The Secrets of a Cholesterol Lowering Diet

It's a scientific finding that people who lived about a hundred years back were much fitter than the ones who are alive now. On the other hand, we proudly proclaim that it's only in the last century that science has made such breakthrough in unravelling the mysteries of nature that we are only inches from delving into the mindscape of the Creator. If we definitely had such a control over the mechanisms of nature then why is it that every year over 10 million US citizens die because of obesity related disorders of health and doctor's report that over 26 million US citizens run the risk of dying because of obesity?

Cholesterol has become the number one enemy and it is getting ever more important to find a Cholesterol lowering diet. It is evident that we have discovered more scientific methods of growing crops, even though our food supply is increasing as well as the population, still the food crisis in US is not as glaring as in other parts of the world. Our medical facilities are one of the best in the world with our health insurance securing the lives of common US citizens. Still with such advancements in medicine and such clarity in discerning biological processes, 99% of US citizens are unable to control their body functions.

Who is the chief culprit? Unfortunately, like real life criminals, health disorders are of such varied origins that we can't single out any one. Instead, we may observe a common pattern of behaviour on the part of the patients. As you might have already guessed, it is obesity arising out of intake of an improper diet. A generation hooked onto Zinger burgers, McDonald Meals, cheap liquor and crates of beer will not stop until they slammed into the gates of hell. You lifestyle determines your death style. If you think that running on a high fat or carb diet like surplus servings of eggs, butter, milk, bacon, cheese, ham, beef steaks, chocolate, French fries, cold drinks, you will live past 60 years of age, well you are mistaken.

If you get time enough to gorge on such food throughout the day, evidently you won't be able to squeeze in the exercise needed to burn off the calories consumed. At the end of the day, when you get your blood cholesterol check you would find to your surprise and petrifaction that high-density lipid levels and low-density lipid levels have skyrocketed. Needless to say, your cholesterol levels will be some 300 times more than the permissible level.

Under such circumstances if you really want to take control of your life and find a cholesterol lowering diet and set things right, then switch over to the Mediterranean diet and supplement it with some exercise and some good habits. If you are aware of the fact that your health condition is slowly deteriorating, if your obese figure is not just being reflected as stretch marks on your skin but also has become the talk of the neighborhood, then you should instantly contact your local physician and take his advice regarding health matters. Nine out of ten times, will he go for a Mediterranean diet? You might be getting impatient to know what exactly the Mediterranean diet comprises. It is a common notion that the Great bard of yore talked about the tall, dark, handsome lad charming you off your feet and most of the times these tall dark handsome men turned out to be the Moors.

Well, the Moors are just like most other physically active wandering tribes of the Mediterranean region. According to the census, very few Mediterranean people die annually out of diabetes, heart attack or morbid obesity related disorders. This is not because their diet consists of some wonderful weight-reducing pill. It comprises of mostly green vegetables, cereals, nuts, whole grain breads, legumes, beans, and pasta. As a beverage, they consume water or red wine. The cooking oil used is the medicinal effective olive oil. They even consume yogurts, milk and cheese but in moderation. As desserts, they mostly have fruits. Their consumption of poultry and eggs is restricted to once a week; red meat is introduced into their diet a few times a month with sweet and dessert intake being limited to a bare minimum.

Apart from consuming such a nutrient rich diet, yet one low on fats and carbohydrates, the Mediterranean people found enough time to escape from their backbreaking work to gather and enjoy their meals together. Love makes the world go round; it also results in a proper body metabolism. Don't be afraid to experiment with this diet. At first, it won't satisfy your fast-food accustomed palate but if followed religiously for a month, you will notice the changes. Life will seem more beautiful.

To grab more free information on the Cholesterol lowering diet

Do Not Take This Statin Cholesterol Lowering Drug Until You Read This

598 out of every 600 People will needlessly take and pay for a newly approved drug that will do nothing for them except potentially introduce side-effects they did not have before.

The FDA recently approved the use of the statin cholesterol lowering drug Crestor, in healthy people whose cholesterol was not elevated. The alleged benefit of taking the drug is to reduce heart attacks and strokes in healthy people who had 2 risk factors - High C-Reactive Protein (which is a measure of inflammation) and high blood pressure or smoking.

The FDA based it's approval to use Crestor preventively to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke because a large study showed about a 50+% risk reduction in this group of patients. WHAT COULD BE BAD ABOUT THAT?

It is very hard to understand why the FDA allows this 50% number to be used, without significant explanation to patients of the real meaning, benefits and risks of this statistic.

HERE IS THE EXPLANATION AS TO WHY ALLOWING THIS STATISTIC TO BE QUOTED IS SO MISLEADING.

The group of patients who were studied and to whom the medicine will be recommended, are basically healthy people who have no history of heart disease or stroke. If they smoke or have high blood pressure + show high C-Reactive protein, they qualify for the drug. The absolute risk of this group of patients for having a heart attack or stroke is 1/3 of 1 percent if they do nothing and don't take the drug. In other words for every 600 patients in this group who do nothing, only 2 will ever have a heart attack or stroke. (and because they are healthy even those 2 heart attacks or strokes will probably not be life threatening).

Fast forward -A pharmaceutical giant conducts a study and gives thousands of these patients Crestor which costs $3.50 per pill per day and the study found that instead of 2 heart attacks or strokes occurring in every 600 patients, only 1 heart attack or stroke will occur in every 600 patients. Yes this is a reduction of 50% but 50% of a number that was so tiny, that it was an insignificant risk of occurring in these patients had they done nothing.

Another way to look at this is that the pharmaceutical company convinced the FDA to approve a drug (with potential serious side-effects) that needlessly put 598 people on a medicine they didn't ever need and expose them to side-effects like liver toxicity and muscle problems, and increased risk of diabetes, to eliminate 1 (ONE) heart attack or stroke in 600 people. 598 people out of 600 pay for a drug that they not only didn't need but could introduce serious health issues they didn't have before.

To complicate the picture even more, the physician who receives a royalty on every C-reactive protein lab test run in the country, was the physician who convinced the drug company to do the study.

Many well known and respected physicians are concerned at the prospect of giving statin drugs to healthy people for such a ridiculously small benefit and other potential problems.

While he continues his research and development of safer, more effective medications and supplements, Curt is dedicated to helping others achieve and maintain optimal health.

What Are Some Home Remedies For Lowering Cholesterol?

Nowadays, so many people are overweight that it is clear that the majority of the country is not particularly health-conscious. Fast food places abound and with the advance of technology, the general population is more sedentary than ever before. All of these factors lead to much higher cholesterol than is healthy, so if you are looking to lower your own, than here are some home remedies for lowering cholesterol that should help you.

Although there are many prescription medicines out there that can do the trick, it is a good idea to start with simple home solutions that you can do yourself. This will have two benefits for you.

