What To Expect While Doing A Candida Cleanse
by Justin Wright

Detox Diet: Colon Cleanse Review

Technology. We live in a grand time of technological development. Computers the Internet/ cell phones/ digital cameras and DVDs. But the human body has not ‘kept up’ with technology. Our bodies simply cannot cope with the normal day to day ingestion of chemicals. Most these chemicals come from foods as mentioned before but also have a wide variety of other sources. Why detox you ask? Well for thousands of years man has known that detoxifying the body is a useful means of restoring both mental spiritual and physical wellbeing. Detox foot patches are square-shaped adhesive patches which individuals can attach to the bottom of their foot and keep them in place throughout the night while they sleep. The overall purpose behind body detoxification by using detox foot patch methods is to provide an outlet for waste products which may linger within an individual%26#65533;s body. These waste products may originate in the body due to a number of environmental factors such as food ingested and toxins in the air. Body detoxification by using detox foot patch methods is a wonderful way to remove these items from the body in a convenient manner. Given the right herbs nourishment and some rest your body has the power to heal itself and return to a renewed state; functioning more efficiently than before.

which not just benefit and strengthen our blood circulation kidneys liver bowels and lungs but our general health in the long run. It is important to note however that people usually experience some form of nausea or headache while undergoing a detox process. Over time consumption of processed foods non-vegetarian foods and sugars leads to clogging of the inner walls of the colon with waste matter. Some people prefer to add in coffee enemas or colon hydrotherapy. If you are truly sick the symptoms above feel awful as time progresses. The symptoms are more than transient and more than mild.

Coffee enema detoxification is a natural way of detoxifying the body and it is mostly regarded to be general in action that is it cleanses the body of all forms of toxins. For this method to be effective however you will need an organic and fully caffeinated brew of coffee that is specially made to be used in enemas. Always take in some form of fiber to help elimination. Psyllium is great as it does not cause any food allergies. Start with just one teaspoon and if that causes no bloating or discomfort, increase it gradually. See Detox Diet The implications of these industrial substances for the human health are there for everyone to see. What we are experiencing in the modern day can be reasonably seen as an epidemic of degenerative diseases.

Hair analysis is perhaps the best method for analyzing the presence and amount of toxins in the body this is because the protein in the hair fiber tends to retain the composition of the body tissue for a longer period of time. we should answer the question of “why should I cleanse”. We should realize by now that there are some bad things in the environment that we just can’t avoid (without becoming a hermit and retiring to some remote mountain in Tibet). The Liver is the organ responsible for neutralizing foreign substances breaking them down into inert products before dumping them into the intestine via the bile acid. In fact in January 2006 an Atkins representative put out a press release advising the public to decrease their amounts of steak eggs and saturated fast to less than 20% of their total fat intake.

This is a sample two-week detox diet plan to support detoxification by increasing elimination from the body cleansing the colon enhancing circulation to clear toxic substances eliminating foods from the diet that require detoxification or are allergenic and providing nutrients to support and protect the liver the main organ involved in detoxification. Fresh raw fruit juices and vegetable juices supply the vitamins enzymes and minerals necessary for health and vitality! Lower-carb recipes work by reducing the body’s insulin response. If you want to detox properly it involves eating the RIGHT Diet to detox your body not simply adding a detox aid. “I lost eight pounds,” he enthused. “My mental clarity during the day was greatly improved. So was my energy level, despite a preexisting throat condition. And I wasn’t even hungry. I think I will try to do it frequently, to boost mental clarity and weight loss.” Learn more at http://www.detoxdiet-reviews.org These symptoms are usually worst during the first two days.

