High Blood Pressure Causes - The 4 Main Causes of Hypertension

High Blood Pressure Causes - The 4 Main Causes of Hypertension

High blood pressure causes, when examined, basically come down to four factors. Though you could probably get tens of different variables out of these four things, these are basically the things behind what may be driving hypertension in your life. In a nutshell, these four causes are diet, lifestyle, genetic factors and stress.

Overweight and/or Bad Diet

Being overweight can certainly drive one to hypertension. Moreover, being overweight and eating poor diet will enhance the chance of developing hypertension even more. Diet alone is a factor in both controlling blood pressure or losing control of it.

Bad dieting is basically a lifestyle. Without getting into too much detail, a bad diet would be the opposite of a healthy diet. You can always tell a person who is not adhering to a healthy diet. He is the guy who was always eating out. The good dieter is the person who always seems to be in the produce section of the supermarket looking over the fruits and vegetables.

Diets that are full of fruits and vegetables are naturally lower sodium diets. On the other hand, a diet that consists mainly of fast foods is one that is high in sodium. It has long been known sodium is an enemy of healthy blood pressure.

Part of healthy living is exercising. These two things seem to go hand-in-hand. One who is prone to eating poorly is usually prone to a sedentary lifestyle. The opposite is true. The person who is eating properly is one who usually gets a lot of fresh air and exercise. Of course, it is the one who is getting the exercise who is much less liable to develop hypertension.

Smoking and Drinking

Alcohol use tends to raise blood pressure in most people. There are exceptions, but usually one who uses alcohol has higher blood pressure readings than one who does not. So, if hypertension is an issue in your life and heavy drinking is also an issue, you can see where one healthy change in your lifestyle can be made immediately.

Another vice that is detrimental to a person's health in many ways is smoking. Smoking tends to close up the arteries. Grammar school physics teaches us that the less space a fluid flows through the higher the pressure is. For instance if a given amount of force is put behind the water flowing through a garden hose, attaching the end of that garden hose to one with a smaller diameter will increase the pressure of the water that is flowing through that hose.

The Family Tree

Sometimes there is little we can do about our blood pressure. This is because there are times hypertension is simply inherited. Of course, we can do things that will exacerbate our problem or, we can choose to live in a way that will lessen the chance we will compound our problem. So, to a certain degree the choice is ours. In any event we can live in such a way that we will not be causing our blood pressure to rise, or we can do just the opposite.

Stress

Finally, if stress is a problem in our life, it could manifest itself in the way of high blood pressure. We must remember that high tension equals hypertension. Though we all have stress in our lives, we have to remember to counteract it with times we set aside for ourselves to be without stress. Try to develop hobbies that are truly relaxing to you if stress is an issue in your life. By the same token try to avoid hobbies that are highly competitive and tend to saddle you with more stress than you already have.

In conclusion, we do have a certain control over our blood pressure readings. Still, hypertension is a long-term proposition. Rome wasn't built in a day. So, returning to top health will obviously take time. Most importantly, make sure your doctor is involved in deciding whether or not you have high blood pressure and how you should go about overcoming it.

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Foods to Reduce Bad Cholesterol

Foods to Reduce Bad Cholesterol

If you have high cholesterol you have little choice but to try and lower it. Choosing not to do so drastically increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke; three medical conditions that can have a major impact on the long term outlook of your life. Fortunately getting your levels under control can be as easy as making dietary changes and eating foods to reduce bad cholesterol.

Diet is always a good place to start with just about any ailment or condition, but when it comes to lowering cholesterol the food you eat can have a large impact on how successful your attempt will be. In the end it comes down to eating healthy by following these eight steps.

1. Seafood and Omega-3s - Omega-3 fatty acids are sorely missing in our modern diet and have been shown to help lower "bad" LDL cholesterol levels while raising "good" HDL cholesterol levels. Omega-3s are found primarily in seafood with salmon being one of the best sources. You can also find it in flax seed and in supplement form.

2. Cut the Desert - If you just can't go without eat them in moderation and choose healthier alternatives. Graham crackers, fat free frozen yogurt, and angle food cake are good cholesterol reducing choices.

3. Fiber - Is your friend. Foods that are high in fiber such as oatmeal, vegetables, beans, fruits, wheat bread, and high fiber cereals are all good choices.

4. Fruits and Vegetables - In addition to adding fiber to your diet fruits and vegetables contain no cholesterol.

5. Fried and Fast Foods - These should be avoided as much as possible. Because of their high saturated and trans-fat content these foods are nothing more then cholesterol time bombs.

6. Salad Dressing - Everyone knows that a nice salad is a healthy part of any meal. That is until you dump a bunch of high fat salad dressing on it. Read your labels carefully and select those dressings that are low in fat and cholesterol.

7. Grill or Broil your Meat - You should only eat lean cuts of meat and when you prepare them grill them on the barbecue or broil them. Cooking in this manner reduces the amount of fat in the meat and allows you to enjoy delicious meals.

8. What About Lunch - It is possible to have a healthy sandwich. Use whole wheat bread, lean turkey or chicken, and veggies. Stick to low fat cheeses and mayo or use mustard instead for a healthy delicious lunch.

The thing you will notice with these food to reduce bad cholesterol is that you are not forced to eat a bland diet. It may not be quite what you are used to but with a little time and recipe research you will soon find you don't miss all those un-healthy foods in the first place.

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Foods To Lower Cholesterol

Foods To Lower Cholesterol

Types Of Food To Eat For High Cholesterol, Revealed

If you have been asking yourself about what type of foods to lower cholesterol levels should you consume on a daily basis, I can only assume that you are taking your health very seriously. So here is the good news. There is no need to travel to the jungles of Borneo to seek out a certain, exotic food to eat for high cholesterol. Every list of foods that help to lower cholesterol can be found at your local mart.

Cholesterol reducing diets does not mean liquid diets. You can be assured that there are actually numerous choices of food to eat for high cholesterol. But it is helpful to remember that a daily consumption of cholesterol is usually recommended at or below 100 milligrams per day.

