum “Ask Andreas Moritz” on the popular health website Curezone.com (5 million readers and increasing). For more information contact Andreas Moritz, visit his Web site http://www.ener-chi.com or contact him at tel. 1-864-848-6410, Greer, South Carolina, USA, E-mail andmor@ener-chi.com.

Tags: Disease, Health, Medical, Illness, Treatment, Disease Information

2007-04-08T14:01:00.001-07:00

Red Rice Yeast, The Live Cleanse and Cholesterol

Red Rice Yeast, the Liver Cleanse and Cholesterol

Tip! Watch your salad dressing. Most of them are full of trans fats and cholesterol.

The Statin drug is the most today, and is derived from yeast. effective cholesterol lowering agent used This is why red rice yeast is such an effective and natural way to reduce your cholesterol.

As a matter of fact the FDA had tried to make it a regulated drug and remove it from the health food store shelf. But, the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 prevent this from happening. (And it is my belief that if we don't change this congress they will get their way eventually, and alternative care will be a thing of the past.)

The Prescription Free Cholesterol Cure. Discover How To Lower Cholesterol Without Drugs.

Already this congress has deregulated so much that it has freed the companies of the responsibility that would force them to guarantee the purity and the quantities that are claimed on their labels. Isn't lobbying wonderful? So with that being said, if you take red rice yeast, try to buy it from reputable companies so that you are more likely to be getting what the label says you are getting.

Tip! The Statins prevent heart disease by lowering Cholesterol.

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Diet of Oatbran and Naicin To Redue Cholesterol Safely

Tip! When cells and tissues are damaged, cholesterol helps repair them – its in scars too.

These two ghastly incidents jarred me into researching ways to bring down my own level of cholesterol, and to read medical books on cholesterol.

In my research, what amazed me was there were safe and effective ways to lower blood cholesterol and hence reduce the probability of a heart attack.

Read more about Lowering Your Cholesterol Safely

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2007-04-08T10:00:00.001-07:00

How Exercise Can Lower Your High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is synthesized in our body and if left untreated it could lead to various cardiovascular diseases. High cholesterol levels in the blood could affect the heart, kidneys, brain and other parts of the body.
It is very necessary to do workouts for at least 30 minutes a day. Exercises like swimming, jogging, bicycling etc could help increase in the good cholesterol levels and improve the blood flow throughout the body. Losing flab is very necessary for a person with high cholesterol levels.
Being obese increases the bad cholesterol levels in the blood. At least 4 days of exercise is necessary to maintain a good cholesterol level. Lowering bad cholesterol is very necessary for a healthy body.

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2007-04-07T22:00:00.001-07:00

Creatine - Not Just A Sports Nutrition Supplement

by Will Brink

Creatine may reduce homocysteine levels

Creatine and chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia

Creatine safety issues: fact or fiction?

Conclusion

About the Author - William D. Brink

William has worked with athletes ranging from professional bodybuilders, golfers, fitness contestants, to police and military personnel.

See Will's ebooks online here:

Muscle Building Nutrition http://musclebuildingnutrition.com
A complete guide bodybuilding supplements and eating to gain lean muscle

Diet Supplements Revealed http://aboutsupplements.com
A review of diet supplements and guide to eating for maximum fat loss

Free Creatine Report

The "Creatine Report" is a free and in depth report on creatine's usage in sports, health and anti-aging.

In this report you will learn what creatine is and how it works, and what it can do for you.

You'll also learn how to use creatine properly, as well as topics such as purity, safety, and loading are fully explained...

Click here for information on the instantly downloadable Creatine Report

Creatine Articles

Creatine Insulin Dilema | Creatine: Not Just a Sports Supplement Anymore
Do Creatine and Alcohol Mix?

Weight Gain & Muscle Building Articles

My Own Cholesterol Levels

My sister and her husband are doctors. In fact, my sisters husband worked as a private consultant to the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva Switzerland for 6 years. One summer they were visiting and I had just had my cholesterol levels checked with my doctor.

I remember the moment exactly, when I read what my cholesterol report said because they both stopped what they were doing, turned and looked at me. They had me repeat the numbers and then they looked over the report themselves.

It was at that moment that I realized I had actually stunned my sister the "doctor" for the first time. I had fallen prey to the "little brother can't possible know best" syndrome, so they had never listened to me in the past.

I've been following a natural diet for a number of years and the work paid off not only with my weight , fitness level and health, but also for my cholesterol numbers.