These Is How Uric Acid Kidney Stones Form

Do you know what type of kidney stone you have? There are many types of kidney stones such as calcium stones, struvite stones and cystine stone. You may suffer any one of them. Every type of stone is painful and has different symptoms and causes for them. Basically what causes kidney stone is the extra chemicals that are not flushed out of the system through urine get collected in the kidney. These collected chemicals form crystals and harden into stones. The types are based on the chemical composition formed. How these uric acid kidney stones form? When the concentration of uric acid becomes high in urine then it results in formation of uric acid stones. If there is problem in purine metabolism, then excess of uric acid is formed. This residual uric acid gets deposited in the kidnye on the inner walls to give rise to uric acid stones. The concentration of uric acid in urine is high in that means more uric acid in small amount of urine results in stone formation.Frequently, uric acid stones are coupled with conditions such as gout. This can be the next condition of the disease. The Uric acid kidney stone is a very common type of kidney stone. You can see this type of stone mostly occurs in people who suffer from gout. Effective treatment of gout will reduce the chances of forming the stone. People who live in hot and acid areas are at risk of getting into uric acid kidney stone. They face consequences like dehydration and low urine volumes. People suffering from certain types of cancers, gout after undergoing chemotherapy may have urine that contains abnormal amounts of uric acid. That can be due to uric acid kidney stone. This people may become affected with chronic diarrhea and develope a risk for low urine pH and low urine volume.Uric acid stone are not usually seen through standard X-rays. How do you come to know that you have that one? The diagnosis of uric acid kidney stone is strongly followed by a history of sudden pain and blood in urine. A positive ct scan can tell you exact condition. If your twenty four hours urine collection shows too much urine then come to know that the stone trapped you. If you want to do definitive diagnosis then you have to do chemical analysis of the urine. The treatment of a simple type of uric acid kidney stones differs somewhat than treatment of other types of stones. Make sure that you are taking lot of water to make Good hydration in your body. You have to take care that thee is increase in the urine’s pH. It is commonly called alkalinization. These two things in combination lead to dissolving of the stones. As a result, more invasive procedures such as shock treatment are usually not required.All you have to do is a strong change in diet. Reduce to take the products like purines such as dairy products, whole grains, vegetables and meat products. You can try out for home remedies; if it does not work then visit your doctor immediately.

Did You Know That High Cholesterol Can Kill?

Has your doctor told you that you need to lower your cholesterol levels? If so, you are not alone.A recent study shows that more than one third of American adults are at risk of coronary disease because of high blood cholesterol, according to the New York Times. The researchers reported that 60 million Americans over 20 years old have cholesterol levels high enough to require “medical advice and intervention.”LDL cholesterol, or “bad” cholesterol, as it is sometimes referred to, is produced by the liver and circulates in the blood. It slowly accumulates on the inner walls of your arteries, which nourish your heart and brain. It contributes to the formation of a hard substance called plaque that can actually block the flow of blood in your arteries and make them less flexible. This in turn puts your circulatory system at risk. If a clot forms, it can cause a heart attack. If it travels to the brain, it can cause a stroke.What can you do to improve your health? Prescription medications can help, but they are costly. Dietary changes will improve your cholesterol over time, but you have to stick with them; which means cutting out some of your favorite foods altogether. Foods that are high in fats from animal sources, like fried foods and fatty meats, directly raise your cholesterol. Also, diets high in simple carbohydrates and sweets can also contribute to high LDL cholesterol levels. Some studies even show that stress is linked with high LDL levels due to the body’s chemical response to stressful situations.How can you improve your LDL cholesterol levels by adding something to your dietary habits, rather than taking something away? Beta-sitosterol is a natural plant phytonutrient that has been shown to reduce harmful LDL cholesterol levels. It is a natural compound found in pecans, pumpkin seeds, soybeans and rice. It is clinically proven to reduce the body’s absorption of cholesterol. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study that reported a 42-percent decrease in absorbed cholesterol when a subject took beta-sitosterol before eating scrambled eggs. Beta-sitosterol appears to inhibit cholesterol production in the liver as well. Beta-sitosterol actually breaks down an enzyme that is key in the production of harmful LDL cholesterol. The body naturally produces more cholesterol than a person normally consumes. A big part of your cholesterol numbers is determined by heredity. You inherit some of your cholesterol problem from your parents, but a natural plant phytonutrient may be powerful enough to counteract a part of that problem, according to recent medical testing.So, if you aren’t interested in wolfing down piles of rice and soybeans before every meal, what can you do to incorporate Beta-sitosterol in to your everyday routine to improve your cardiovascular health? Thankfully, supplements are available. Taking care of your ticker is now as simple as taking an herbal supplement before your meal. Hopefully, the supplements will help you avoid the unwanted side effects, financial burden and physical stress on your body that comes with prescription cholesterol medications. You should combine your beta-sitosterol supplements with a heart-healthy diet and exercise for maximum results. Just losing 5 to 10 pounds may dramatically reduce your LDL cholesterol levels. Little changes in your daily routine will make a big difference in your long-term health. Try walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator at work or ordering veggies instead of French fries at lunch. Combine these changes with the addition of a beta-sitosterol supplement and you’ll be well on your way to a happier and healthier future.

