Causes of High Cholesterol and Natural Remedies

By Clifford H Woods

The root causes of High Cholesterol is said to consist of:

• Diet that is poor, especially one high in cholesterol, saturated fats and refined carbohydrates
• Family tendency to high cholesterol
• Insulin resistance diabetes
• Hypothyroidism
• Stress
• Inactivity

You are most likely to have cholesterol that is high and that can lead to heart disease if you have any of these risk factors:

1. Smoking: Cigarette smoking causes damage to the walls of the blood vessels, making them much more likely to accumulate deposits of fat on the walls of the vessels.
2. Obesity: Those that have a BMI or body mass index of 30 or more makes the person at more risk of having raised cholesterol.
3. Diet is poor: Foods high in cholesterol, such as like dairy products that are full fat and red meat, increase the overall amount of cholesterol. Eating saturated fat in animal products and trans-fats, found in many commercially baked crackers and cookies also raises the cholesterol level.
4. Little Exercise: Exercise helps to boost the body’s HDL which is the good cholesterol while lowering the LDL or bad cholesterol. Getting very little exercise puts a person at a much higher risk of high cholesterol.
5. Hypertension or High Blood Pressure: When pressure is increased on the artery walls it damages the arteries, which may speed the buildup of deposits that are fatty.
6. Diabetes: Sugar or glucose levels that are high add to the level of higher LDL cholesterol and also lowers HDL cholesterol. High blood sugar or glucose also causes damage to the lining of the walls of the arteries.
7. History of heart disease in family: If a sibling or a parent develops heart disease before the age of 55, levels of high cholesterol can put other members of that family at a larger than average threat of also developing heart disease.

There are many natural remedies for controlling high cholesterol and seven of them are listed here.

Policosanol is a natural extract from plant waxes: Studies have shown that policosanol decreases total as well as LDL cholesterol, lipoprotein, and raises the good HDL cholesterol. It is normally recommended that one take 10 to 20 mg each evening.

Red Yeast Rice (Monascus Purpureus): When taken at 1,200 mg 2 times daily. This is an extract that has been proven to decrease cholesterol levels and raise HDL. This type of product used in successful studies contained 10 to 13.5 mg of monacolins per day. The recommendation is that one needs take, daily, 100 mg of CoQ10 when using monacolins.

Garlic (Allium sativum): Take up to 500 mg of aged garlic twice daily. It lowers cholesterol levels and increases HDL cholesterol.

Niacin (inositol hexabniacinate, or IP6): Take up to 3000 mg daily of this no-flush form. It lessens cholesterol levels as well asraises HDL cholesterol.

Fish oil: Daily take a dose of a fish oil product that contains 480 mg of EPA and 360 mg of DHA. Fish oil decreases artery inflammation and lowers triglyceride and cholesterol levels.

Guggul (Commiphora mukul): Take daily a total of 1500 mg consistent to 5 percent guggulsterone which is equivalent to 75 mg of guggulsterones. Guggul is an Ayurvedic herb that drops cholesterol levels and raises HDL.

Antioxidant formula: Take a compound of antioxidants or a multivitamin as instructions on the container direct. Several of these antioxidants prevent the oxidation of cholesterol.
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Author: Clifford H Woods is the Executive Director of Vibrant Life.
We Provide Great Products, Excellent and Useful Information with Exceptional Customer Care Service

Calcium and Bone Health

By Clifford H Woods

Calcium is a mineral needed for strong teeth and bone health. It is also important in the growth of young adults and children. 

 The absorption of calcium as well as vitamin D, and the creation of bone reach a peak around twenty years of age. It begins to decrease from the age of thirty when a process of draining begins.

Good intake of calcium and vitamin D increases bone mass in children and young adults, as

well as decreases bone loss and improves bone health among people over 30.

Research has shown that calcium benefits by having slimming effect on the metabolism and could be important as an element of weight loss. This research has also shown that calcium prevents weight gain by promoting the type of fat that is burned instead of the type that is stored.

Experts advise 3 servings a day as well as decreasing calories in other areas of the diet that will accommodate this increase in daily intake. Milk has also shown added calcium benefits by its antioxidant-rich properties that can prevent some cancers, such as ovarian, colorectal and breast cancer.

However, studies have also shown that extreme doses of calcium might increase the risk of some cancers as well. This suggests that calcium supplementation is not a way to prevent cancer, but adequate intake of calcium through diet is recommended instead.