First of all, medications can be very expensive. If you do not try to correct the problem in natural, healthy ways, but simply rely on a pill or bottle to do the trick for you, then you are resigning yourself to a lifetime of paying a lot of money. The higher your cholesterol rises, the less likely the insurance companies are to be friendly and you might find yourself paying quite a large sum out-of-pocket.

Secondly, a fix that you can do yourself at home will not only work to control the problem, but over time and with great effort, it can even correct the problem. Whereas a medicine will simply treat the existing condition, a healthy lifestyle can work to eliminate the problem completely, which is obviously a much more ideal situation.

The first thing that you can try to lower your numbers is onion juice. Powerful and potent, this stuff might seem a little bit smelly, but its acidic nature can work to battle your problem. It will work to clean out your blood and digestive tracts and can even regulate the heart action.

Soy products, oat bran, and sunflower seeds are three great foods that can lower your cholesterol. Do not overindulge in them, but make them part of your normal, balanced healthy diet and you will see a difference within weeks.

Another choice of home remedies for lowering cholesterol seems very simple, but is often hard for people to do: work to eat less of foods high in this harmful substance. Stay away from red meats, eggs, fatty cheeses, and butter, and you will definitely improve your health and the way you look and feel. Switching instead to a diet high in fiber and low-fat foods will make a huge difference in your numbers and a very happy doctor the next time you stop in for a check up.

High cholesterol is dangerous and it is crucial to control it at the earliest. To learn about supplements that can help lower cholesterol more naturally, Rajagopalan helps you to understand how this natural remedy can help control cholesterol.

Take Action Against Cholesterol With These Foods

High cholesterol is a major problem for a lot of people today. It can lead to serious life threatening complications if left untreated; that it why it is important to eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy lifestyle. An important part of a healthy lifestyle is exercise. As for healthy eating habits, here are a few foods which are proven to lower bad cholesterol (also known as LDL).

Oatmeal is one of the most well known cholesterol lowering foods. It contains soluble fiber which reduces low-density lipoprotein (or LDL). Kidney beans, apples, pears, barley, and prunes are some of the other foods which contain soluble fiber. Another cholesterol lowering food is the walnut. The walnut is made up of polyunsaturated fatty acids which are proven to not only reduce bad cholesterol but also keep blood vessels healthy and elastic. However, it is important to note that this particular nut is fattening, that's why a simple 2 ounce serving per day is enough.

Another food which is responsible for lowering LDL is fish. All fatty fish are rich in omega 3 fats which are known to reduce the risk of blood clots, reduce blood pressure, and lower cholesterol. Lake trout, herring, mackerel, sardines, and salmon are some of the best fish to consume. It is best to bake or grill the fish in order to gain the most health benefits. Another way that people lower their cholesterol is through the consumption of whey protein shakes. These particular shakes can replace one of your daily meals. With zero cholesterol, zero sodium, and zero saturated fats, it is easy to see why a lot of people consume protein shakes. They are also great for those of us who want to lose weight in ways other than with diet pills. These are just a few steps to help you lower bad cholesterol.

Statin Drugs for Cholesterol Lowering Won't Necessarily Save Your Life

In January of 2008 there was some unsettling news that came from the FDA about the risks of the cholesterol lowering medication Vytorin (a combination of Zetia (Ezetimibe) and the statin drug Zocor (simvastatin)). Data from the Enhance trial that was not previously revealed by the manufacturer, Merck/Schering-Plough, showed that the combination drug did not reduce atherosclerotic plaque any better than the generic statin drug, simvastatin, when given alone.

In fact, if anything Vytorin seemed to make atherosclerotic plaque worse, although it had a greater effect on lowering cholesterol. Vytorin has also been associated with an alarming increase in risk of liver damage. In addition, the Zetia that is in Vytorin has never been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks or strokes. And Vytorin, at $2.84 a pop, as well as Zetia ($2.63) costs a heck-of-a-lot more than simvastatin, which is less than a dollar per pill.

Doctors use cholesterol lowering drugs to get cholesterol down to normal levels. However just because a drug lowers cholesterol levels doesn't mean it will do what patients care about most, that is save your life, or even reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The most commonly prescribed drugs to lower cholesterol, the statins, include Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor, Mevacor, and Pravachol. Statins lower LDL cholesterol by blocking an enzyme that churns out LDL cholesterol in the liver, called HMG CoEnzymeA reductase. Thirteen million prescriptions are written for statins every year. Ezetimibe (Zetia) is a drug that blocks absorption of LDL cholesterol by the small intestine, thus lowering LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. Zetia acts on cells lining the small intestine to interfere with their uptake of cholesterol. If we followed the recommendations of the experts, cholesterol lowering drugs would be given to every American with an LDL of greater than 130 mg/dL over age 45.

Since half of Americans over age 35 have an LDL greater than 130 that would mean that almost half of all Americans or 100 million people should, theoretically, be taking statins. Since a year of statins costs up to $3000, that would cost $300 billion a year. Comparing national guidelines for who should take a statin across different countries, the guidelines which called for the most liberal use of statins (you guessed it, the U.S.) which called for 25% of the population to be on statins, saved no more lives than the guidelines for one of the most restrictive countries, New Zealand, which would treat 13% of the population.

For healthy males without a history of heart disease and without risk factors for heart disease (smoking, hypertension, family history of heart disease, familial hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, obesity and diabetes), there isn't any evidence that cholesterol lowering drugs are helpful in terms of preventing heart attacks and strokes. For men with risk factors, the majority of the studies show that they may prevent heart attacks but don't decrease your risk of dying. Cholesterol lowering does not prevent heart attacks in women without heart disease or in men without heart disease who are over the age of 70.

And taking a statin won't prevent you from having a heart attack or dying if you have heart disease. It only slightly lowers your risk, by about 0.2% per year. The only study to show that statins reduce risk of death in patients without heart disease showed that although after 15 years men taking Pravachol had fewer deaths (106 versus 135 on placebo), there was a 51% increase in prostate cancer. Other studies have shown a slight increase in the risk of cancer, especially with the use of high dose statins to bring cholesterol down to very low levels. Statins can also cause liver damage, depression, memory problems, and joint pain. They can also cause damage to the muscle tissue which results in muscle pain. In rare cases this can lead to a breakdown of the muscle tissue which results in kidney failure. Zetia can headache, dizziness, diarrhea, muscle and joint pain, and more rarely jaundice, gall stones or inflammation of the pancreas.

Bottom line? The drugs you are taking to prevent heart disease may not be as useful as you think, and in some cases may be doing more harm than good. Let the buyer beware.

Natural Cholesterol Lowering Techniques That Really Work

If you were recently in for a doctor's visit and he told you those words that no one wants to hear, "Your cholesterol levels are too high", then it is time to think about what you can do to solve the problem. Rather than looking for a pill to pop once a day, you should work on natural cholesterol lowering techniques to ensure that not only is the problem suppressed, but it disappears completely and leaves you totally healthy.