Mediterranean Diet: Maintain Your Blood Pressure Low with Fruits and Vegetables

During my childhood and teenager years I ate fruits and vegetables because my mother told me I had to eat them. After I left my parents’ house, I kept eating various fruits and vegetables on a regular basis because I was used to do it (not a bad reason in this particular case). However, when I moved from my hometown in Spain to the United States, I decided that I was too busy to eat fruits and vegetables. I was always in a rush. So a piece of Kentucky Fried Chicken and a biscuit for lunch became the norm.But after I lost two friends to breast cancer and one to a heart attack, I decided to engage in a career as a Registered Dietitian. I then realized that when my mother insisted that I ate the vegetables on my plate, she was offering very healthy, sage advice. Through nutrition research I also discovered that fruits and vegetables, among many other health benefits, help us maintain our blood pressure at a healthy level. What is high blood pressure and why is important to prevent it?Blood pressure is how forcefully the blood is banging against the walls of the arteries. If you have high blood pressure it means the heart is pounding harder than it should to send through the blood vessels the nutrients and oxygen the cells need to maintain life. Continuous high blood pressure can cause havoc in your body because it:1. Causes the walls of the arteries to thicken, a condition that reduces the blood flow. 2. Makes the inside of the arteries rough, contributing to the formation of plaque, mounds of fat and debris deposited in the wall of the arteries. Plaque reduces the space available for blood to circulate.3. Enlarges the heart. An enlarged heart becomes weak and has to work harder to send the nutrients through the blood vessels which results in high blood pressure.4. Weakens the inner walls of blood vessels triggering the formation of a balloon or aneurysm. This ballooning may cause the blood vessel to rupture causing a hemorrhagic stroke.What can you do to keep a healthy blood pressure?- Be physically active- Limit sodium (salt) in your diet- Don’t smoke- Avoid high alcohol consumption- Maintain an appropriate body weighWhy can sodium be a problem?Sodium can be a problem because when we eat a lot of salt we retain a large volume of fluid in our blood vessels that needs to be moved around. And what do you think moves all that fluid in your body? Your heart. The standard recommendation for sodium is between 1,500 and 2,400 milligrams a day. American public consumes between 4,000 and 8,000 milligrams per day. How do we manage to ingest so much sodium in our diets? Because we eat lots of processed foods and very few fruits and vegetables. Why are processed foods so high in sodium?Manufacturers of processed foods use salt as a preventive measure because salt keeps microbes-microscopic organisms that transmit disease, at bay. Always keep in mind that about 75 percent of the salt we eat every day comes from processed foods, 15 percent comes from cooking and 10 percent from natural foods.So How Can Fruits and Vegetables Maintain Low Blood Pressure?- Fruits and vegetables are very low in sodium. The sodium content of a piece of fruit ranges from 0 to 5 and from 1 to 70 milligrams in vegetables. An average portion of vegetables contains about 10 milligrams of sodium. At the same time, when you eat fruits and vegetables, you are replacing other foods in your meals that may be high in sodium.- Fruits and vegetables are high in potassium. Potassium is a mineral that plays a key role in heart functions and muscle contractions, making it an important nutrient for a normal heart (remember the heart is a muscle). Potassium works with sodium to regulate the water balance in the body. Diets low in sodium and high in potassium lower blood pressure, which reduces the risk for strokes¹.- Fruits and vegetables are rich in calcium and magnesium. Calcium and magnesium are extremely important to maintaining normal blood pressure because they are required for nerve transmission and regulation of heart muscle function. Many studies have shown that as we increase the consumption of foods with a high content of calcium, the risk of high blood pressure decreases, especially if we maintain adequate intakes of magnesium.Now that you know one of the main reasons why you need to eat fruits and vegetables, would you find the time to include them in your daily diet? Here are some practical ways to help you do it:1. Have a piece of fruit for dessert after your main 3 meals.2. Have a piece of fruit or some veggies as snack if you are hungry during the day.3. Have your veggies as part of your main dish with your two main meals.4. Eat salads with your meals. And by salads I don’t mean macaroni or potato salad. Final ThoughtsMaking fruits and vegetables part of a lifestyle that includes regular physical activity as well as a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol can work wonders for you when it comes to maintain a healthy blood pressure. Remember, prevention is better than cure.References:1. Ding EL, Mozaffarian D. Optimal dietary habits for the prevention of stroke. Seminars in Neurology. 2006 Feb;26(1):11-23