There is research suggesting that adequate intake of calcium benefits by reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease as well as hypertension. Although 99 percent of calcium goes to the health of teeth and bones, the remaining 1 percent shows the tendency to play a role in the functioning of muscles and nerve transmission.

Deficiency in calcium can cause problems with the heart as well as high blood pressure, but so can too much calcium; so, expert suggests that the source of calcium for health needs should come from calcium-rich food and not supplementation.

Vitamin D is vital in helping the body use calcium from the diet and research also indicates the benefits of vitamin D in fighting various other health difficulties. Low levels of vitamin D in blood have been linked with heightened risk of heart diseases and memory issues in older adults, with asthma and cancer in kids. Research shows that vitamin D plays a part in the prevention and treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes as well as high blood pressure.

Natural sources of vitamin D and calcium for bone health also come from the sun, but spending much time in the sun currently is bad for the skin, so vitamin D and calcium benefits are both best received through several natural food sources such as some fish, egg yolks, fish liver oils, grain products and dairy that is fortified. Experts believe that research is showing that both calcium and vitamin D are important in areas of health.
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Author: Clifford H Woods is the Executive Director of Vibrant Life.
We Provide Great Products, Excellent and Useful Information with Exceptional Customer Care Service

Boosting Your Immune System the Natural Way

By Clifford H Woods

With so many natural options, it makes no sense to choose drug methods to boost the immune system. Immune System boosters are evident in many foods and supplements. This page discusses the good, the bad and the interesting when talking immune systems.

The Immune System
Our body has the capability to keep us in perfect condition, given we take care of the nutritional and physical activity aspects of it. The Immune System is a very intriguing and beneficial defense mechanism that protects us from harmful, dangerous or unhealthy things that enter the body.

Immune cells detect and eliminate viruses, infections and bacteria present in the body, so as to stop us from getting sick. In full health, a person’s bodily defence can protect from virtually any threatening, foreign intruder. The Immune system has the ability to release antibodies and alerting protective cells of any threat in need of combating and or eliminating.

A Poor Immune System
There are many contributing factors to a poor or effective immune cell performance. These can include stress levels, dietary intake; sleep habits and substances such as steroids. When it comes to food and hydration, it is vitally important, for our Immune System, that we regulate the intake of unhealthy products.

The food groups that put our natural bodily defence in jeopardy are refined carbohydrates and, especially, sugars. This and/or a lack of fresh fruit and vegetables can have a detrimental affect on the Immune System. Things that hinder the health of the immune cells are called immunosuppressive.

Immune System help
A diet full of vitamins and minerals is essential, as is a good Omega-3 intake, for a healthy Immune System. Minimising the consumption of refined carbohydrates and sugars can offer immense benefits to the body.
A good sleep pattern is crucial. This allows the systems to reenergize and repair themselves so as to be prepared for future threats. Immune disorders cannot easily be repaired without this necessary restoration time.

With a lack of sleep or poor diet usually comes stress. This is a contributing factor to multiple health conditions and is common in the majority of all humans. Stress creates the inability to rest or relax, forcing the body into overdrive and completely exhausting the Immune System.

Methods of relaxation such as meditation and yoga can be extremely beneficial in improving immune strength, or an activity like walking or fishing. Breathing exercises will allow the break the body requires to be at optimal health. There are also natural remedies, supplements and vitamins that aide in good functionality and defences of the Immune cells.

Natural Methods Vs Drugs
Natural dietary intake including foods rich in Vitamin C (fruit and vegetables) and Vitamin E (seeds and grains) can be of great benefit to the body. However, with factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol intake or physical inactivity combined with the amount of foods required to reach the ideal level of vitamins and minerals, most people need and/or seek supplementary assistance.

Immune System boosters like Omega-3, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Garlic and Selenium tablets/capsules, powders or drops and Immune System Boosters such as Taheebo can be used as a safe, naturally beneficial supplement. Aiding in the repair of Immune System disorders and offering a healthy maintenance method, natural is definitely the ideal option.

There are over 150 drugs available for the treatment of immunity deficiencies and immune disorders. The problem with these is that there is an enhanced possibility of side-effects. These symptoms can vary from muscle aches and pains to a severe reaction such as fever, headaches and malaise, experienced by up to 50 percent of patients. 

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Author: Clifford H Woods is the Executive Director of Vibrant Life.
We Provide Great Products, Excellent and Useful Information with Exceptional Customer Care Service