One natural supplement that can help is anything that contains soy in it. This great and healthy food is often overlooked by the majority of the population, but it can have so many positive benefits and can really improve your overall health.

Although this may not be something that you are used to snacking on, there are many delicious recipes that include soy where you can find many creative ways to incorporate it into your meals. Try sauteing it in soy sauce and adding it to a salad or snack on crunchy soy nuts that are tasty and can replace fattening junk food.

Another healthy solution is the incorporation of oat bran into your diet. Many cereals are fortified with this beneficial and healthy supplement and you can easily get your daily fix in this way or you can look to bake tasty foods with this important ingredient. You can create hearty breakfast muffins or crunchy cookies that include oat bran for an interesting twist on old tastes that will lower your cholesterol as you enjoy.

Of course, there is more to this method than just snacking, so at the same time that you try out these new foods, try to remove certain damaging things from your diet. Red meat and butter are poisonous for someone with high cholesterol, as are egg yolks, fatty cheeses, and whole milk. When indulging in dairy products, stick to low-fat choices such as reduced fat cheese and one percent or skim milk.

Vegetable oil is another thing that you should look to eliminate or use as sparingly as possible, so try to dress your salads with olive oil, which is much better for you. When you saute on the stove top, use a cooking spray instead of the two tablespoons of oil that a lot of recipes call for and you can easily reduce your intake in a way that no one will notice.

Natural cholesterol lowering is the best way to get yourself back on track and erase your problem because it not only lowers your dangerous cholesterol levels, but it also improves your overall health. If you learn to make these healthy habits a way of life, you will find that the benefits are endless and that you will be full of energy and feel great.

High cholesterol is dangerous and it is crucial to control it at the earliest. To learn about supplements that can help lower cholesterol more naturally,

Three Ways to Reduce Your Cholesterol and Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Take some steps to lower your cholesterol by cutting down on the things that could ruin your health.
Here are three suggestions that you have heard millions times but hardly take any action.

1. Stop Smoking

If you are a smoker, you should consider quitting or at least cut down on the number of cigarettes you take.

Wonders can happen when you quit smoking!

You can improve your cholesterol level over time, but that is not the only thing - after you quit smoking, your blood pressure decreases which will also reduce those high cholesterol related diseases. Your risk of a heart attack decreases significantly as well.

But quitting is easier said than done.

Of course, trying to quit isn't so easy. That is why there are many methods on trying to quit smoking. They may now consider Varenicline, otherwise known as Chantix.

Just like a nicotine patch, Chantix isn't a magic pill, but it may make it easier to stop smoking. To quit smoking fully, you must still practice a lot of persistence and have the commitment to stick with your goal; have a strong mindset.

Alternatively, you can try using gum. When you are busy chewing gum, the tendency for the mind to trigger a nicotine fix is weakened.

2. Stop Drinking

How about drinking? Do you drink too much?

Although many consider the consumption of alcohol to be dangerous, medical studies have shown that those who consume alcohol compared to those don't, have a slightly higher level of good cholesterol in their body.

However, this doesn't give people (who enjoy drinking) a license to drink all the way.

Don't abuse this point.

3. Stop Eating Junk Food

Do the same with junk food as well. Especially deep fried stuff like potato chips. Can you imagine the amount of calories there are? Try and do things in moderation. Leading a balanced life is the key.

By lowering your cholesterol level you are preventing yourself from many diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.

Your decision to choose a better and healthier lifestyle needs some sacrifice from your part. If you are wise and appreciate that health is the number one assett in this life, I believe you should be able to follow those tips.

For more free tips, advice and information on how you could reduce your cholesterol and maintain a healthy lifestyle, please visit my blog

Shocking Cholesterol Lowering Drug Effects Exposed And What The Best Alternative Is

Without doubt, the most popular cholesterol lowering drugs on the market are statins. Yet despite their extensive use, there is no significant decrease in the number of people developing coronary heart disease across the world. What does this tell you? That there is a total lack of honesty about the use of statins and cholesterol lowering drug effects in general, right across the board.

The pharmaceutical industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, and the use of statins has been accelerated thanks to massive advertising, and the downward adjustment of the recommended safe cholesterol levels. Patients are usually advised to stay on statins for the rest of their lives, making statins the most profitable drugs ever produced.

Let's take a look at the cholesterol lowering drug effects that statins are responsible for:

Nausea Diarrhoea Upset Stomach Headaches Rashes Constipation Depression Lack of Sleep Muscle Aches Irritability Tingling Numbness Dizziness Swelling Weight Gain Blurred Vision Shortness Of Breath Severe Muscle Weakness and Pain Memory Loss Cognitive Impairment Impotence Birth Defects Liver Damage Increased Risk Of Heart Failure

And in some cases, certain statins were removed from the market, but only after multiple reported deaths. Still want to take them?

Look, we all want to trust our doctors and feel assured that what we are prescribed will not do us any harm. But the fact is, doctors are part of the pharmaceutical business, whether you like to acknowledge that or not. Sales reps are calling into them all the time, with the next super pill for them to recommend.

I am a former high cholesterol sufferer and I was put on statins for years, without being advised of any of the cholesterol lowering drug effects they could cause. And let me tell you, I experienced quite a few from the above list, the worse being liver damage.

From that point on, I made a conscious decision, despite a history of heart disease in my family, to never take another prescription pill again!

And I can honestly tell you, that was the single, best decision of my life! I now have excellent cholesterol levels, I have lost a pile of the weight I gained from those prescription drugs, I have loads of energy and I feel absolutely fantastic!

Even when I was on statins, I had several heart scares, and was rushed to hospital. I failed several stress tests. But now, I could do a stress test in my sleep!

How did I achieve all this and reverse the cholesterol lowering drug effects? Three simple things - diet, exercise and a quality natural cholesterol supplement.

Oh I still eat my favourite foods, but now I eat them in moderation. I had a ferocious appetite when I was taking statins. I don't belong to a gym, I just have a walk or cycle when I can.

But the natural supplement I used, and continue to use, was the real key, as it completely balanced my cholesterol levels. The ingredients and their quantities are what give it the advantage over other so-called successful natural products.

If you feel ready to finally take charge of managing your cholesterol levels, and getting great heart health, then visit my website today, where I share, what I personally successfully used, and continue to use, for excellent cholesterol levels and super heart health, with no side effects.

Scared of Statins? 5 Ways Chia Seeds Can Help You Lower Your Cholesterol

All you have to do is turn on the TV and you'll know that millions of people have a cholesterol problem. Major drug companies can't seem to advertise their pharmaceuticals enough! However, if the idea of spending loads of money on prescriptions every month isn't something you enjoy, it might be time to look for another, healthier solution.

You might have also noticed that Statin Drugs have come under a negative light in some studies. It's known that they deplete body levels of Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10) which is something your heart needs in order to function correctly. They can also deplete other critical nutrients from the body, and sometimes lower good cholesterol as well. Sure, you can supplement with Co-Q10 pills, but that's even more money out of your pocket! So aside from all the expense, do you really want to risk these negative effects?
 