Quite obviously, it is a cumbersome task to keep track of the amount of cholesterol consumed per day, so, here is a handy tip - cholesterol is found in products of animal origin. Knowing this, you can roughly gauge the type of foods that lower your cholesterol (Nutritionists recommend writing down and keeping track of your daily intake of calories, cholesterol, etc.).

Foods to lower cholesterol - Meat, Rice, Vegetables and Potatoes 

As alluded to earlier, going on a cholesterol reducing diet does not mean starving yourself of the good stuff. Take meat for example. Though cholesterol is found in products of animal origin, this does not mean you have to become a vegetarian. You can reduce cholesterol levels simply by removing the fats from meat, throwing in a couple of vegetables and stir-fry them.

"But, isn't oil bad for my cholesterol," you askall Not vegetable oils like, canola, safflower and olive oils. But, a better alternative would be cooking sprays. You can save on fats and calories with such sprays. It would be a good idea to use cooking sprays instead of oils and they do come in a variety of flavors as well.

Rice and potatoes go great with that meat and vegetable dish but why don't you substitute white rice for brown rice? Brown rice contains more nutrients. And try yams or sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes for better nutritional value as well. While you are at it, keep an eye out on your portion size. If you really want your food to help lower cholesterol, then monitor your intake of food per serving. You can be guilty of eating too much of the right foods.

Keep consumption of red meat like beef, to about once a week. Make it a habit to eat more fish, or even shellfish. You would have probably heard that shellfish is high in cholesterol but in fact, shellfish are far less rich in cholesterol and contains less fat than red meat. Chicken makes for a good addition to foods that reduce cholesterol too (just remove the skin and fats).

When you are removing saturated fat from your diet, you are not just lowering your bad cholesterol, but you are also reducing your risk of getting diabetes, digestive disorders and even certain kinds of cancer.

Foods to lower cholesterol - Soup 

So many folks underestimate the power of soup when it comes to health. Soup should really be added to the list of foods that help to lower cholesterol. It is a great example of moderating your food portions as soup is usually taken with a spoon (unless you are from certain parts of Asia where drinking soup from a bowl is a sign of respect). Minestrone soup is a good way to go. Be creative with what you add to it. You can make soup a main meal by taking it with wholegrain bread.

And when it comes to vegetables, there is no shortage of variety. Nutritionists usually recommend eating vegetables of a different variety as often as possible to extract the best possible nutritional value from them. So, look up on all the different kinds of vegetables available and add them to your list of foods. If you are ever stuck on what kind of food to eat to lower cholesterol, you will never go wrong with vegetables.

Foods to lower cholesterol - Sandwiches and Salads 

Who can resist a tuna or chicken sandwich? Almost everybody loves a good sandwich and it is another fantastic addition to - food to eat for high cholesterol. What will make a good sandwich even better for health is to lay that tuna or chicken in whole grain bread. Replace regular mayonnaise with low-fat mayonnaise. Sandwiches are ideal for a low-fat meal and it is so quick and easy to make. Do not overlook its simplicity. You can create a great-tasting cholesterol reducing sandwich in as little as five minutes for all the nutritional value you can get for a day.

Salads are another fantastic addition to your diet, but you should keep in mind that regular dressing and croutons are high in fat and calories. Go for the low-fat options to reap the benefits of a salad dish. Again, add a variety of vegetables with chicken or fish. Like soups, salads can be made into a main dish.

Food to eat for high cholesterol - Fibrous Food

Here is something else to think about - recent studies have shown that we need to consume at least 35 grams of fiber a day to reduce the risk of suffering from heart disease. This proves you need to consume fiber found in certain types of foods - to reduce bad cholesterol. There are so many benefits you reap from a fiber-rich diet that it is impossible to list all of them here. But, know that grabbing an apple instead of a bag of chips is a very wise choice for someone trying to eat to lower cholesterol!

How you can get more fiber into your day 

Start your day off with whole-grain cereal topped      with bananas, raisins and berries.

Fit more vegetables into your main meals as mentioned      earlier. But to gain more fiber out of vegetables, try eating them raw,      microwave or steaming vegetables instead of frying them.

Instead of juicing fruits, eat them as they are with      the skin on where possible. You are extracting every bit of fiber from      fruits this way. Snack on fruits instead of the usual chemically laden      products. This is a great way to curb your appetite and lose weight at the      same time because fiber-rich foods, such as fruits are more filling than      other types of food.

Throw in beans where you can - like into soups,      salads and stews.

A powerful natural source to reduce cholesterol - Garlic 

Such a common spice but yet one of the most powerful natural medicines for lowering cholesterol could already be lying about in your kitchen. Studies have been proven to show that garlic has the properties to ease the damaging effects of cholesterol on your artery walls, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, stop the growth of cancer cells, fight infections and prevent heart attacks. Add to that, garlic has been proven to stop the heart from aging.

Garlic is such a powerful source of medication for lowering cholesterol and maintaining a healthy heart that it would be silly not to include this common yet wonderful spice to your daily diet. Work garlic into soups, pastas, stews whole-wheat French bread, vegetables, etc. Sometimes the most common types of food are the best types of cure.

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Foods To Avoid With HIGH Blood Pressure

Foods To Avoid With HIGH Blood Pressure

If you or a loved one has high blood pressure, your diet should below in sodium, sugar and trans fats, so here are the top foods you should really avoid.

Pickles

Low in calories but high in sodium.  A medium pickle can have about 570 mg of sodium, which is close to your daily recommended sodium limit of 2300 mg.  Yes, I can hear you saying, "but it's a pickled cucumber", yes, you're right, but with the added sodium, it's not something that you should reach for to snack on daily.

Canned Chicken Noodle Soup

I know that your Mom may have given you chicken noodle soup as a "comfort food" when you were feeling under the weather, but you're a big kid now with hypertension (high blood pressure) and 880 mg of sodium in a one cup serving is NOT comforting.

Sauerkraut

here's another delicious food that is low calories, but with 460 mg of sodium, you should just "hold the kraut" unless it's a EXTRA special rare occasion!

Fast Food French Fries (say that 4 times fast!)

