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  Many factors can affect the cholesterol levels in your blood. You can control some factors, but not others. Factors You Can Control Diet Cholesterol is found in foods that come from animal sources, such as egg yolks, meat, and cheese. Some foods have fats that raise your cholesterol level. For example, saturated fat raises your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level more than anything else in your diet. Saturated fat is found in some meats, dairy products, chocolate, baked goods, and deep-fried and processed foods. Trans fatty acids ( trans fats) raise your LDL cholesterol and lower your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Trans fats are made when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil to harden it. Trans fats are found in some fried and processed foods. Limiting foods with cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fats can help you control your cholesterol levels. Physical Activity and Weight Lack of physical activity can lead to weight gain. Be...

What Is Cholesterol?  Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that’s found in all cells of the body.Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs. However, cholesterol also is found in some of the foods you eat. Cholesterol travels through your bloodstream in small packages called lipoproteins (lip-o-PRO-teens). These packages are made of fat (lipid) on the inside and proteins on the outside. Two kinds of lipoproteins carry cholesterol throughout your body: low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Having healthy levels of both types of lipoproteins is important. LDL cholesterol sometimes is called “bad” cholesterol. A high LDL level leads to a buildup of cholesterol in your arteries. (Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to your body.) HDL cholesterol sometimes is called “good” cholesterol. This is because it...

  People who ate one serving (3/4 cup) of non-oil-seed legumes a day exhibited a 5% reduction in LDL cholesterol.     Chickpeas, beans, lentils or peas can keep away "bad cholesterol" with just one serving per day . Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Non-oil-seed pulses, such as beans, chickpeas, lentils and peas, are already recommended as part of dietary guidelines to prevent major chronic diseases. A large observational study has also linked consumption of these pulses with lower LDL cholesterol levels. The researchers acknowledge though that legume intake in many Western countries, such as Canada and the US, is quite low. "Canadians have a lot of room in their diets to increase their pulse intake and derive cardiovascular benefits," states Dr. Sievenpiper. "Only 13% consume pulses on any given day, and of those who do, the average intake is only about a half s...

Chocolate is made from tropical Theobroma cacao tree seeds. The earliest use of chocolate dates back to the Olmec civilization in Mesoamerica. After the discovery of the Americas, chocolate became very popular in Europe, and its demand exploded. Chocolate has since become an incredibly popular food product that millions indulge in everyday for its unique, rich, and sweet taste. But what effects does eating chocolate have on our health? Benefits of chocolate Chocolate fat content, and its consumption has been associated with acne, obesity, high  blood pressure, coronary artery disease and diabetes. However, "the recent discovery of biologically active phenolic compounds in cocoa has changed this perception and stimulated research on its effects in ageing, oxidative stress, blood pressure regulation, and atherosclerosis. Today, chocolate is lauded for its tremendous antioxidant potential." The potential benefits of eating chocolate are said to include: low...

  More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease and by 2050, this number is expected to increase to 16 million. With figures like these, the race is on to find ways to prevent Alzheimer's. Now, a new study by researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, NY, finds that a cocoa extract could do just that. The research team, led by Dr. Giulio Maria Pasinetti, a professor of neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine, found that a cocoa extract - called lavado - may reduce or block damage to nerve pathways found in patients with Alzheimer's disease . This means that symptoms of the condition - such as cognitive decline - could be prevented. According to the investigators, lavado cocoa extract is a minimally processed cocoa that is high in polyphenols - antioxidants that are also found in fruits and vegetables. Past research has indicated that polyphenol-rich diets may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's. With thi...

 ` Brown fat is a beneficial type of fat that burns energy and glucose to make heat, it protects against diabetes and obesity. Now, new research suggests long-term exposure to cold environments can stimulate growth of this "good" fat in humans, potentially benefiting glucose and energy metabolism.. Research has shown  People with abundant brown fat stores tend to be lean and have low blood sugar levels, and they even showed that ordinary white fat cells can transform into the beneficial brown fat cells. However, until now, how brown fat is regulated in humans and its relationship with metabolism has been unclear. Cold increased brown fat, while warmth suppressed it New study suggests exposure to mild, colder tempratures stimulates "good" brown fat , while exposure to warmer temprature suppresses it.  The Experiment. During the first month, the rooms were set at 24º C, which the researchers describe as a "thermo-neutral" temperature at which ...