The good news is, you can lower your cholesterol naturally, and inexpensively through food. You may have seen the claims on famous products like Cheerie-o's (TM) and Quaker Oats (TM), that "soluble fiber combined with a low saturated fat diet may reduce the risk of heart disease". There's more to it then that, and it's all beneficial to you!
A low fat diet is great, but you also need some pro-active cholesterol cleaners in your corner if you really want to beat down the threat of hardening arteries and cholesterol clogs. The key isn't to avoid all fats or cholesterol sources, because your body actually needs some to function properly. It's the ability to sweep away the bad and encourage the good that will lead to better health.
 
Your key to success can be the Chia Seed, but only if you take action.
How can tiny seeds you've never heard of put the brakes one such a big problem as cholesterol? There are so many ways, and you can examine each one in this article. Read exactly about how each fascinating facet benefits you:
 
First: Soluble Fiber

The exterior of the chia seed is covered in soluble fiber. But this isn't just any soluble fiber, like that of an oat or flax seed. The fiber of Chia is special, in that it can absorb NINE times the weight of the seed in water, and hold it close to the surface. When it does this, it forms a bead of gel, with the consistency of a gelatin snack. This gel isn't easily removed from the seed. It takes the digestive system a while to use and remove it, thus hydrating the colon and easing digestion.
 
Second: Insoluble fiber

Insoluble fiber cannot be digested or absorbed by the body. It is sometimes referred to as "Roughage" and acts as a sweeper in the intestines. When food doesn't sit around or become overly dry in the colon, toxic substances don't build up. Unfriendly bacteria doesn't get the chance to go to work. When insoluble fiber is taking up space in the digestive system, you're more likely to feel full for longer and thus not eat as much at meal time. Losing excess weight is another key to keeping cholesterol down.
 
Third: Unsaturated Fatty Acids

These may sound complicated, but they're important for cell respiration (oxygen transported into cells), the lubrication and resilience of cells. There's an especially important fatty acid that your body can't make. It's called "Linoleic". You usually get this from raw plant-source foods...but who gets enough of those these days? With Chia Seeds, you won't have to worry about it. They're rich in this important nutrient.

How are these important for your cholesterol? They combine with cholesterol in the body to form membranes that hold cells together. It puts cholesterol to good use, but only if you have enough of it to make the combination!
 
Fourth: Long-Chain triglycerides

These large molecules take a stand to scrub cholesterol off of artery walls, but only when eaten in the right proportions. Chia seeds have these long chain triglycerides in the right proportions to help reduce it for you.
 
Fifth: Risk Factors

Reducing or eliminating risk factors for high cholesterol is important as well. Some risk factors you can't do anything about, like heredity. But others such as obesity and diabetes you can help to control with Chia. (The soluble fiber in chia seeds helps control blood sugar levels by slowing down the transformation of carbohydrates into sugars)
 
Understanding that not all fats are bad, and taking in healthy oils is an important part of a balanced diet. There are so many delicious chia seed recipes, including breakfast bars, granola, fruit smoothies and more that adding this tiny seed to your diet is a snap.

What makes it extra amazing is, that unlike other health foods, you can make these seeds taste like whatever you want. They absorb any liquid they're placed in, (Remember Fact #1) and distribute the flavor. They have no flavor of their own, so they can't cover up or 'ruin' the taste of foods you love. They're as easy to use as 'measure & sprinkle on'! No messy grinding or any preparation is needed.
 
With the chia seed, you get all the nutrition, and all the taste. Remember: "You Are What You Eat" so eating healthy is a big step toward being healthy. Chia isn't some foreign miracle-berry or fruit grown in a far off land and sold at a premium price either--these seeds cost under a dollar a day. (for most brands)

If you're looking for an all natural, pesticide free, delicious and EASY way to lower your cholesterol, consider adding chia seeds to your diet, you'll be amazed at what they can do for you!

Natural Cholesterol Lowering Supplements That Work

A healthy and low cholesterol level is a great thing for your body. A majority of the world's heart attacks and strokes are caused by bad cholesterol. The cause is the tightening of your arteries and the improper flow of fluids through the body. One of the best things you can do is take the right natural cholesterol lowering supplements day to day.

One of the top ten supplements people can take is garlic. This can be used to up your good cholesterol and lower your bad. It is recommended that if you are taking blood thinners then you should not take garlic supplements.

Artichoke extract and fish oil are good for lowering cholesterol as well. Fish oil helps with cholesterol through it's Omega-3 fatty acids. The recommended intake per day is 3-4 milligrams. It is also recommended to take 900 milligrams two times a day of the artichoke extract, but do not take it if you are allergic to artichokes.

Margarine contains something called sitostanol. Studies have shown that taking 4-5 tsp a day can help with cholesterol levels. But if taken in a pill then you would need about 800 milligrams a day. Guggulipid has many health benefits as well as lowering bad cholesterol.

You may know what barley and flax seed are, but most people don't know the nutritional value it has for lowering your cholesterol. Due to flax seed's flavor it is recommended to eat it in cereal or yogurt. But the recommended intake is about 40-50 grams a day. The easier of the two to take is barley. In flour form you should take about 30 grams daily. If you want to take it in an oil extract form, 3 grams a day is the best amount.

A supplement called psyllium, found mainly in Metamucil, lowers bad cholesterol diseases about 15-20%. For the best result it is suggested to take about 10 grams a day for the maximum benefit. Phytosterol is found in everyday items like margarine and orange juice. This makes it one of the top taken supplements to take.

In China they have been testing a new way to lower cholesterol. The supplement is called cholestin. It is not available in the US yet, but when it comes, it will most probably go behind the counter and will need a prescription. It seems it will work for more of the serious cholesterol cases. It showed a 20% drop in cholesterol levels.

Raising good cholesterol and lowering the bad can be a hard task. But the benefits are unbelievable. Your risk of heart attacks and strokes go down. You also have more energy and a better attitude all around. The toll of bad cholesterol can effect everyone in your life as well as yourself.

Recommendations:

Knowing these natural cholesterol lowering supplements that work is just half of the picture. Find out how to naturally control your cholesterol levels and lower triglycerides to avoid the risk of serious heart problems.

Why Doctors Think Cholesterol Lowering Drugs Will Solve My Problem and How I Know They Won't

Let's start with the money. Cholesterol lowering drugs are the top earners for the pharmaceutical industries. In 2004 Pfizer netted $10.9 billion in sales from their cholesterol-lowering drug atorvastatin (popularly known as Lipitor). It beats their other wonder drug - Viagra!

Consider another statin called Crestor costs $1,400 a year for the 20-milligram dose. That is more than $3.80 per day. Now, if you are told that a high cholesterol level means you are about to have a heart attack you will want to pay $3.80 per day - for the rest of your life, even! That is what synthetic drug therapy for high cholesterol and most of these lifestyle-related conditions amounts to anyway. This means big profits for the pharmaceutical industries.