Many fast food chains are using non trans fat oil now, however, there are still several that haven't made the switch yet.  Regardless of what type of oil fries are cooked in, they provide a large dose of unhealthy fat and sodium (270 mg for a medium fry) and have little to NO nutritional value.

Bacon

OK, don't shoot the messenger!  I love eating bacon almost as much as I love to breathe.  However, with 270 mg of sodium per three slices, if you have high blood pressure, you should look for low sodium varieties.  There are  several companies with nitrate free bacon (Applegate organic meat) that is delicious that you can try as well.

Frozen Pot Pies

A single pot pie equals a serving of about 1300-1400 mg of sodium and 35g of fat (not the good fat either), which is 900 mg short of your daily  recommended max of 2300. The fat in the pot pies is mostly trans fats, which you should remove from your diet altogether.  I understand maybe you bought the frozen pies because they were priced, 4 for $5.00, but you have to wonder what crap they put in there to make it so cheapall  I'm just saying.

Donuts

Taste good but terrible for you.  Donuts are cooked in trans fat oil (remember you are avoiding this, right?) and is a surefire way to pack on the pounds if you are trying to gain weight and increase your risk for diabetes.

Ramen Noodles

You aren't in college anymore so why are you still even eating these?  Cheap you say?  Yes, so is spreadables, that doesn't mean you should be eating it!

One package of ramen noodles adds 1580 mg of sodium! It's not the noodles themselves that are SO bad, it's the flavor packet that contains the majority of the sodium.

Margarine

If you like eating plastic and increasing your risk for a possible heart attack (due to the artery clogging ingredients (trans fats, etc.) then you should continue eating margarine. Choose unsalted grass fed organic butter when possible, however, if organic butter isn't available go for  REAL BUTTER.

Sugar

Nutrition 101 that you may have learned in 9th grade: foods full of sugar cause you to gain weight.  Obesity is a HUGE contributing factor for high blood pressure that is NOT hereditary.  The extra weight strains your heart and slow down blood flow.

Alcohol

When you drink alcohol in excess,  your blood pressure increases and the pressure to your blood vessels increases your risk for other unnecessary complications.

Salt

Too much sodium will damage your heart and arteries, which raises your blood pressure.  Need I say more?

This is certainly not a complete list of the foods that you should AVOID, but it's a great start to improving your overall health.

Every day you wake up is a another opportunity to do better than you did the day before. Feed your body real food and it will love you back, feed your body junk and you will feel the side effects of that junk, often in the form of various body ailments... high blood pressure is just one of them.

If this post was helpful to you and you have family or friends with high blood pressure, please share it or like it with them.

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Foods to Avoid High Cholesterol - List of Foods You Don't Want to Eat With High Cholesterol

List of Foods You Don't Want to Eat With High Cholesterol

High cholesterol is a serious medical problem, but there are foods to avoid high cholesterol. While some foods can help to lower your cholesterol, there are other foods out there that can make a high cholesterol problem even worse. It is time you learn the 411 on foods you should not be eating if you have high levels of cholesterol in your blood.

Foods that have trans fats and saturated fats in them can cause cholesterol to go higher. Saturated fats are usually found in foods that come from animals. Some foods even contain cholesterol and saturated fats. You should look at food labels to find out more about the content of fat and cholesterol in foods. Here is a look at foods to avoid high cholesterol to make sure you improve health and avoid any negative physical problems.

Foods You Need to Avoid

When you have high levels of cholesterol, you need to avoid eating saturated fats as well as oils. This can include coconut oil, lard, butter, palm oil, and bacon drippings. There are many processed foods that actually contain both coconut and palm oils, and they should be avoided as well. You can replace these foods with soy oil, vegetable oils, olive oil, corn oil, peanut oil, or even soft tub margarine.

Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils and trans fats need to be avoided as well. This can include foods like shortenings, chips, hard margarines, cookies, and snack crackers. Fats become semi solid or solid within a process that is known as hydrogenation.

Servings of meat, fish, and poultry should be limited. Usually you should have about 3-5 ounces of these meats a day and no more. This can help you to better control your levels of cholesterol.

Foods to avoid high cholesterol include fatty meats. You need to eliminate these meats from your diet to help lower your cholesterol to a healthy level. Fatty meats you should be avoiding include bologna and other processed meats, frankfurters, ribs, corned beef, sausage, ground meat, bacon, steak, and pastrami. Instead of eating these meats that are so high in fat, start adding turkey, pork, fish, lean beef, turkey and meatless dishes to your diet.

High fat milk products should also be limited in your diet. This includes many cheeses, cream, whole milk, whipped topping, and more. Instead go for cheeses that are low fat and look for milk that has less than 1% fat in it.

Fast food should definitely be avoided. Fries, tacos, hamburgers, and fried chicken are high in saturated fat and total fat. If you do have to eat out, go with chicken sandwiches that do not have skin, choose foods that have not been fried, and try for salads with low fat dressings. Fast food can sabotage your cholesterol fast, and if you need to lower cholesterol, these are definitely foods to avoid high cholesterol.

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Foods That Cause High Cholesterol

Foods That Cause High Cholesterol

The much maligned substance known as cholesterol is actually a vital part of a normally functioning body. Not only does cholesterol give strength and stability to the cells in our bodies but it can increase the amount of vitamin D, it helps serotonin receptors to function and acts as a transport for antioxidants like vitamins E and A. However you rarely hear about this. More than likely you hear about cholesterol because too much is bad for your health. Specifically, too much can lead to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. As you get older you might be advised by your doctor to make lifestyle changes that lower cholesterol. One such way is to reduce your intake of foods that are high in cholesterol. This article will discuss foods that cause high cholesterol and ways to replace such foods.

There are two categories of food that need to be considered when thinking about cholesterol. There are animal products such as meat, eggs and dairy goods. These types of products have cholesterol from the animals that produced the foods. The second category are foods that are high in saturated fats and trans fats. These are normally processed foods that are cooked in oil or use trans fats as a flavor enhancer or preservative. In some cases, like a pre-cooked meat pie, the food may fit into both categories.