Feet Care For Diabetic

Care for the feet is often overlooked by most people outside the cup toes from time to time. Out of sight is out of mind with regard to most people and their feet. This attitude is often performed by people who are diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes. However, it is extremely important that they take care of their feet. This section will examine the diabetic foot care, why it is important and guidelines for successful treatment and care. There are many complications diabetes. They are not directly caused by the disease, but are indirect diseases and diseases that can range from annoying to life-threatening. Diabetes affects the blood and because the blood circulates through the body other problems arise. Regarding the foot, there are two problems that may occur. The first is that the nervous system are affected. This is called peripheral neuropathy and the results more and damaged sinews. While your body can be affected by neuropathy, but the feet and legs are generally the most serious symptoms (which peripheral or external or end). This nerve damage can cause a feeling of losing feet. You lose sensitivity to detect hot and cold or feel normal aches and pains. It is partly why diabetics must check their feet regularly, because the body can not warn about problems using pain. It also means that the problems that go undetected are likely to be untreated and become infected. Potential small cuts could have aggravated, to grow or even gangrenous. Another complication diabetes, which affects the feet is poor circulation. The inner walls of blood vessels are often marked by high blood sugar. This attracts plate and makes blood vessels more thick. This means that the blood circulation is more difficult. The consistency of high blood sugar is also believed to be thicker causing traffic problems. Blood carries antibodies and nutrients to the body, including feet. If this practice is problematic, the ends are often the most severely affected. This means that areas of the body as the feet take longer to heal. Thus ongoing treatment and care must focus on two aspects. The first is to inspect your feet daily for any cuts. Keep things like nails and skin lasts (calluses) well-trimmed. This should be done by your health care provider. Always wash your feet well and dry them carefully, so that moisture is not conducive to the growth of bacteria. Preventing any bruises or cuts occur in the first is often the best way to treat diabetic foot problems. Wear socks and shoes that are not vos pieds aggravating. There are shoes and socks that are designed for diabetes. Help to circulate the blood in the feet. Things like using a simple step to maintain high will be useful. Avoid sitting in positions that May cut blood supply to the feet, legs crossed, for example. Do foot exercise every thirty minutes. Wiggle your toes, move your feet in a circular motion. Get up from your seat and walk around a bit. The diabetic foot care is not so difficult. Check your feet daily, wear articles will not aggravate your feet and do exercises which promote blood flow.

Heartburn can arise from several causes. The medical condition pyrosis or commonly known as heartburn, results from a reflux of the acidic contents of the stomach. This acidic regurgitation burns the inner walls of the esophagus and the sufferer experiences a searing or burning pain. Since this pain is felt around the chest area, people often mistake it for the onset of a heart attack.

Although the common name for this ailment is heartburn, the condition has nothing to do with the heart. It has earned it’s moniker due to the fact that the burning pain is felt around the heart. People who suffer from some heart conditions may describe similar sensations.

The Impact of Certain Foods On Heartburn

The first dietary step to stop heartburn is to control the amount of food consumed. The intake of fats in large meals is high. These remain in the bloated stomach for a long time to be digested. The stomach is unable to contain its acidic contents and some escape as acid reflux. Take smaller sized meals up to five times a day, rather than the traditional three larger ones.

Knowing which foods and drinks to avoid help one from future episodes of heartburn. If this is done consistently, it may be possible to completely stop heartburn.

The common foods and drinks to avoid include the following:

1. Spicy dishes like those found in Indian and Mexican diets

2. Tomato rich dishes like those found in Italian pastas and pizzas

3. Chocolates, Donuts, Creamy desserts

4. Citrus based fruits and desserts; containing oranges and lemons

5. Certain forms of potatoes: mashed potatoes and French fries

6. Raw Onions

7. Caffeinated drinks, Alcoholic beverages

8. Some dairy products: sour cream, ice cream and cottage cheese

Smoking has been found to weaken the esophageal sphincter muscle that keeps a lid on the stomach’s caustic contents. Smoking is a key risk factor that causes acid reflux.