Lower Your Cholesterol Without Drugs

In having a look online for a good way to inform people about Cholesterol and how to lower it naturally, I was lead to Frank Mangano after reading his book about natural high blood pressure reduction.

Frank began looking for a natural approach to lowering cholesterol for his mother. She was diagnosed with High Cholesterol and was afraid to begin Statin Drugs because of their terrible side effects. He dove into the research and the hard work paid off. What He gave his mother was a plan based on hard science that allowed her to lower her cholesterol without drugs. Her cholesterol dropped 40 points with his all-natural system. This kind of result normally leaves doctors slack-jawed at the amazing results.

2007-04-06T13:00:00.001-07:00

Prescription Free Cholesterol Cure

Prescription Free Cholesterol Cure

Frank Mangano discovered a proven method to lowering your high cholesterol in an all-natural way. Using his prescription free method, you can lower high cholesterol…and do it naturally.

Read more about the 60 Day Prescription Free Cholesterol Cure

2007-04-06T12:03:00.001-07:00

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2007-04-02T02:01:00.001-07:00

Keep Your Cholesterol Down

Keep Your Cholesterol Down!

Tip! Watch your salad dressing. Most of them are full of trans fats and cholesterol.

1. Cholesterol And Heart Disease

2. How Does Cholesterol Cause Heart Disease?

3. What Affects Cholesterol Levels?

Read more about Keep Your Cholesterol Down

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2007-04-01T22:00:00.001-07:00

Diet of Oatbran and Naicin To Redue Cholesterol Safely

Tip! When cells and tissues are damaged, cholesterol helps repair them – its in scars too.

These two ghastly incidents jarred me into researching ways to bring down my own level of cholesterol, and to read medical books on cholesterol.

In my research, what amazed me was there were safe and effective ways to lower blood cholesterol and hence reduce the probability of a heart attack.

Read more about Lowering Your Cholesterol Safely

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Reduce Your Cholesterol Naturally

Reduce Your Cholesterol Naturally

Tip! It is absolutely necessary for you to eliminate or at least to eat less saturated fats. This means that you should start having skimmed milk, low cholesterol spread or light cheese, instead of your normal foods.

What can you do to improve your cholesterol levels? Here's a quick list to get you started.

* Reduce fat in your diet

Buy the leanest cuts of meat you can find. Regularly substitute poultry (without the skin) and fish for red meat. Both are lower in saturated fat. Switch to low fat cottage cheese and yogurt, reduced fat hard cheeses and skim or 1 percent milk.

* Eat no more than four egg yolks a week

An average egg yolk contains 213 milligrams of cholesterol!

* Eliminate fried foods

Don't fry foods. Roast, bake, broil, grill or poach them instead. Use fat free marinades or basting with liquids like wine, tomato or lemon juice. Use olive or canola oils for sautéing or baking. Both are very low in saturated fat. Use diet, tub or squeeze margarines instead of regular. Watch for the term "hydrogenated," which means some of the fat is saturated.

Tip! Go overboard on fruits and vegetables. They contain no cholesterol and they have lots of nutrients like antioxidants.

* Eat vegetables and complex carbohydrates

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

* Lose weight

If you are overweight, the chances are almost 100% that you have a problem with high cholesterol. You can lower your LDL and elevate your HDL just by dropping some pounds.

* Nuts to you!

Do you like nuts? If you do, sprinkle a few on your cereal, bake them into muffins or pancakes or add them to casseroles or stir-fries. Walnuts and almonds are especially good. Eating about three ounces of walnuts a day is shown to decrease blood cholesterol levels by 10% more than an already low fat, low cholesterol diet.

Tip! Tropical oils don't do you good. If you want to get a lower cholesterol level you must start using vegetable oils (olive oil is the best choice) or canola oils.

Read the next 7 tips on how to Reduce Your Cholesterol Naturally

2007-04-01T10:00:00.001-07:00

Diet of Oatbran and Naicin To Redue Cholesterol Safely

Tip! When cells and tissues are damaged, cholesterol helps repair them – its in scars too.

These two ghastly incidents jarred me into researching ways to bring down my own level of cholesterol, and to read medical books on cholesterol.

In my research, what amazed me was there were safe and effective ways to lower blood cholesterol and hence reduce the probability of a heart attack.

Read more about Lowering Your Cholesterol Safely

Plug Stamp: FFGNWL

2007-03-31T18:01:00.001-07:00

Prescription Free Cholesterol Cure

Prescription Free Cholesterol Cure

Frank Mangano discovered a proven method to lowering your high cholesterol in an all-natural way. Using his prescription free method, you can lower high cholesterol…and do it naturally.