It has to be remembered that unless you are a vegan, it will be probably impossible to avoid eating food with cholesterol in it. The important thing is to eat it in moderation and exercise adequately. You can also follow some simple tips like drinking reduced fat milk. Or eating margarines with plant sterols in rather than butter. Also trim skin and fat off meat products and try grilling them rather than frying them. Only eat the whites of the eggs and leave thew yolk.

In terms of saturated and trans fats, look carefully at the processed foods you eat. Things like potato chips are high in saturated fats. Cakes and biscuits often utilize trans fats for flavor and as a preservative. Deep fried foods such as French fries should be eaten in moderation. Check the food labels on the packets. If there is a lot of saturated and trans fats then look for an alternative or avoid that type of product all together.

Another aspect of the cholesterol debate, is the eating of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates give us energy however if we don't use this energy each day, it is generally converted into fat. This can be converted to cholesterol. Thus, eating less carbohydrates and taking on regular exercise are also equally important as avoiding or moderating the intake of high cholesterol food.

It is a simple formula. Avoid fatty foods and try to eat fresh. Consume the right amount of carbohydrates for the level of activity you will be exerting and try to get regular exercise if your job is a low impact, physically undemanding role.

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Foods That Are High In Protein and Low in Cholesterol

Foods That Are High In Protein and Low in Cholesterol

A high-protein, low-cholesterol/ fat diet along with a moderate carbohydrate diet helps:

- to achieve weight loss

- to reduce cholesterol levels

- to maintain an healthy heart

- to reduce the Cardiovascular risk.

THE GOLDEN RULE:

The golden rule of the Carbohydrate- protein- fat ratio is 50-30-20 %. These percentages often vary +/- 5-10% depending on if you are in the weight loss or maintenance stage.

TYPES OF PROTEINS:

Proteins help to provide the body with Aminoacids or building blocks:

1) Complete or whole proteins- which contains all of of the Amino acids the body requires eg. Animal proteins

2) Incomplete proteins- which contain only some of the amino acids eg. Vegetable proteins

ROLE OF HIGH-PROTEIN OR HP DIETS:

- Play an important part in the growth, development, and repair of the body.

- Protein's weight loss power is because the body uses more calories to burn off protein than fats or carbohydrates, and protein also facilitates muscle building.

- High- protein foods slow the transit time of food through the gut, thereby having a knock- on effect on appetite, by maintaining fullness for longer, reducing feelings of hunger and reducing overall calorie intake

- Protein also keeps blood sugars stable unlike the sugar spike associated with many carbohydrates.

DAILY INTAKE:

The Institute of Medicine has recommended a minimum protein intake of 0.8 g/ kg of body weight per day.

The National Academy of Sciences has set a RDA of 46g protein in women and 56g in men.

TIPS FOR A HIGH- PROTEIN, LOW- CHOLESTEROL DIET:

1) Try and get a good mix of proteins. Aim to have 2-3 servings of a mixture of animal and vegetable proteins every day.

2) Avoid red meats- high in saturated fats and increase the levels of unhealthy LDL cholesterol. Avoid processed meats- ham, bacon, salami, sausages. Venison is however an excellent source of protein with 1/3rd the amount of fat in beef.

3) Increase the fibre intake to avoid constipation and conditions like diverticulosis.

4) Use low- fat methods of cooking- Bake, roast, broil, grill, poach or stir-fry

EXAMPLES OF HIGH- PROTEIN, LOW-CHOLESTEROL FOODS:

- Skinless chicken or turkey breast

- Cod/ other white fish

- Tuna

- Shellfish

- Broccoli

- Soya products like Tofu, soya milk/yogurts/breads.

- Beans and lentils

- Egg whites

- Low fat milk/yoghurts.

- Low- fat cottage cheese( people with high Blood pressure should avoid this due to the high sodium content)

CAUTIONS:

- Protein Toxicity: Be careful of protein overload, especially in patients with pre-existing kidney or liver problems.

- Colon cancer: Studies have shown a higher risk of colon cancer with high consumption of red meats.

- Studies on risk of osteoporosis, heart problems and kidney stones with animal proteins have however been inconclusive.

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Foods High in Cholesterol - Nuts - Good Or Bad For Your Cholesterol Levels?

Nuts - Good Or Bad For Your Cholesterol Levels?

Foods High in Cholesterol - Nuts and seeds like Almonds and Pistachios are now proven to help reduce the bad or LDL cholesterol levels in our blood. High cholesterol levels are a factor in the onset of strokes and heart attacks. New studies show that high levels of selenium in the blood bring on an increase in cholesterol levels. One of the best sources of selenium in our diet is brazil nuts.

These nuts have traditionally been recommended as a great way to build up your immune system and have even been suggested as a way of protecting the body from the onset of some cancers. Selenium is also found in fish, meat and some types of grains. Prostate cancer is said to be one of the cancers that selenium can protect you against and some research has added corectal, lung, breast and colon cancers to this list. It is also found to protect your skin from ageing due to exposure to the sun's rays.

Studies at Warwick University in the United Kingdom have shown that eating large quantities of Brazil nuts and selenium-rich foods are linked to a 10 per cent rise in cholesterol. They found that those people with blood selenium concentrations higher than 1.20micromoles per litre had their levels of total cholesterol raised by an average of 8 per cent. More alarmingly, levels of the 'bad' LDL type of cholesterol that is linked to circulation problems and heart disease were increased by 10 per cent. So although brazil nuts are not one of the foods high in cholesterol, they raise cholesterol levels by their selenium content.

Brazil nuts are high in monosaturated fats and exceptionally rich in selenium and although average intake of brazil nuts is probably only around half the current recommended level there is a widespread use of selenium supplements. These supplements can substantially increase your blood levels to way above the accepted limits. Weight for weight, brazils contain as much protein as eggs, making them ideal for vegetarians and vegans. They contain all the B vitamins except B12, as well as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper and contain an essential fatty acid called linoleic acid that has been shown to help balance hormone levels and protect your skin from damage.

Researches say that it is a little previous to suggest that taking selenium supplements is harmful for heart health but they say to avoid the Foods High in Cholesterol.