Taking certain foods as part of one’s diet is a good ingredient of a natural cure for heartburn. These include fruits like bananas and apples. Other suitable food choices are lean beef and chicken. Whole grains should be an important component of a diet as part of a natural cure for heartburn. Drinking adequate amounts of water also helps to dilute the caustic acids secreted by the stomach.

Heartburn Treatment Options

A heartburn sufferer’s agony is exacerbated when he or she lies down during a pyrosis episode. The best approach to relieve the pain is to take an antacid and lie down with the torso raised - either with pillows or by raising the bed’s headboard. The best approach is to avoid eating meals rich in heartburn inducing food and drinks too close to bedtime.

Medications can be a suitable alternative if preventive measures to thwart heartburn fail. Doctors will be able to prescribe suitable treatments to quell the discomfort. These may include antacids, proton pump inhibitors and h2-receptor antagonists. For those who suffer from mild forms of heartburn, antacids and other neutralizing medications are the most effective forms of treatment.

Proton pump inhibitors are usually used when antacids and other neutralizing agents are ineffective to treat heartburn. These inhibitors block the production of acids in the stomach cells and provide instant relief. Once the inhibitors reach the stomach, it disables the “protein proton pumps”, which control the stomach’s pH levels.

Another course of treatment for heartburn is h2-receptor antagonists. H2-receptor antagonists work by decreasing the acid production of “parietal cells” in the stomach. These are however rarely used today due to the efficacy of proton pump inhibitors.

Heartburn sufferers who prefer not to consider pharmaceutical options as their first choice can consider holistic and natural therapies. Stressful lifestyles can be moderated through meditation and yoga. In 90% of heartburn sufferers, inappropriate food and drinks have been found to be the main culprits.

There are other remedies that are natural cures for heartburn. Heartburn sufferers can take peppermint in forms like peppermint tea, which has properties that ameliorate heartburn symptoms. Likewise, apple cider vinegar is another well known natural cure for heartburn. Other items to consider especially as snacks to be taken several times during the day include almonds, dried figs and papaya.

Cholesterol comes in two sizable forms and it is essential to not only conceive the divergence between the two forms, but also cognize the types of foods that swell “positive” cholesterol while lowering “bad” cholesterol. Only through such discernment can you choose a diet that can lower your risk of developing coronary heart sickness and help counter a heart attack or stroke.

HDL versus LDL Cholesterol

Cholesterol does not dissolve in the blood, it must be transported by lipoproteins to and from the cells within the body. HDL, or “agreeable” cholesterol is high-priced density lipoprotein and it carries up to 1/3 of the blood cholesterol throughout the body. HDL is considered “valuable” cholesterol because excessive levels of HDL have been shown to guard against heart affliction and heart attack. LDL, on the other hand, is considered to be “bad” cholesterol. When indulgent amounts of low density lipoprotein are in the blood, it can aggregate within the inner walls of the arteries over time and form plaque that can restrict blood flow through the arteries.

What Are The Sources of Cholesterol?

The cholesterol in your bloodstream comes from both the food you eat as well as naturally from your own body. Nearly 75 percent of the cholesterol located in your blood is produced by your liver and other cells within your body while the other 25 percent comes from the food you eat. LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, is produced naturally by the body, but hereditary elements may determinent your body to produce too much of the cholesterol. This is why it is relevant to make nourishing dietary choices to greater regulate the 25 percent of cholesterol production that comes from food.

What Foods Can We Avoid?

Food expensive in saturated and Trans fats: Avoid eating food stiff in saturated and trans fats. Read food labels to ascertain the quantity of saturated and trans fats they comprise. These labels will a remedy you avoid foods steep in fat and allow you to choose more nourishing alternatives. Also look for foods with the heart-check dwight symbol on their label. This label indicates that the food is approved by the American Heart Association as part of a energy-giving diet.

(NO! Not the ice cream!!) Whole fat dairy products: Avoid whole fat dairy products such as whole milk, butter, full-fat cheese and yogurt. If possible, substitute them with fat-free, reduced-fat or low-fat dairy products.

Foods stiff in dietary cholesterol: Avoid foods exorbitant in dietary cholesterol including whole eggs, shellfish, and organ meats. Compensate whole eggs with egg whites and organ meats with lean meats. As a goal, try to limit your intake of cholesterol to secondary than 300 mg a day.