Most patients are "lazy" and unwilling to change their poor habits, and doctors know that. They know that we tend to want to do the same things that make us sick, such as enjoy the high cholesterol foods, neglect exercise and the healthy habits, and not suffer for it. Therefore, pills are great cover-ups. So we eat more cholesterol and stifle our liver - preventing it from functioning normally.

Drug Research and Medical Claims

From a study of 18,000 people using the cholesterol-lowering drug Crestor, the report claims that that Crestor reduced heart attacks and strokes by a whopping 50%. However, what does this mean when you translate this into practical meaning for your life?

It means that "Ninety-five people would need to be treated for two years to prevent one event." Drug companies report this as a 50% reduction in heart attacks and strokes! Using this relative risk reduction interpretation is very effective in advertising, but will your doctor tell you about the number needed to treat?

Prescribing these cholesterol lowering drugs pay good kickbacks for pharmacies and medical institutions. There appears to be a strong alliance between the Drug Monitoring agencies and the manufacturers. Notice that a drug is only pulled from the market if the collateral damage (this is a war of sorts) becomes too high. Side effects are considered normal, but any natural remedy or food that intimates a cure of preventative value is labeled as "evil".

With a good diet, regular light exercise (in my own home), and safe health habits, I am able to maintain a total cholesterol level of around 143 mg/dl. We can do better preventing a heart attack or a stroke than the statistical 1 out of every 95. They call that a 50% relative reduction risk, but that looks like a sales gimmick to me. And don't put that in my drinking water either...

One British doctor even suggested that it be made mandatory that statins be put in drinking water...

So it is the money. It is the whole reason why doctors will think that cholesterol lowering drugs are the solution to you high cholesterol situation. In fact, the JUPITER study is trying to prove just that, and one British doctor even advocated that it should be made mandatory that statins be put in drinking water.

You have got to be determined to win the high cholesterol war or you could become just another cholesterol statistic - legally dosed to death!

Copyright ? 2008 by Bentley Thompson

Bentley writes about lifestyle-related conditions such as diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular diseases. He advocates the anti-diabetes diet which he describes on his websites. You may read more of his articles at

Finding Natural Cholesterol Lowering Supplements That Can Help You Reduce Cholesterol Naturally

Keeping a low and healthy cholesterol level is very important. High cholesterol is one of the main causes of strokes and heart attacks. This is from your arteries narrowing so that your fluid aren't flowing correctly. Taking natural cholesterol lowering supplements is by far the best thing you could do.

Garlic is one of the top 10 natural supplements that can be used to lower your bad cholesterol and raise your good. Doctors do recommend not taking garlic supplements if you are taking blood thinning medication. Fish oil and artichoke extract are also recommended. The Omega-3 fatty acids in the fish oil have been known to help lower cholesterol levels. You only need about 3-4 milligrams per day however. It is recommended to take about 900 milligrams twice a day of the artichoke supplements.

Sitostanol can be found in margarine. You need about 4-5 teaspoons a day in that form. If taken in a supplement or pill then you need about 800 milligrams a day. On top of many other health benefits, guggulipid is another way to lower cholesterol.

Flaxseed and barley are a little better known. But not many people knew they were good for lowering cholesterol. Flaxseed can be taken in cereal or yogurt to dull the taste. It is recommended to take 40-50 grams daily. Barley is an easy supplement to take. You can take 3 grams in oil extract form or 30 grams in barley flour daily.

Found mostly in Metamucil, psyllium lowers cholesterol diseases from 15-20%. It is suggested to take 10 grams daily for the best result. Phytosterol is one of the top supplements used to lower cholesterol because it has been added to a number of everyday products like orange juice and margarine.

The number one natural way of lowering cholesterol has been tested in China. The United States won't give approval, because much of the ingredients are used for our prescription drugs. It is called cholestin. In Chinese studies, it lowered cholesterol levels by 20%.

Don't underestimate the power of exercise and sleep as well. Sleep helps rejuvenate your body. Exercise helps clean toxins out of your body. Both of these brings your body to a cleaner and better point getting it ready to get rid of bad cholesterol.

Lowering bad cholesterol can be a hard task. The benefits are exponential. Not only does your risk of stroke and heart attacks go down, but you live longer. You have more energy on top of an all around better attitude. Bad cholesterol can take a toll on you and everyone in your life.

Recommendations:

Knowing these natural cholesterol lowering supplements is just half of the picture. Find out how to naturally control your cholesterol levels and lower triglycerides to avoid the risk of serious heart problems.

Cholesterol-Lowering Foods - Lowering Cholesterol Naturally

You can't turn on a TV without being bombarded with cholesterol lowering drug ads because there are 105 million adults in the US with cholesterol levels higher than they should be. It's the way we do things; take a pill and make it better. Are statins effective? Yes, they are or the FDA would not have approved them. But what the ads don't feature is that there can be significant side affects from taking statin drugs including difficulty sleeping, nausea, dizziness, and muscle aches.

But there are steps you can take to lower your cholesterol levels naturally, without taking drugs and putting up with unwanted side affects. Here are the most important:

Limit Your Intake of Cholesterol Be aware of how much cholesterol is in the foods you choose. Limiting dietary cholesterol will also reduce saturated fats as they usually go side by side in the same foods.

Eat Regularly Missing a meal often leads to overeating. There is nothing wrong with eating 5 or 6 times a day if they are "mini" meals and stop your food cravings. If you are tempted to overeat anytime you are around food, then the three scheduled meal plan is probably better.

Get Exercise Your body was designed to move about and it works better when it is exercised. Improved muscle tone, blood flow, raised "good" (HDL) cholesterol levels, and controls body sugars.

Drink Water 32 to 64 ounces a day is recommended. Sound like a lot, but you will have more energy and will eat less.

Limit Calories from Fat Eat a minimum of trans-fatty acids (butter, salad dressing, ice cream).

Eat a mix of protein Maintain a balance of vegetable, fish, and meat protein. Increase the amount of omega-3 fatty acids.

Eat More Vegetables and Fruits Nature has provided us with powerful natural methods to fight high cholesterol and heart disease. These sources of dietary fiber also help reduce "bad" (LDL} cholesterol.

I am not for a minute suggesting that, if you are under a physician's care and have been prescribed medication for cholesterol that you should stop and instead take up the steps above. If you are on medication, stay on it.

What I am pointing out is that we can help ourselves reduce our cholesterol levels with some pretty easy life style choices and lead a much healthier, happy lifestyle.

If you are ready to make these changes, one of the most challenging is how to increase the amount of fruit and vegetables in your diet to the recommended 5 servings daily. I recommend using smoothies as the medium to get the fruit and or vegetables you need. They are easy to make, low calorie, and there is an almost infinite number of recipes so you will not get bored.

Would you want a dietary supplement that will help you control your cholesterol levels? Go to Mila Healthy Living.Com and read about this truly remarkable product.