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Effects, Causes and Risk Factors if Eat Foods High In Cholesterol

Effects, Causes and Risk Factors if Eat Foods High In Cholesterol

What are the Foods high in cholesterolall Examples of these are the food that contains low density lipoprotein such as: Meat products like beef, lamb, chicken, egg yolks - Oily food like coconut, palm and palm kernel oils. Dairy products like butter and cheese - Processed /prepared foods like cookies, pastries, hot dogs, sausage

What is Cholesterol? This is a fatty substance found in animal tissue and one of the important components of the human body. It is manufactured by the liver and carried throughout the body in the bloodstream. It is essential for life and integral to the body's process of using our diet, which is vital for the manufacturing of cells, bile salts hormones and vitamin D in our body. Problems can occur when too much fats forms an accumulation of plaque in the blood vessel walls, which impedes blood flow to the heart and other organs.

High levels of cholesterol can cause significant damage to the coronary system. Lowering techniques can control the raise of fats; one of this is avoiding the foods high in cholesterol. All of the people must be aware of the amount of fats in their body and seek treatment for high result when necessary.

What are the possible effects of fats in the body? High level of this is a major risk factor in developing diseases like coronary heart disease. It leads to deposits of fats in the arteries. If this deposits harden into plaque it is called atherosclerosis, and the result is hypoxia or not enough oxygen supply in the body especially in the heart. When this blockage occur angina may happen. Damage to cardiac tissues is irreversible and can lead to fetal heart attack. Not eating foods that contains saturated fats is the number one preventive measure that we can do to avoid having this kind of disease.

Different tactics on lowering the amount of fats in the body will work for different patients. Diets for high cholesterol are very effective in many people, avoiding a food which contains lot of saturated fats. Aside from avoiding or preventing these foods, another effective way is physical activity, it lowers a little but it will really help. Because of the dangers that we can get in having high level of fats in the body, individuals who are at risk must have their levels tested to ensure their fats level is under control. Doctors can diagnose or measure the fats in our body by performing simple blood test. The measurement for this is in milligrams per deciliter of blood.

For an individual who has high level of fats in the body, he or she must lower it to an acceptable level in order to ensure that he will stay healthy. Eating foods high in cholesterol can lead to heart attacks and death when left untreated.

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What to Eat and What to Avoid For lowering Cholesterol

What to Eat and What to Avoid For lowering Cholesterol

To adequately lower your cholesterol level, adjustments must be made in your lifestyle and your diet. High cholesterol is one of the leading causes of serious health conditions like heart disease and stroke. Truly, you shouldn't wait until a doctor tells you that you have high cholesterol to start reducing your cholesterol intake and taking steps to maintaining a healthy heart.

What to Eat For Lowering Cholesterol

There are many different kinds of food that you can take for a lower cholesterol level. Those that are high in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat have been proven to lower your bad cholesterol and maintain or even increase your good cholesterol. These "good" fats are typically found in certain oils like olive oil, canola oil, soya oil and sunflower oil, as well as many different kinds of nuts like walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans and almonds.

Foods that are high in soluble fiber are also great in lowering your bad cholesterol. These foods include whole wheat products such as oatmeal, brown rice and whole grain bread. Fruits and vegetables are also high in fiber, and are very helpful in keeping you healthy.

Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish also help raise your good cholesterol level, which then helps your body in getting rid of bad cholesterol. You should eat at least 2 servings of fish weekly, especially trout, mackerel, sardines and salmon. You can also ask your doctor about taking omega 3 supplements if you are not able to eat fish regularly.

What to Avoid For Lowering Cholesterol

There are also foods that you should avoid to maintain a lower cholesterol level. Foods high in saturated fat and trans fat, for example, are really bad for your health. These "bad" fats are commonly found in commercially produced food like French Fries in many fast foods and commercially packaged products.

You should also avoid fried foods, especially those fried in coconut oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil, which is high in saturated fat. Instead, go for foods that are grilled, baked, steamed and boiled, which are a lot healthier.

With regards to dairy products, you should minimize your intake of butter and whole milk, which contain whole-fat. Instead, look for fat-free or low-fat milk and cheeses.

Other Things You Can Do

There are other things you can do to keep healthy in addition to eating these foods for lower cholesterol. Maintaining a healthy weight is very important, as is regular physical activity. Though studies show that some of these foods may help lower cholesterol as much as taking cholesterol-lowering medications would, it is still best to consult with your doctor on what you should and shouldn't take.

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Foods For High Blood Pressure

Foods For High Blood Pressure

Foods for High Blood Pressure are commonly found in your kitchen. Hypertension is an illness that needs full attention. High blood pressure is caused by abnormal blood circulation that can block your arteries resulting to heart attack or stroke. Most people who are suffering from hypertension are not aware of its consequences and how to treat them. So if your blood pressure reached more than 140/90, then start paying full attention to this article. Hypertension can take your life instantly if you don't follow a healthy diet.

Most doctors prescribe drugs that can be purchased online or your local drug stores to treat hypertension. But most people suffering from hypertension gave up on the idea of taking hypertension medicines due to lack of budget. There is no better way to treat hypertension but in a safe and natural way.

You may be surprise that you may already have the remedies or foods for hypertension. There is no need to worry about spending good amount of money for medicines.

Garlic

As surprising at it may sound, a common ingredient that we normally store in our kitchen and mix with our foods can actually treat high blood pressure. Garlic contains adenosine which helps relax our muscles. Both cooked and raw garlic benefits to this disorder. But raw garlic is more effective and works quicker compared to the cooked ones. It is also beneficial to those with weight problems for garlic have substances that helps reduces our cholesterol levels. To be able to take advantage of its benefit, take two tablespoons of garlic juice every day. Don't worry about its smell; drinking garlic juice does not result to body odor.

Fruits and vegetables

Fresh Fruits and veggies also have properties that are helpful to people with abnormal blood pressure. According to researches, dieters who are following a vegetarian lifestyle have lower blood pressure. A fruit that contains vitamin C, potassium and fiber helps treat hypertension. One effective food for hypertension is by eating papaya with an empty stomach two hours before breakfast or any sold foods.