Read more about the 60 Day Prescription Free Cholesterol Cure

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2007-03-31T07:01:00.001-07:00

Red Rice Yeast, The Live Cleanse and Cholesterol

Red Rice Yeast, the Liver Cleanse and Cholesterol

Tip! Watch your salad dressing. Most of them are full of trans fats and cholesterol.

The Prescription Free Cholesterol Cure. Discover How To Lower Cholesterol Without Drugs.

Tip! The Statins prevent heart disease by lowering Cholesterol.

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2007-03-30T17:01:00.001-07:00

Cholesterol Levels

Tip! Go overboard on fruits and vegetables. They contain no cholesterol and they have lots of nutrients like antioxidants.

Do you know that every year, about 500,000 persons in America suffer from heart disease? One of the main reasons behind this huge number is high cholesterol levels. According to studies, if people lower their cholesterol levels, the risk of heart disease will be reduced by up to 40 percent. But what are these cholesterol levels?

Cholesterol levels include the numbers that will indicate whether the cholesterol in your body is desirable, borderline, or less desirable and high risk. By knowing these levels, you will become aware of your condition, allowing you to take the necessary measures to reduce the risk of heart disease. If your cholesterol has already reached the high-risk level, you can seek medical attention at once for cholesterol medication.

Tip! Cell membranes contain cholesterol.

The numbers of cholesterol levels include the average figures for total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol.

The total cholesterol is HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol combined. The ideal level for this is approximately 200mg/dL or less. This is a desirable level and means that you have a relatively small risk of heart attack. But if the level is 200 to 240mg/dL, it is already considered borderline. Any figure higher than 240mg/dL means you are at a high risk for both heart attack and stroke. Meanwhile, the desirable level for HDL cholesterol level is above 45mg/dL, the HDL borderline is 35 to 45mg/dL, and high risk is below 35mg/dL. For LDL cholesterol, the desirable figure is below 130mg/dL, borderline is 130 to 160mg/dL, and high risk is above 160mg/dL.

The Prescription Free Cholesterol Cure. Discover How To Lower Cholesterol Without Drugs.

Read the rest of this Cholesterol Levels article or visit the Lower Cholesterol Information pages

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2007-03-28T23:09:00.001-07:00

Reduce Your Cholesterol Naturally

Reduce Your Cholesterol Naturally

What can you do to improve your cholesterol levels? Here's a quick list to get you started.

* Reduce fat in your diet

* Eat no more than four egg yolks a week

An average egg yolk contains 213 milligrams of cholesterol!

* Eliminate fried foods

Tip! Go overboard on fruits and vegetables. They contain no cholesterol and they have lots of nutrients like antioxidants.

* Eat vegetables and complex carbohydrates

* Lose weight

If you are overweight, the chances are almost 100% that you have a problem with high cholesterol. You can lower your LDL and elevate your HDL just by dropping some pounds.

* Nuts to you!

Tip! Tropical oils don't do you good. If you want to get a lower cholesterol level you must start using vegetable oils (olive oil is the best choice) or canola oils.

Read the next 7 tips on how to Reduce Your Cholesterol Naturally

2007-03-28T23:03:00.001-07:00

Red Rice Yeast, The Live Cleanse and Cholesterol

Red Rice Yeast, the Liver Cleanse and Cholesterol

Tip! Watch your salad dressing. Most of them are full of trans fats and cholesterol.

The Prescription Free Cholesterol Cure. Discover How To Lower Cholesterol Without Drugs.

Tip! The Statins prevent heart disease by lowering Cholesterol.

Plug Stamp: FFGNWL

2007-03-27T13:00:00.001-07:00

Keep Your Cholesterol Down

Keep Your Cholesterol Down!

Tip! Watch your salad dressing. Most of them are full of trans fats and cholesterol.

1. Cholesterol And Heart Disease

2. How Does Cholesterol Cause Heart Disease?

3. What Affects Cholesterol Levels?

Read more about Keep Your Cholesterol Down

Cholesterol Levels

Tip! Go overboard on fruits and vegetables. They contain no cholesterol and they have lots of nutrients like antioxidants.

Tip! Cell membranes contain cholesterol.

The numbers of cholesterol levels include the average figures for total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol.

The Prescription Free Cholesterol Cure. Discover How To Lower Cholesterol Without Drugs.

Read the rest of this Cholesterol Levels article or visit the Lower Cholesterol Information pages