Which Foods Lower “Bad” Cholesterol?

Almonds and walnuts: Almonds and walnuts have been shown to lower LDL, or “bad” cholesterol. Just about a handful of almonds or walnuts a days can significantly lower your cholesterol levels

while improving the health of your blood vessels.

Foods with soluble fiber: Oatmeal encompasses soluble fiber that can lower LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, while keeping HDL, or “agreeable”

cholesterol, equable. Additional foods containing soluble fiber include apples, pears, barley and rice.

Foods with omega 3 fatty acids: Fish takes in omega 3 fatty acids which have been shown to lower LDL while raising HDL cholesterol.

Recommended fish with omega 3 fatty acids include salmon, sardines, albacore tuna and mackerel. Food other than fish containing omega 3 fatty acids include canola oil, flaxseed and soybean oil.

How Can I Prepare My Befitting Diet?

Begin by determining your dietary goals. Do you need to lower your cholesterol considerably or only slightly? Do you yearn to lose weight at the same time as you lower your cholesterol? Will this be a short-term dietary change or a replete standing change?

Only once you know your goals can you properly plan your new diet plan and begin to lower your bad cholesterol and dwindle your risk of heart disease.

Discover How To Improve Your Cardiovascular Health With Vitamins

Did you know that heart attack, stroke, and related disorders kill more Americans than any other disease combined in the United States? Over 1 million Americans died in 1990 from cardiovascular disease which could be prevented with diet, vitamins, exercise, and stress reduction techniques.

Arteriosclerosis, which is hardening of the arteries, is the leading cause of heart attack and stroke in the world. When fat and cholesterol build up around the heart and on the inner walls of the arteries arteriosclerosis occurs. Then your arteries start to narrow from fat and cholesterol build up, blood flow slows down and blood pressure increases. When arteries narrow the risk of blood clots increase and depending on where the clot ends up can cause a stroke or heart attack. Arteriosclerosis usually goes un-noticed until it reaches an advanced stage and most people dont even realize they have it till its too late. Prevention should be our first goal.

Third world countries experience less heart disease than America and other modern countries due to its populations high volume of processed foods consumed on a daily basis. Studies have shown that an increase in sugar, refined flour, and simple carbohydrates are contributing factors in heart disease. Other risk factors include cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, and a family history of heart disease.

Dietary changes are the first step in prevention of arteriosclerosis. Follow a diet low in animal fat and refined sugars and add fiber to your diet in supplement form or by eating more whole grains and vegetables is a good start. Foods good for the heart are whole grains, almonds, fresh fruit and vegetables, legumes, skinless turkey, chicken and fish, brown rice, garlic, onions, olive oil, sprouts, asparagus, apples, bananas, beans, buck wheat, seeds, whey powder, and yogurt are all great for the heart. Try to avoid caffeine which includes soda pop and coffee. Avoid alcohol, red meat, refined carbohydrates and white flour. Try to limit your dairy intake, milk is high in fat. Homogenized dairy products contain an enzyme called xanthine oxidase believed to cause arteriosclerosis.

There are some vitamin supplements that might help as well. Choline, Inositol, and lecithin act as an emulsifier which can help prevent plaque build up on arteries. Chromium can help lower blood sugar and in some studies have been linked to reduced risk of heart disease. Chromium may help boost HDL cholesterol and aid in lowering LDL cholesterol. High blood sugar can make the fats in your blood stream stickier and increase buildup on the arteries, maintaining a good blood sugar level can reduce your risk of heart disease. Coenzyme Q10 helps with oxygen transport and helps oxygenate the heart, this may prevent additional heart damage. Coenzyme Q10 can help the body break down fatty acids and convert them to energy. Those lacking in coenzyme q10 normally have heart problems. Also, essential fatty acids such as omega-3 fish oil can help prevent hardening of the arteries and help prevent blood from clumping together and may help the assimilation of fat soluble vitamins. Germanium is a less commonly spoke of mineral is shown to lower high blood pressure and improve circulation in the body. Calcium and magnesium can aid in the contraction and relaxation of muscles through out the body including the heart. Calcium and magnesium are essential for proper heart function which helps maintain a normal heart rhythm and blood pressure. Individuals with high blood pressure have been linked to low calcium/magnesium levels in the body. Vitamin C and bioflavonoids can help strengthen blood vessels, help prevent high blood pressure, lower cholesterol, repair arterial walls, and has been attributed to the reversing of heart disease. Vitamin E and selenium are well known for their beneficial effects as an antioxidant as well as the benefits to the heart.