Potassium

Scientific studies have proven that people suffering with hypertension are the ones who are lacking in potassium. Potassium foods can help lower blood pressure. Foods that are rich in potassium are watermelons, tomatoes, oranges, spinach, milk, almonds, soya beans and banana. Sufficient intakes of potassium promote good blood flow.

Calcium

Researchers believe that another cause of hypertension is lacking of calcium. Calcium foods can be found in leafy veggies, spinach, Milk, etc.

Fish

Fish oils help maintain blood pressure. Regular consumption of fish will surely lessen your regular dose of medicines.

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Great Foods to Lower Cholesterol Levels For Easy

Foods to Lower Cholesterol Levels

Diets for Lowering Cholesterol and Foods to Lower Cholesterol Levels, understanding these will really improve your health if you apply them correctly possible improve your longevity..

A lot of people with high cholesterol choose to lower his or her cholesterol levels by making an easy lifestyle change by simply modifying their diets. There is quite a bit of information for diets available for someone to be able to lower their LDL cholesterol.

One way to decrease your cholesterol levels is to eat a diet such as more plant-based foods. Food similar to greens, fruit, whole grains as well as dried out beans are good alternatives for high cholesterol levels meals. Cereal products, breads, wheat, pasta, and also other whole grains, along with dry java beans and peas, are generally high in starchy foods and also fibers and diminished saturated fat as well as calories from fat.

Most of these foods commonly contain a reduced amount of body fat and LDL cholesterol, except for a few bakery breads together with sweet bakery products which can be created using high-fat, high-cholesterol dairy, butter, and also eggs.

Weather you have high triglycerides and/or low HDL (the "good" LDL cholesterol), you should keep the carb ingestion below the absolute maximum associated with 58 per cent of full calorie consumption. Too many carbohydrates may possibly boost the production of LDL cholesterol resulting in high-cholesterol rather then reducing the levels of cholesterol levels in the blood.

In the event you wanting to lower your LDL cholesterol level, you can have a diet that lowers the amount of animal fat in take. A lot of processed products are rich in cholesterol levels and are high in poor fats.

Saturated fats would really increase your cholesterol levels level more than basically having cholesterol alone. Several foods that are high in cholesterol levels and saturated fats include a number of meats such as steak along with visible fat, organs lean meats, processed meats just like bologna and salami, duck, goose and also other high-fat beef including lean ground beef.

Foods that are created from animals just like butter, egg cell yolks, cheese and in many cases iced goodies are also full of cholesterol as well as unhealthy fats. Simply by cutting back on most of these items and proteins,will most likely lessen your cholesterol level.

Foods to make a difference:

* Fish and lean meat

* Low fat dairy products

* Whole grains

* Vegetables

* Fruits

* Hydrogenated veg oil

Trans fat might even decreases HDL. A way to find out if a meals includes trans fat would be to look at the ingredient list on the food package. If your ingredient listing contains terms like shortening, partially hydrogenated oil. use caution.

The components are usually listed on the label in descending order concerning predominance. Small amounts are present in the event the lesser amount is near to the conclusion in the listing.

You can also see the label under "fat". How much extra fat that is included and is generally shown just after your unhealthy fats.

As with all diet or exercise plans consult with your doctor or health care provider before you begin.

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Diet to Lower Triglycerides - Do You Need It?

Diet to Lower Triglycerides - Do You Need It?

A high level of triglyceride reading means that you have too much "bad" fats in your body. High triglyceride levels are bad for the heart and dietitians have long recommended certain foods to lower triglycerides and promote better health and stronger hearts.

Triglycerides 101

Triglyceride is body fat which when combined with cholesterol forms plasma lipids in the body. High levels of triglyceride in the body equates to high levels of bad cholesterol and low levels of good cholesterol.

Considered normal triglyceride level is less than 150 mg/dL; borderline to high level is from 150 to 199 mg/dL; high level is from 200 to 499 mg/dL; and very high level is 500 mg/dL or higher.

Factors that may affect the amount of triglyceride in the body

Factors that affect the presence of high triglycerides in the body include age, medications, illness, heredity and excessive intake of fatty foods. You may not be able to fully control the first four factors but you can control excessive intake of fatty foods through diets that lower triglycerides.

The age factor

Triglycerides in your body increase as you age. Triglyceride levels would be different for a person when he is in his teens, middle age and old age.

The disease factor

Certain illnesses that can increase the level of triglycerides are diabetes, kidney and liver diseases. Hyperthyroidism can also affect the amount of triglycerides in the body.

Medication factor

Medicines such as steroids and birth control pills can increase the amount of triglyceride in the body. Diuretics or water pills can also induce high triglyceride level in the body.

Genes and heredity factor

If high triglyceride levels run in the family, family members will tend to inherit it.

Food that you eat

Fatty foods remain a major contributor in increasing the level of triglycerides in your body. A nutritious diet that is low in fat is a factor that you can fully control to lower your triglyceride levels.

Diet to lower triglycerides

* Maintain ideal weight by controlling calorie intake. 

You should be aware of your ideal BMI (BODY MASS INDEX) which uses your height and weight to indicate if your weight falls within a healthy range. Monitor the amount and type of your food intake so that you maintain a healthy BMI and weight.

* Start eating low-fat foods and avoid high-fat foods.

Examples of low-fat foods are dried beans, peas and lentils; whole grain breads, cereals and pasta; egg whites, without the egg yolk; skim and non-fat milk; cheese such as parmesan and ricotta; low-fat cottage cheese and yogurt. There are also low-fat meats like fish, poultry meat (with skin removed), and lean meats from sirloin and flank.

* Reduce saturated fats in the foods you eat.

Avoid taking too much of saturated products present in oils like coconut oil, and palm and palm kernel oil; margarines and products made from these oils; coffee creamers; shortening, lards and butter. You should also refrain from eating fried pork skins and chitterling from pig intestines; red meats with fat; and poultry with fat and skin.

* Refrain from eating sugars and sugar in different forms. 

Sugar is transformed into triglyceride when detected by the liver. The more sugar found in the blood stream, the more triglyceride is formed. Refrain from eating foods packed with sugar such as jam, jelly, soft drinks, fruit drinks, cookies, cakes and candies.