Skin cancer, melanoma is spreading more than all other cancers combined despite regulations on tanning beds and sunscreen labeling.  Why the surge in skin cancer? We have moremobile society – cheap flight to islands…more outdoor and leisure activities. The Risk Several factors can increase a person’s risk of melanoma including sun exposure, sunburns, the number of moles on a person’s skin and family history. A recent study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, suggests that experiencing five or more sunburns between the ages of 15 and 20 could increase melanoma risk by 80 percent. Prevention According to the American Cancer society, sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers. Ever since the first sunscreen was invented in the 1930’s, the thick and smelly topical has always been the first line of defense against harmful UV rays. But new research out of Manchester University and London’s Ins...

A man with a rare autoimmune disease that left him hairless was able to grow hair after treatment with an arthritis drug, Medical News Today reported. The 25-year-old man has alopecia universalis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes hair loss over the entire body when the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles. Doctors at Yale University tried an unusual treatment using an FDA-approved drug, tofacitinib citrate, which is designed to treat the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis. The patient was able to regrow a full head of hair, eyebrows and eyelashes, facial, groin and other hair. The drug had been shown to successfully treat a less extreme form of alopecia in lab rats and this is the first reported case of success in a person. "There are no good options for long-term treatment of alopecia universalis," Prof. King explains, "The best available science suggested this might work, and it has,” senior author Brett A. King, an assistant pro...

Fat keeps you warm, regulates your body function and stores energy.  But too much of a good thing can actually be bad. It is well known that fat can lead to obesity and chronic diseases, but eating the right foods can help your body burn it. Here are some to try: Beans are filled with protein and fiber, which help you lose weight without feeling hungry. Fiber takes a long time to digest, so your body will be busy burning it off for a while. Add eggs to your diet. Studies show people who eat them in the morning are more likely to drop pounds than people who eat carb-only breakfasts. Bring on the avocados: They are packed with mono-unsaturated fats, which will lower your bad cholesterol. Your body will burn off avocados quickly, so they won’t stick to your hips. Foods with omega-3s, like salmon, are vital for burning fat. They contain the hormone leptin, which directly affects your metabolism. Also, add green tea to your shopping list. Studies show sub...

Depression should be considered a risk factor for heart disease, similar to other risk factors such as smoking and diabetes. Young women who are moderately or severely depressed have a significantly higher heart disease death risk compared to women who are mentally healthy. Study author Dr. Amit Shah, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, said he was compelled to study the link between depression and heart disease mortality after noticing that young women seemed to be more vulnerable to depression and other mental health conditions. “We’ve also been suspicious of this strange phenomenon or paradox we find with young women, which is that once they have heart attacks, they are actually more likely to die after the heart attack than similarly aged men who also suffer heart attacks,” Shah told FoxNews.com. For their study, the researchers interviewed 3,237 people with known or suspected heart disease. The participants had an avera...

The tiny particles in vehicle exhaust and other sources of air pollution may hasten cognitive decline in older adults, according to a new U. S. study. “We decided to examine the link between air pollution and cognitive function in older adults because there is growing evidence that fine particulate matter air pollution affects brain health and development, but relatively little attention has been given to what this means for the aging brain,” said Jennifer Ailshire. Improvements in air quality may be an important strategy for reducing age-related cognitive decline.There has been some evidence that people living in more polluted areas have greater rates of cognitive decline, and the link is not explained by wealth or other social factors, the researchers point out in The Journals of Gerontology: Series B. They gathered information from one wave of a large ongoing survey started in 1986, and focused their analysis on 780 participants who were 55 years of age or olde...

A lot of women suffers from overactive bladder, a condition characterized by sudden and frequent urges to urinate. It an urgency and the frequency, the urgency and the frequency...it really controls your life."  a sufferer. Overactive bladder is one of the top 10 chronic conditions affecting perimenopausal women, according to Dr. Eman Elkadry, a clinical instructor of obstetrics and gynecology at Harvard Medical School in Boston. Elkadry is a leading advocate for increasing access to overactive bladder treatment among women. For women who suffer from symptoms of overactive bladder such as urgency, frequency, and leaking, treatment options include pelvic muscle exercises, bladder management techniques, prescription medications and a newly available over-the-counter patch called Oxytrol for Women. The patch, which can be worn on the hips, butt or abdomen, needs to be changed every four days. Oxytrol for Women, not to be confused with the prescription patch, Oxy...