Some herbs known to benefit the cardiovascular system are hawthorn berries, garlic, cayenne, ginkgo, rosemary tea, and Chinese mushrooms. These herbs a great for the cardiovascular system which have been shown to lower cholesterol, improve circulation, relax blood vessels, and act as a natural blood thinner.

Exercise is very important in maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system. Daily aerobic exercise is something everybody should consider to help prevent arteriosclerosis. Exercise a minimum of 3 days a week for no less than 30 minutes each day to help prevent cardiovascular disease.

Stress is a factor in heart disease and steps should be taken to reduce stress in your life as much as possible. Stress causes the adrenal glands to release adrenalin which causes the heart to work harder and your whole cardiovascular system to tighten up. Keeping your body as stress free as possible every day is a good step in the right direction but wanting to be stress free and actually being stress free can be next to impossible. By changing your diet, taking vitamin supplements, exercising regularly, practicing stress reduction techniques, and seeing your health care practitioner on a regular basis is a good step towards the prevention or heart disease and arteriosclerosis. The above mentioned vitamin supplements can be found at your local or online vitamin store.

Did You Know That High Cholesterol Can Kill?

Has your doctor told you that you need to lower your cholesterol levels? If so, you are not alone.

A recent study shows that more than one third of American adults are at risk of coronary disease because of high blood cholesterol, according to the New York Times. The researchers reported that 60 million Americans over 20 years old have cholesterol levels high enough to require “medical advice and intervention.”

LDL cholesterol, or “bad” cholesterol, as it is sometimes referred to, is produced by the liver and circulates in the blood. It slowly accumulates on the inner walls of your arteries, which nourish your heart and brain. It contributes to the formation of a hard substance called plaque that can actually block the flow of blood in your arteries and make them less flexible. This in turn puts your circulatory system at risk. If a clot forms, it can cause a heart attack. If it travels to the brain, it can cause a stroke.

What can you do to improve your health? Prescription medications can help, but they are costly. Dietary changes will improve your cholesterol over time, but you have to stick with them; which means cutting out some of your favorite foods altogether. Foods that are high in fats from animal sources, like fried foods and fatty meats, directly raise your cholesterol. Also, diets high in simple carbohydrates and sweets can also contribute to high LDL cholesterol levels. Some studies even show that stress is linked with high LDL levels due to the body’s chemical response to stressful situations.

How can you improve your LDL cholesterol levels by adding something to your dietary habits, rather than taking something away? Beta-sitosterol is a natural plant phytonutrient that has been shown to reduce harmful LDL cholesterol levels. It is a natural compound found in pecans, pumpkin seeds, soybeans and rice. It is clinically proven to reduce the body’s absorption of cholesterol.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study that reported a 42-percent decrease in absorbed cholesterol when a subject took beta-sitosterol before eating scrambled eggs.

Beta-sitosterol appears to inhibit cholesterol production in the liver as well. Beta-sitosterol actually breaks down an enzyme that is key in the production of harmful LDL cholesterol. The body naturally produces more cholesterol than a person normally consumes. A big part of your cholesterol numbers is determined by heredity. You inherit some of your cholesterol problem from your parents, but a natural plant phytonutrient may be powerful enough to counteract a part of that problem, according to recent medical testing.

So, if you aren’t interested in wolfing down piles of rice and soybeans before every meal, what can you do to incorporate Beta-sitosterol in to your everyday routine to improve your cardiovascular health? Thankfully, supplements are available. Taking care of your ticker is now as simple as taking an herbal supplement before your meal. Hopefully, the supplements will help you avoid the unwanted side effects, financial burden and physical stress on your body that comes with prescription cholesterol medications.

You should combine your beta-sitosterol supplements with a heart-healthy diet and exercise for maximum results. Just losing 5 to 10 pounds may dramatically reduce your LDL cholesterol levels. Little changes in your daily routine will make a big difference in your long-term health. Try walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator at work or ordering veggies instead of French fries at lunch. Combine these changes with the addition of a beta-sitosterol supplement and you’ll be well on your way to a happier and healthier future.