* Limit intake of alcohol which increases the level of triglycerides in the blood. 

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How To Diet to Lower High Cholesterol

How To Diet to Lower High Cholesterol

Coming up with a diet to lower high cholesterol can be a chore, if you try to do it on your own. Fortunately, there is no need to struggle along by yourself. Here are some tips to help you find and implement a diet that will help with your cholesterol problem.

Your primary resource will be your doctor. Along with providing you with a list of foods that you should eat, there will often also be a list of foods to avoid. One of the first things you will do in changing your dietary habits is to rid your home of anything that your physician has told you must be avoided. This will mean you will only be tempted by those foods when out at a restaurant or having dinner at a friend's home. Removing temptation from your path is one of the first steps in developing and living by a reasonable diet to lower your high cholesterol. I can tell you this from very personal experience. I am unfortunately the type you might overhear in a restaurant, "I'll have the double cheeseburger and the side of fries and oh yes, hold the mayo. I'm worried that my cholesterol is creeping up." Sound familiarall

Second, don't limit yourself to simply preparing the same recipes over and over again. Make it a point to seek out resources that will allow you to enjoy cholesterol fighting foods in a variety of different dishes. You can get some great ideas from a dietitian, plus there are plenty of cookbooks on the market today that are geared toward cholesterol fighting. There are also some wonderful ideas for cooking cholesterol-lowering meals online. Use all these resources to find interesting ways to vary your meals, so you don't get tired of what you see on the plate at every meal. I would suggest that you check out the great cholesterol site listed below in the authors bio. There are some links on that site leading to other sites relating to heart and diet that will be helpful to you.

Third, think about the spices you use. Most people may use a half dozen spices during the usual course of preparing meals, when in fact there are hundreds to choose from. Many of these spices will also have cholesterol-fighting agents, so why not use them instead of going for the salt? You will not only please the palate with something new, but you will also boost the ability of the foods you eat to lower your high cholesterol. I seem to recall that cayenne pepper is a cholesterol lowering agent. Trying a little of that pepper on your food is a great flavor enhancer and will help to lower your cholesterol.

Eating healthy meals is something that all of us should strive to do more often. When there is a need to lower the amount of cholesterol in the system, the need to pay attention to diet is even more important. Keep in mind that the world has not come to an end if you have to cut our some of your favorite foods in order to make room for a diet rich in foods that will lower your cholesterol. See your diet to lower high cholesterol as a chance to experience a world of new tastes, and the task of changing your eating habits will be much easier.

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Diet To Control High Cholesterol - Healthier Heart And Arteries

Diet To Control High Cholesterol - Healthier Heart And Arteries

Having high cholesterol levels in your body is definitely a reason for concern. The amount of cholesterol in your body can be attributed to two main factors - it could be either your genetic heredity or the kind of diet that you have.

Whatever the reason for your having a high level of cholesterol, it should be consulted with your physician immediately, so he can prescribe medication, if you need one, to go along with the diet to control high cholesterol that you surely have to undergo.

Why the need for a diet all

Lowering cholesterol levels is absolutely necessary in order for a person to be healthy. Having high cholesterol levels can bring in lots of serious diseases, such as heart problems. Heart attacks are usually linked to persons having high cholesterol levels.

The U.S. government estimates that blocked arteries are responsible for the death of one in every 300 Americans. Blocked arteries are often connected to a person who are not into a diet to control high cholesterol, and this can lead to a his untimely demise.

It is therefore imperative for us to make sure that our cholesterol levels will stay on recommended levels and that we check our cholesterol status on a regular basis.

Types of Cholesterol

There are two kinds of cholesterol, the good cholesterol and the bad cholesterol, and it is important for us to find out the measures needed to control the latter, and a good diet is surely one of the measures that a person has to initiate to ensure his good health.

Your doctor may prescribe medications that lower cholesterol, and this is best combined with the proper diet.  There are some guidelines when it comes to lowering the cholesterol levels in your body. These are:

1. Cut back on eating high-fat food

Fat is the major component of a person's cholesterol levels. Dietary fat has two kinds: saturated and unsaturated. To lower cholesterol levels, a person has to lessen the amount of his saturated fat intake and replace it with unsaturated fat. Unsaturated fat helps in decreasing the amount of cholesterol levels. Doctors recommended that we include these in our diet to control cholesterol as much as possible.

2. Shed off the pounds

People who are overweight or obese are in very high risk of having high cholesterol levels; that is why physicians stress that they go on a diet. In order to lessen weight, overweight people should cut down on consuming high-calorie foods, and make sure that exercise is included in their daily routines.

Another important factor is to replace high-calorie foods with those that are rich in carbohydrates. Foods that are high on carbs contain little fat and lesser calories.

Sometimes, diet alone is not sufficient to lower a person's cholesterol levels. Physicians will find it necessary to prescribe drugs in order for you to reduce it. Here are some of the drug treatments that your doctor may prescribe:

1. Resins

Physicians have prescribed Questran and Colestid for a long time now, because they contain resins. Resins restrain bile acids present in the intestine, and stop it from going through the liver.

2. Nicotinic Acid

This decreases the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and increases the high-density amounts. Nicotinic acid can also lower the amount of triglycerides. Taking nicotinic acid must be done under a doctor's supervision, because it is potentially toxic when taken in large doses.

3. Fibric Acid Derivatives

This is usually taken to lower triglycerides. It can also increase HDL levels.

4. Aspirin

Doctors usually prescribe the common aspirin that is a staple in your medicine cabinet because it can protect patients from heart attacks, especially for those patients with clogged blood vessels.

These treatments, along with a diet to control high cholesterol, can provide you with better health and longer life.

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Best Diet To Control And Prevent of High Cholesterol

Diet To Control High Cholesterol

The most prevalent way to increase your blood cholesterol levels is through a diet that is high in saturated fats and cholesterol. This can be a life threatening issue if you develop heart disease from the collection of fatty cholesterol deposits on the surface of your blood vessels. It is absolutely essential that a person that is likely to develop any type of heart disease, should begin a new diet regimen immediately.