Mila's properties include eight times more omega-3 fatty acid than salmon, twice the fiber of bran flakes, and six times more calcium than milk.

The Options You Have When It Comes To Lowering Your Cholesterol

It doesn't matter how old you are or where you come from, having low cholesterol is important. If you cholesterol is bad, it's easy to see that you can increase the chances of having a heart attack or even a stroke. If you want to get a handle on cholesterol, then you will want to start with learning everything that you can about it.

You can find cholesterol all throughout the body. A lot of it is not healthy and you can get it by eating certain foods that aren't good for your health. Too much cholesterol can cause symptoms such as clogged arteries, heart blockage, and even death. One of the leading cause of high cholesterol is a food called bacon. We all love bacon but you should know that it and fatty foods contain a lot of cholesterol.

Maybe you have heard of cholesterol before and are wondering what different kinds there are. There are basically 2 types of cholesterol. They are called HDL and LDL cholesterol. HDL stands for high density lipoprotein and LDL stands for low density lipoprotein. Both exist within out bodies but the key is to balance them out to achieve overall health.

If you want to lower your cholesterol, you have a few options at your disposal. The first is using prescription drugs that your doctor can prescribe to you. They work well for some people and some people really don't like the idea of taking medicine to lower their cholesterol. It all depends on your goals and what you want to do.

The next option is the natural route. You can lower your cholesterol by taking a natural approach to it. There are tons of natural cholesterol lowers that are found in the foods that we eat. There are also natural remedies that you can take to lower your cholesterol. These natural remedies weren't created using pesticides or chemicals. One such herb that you can take is garlic.

Another natural remedy that helps to lower cholesterol is omega-3 fish oil. It was shown to decrease the risk of heart disease by as much as 40%. Also, the spice curcumin lowers cholesterol naturally too. There's a remedy made from myrrh tree that is known to reduce cholesterol also. It is called golgul gum resin, and it also helps you to lose weight also.

Niacin is also known to help reduce cholesterol. One thing you should know about cholesterol is that it comes in different forms. There's flush free niacin and then there's regular niacin. The main different between the two lies within the active ingredient. You should know that flush free niacin doesn't deliver the flush of regular niacin, but it also doesn't work as well as regular niacin too. I once heard that no flush equals no results, so you will want to keep this in mind when selecting the best niacin pill to take.

When it comes to lowering your cholesterol, you have a ton of options at your disposal. All the methods of lowering cholesterol mentioned in this article are there to help you lower your cholesterol simply and easily, so you should start using them right away.

Good luck with lowering your cholesterol.

FOR MORE INFO: Learn ideas for lowering your cholesterol and living healthier today.

Proven Ways to Lower Cholesterol

High cholesterol has long been known to be a major factor in heart disease and premature death as a consequence, so lowering it is clearly a smart idea. There are 2 mains ways to lower cholesterol that have been established to work: 1) adopt a healthier lifestyle and 2) take cholesterol lowering drugs.

Hyper-cholesterolemia (as high cholesterol is termed medically) is becoming widespread particularly in the Western world and is almost certainly due to features of the modern lifestyle. For most people whose cholesterol is too high, relatively minor modifications to their diet and exercise regime will restore normal cholesterol levels.

Some people however are either already beyond what can be usefully achieved with lifestyle modifications or carry an inherited genetic disorder (familial hyper-cholesterolemia) that limits the benefits of diet and exercise. Such individuals will normally be prescribed drugs called statins whose potency can be altered to suit the individual both initially and over time.

Before looking further at these 2 strategies (lifestyle and medication), it's worth bearing in mind that when medical professionals discuss cholesterol in people they are referring to 2 specific kinds which are: LDL (often called "bad cholesterol") and HDL (labeled "good cholesterol").

LDL cholesterol (Low Density Lipoprotein) is a type of body fat (a lipid) that is produced as a result of the liver processing food. It is distributed via the bloodstream to supply energy to virtually every cell in the body and is therefore rather important. However, when more LDL than is necessary gets produced it tends to become deposited in arteries and veins, eventually clogging the system up with all too predictable consequences.

HDL cholesterol (High Density Lipoprotein, which means there is more protein than lipid) is able to soak up excess LDL and return it to the liver for recycling or waste. The human body however contains a much larger amount of LDL than HDL so it's an unequal struggle, but it has been shown that increasing the amount of exercise taken leads to an increase of HDL levels in the bloodstream.

Lifestyle modifications to lower LDL cholesterol are based on medical observations that excess weight, certain kinds of food, smoking, drinking and insufficient exercise are contribute significantly to high LDL cholesterol and that avoiding these things will therefore have the reverse effect and lower cholesterol levels.

Where dietary changes are concerned, the foodstuffs to cut down (or cut out) are those that contain high levels of saturated fat. Examples include hard cheese, butter, red meat, pastries, cakes and biscuits. At the same time also aim to increase the amount of fruit, vegetables, oat and beans present in the diet since these actively (and naturally) help lower cholesterol. So switching from butter to a plant sterol based spread (so-called "cholesterol lowering" spreads) ticks the boxes in both columns.

If lifestyle modifications alone prove insufficient to lower cholesterol below medically recommended limits then medical advice should be sought. The most common treatment for high cholesterol is a class of drugs called statins. These pills are not however to be regarded as an alternative to adopting a healthier lifestyle; they are supplemental to lifestyle changes.

The most commonly prescribed statins are (in ascending order of strength and using both clinical and brand names):

- Pravastatin (Lipostat)
- Simvastatin (Zocor)
- Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
- Rosuvastatin (Crestor)

Most people who are prescribed statins tolerate them easily and suffer no side-effects at all, but it should be noted that they can in some circumstances cause very serious damage to both muscle tissue and the liver, particularly when taken in high doses and accordingly it is common for patients to have reasonably regular blood tests to both monitor the effect of statins on cholesterol levels and to check for early signs of such internal damage.

So there it is - 2 proven, effective and medically approved ways to lower cholesterol. The difference between them is largely a matter of degree - taking prescription drugs is an extra measure over and above adopting a healthier lifestyle, which in most cases

Cholesterol Lowering Drugs - Do You Really Need Them?

Do you really need cholesterol lowering drugs? Does anyone? This article looks at the controversy surrounding the subject.

To the mainstream medical community statins are a valuable tool in the prevention of heart disease and strokes. To a small, but growing number of medical professionals, statins are dangerous and unnecessary.

Since the 1950s, the popular theory has been that high intakes of saturated fat and cholesterol-rich foods are the primary cause of heart disease and atherosclerosis. This theory has been disproven on several occasions, by scientists that have examined the traditional dietary habits of isolated populations.

For example, the diet of the Greenland Eskimo population was very high in fat. 50% or more of the daily caloric intake of the population was from fat. Yet, there was practically no heart disease in the population.

Another example was found in the South of France. Again, the diet was very high in saturated fat and cholesterol, but the incidence of heart disease was low.