What is Gluten?  Gluten is a kind of natural protein found in grain such as wheat, kamut,barley, rye,  farro and bulgur. It is also found in many products, like salad dressings, seasoning mixes, vitamins, and even lip balm. There are several grains that are naturally gluten-free, including rice, corn and popcorn, quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, millet, sorghum, teff, and oats (as long as they haven’t been contaminated with wheat during processing). In other words, gluten-free and grain-free aren’t synonymous, and I don’t recommend the latter. Gluten-free whole grains are chock full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, and as long as you don’t overdo it portion-wise, including them in your diet can help you lose weight, and protect your health .Unfortunately the gluten-free craze has given all grains a bit of a black eye, but refined white pasta and quinoa aren’t even close to being in the same category from a nutrition perspective. WHY GLUTEN PHOBIA? ...

Long hour starring at computer screen have being  found to change tear fluid similar to people with the disease known as dry eye.. The protein MUC5AC, secreted by cells in the upper eyelid, makes up part of the normally occurring mucus layer, or “tear film,” that keeps the eye moist. But study participants with the most screen time had MUC5AC levels nearing those of people with diagnosed dry eye. “When we stare at computers, our blinking times decreased compared to reading a book at the table,” People staring at screens also tend to open their eyelids wider than while doing other tasks, and the extra exposed surface area in addition to infrequent blinking can accelerate tear evaporation and is associated with dry eye disease, he said. Dry eye may be chronic for some but can be managed with over the counter or prescription eye drops. Past research suggests that up to 5 million men and women over age 50 in the United States suffer from dry eye disease, the resea...

Archaeologists were digging under a former German beer garden in New York City's Lower East Side when they came upon a stash of 150-year-old liquor bottles. Among them was a small vial—once the container for an "Elixir of Long Life," DNAInfo reports. "We wanted to know what this stuff actually tasted like," says Alyssa Loorya, president of Chrysalis Archaeological Consultants, which is supervising the excavation. Soon, she will: She called in German colleagues who were able to source the recipe to a 19th-century medical guide and translate it. Among the ingredients: the anti-inflammatory aloe, rhubarb, white tumeric, Spanish saffron, and a lot of grain alcohol. Many of the ingredients are linked to better digestion, says an herbalist. "Long life has a lot to do with how healthy our guts are, so it makes sense to see these used back then." Says Chrysalis on its blog : "We’re not expecting the results of our experiment...

If you want to shed some pounds for summer, eat more lean protein.  Here are some tasty, healthy protein-rich snacks that are great for dieting because they are filling, low in calories, and they boost metabolism, too. Beef or turkey jerky Want a chewy, savory, waist-friendly snack?  Jerky is a great choice because a one ounce serving has only 70 calories and provides 11 grams of protein – plus essential vitamins and minerals such as, iron and zinc. Pumpkin seeds Next time you’re craving something crunchy instead of chips grab some dry roasted pumpkin seeds. A generous one ounce serving packs 8 grams of belly-filling protein, plus each little seed is a great source of fiber, vitamins, minerals and carotenoids.   Deli roll-up When you’re short on time and really hungry have a snack made with lean roast beef, white meat chicken or turkey.  Quality deli meats are mostly protein, low in calories and super low in carbohydrates; a three ...

The relationship between diabetes and weight is long established. Most people that are obese are predispose to diabetes. Novo Nordisk's big-selling diabetes drug Victoza appears to be an effective weight loss therapy, data from a late-stage clinical trial presented on Saturday demonstrated. In the 56-week study of 846 overweight or obese adults with type 2 diabetes, a daily injection of 3 milligrams of Victoza led to significantly greater weight loss than did a placebo. Patients taking the 3 mg dose of the drug, known chemically as liraglutide, had a mean loss of 5.9 percent of body weight. That compared with a loss of 4.6 percent for a 1.8 mg dose and just 2 percent loss for those who got a placebo. All patients were also put on a diet and exercise program. The results were presented at the American Diabetes Association meeting in San Francisco. Weight loss had been viewed as a beneficial side effect of Victoza as obesity is a leading cause of type 2 diabetes. Bu...