During my childhood and teenager years I ate fruits and vegetables because my mother told me I had to eat them. After I left my parents’ house, I kept eating various fruits and vegetables on a regular basis because I was used to do it (not a bad reason in this particular case).

However, when I moved from my hometown in Spain to the United States, I decided that I was too busy to eat fruits and vegetables. I was always in a rush. So a piece of Kentucky Fried Chicken and a biscuit for lunch became the norm.

But after I lost two friends to breast cancer and one to a heart attack, I decided to engage in a career as a Registered Dietitian. I then realized that when my mother insisted that I ate the vegetables on my plate, she was offering very healthy, sage advice.

Through nutrition research I also discovered that fruits and vegetables, among many other health benefits, help us maintain our blood pressure at a healthy level.

What is high blood pressure and why is important to prevent it?

Blood pressure is how forcefully the blood is banging against the walls of the arteries. If you have high blood pressure it means the heart is pounding harder than it should to send through the blood vessels the nutrients and oxygen the cells need to maintain life. Continuous high blood pressure can cause havoc in your body because it:

1. Causes the walls of the arteries to thicken, a condition that reduces the blood flow.

2. Makes the inside of the arteries rough, contributing to the formation of plaque, mounds of fat and debris deposited in the wall of the arteries. Plaque reduces the space available for blood to circulate.

3. Enlarges the heart. An enlarged heart becomes weak and has to work harder to send the nutrients through the blood vessels which results in high blood pressure.

4. Weakens the inner walls of blood vessels triggering the formation of a balloon or aneurysm. This ballooning may cause the blood vessel to rupture causing a hemorrhagic stroke.

What can you do to keep a healthy blood pressure?

- Be physically active

- Limit sodium (salt) in your diet

- Don’t smoke

- Avoid high alcohol consumption

- Maintain an appropriate body weigh

Why can sodium be a problem?

Sodium can be a problem because when we eat a lot of salt we retain a large volume of fluid in our blood vessels that needs to be moved around. And what do you think moves all that fluid in your body? Your heart.

The standard recommendation for sodium is between 1,500 and 2,400 milligrams a day. American public consumes between 4,000 and 8,000 milligrams per day. How do we manage to ingest so much sodium in our diets? Because we eat lots of processed foods and very few fruits and vegetables.

Why are processed foods so high in sodium?

Manufacturers of processed foods use salt as a preventive measure because salt keeps microbes-microscopic organisms that transmit disease, at bay. Always keep in mind that about 75 percent of the salt we eat every day comes from processed foods, 15 percent comes from cooking and 10 percent from natural foods.

So How Can Fruits and Vegetables Maintain Low Blood Pressure?

- Fruits and vegetables are very low in sodium. The sodium content of a piece of fruit ranges from 0 to 5 and from 1 to 70 milligrams in vegetables. An average portion of vegetables contains about 10 milligrams of sodium. At the same time, when you eat fruits and vegetables, you are replacing other foods in your meals that may be high in sodium.

- Fruits and vegetables are high in potassium. Potassium is a mineral that plays a key role in heart functions and muscle contractions, making it an important nutrient for a normal heart (remember the heart is a muscle). Potassium works with sodium to regulate the water balance in the body. Diets low in sodium and high in potassium lower blood pressure, which reduces the risk for strokes¹.

- Fruits and vegetables are rich in calcium and magnesium. Calcium and magnesium are extremely important to maintaining normal blood pressure because they are required for nerve transmission and regulation of heart muscle function. Many studies have shown that as we increase the consumption of foods with a high content of calcium, the risk of high blood pressure decreases, especially if we maintain adequate intakes of magnesium.

Now that you know one of the main reasons why you need to eat fruits and vegetables, would you find the time to include them in your daily diet? Here are some practical ways to help you do it:

1. Have a piece of fruit for dessert after your main 3 meals.

2. Have a piece of fruit or some veggies as snack if you are hungry during the day.

3. Have your veggies as part of your main dish with your two main meals.

4. Eat salads with your meals. And by salads I don’t mean macaroni or potato salad.

Final Thoughts

Making fruits and vegetables part of a lifestyle that includes regular physical activity as well as a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol can work wonders for you when it comes to maintain a healthy blood pressure. Remember, prevention is better than cure.

References:

1. Ding EL, Mozaffarian D. Optimal dietary habits for the prevention of stroke. Seminars in Neurology. 2006 Feb;26(1):11-23