The traditional Mediterranean diet is another example. Foods high in fat, such as olives, olive oil, fatty fish, nuts and avocados were popular. But, the incidence of heart disease and obesity was low.

Some doctors and pharmaceutical companies advocate the use of cholesterol lowering drugs, as a rule, not an exception. The typical course of action taken today is dietary counseling and encouraging physical activity in combination with prescribing statins.

The doctors don't even wait to see if diet and exercise have the desired effect, before writing a prescription. With all of the contradictions and controversy, why does this practice continue?

That's hard to say. The reason might be all of the television advertising that the pharmaceutical companies are allowed to do. Those ads make it seem like everyone should talk to their doctors about cholesterol lowering drugs.

Another reason might be the continued search for a miracle drug; some pills that will help everyone live a long and healthy life. In truth, there are no magic pills. But, there are answers.

Statins were originally found and extracted from the oyster mushroom, a Japanese delicacy. Other Japanese mushrooms, such as Shitake, have natural anti-inflammatory activity. These health benefits are not present in commercial button mushrooms or Portobello varieties.

The explanation for the contradictions seen in dietary habits of non-US populations has to do with the "type" of fats consumed, not the amount. Olives, fatty fish, nuts and avocados contain a relatively high amount of omega-3 fatty acids. The red wine consumed in the South of France might make a difference, too.

In other words, if we could teach people how to eat, they might not need cholesterol lowering drugs. Research has proven that the unnatural trans-fatty acids created when vegetable oils are partially hydrogenated cause and increase in LDL (bad) particles and a decrease in HDL (good) particles.

Researchers have also found that nutrients present in raw sugar cane, black tea, green tea, rice bran, pumpkin seeds and other foods help to increase the good particles and lower the number of bad ones. Prescriptions are now written for fish oils, because they are known, without a doubt to lower triglycerides or fats in the bloodstream and raise HDL levels.

Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly is important. Taking some good dietary supplements is important, too. Very few people actually need cholesterol lowering drugs.

If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels, talk with your physician before deciding to use natural cholesterol lowering supplements for reducing high cholesterol.

Want to know more? Click here for more information on lowering cholesterol naturally natural cholesterol supplements for a safe natural alternative to help you balance your blood cholesterol levels.

Best Natural Ways to Reduce Cholesterol

Omega 3 from Fish Oil

Consumption of omega 3 fatty acids cuts the risk of any heart disease by almost 45%. These fatty acids contribute to natural cholesterol reduction and at the same time prevent blood clot formation. It also reduces instances of irregular heartbeats. So if you take a dose of one gram omega-3 supplement, it can greatly reduce your risk of cardiac health.

Garlic and Green Tea

According to a study garlic also lowered development of atherosclerosis. Green tea contains high concentrations of polyphenols which act as antioxidants that help in eating the free radicals in your body and help in reducing cholesterol levels.

Even though garlic and green tea are recommended by health gurus, omega 3 fatty-acids are the ones which are backed by The American Heart Association which recommends 1g/day of omega 3 (especially from marine sources) for patients who have coronary heart disease. They also recommend consuming variety of fish (especially fatty fish) at least two times a week. Omega 3 fatty acids significantly lower the triglyceride levels. In a study conducted, it was seen that diet rich in fish resulted in lower levels of different cholesterols.

What can you really expect from omega 3 fatty acids?

There is an abundance of omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil. A high dietary intake of these has been linked to low instances of cardiovascular diseases in most of the studies. Apart from lowering triglyceride levels, the fish oil also prevents arrhythmias, reduces inflammation and lowers blood pressure.

Omega 3 Supplements - The best natural way to reduce cholesterol

It is best to eat fresh fish which is oilier to reduce your cholesterol levels. The best choices for obtaining the most cholesterol lowering omega 3 fatty acids are tuna, Atlantic herring, trout and salmon. However, people who cannot consume fish can opt for fish oil supplements which can be found in most of the health food stores or online stores.

According to a research it was found that Inuit Eskimos who eat high amounts of omega 3 fatty acids as they regularly eat fatty fish, have increased amounts of good cholesterols and very less amounts of triglyceride levels.

The Studies are Promising...

In order to reduce cholesterol levels, some studies show that a dose of 900 mg-5 gms a day are needed. To achieve this kind of dose you need to consume lots of fish. Thus supplements of omega 3 are used as they are concentrated amounts in small pills. If you take 900 mg of these fatty acid supplements everyday for a period of 6 months, there will be a substantial decrease in triglyceride or cholesterol levels in your body. The effectiveness is actually dose dependent.

Overall, the best natural ways to reduce cholesterol is omega 3 fatty acids.

Dino Ascari is an health expert. He studied biology and is particularity fascinated by the benefits of omega 3. Check out his guide about heart disease treatments.

Cholesterol Lowering Tips

The first thing we would suggest is to eat breakfast every morning. Studies have shown that those who start off their mornings with a bellyful tend to have lower cholesterol levels rather than those who skip breakfast. One of the reasons that breakfast skippers have higher cholesterol is that they make up for the missing morning feast by eating a lot of unhealthy snacks later. Rather than those who eat morning entrees, researches have shown that those who eat those ready-to-eat cereals for breakfast have lower cholesterol levels as well.

Remember to nibble throughout the day. Simply changing how often you eat in a single day is another way to lower your cholesterol levels. Recent researches have shown that larger amounts of insulin are released into the body when a patient has large meals, instead than when he has more small ones. Insulin release in turn stimulates the production of an enzyme that increases cholesterol production by the liver. Limit the insulin release by having smaller but more frequent meals (remember not to increase the total number of calories) and this can have an important role in controlling your cholesterol levels and preventing heart disease.

Vitamin C is very important to your diet. Other vitamins and minerals have the tendency to show a benefic effect on cholesterol levels as well. Studies have shown that a higher HDL level may be achieved in people with diets high in vitamin C. Vitamin C is especially beneficial when you get it from lots of fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C is a great cholesterol lowering tip since it has a cholesterol-lowering fiver called pectin. Pectin helps lower cholesterol levels in your bloodstream since it helps transport it out of your digestive system by surrounding the cholesterol and keeping it out of your blood. Some vitamin C rich foods include: strawberries, tomatoes, citrus fruits, apples and spinach.

Remember to go heavy on garlic. Garlic does not only keep away vampires. This food can significantly reduce cholesterol in large doses such as at least, seven cloves per each day. Of course, most people eat that quantity in a month, and not even that. If you are searching for a similar effect you could try odorless garlic pills. According to a research study, when people that had moderately high cholesterol took four capsules a day of an odorless liquid garlic extract - Kyolic - initially they observed a rise in their cholesterol levels, but afterwards their cholesterol levels dropped about 44 points in about six months. You can find garlic pills in almost any health food store.