Medications are often prescribed by doctors to help normalize cholesterol levels, but a proper diet can do the trick for most people. By taking a focused approach to the types and amounts of foods you eat, you can regain control of your cholesterol levels. By adding the right types of foods to your diet and subtracting the wrong foods, you can plan a diet that will help lower high cholesterol.

As soon as high cholesterol levels are found in someone without heart disease, they should begin a diet recommended by the American Heart Association that states a person should consume less than 300 milligrams of dietary cholesterol per day. They should also limit saturated fats to 10% or less of total calories and normal fats 30% or less of total calories. Doctors and dietitians can help you lay out the proper amount of calories you should intake per day.

Most people being seeing results from a cholesterol lowering diet within a few weeks of getting started. The amount to which they see is dependent on many factors in which one might see a reduction of 10 to 50 mg/dL or even more. These are significant results that could prevent someone from having to take medications to lower their cholesterol. That is a great thing.

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Diet For Lowering Cholesterol

Diet For Lowering Cholesterol

A diet for lowering cholesterol is crucial to your health, especially the heart. This article discusses some of the problems that can occur with high cholesterol along with other helpful ideas to lower your cholesterol. Diet isn't just about your eating habits.

High cholesterol can lead to clogged arteries, not only in the heart, but in the carotid artery. (Located in both sides of our neck) Any clogging of arteries can lead to heart attacks or strokes, which in turn can leave someone paralyzed, very ill (bed ridden), or it can lead to death. It is very important to follow a diet.

One way to lower your cholesterol is changing your eating habits. This can be done by taking out the foods that are high in cholesterol. One food that comes to mind is hot dogs. These are loaded with cholesterol. Steak is another food that is high in cholesterol. When high cholesterol foods are eaten, it takes longer to digest them, causing the body, and the heart, to work harder in the digestion process, but along the way, as we continue to eat these foods, our arteries can begin to clog. Cheese is loaded with cholesterol, too, and is almost everyone's favorite food, and comes in many forms, solid, sliced, shredded, etc. Taking out high cholesterol foods is a great start to lowering cholesterol.

Taking a nutrition class, offered at most hospitals, is a great idea, too. I attended one before and I can remember the instructor saying that a man with diabetes who is trying to lower his cholesterol should only have a piece of steak the size of his wife's palm of her hand. This is a good rule to go by for anyone. Some people get very upset about this portion of steak that they should eat, but there other things that can be included in a meal, such as vegetables, salad, and bread (or a roll) that will fill you up and you will eat less cholesterol.

Another great thing to do is to exercise. Exercise can be considered a diet, too. It goes along with your food diet. Now, when we talk about diet, we do not mean to fasting or barely eating. That will counteract any efforts attempted to lower cholesterol and cause other health issues. Start out slowly, by doing a little bit of exercise each day, and eating better food choices.

Some of the best foods for lowering cholesterol are chicken, turkey, and fish, as far as meats go. For milk, you can start out slowly with that, too. Try buying milk that is lower in fat than what you already drink, and eventually, you can go to a lower fat content of milk in time.

There are many diets for lowering your cholesterol, but the most important ones are taking out as many of the high cholesterol foods that you can, and having a daily exercise routine. Always talk to your doctor about any diet for lowering cholesterol that you want to begin, and have regular blood work done to check your cholesterol.

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Diet For High Cholesterol - The Secret Ingredients to Lower High Cholesterol

Diet For High Cholesterol - The Secret Ingredients to Lower High Cholesterol

Your high cholesterol can lead to a life full of surgery and reduce your quality of health. Luckily you have the foresight to realize you need to make some changes before it's too late. Reaching the point where your cholesterol is considered high is already a danger because it can be difficult to bring the numbers back down. It is up to you and your doctor to choose a path and reduce your cholesterol.

Many medical professionals will tell you that changing diet can be extremely helpful. Adding necessary foods and cutting out high cholesterol foods like butter, eggs, beef, pork, and other fatty foods is the obvious first step. These foods are delicious, I know, but this is a necessary sacrifice if you want to prevent heart disease.

An even easier step is introducing large quantities of healthy foods into your current diet. Moderation is key here. Finding the balance between fatty foods and healthy foods can actually keep you at a healthy equilibrium. Healthy foods like vegetables and fruits are full of vitamins and minerals that act as natural balancing agents. This means that you eat something high in cholesterol, but by including these vegetables you are able to retain healthy levels of cholesterol.

How is this possible you ask :

Plants provide the special substances that help our bodies deal with high levels of cholesteorl as well as other complications. If you lack different aspects of a balanced diet, you have a clear reason for having high cholesterol. For you, the task of reducing the high level is by simply adding critical foods to your diet.

Garlic

Studies have shown that garlic is actually a great food to help reduce bad cholesterol (or ldl) and reduce total cholesterol. In addition, medical studies have proven garlic effective at keeping blood platelets from sticking together and forming clots. The problem is garlic has a potent taste and odor that most people can't handle. If you're really hardcore about your diet for high cholesterol, I would recommend you boil a bulb, drink the water you used and then eat the entire thing. This is a remedy used by many ancient Chinese monks.

Dark Purple Fruits

Fruits like purple or black grapes, pomegranates, and black berries all contain antioxidants and have the amazing ability to reduce cholesterol. Some say drinking a glass of wine is a good idea, but the alcohol has shown to increase cholesterol in large doses. You can even blend these berries into a smoothie for a delicious alternative to soda or other high sugar beverages. If you truly want to start a diet for high cholesterol, start by making some dark berry smoothies.

Psyllium Husk

This odd named substance comes from crushed seeds a special plant grown in Asia, the Mediterranean, and Africa. The husk contains large quantities of fiber proven to reduce blood cholesterol levels and reduce ldl cholesterol.

These 3 ingredients are a necessary part of any high cholesterol diet, but there is a lot more. Basically, to be safe, you should be ingesting every possible vegetable and fruit in your local supermarket at least every month. By eating a huge variety, you guarantee your chances of eating the proper balance of vitamins and minerals that regulate the production  of cholesterol in the liver and reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood.

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