Tag Archives: cholesterol

Simple Steps to Healthy Cholesterol Levels

September is National Cholesterol Awareness Month. And while you should be aware of your cholesterol levels and what affects them every month, it doesn’t hurt to give it a little extra attention now and again.

First, it’s a good idea to know what constitutes healthy and unhealthy cholesterol levels. The American Heart Association has an established range for your daily cholesterol intake:

– Less than 200 mg/dL is considered healthy.

– 200 to 239 mg/dL is borderline high cholesterol.

– 240 mg/dL and above is an unhealthy cholesterol level.

Many foods can contribute to an increase in your unhealthy cholesterol levels, but what you may not know is that some foods actually have the opposite effect. Yes, instead of medications and supplements, sometimes actual natural nourishment is the solution. (more…)

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Jason

Fast Food Restaurants Should Offer Free Cholesterol Medication

Researchers at Imperial College London are suggesting that fast food restaurants could counter the health risks of eating their foods by offering customers free statins, a prescribed drug used to lower cholesterol, with their meals. I know, when I first read that, I thought it was a satire worthy of the pages of The Onion.

But no, the researchers are serious.

Statins are valuable due to their ability to reduce the amount of unhealthy LDL cholesterol in the blood and a person’s risk of having a heart attack.

In their research published in the American Journal of Cardiology, Dr. Darrel Francis and his colleagues calculate that the reduction in cardiovascular risk is enough to counter the increase in heart attack risk from eating fatty fast food. (more…)

Posted on August 17, 2023 by Jason

Should All Children Be Tested for High Cholesterol?

After a large-scale study in West Virginia, researchers are suggesting that cholesterol screening be a mandated test for American kids, which would allow for early diagnosis.

The study found that one-third of children whose cholesterol levels were high enough to merit treatment were being missed by guidelines so dependent upon family history.

Dr. Richard Besser, senior health and medical editor for ABC News, is cautious of the study. He said the study did not take into account obesity levels and that we should be careful putting young children on medication they may have to use for the rest of their lives.

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Posted on July 21, 2023 by heather

Healthy Cholesterol Levels May Prevent Cancer

Researchers at the Molecular Cardiology Research Institute at Tufts Medical Center in Boston have found that keeping your cholesterol at healthy levels may have a very important extra benefit: cancer prevention. Their analysis of 24 trials investigated the pros and cons of cholesterol treatment interventions, such as the use of statins.

What they found was that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, or “good” cholesterol, can cut the risk of cancer. And with each 10-point rise in HDL levels came a 36 percent decrease in a person’s risk for developing cancer. HDL cholesterol is best known to help against heart disease.

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Posted on June 16, 2023 by Jason

Heart Attacks Drop Dramatically in California Study

A new study has found that heart attacks have dropped by a dramatic 24 percent in a large group of people studied in Northern California. Even more dramatically, there was a 62 percent drop in the most severe type of heart attack, known as an ST-segment elevation heart attack. A coronary artery is fully blocked.

The study’s authors don’t think it’s happened by accident.

“We believe improvements in targeting risk factors are in part responsible,” says the study’s senior author, Dr. Alan Go, M.D., the assistant director for clinical research at Kaiser Permanente, in Oakland, California. “We’ve observed in our population that fewer people are smoking, and there’s better control of blood pressure and cholesterol.”

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Posted on June 11, 2023 by Jason

Top New Workout Supplements Include Jack3d

The fitness world is driven by supplements. Everyone is looking to find that edge to be and look the best. As a fitness specialist, I recommend going the natural route and earning the desired results the hard way. Either way, I’m excited that more and more people are beginning to exercise and making healthier lifestyle changes. If you do decide to go the supplement route, which is fine, below are a few of the new and booming supplements of 2024:

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Posted on June 8, 2023 by Matt

Nuts Help Lower Cholesterol

According to a recent review of 25 studies, eating 67g of nuts on average every day – a portion the size of a small bag – reduces cholesterol levels by 7.4 percent.

The research team at Loma Linda University in Southern California believe that nuts help block the absorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream

“Increasing the consumption of nuts as part of an otherwise prudent diet can be expected to favorably affect blood lipid levels (at least in the short term) and have the potential to lower CHD [coronary heart disease] risk,” say the researchers in a prepared statement.

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Posted on May 18, 2023 by Jason

Affordable Home Fitness with the BodyForm Platform

Home fitness is becoming ever more popular these days and having the right equipment is a must. It’s on the rise due to cutting costs, lack of time, parenting, and sometimes comfort levels. Since I am a firm believer in exercise, I am happy that many people today are making an effort, whether at home or in the gym.

I recently purchased a BodyForm Total Fitness Platform to use for my in-home clientele and it’s rather amazing. The BodyForm Platform is easy to use and extremely effective.

The BodyForm Platform is a compact home fitness machine that provides you with a total body workout anytime and anywhere. It is great for the home, office, or even the gym.

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Posted on May 13, 2023 by Matt

Busting Common Food Myths

With so much information at our fingertips from the news on TV and online, it can be overwhelming to try to distinguish fact from fiction. For example, how many times have you heard or been told that sugars are bad for you? Well, the truth is that not all sugars are bad. But, depending on your source you may have heard a different opinion. Let’s get started and bust six common food myths:

Myth: Eggs cause your cholesterol to rise.

Fact: Our bodies generate and create their own cholesterol, so rarely do we need any help with getting more or less through food and diet. Saturated fat and trans fat are the bad fats that impact our body’s cholesterol levels, leading them to rise above regulated levels. Eggs are rich in vitamins and minerals that are good for you and have a relatively small amount of saturated fat that, when eaten in moderation, should not cause any increase to cholesterol levels. Go ahead and keep eggs in your meals.
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Posted on May 8, 2023 by Amy

DASH Your Way to a Healthier Heart

February is American Heart Month. It’s a time to bring awareness to heart disease and stroke, the number one killer in the United States, so you and the people you love don’t become a statistic.dash diet

Many people are not aware of the DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), recommended by the National Institutes of Health.

In recent DASH studies, adding fruits, vegetables and dairy products lowered blood pressure readings – even when the sodium was as high as 3000 mg per day! Every millimeter the blood pressure falls reduces the risk of heart attack and strokes for people with high blood pressure. So believe it, small changes will get you big results. Your everyday decisions matter. (more…)

Posted on February 22, 2024 by Rebecca

Three Steps to Lowering Your Cholesterol

February is American Heart Month. It’s a time to bring awareness to heart disease and stroke, the number one killer in the United States, so you and people you love don’t become a statistic.

heart appleBe honest. Do you know your numbers? Your cholesterol numbers. You should have your cholesterol measured once a year after age 30, especially if you have a family history of high cholesterol or heart problems. High cholesterol can double the risk for heart disease. It’s entirely possible that your body will produce too much cholesterol, even if you take steps to lower it. However, many people are successful at lowering their cholesterol with some simple changes.

There are three ways you can make your cholesterol levels better. (more…)

Posted on February 15, 2024 by Rebecca