Jean Helmet is a content editor who focuses on a wide array of niche health topics. Her latest website - Natural Cholesterol Supplement focuses on cholesterol as a whole, and in particular, a natural product our editors personally use with excellent health

High Cholesterol and the Unmentioned Statistic

There was an unmentioned statistic in results from studies on a drug to treat high cholesterol. A cardiologist points to the fact that this is common practice in the pharmaceutical industry. But would you feel the same way about your medicine if you were told this little secret? There are several ways to present statistical results. When it comes to medical drug research, there should no manipulation of the axes in graphical presentations or omission of meaningful statistics, because many lives depend on it.

According to Darshak Sanghavi, a pediatric cardiologist and assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, scientists and drug companies usually describe the benefits of many medications in terms of relative risks. This is said to "inflate" the benefits of medical therapy. Dr. Sanghavi said there is an alternative statistic that is not used. It's called the "number needed to treat" (or NNT, for short.)

Using cholesterol lowering drug as an example, he recounts the case with Pravachol years ago when it was reported as causing a 31 percent reduction in heart attacks. This caused billions of dollars in sales. By stating the results of clinical trials in terms of "relative risks", it powerfully exaggerates the benefits of drugs and other invasive therapies.

Thirty-one percent fewer heart attacks!

What did the drug manufacturers mean when they talked about a 31 percent relative reduction in heart attacks? Borrowing Dr. Sanghavi's explanation, it meant that "taking Pravachol every day for five years reduced the incidence of heart attacks from 7.5 percent to 5.3 percent. This indeed means that there were 31 percent fewer heart attacks in patients taking the drug. But it also means that the "absolute risk" of a heart attack for any given person dropped by only 2.2 percentage points." So a 31 percent relative reduction in heart attacks equals (or means the same thing as) a 2.2 percent absolute reduction in heart attacks.

So to break this down further, if 100 people with high cholesterol took statins, 93 of them would not have had heart attacks anyway. Of the remaining seven people, five would have heart attacks despite taking Pravachol. Only two out of the original 100 avoided a heart attack by
taking the daily pills for five years. This means that in order to prevent 2 people taking Pravachol over a 5-year period from having a heart, we would need to treat 100 of them. In other words, the number needed to treat (NNT) is 50 - fifty needed to be treated in order to observer a reduction in heart attacks.

Can you see what a different picture is created by stating drug research results in terms of relative risk reduction vs. absolute risk reduction? Anybody can see that these 50 people could do much better by changing their diets and getting enough exercise in a few months (not even 5 years!) So the objective of this drug medication for diseases and health conditions resulting from lifestyle habits is ____________________ (you fill in the blanks.)

Did you write, "to make more money and keep investors happy?" Something along that line seems obviously right!

Copyright ? 2008 by Bentley Thompson

Sample Diet For Lowering Cholesterol

First let me make one thing clear that I am not a doctor, only a person with a great deal of experience in the field of natural health. So for serious questions, both about medications and a sample diet for lowering your cholesterol, you should consult your doctor or licensed nutritional specialist. That said, I believe that this article just might contain some valuable information that can provide an excellent starting point for both creating and implementing a sample diet for lowering cholesterol.

Before we get down to business there are a couple of factors that can, and often do, disrupt the effectiveness of even the best sample diet for lowering cholesterol.

*Diuretics or dehydration: The use of diuretics has been shown to raise total cholesterol and triglycerides. Most experts believe the increase to be inconsequential, nevertheless it is worth mentioning. Keep in mind that any drug, either over the counter or prescription, that causes water loss or dehydration can elevate your cholesterol numbers.

*Drug interactions: Your physician has run all the tests and prescribes one of the popular statin drugs such as Lipitor or Zocor. You take the pills as prescribed, never missing a single dose, but when your doctor runs a blood test to measure results, your cholesterol hasn't improved. Why? There could be another medication you are taking that is making your prescription cholesterol medication less effective. The moral of this story is be sure and tell your doctor about all medications you are taking to insure the best results.

So now let's move on to our sample diet for lowering cholesterol. This affordable sample diet for lowering cholesterol has worked well for me and my family and it will work for you too!

*Breakfast: Two egg whites on one slice of flax bread or toast. Fruit or juice along with skim milk can also be added but be sure and check labels for sugar content. Some store bought juices contain an astonishing 40 g of sugar.

*Lunch: Old fashioned oatmeal spiced up with either bananas, almonds, or apples. Butter containing stanols or sterols can also be added to add flavor alone with a pack of your favorite artificial sweetener.

*Dinner: Packaged 97 percent fat free turkey, chicken, or low fat beef with steamed vegetables such as broccoli or green beans (both come in easy to use steam able microwave packs). Fish should be considered once or twice a week if affordable. Kale or collard greens are also great choices as are sweet potatoes.

*Snacks: Low fat yogurt (sugar content should not exceed 10 g); almonds, walnuts, and pecans (be sure and check for nut allergies); and whole grain cereals with slim milk.

*Supplements: Fish oil or flax seed oil are excellent supplements both for cholesterol and overall health. They are reasonably priced but pricing does vary slightly. Additionally, there are a number of excellent herbal and natural cholesterol supplements worth considering, to both support and enhance results. Many naturopathic doctors believe supplementation to be an important part of any sustainable sample diet for lowering cholesterol.

What Next? Lowering cholesterol, in most cases, is about changing old habits, adopting new healthier habits, and enlisting the help of convention medications such as statins or Put simply, this basically means finding ways to increase HDL (good cholesterol) and decreasing LDL (bad cholesterol levels) in a meaningful and sustainable way.

5 Foods That Lower Cholesterol

1. Oatmeal & Oat Bran: Both of these are high in soluble fiber. Eating this type of fiber will lower your LDL or "bad cholesterol".

2. Walnuts & Almonds: These are packed with "good" fats and have been shown to have favorable effects on cholesterol levels.

3. Fish: Fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon, sardines, trout and herring also can have positive effects on your cholesterol levels. The omega 3 fatty acids found in fish can also be taken in pill form (fish oil).

4. Olive Oil: Adding extra virgin olive oil to your diet is an easy way to improve your cholesterol levels. Saut? vegetables in it, mix it with vinegar to make a salad dressing or add it to a marinade. This is another way to lower your LDL numbers.

5. Beans (kidney, lima, black, navy, pinto, garbanzo): Like oatmeal and oat bran, these beans are high in soluble fiber. They are also great sources of protein.

Adding these foods in with a regular fitness routine can help reduce or even eliminate the need for medication. Remember, food is not only our fuel but it also serves as our medicine. If your doctor has suggested medication then be sure to ask him/her if your dosage can be lowered or even eliminated if you can lower your cholesterol numbers with diet and exercise. Many doctors will write a script for medication before discussing any other options that you may have. As always, let me know if you have any questions or article suggestions.

Have a good one!
William
Personal Trainer
Boot Camp Instructor

William is the Orlando area's weight loss expert. Feel free to contact him to find out how his programs can help you reach all of your fitness goals.