Eating processed red meat, such as sausages or cold cuts, has been linked to an increased risk of heart failure or death in men, Medical News Today reported. In a new study published in the journal Circulation: Heart Failure , researchers analyzed a cohort of 37,035 healthy men, ages 45 to 79, from The Cohort of Swedish Men Study at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm. The study followed the men from 1998 to 2010 Throughout the study period, 2,891 men developed heart failure and 266 died from heart failure. Men who reported eating the most processed meat – 75 or more grams per day – were 28 percent more likely to develop heart failure compared to men who ate 25 grams or less of processed meat per day. Men who ate the most processed meat were also twice as likely to die from heart failure compared to men who consumed the least. Furthermore, for every 50 g daily increase in processed meat consumption – the equivalent of one or two extra slices of ham – risk of h...

Latest research has found a link between low levels of the fat-soluble vitamin and premature death, Medical News Today reported. Researchers found that participants with lower levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D— the main form of vitamin D found in human blood— were twice as likely to have a premature death, compared to those with higher blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Furthermore, researchers found that approximately half of the participants who were at risk for early death had a vitamin D blood level of 30 ng/ml. An estimated two-thirds of the U.S. population has a blood vitamin D level below 30 ng/ml The National Institutes of Health recommends children and adults ages 1 to 70 should consume 600 IU of vitamin D per day. But researchers believe this amount should be increased. “This study should give the medical community and public substantial reassurance that vitamin D is safe when used in appropriate doses up to 4,000 International Units (IU) per day,” said Heath...

What are Phosphates? They're chemical compounds frequently added to processed foods like sodas, lunch meats, cheeses, cakes, and cookies to improve shelf life, consistency, texture, moisture, and color (among other things). But researchers found that these compounds also can increase risk of developing high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. High consumption of phosphates leads to excess production of a powerful hormone produced in bone cells called fibroblast growth factor 23 (a.k.a. the no-less-catchy FGF23) which leads to high sodium in blood (high blood pressure) and calcium absorption by kidney.(vascular calcification) A study published in July 2013 in the Journal of Renal Nutrition reported that after examining the labels of nearly 3,000 best-selling grocery items in northeast Ohio, 44 percent were found to contain added phosphates. Broken down further, added phosphates were found in 72 percent of prepared frozen foods, 70 percent of dry-food mixes, 6...

New study has shown that high Protein diet may reduce risk of stroke . Protein intake is associated with other nutrients and elements such as potassium, magnesium and dietary fiber said Dr. Xinfeng Liu of Nanjing University School of Medicine in China. Still, the relationship between protein and stroke persisted when the researchers only looked at studies that took those factors into account, he noted. Close to 800,000 people in the United States have a stroke each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The new review includes seven studies, each of which followed a group of 255,000 adults for at least 10 years in U.S, Japan and Sweden. Four of the studies took place in the U.S., two in Japan and one in Sweden. Most considered any type of stroke, but two focused on fatal strokes. Six of the studies found that as protein intake increased, stroke risk decreased. But in three of those studies the relationship was weak enoug...

Viral and flu infections could be inhibited by boosting natural occurring protein in the body. This natural protein called oligoadenylate synthetases-like, or OASL.  It is revealed that by amplifying OASL in human cells, they were able to effectively inhibit viral replication. OASL is a nature protein in the body that defend against pathogens. “It was initially thought the [adaptive] immune system is all we have to protect against invasion – the one that makes antibodies and cells that can essentially destroy infected cells,” lead author Saumendra Sarkar, assistant professor of microbiology and molecular genetics at UPCI, told FoxNews.com. “But what was missing for a while is that every cell has an intrinsic ability to detect some of these invasions by pathogens… and then [they] can mount a cellular resistance.” OASL plays an important role in a process known as RNA sensing.  Hepatitis C, influenza, the childhood respiratory illness RSV, and many other viruse...

The word allergy is derived from the Greek words "allos" meaning ‘other than’ and "ergon" meaning ‘reaction’. Allergies occur because of an overreaction of the immune system to a foreign substance.  Millions of  people suffer from indoor/outdoor allergies that result in coughing, sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. If you suffer from allergies try some of these natural solutions to get yourself back into balance and help you lessen allergic reactions. Our immune system is usually a well-trained biological warfare unit for the body. The immune system is able to identify and destroy many foreign invaders, as well as cells that are infected with viruses. The immune system sometimes overreacts to allergen which results in a hypersensitive immune system. When this happens the immune system misidentifies a harmless substance as harmful, and then attacks the substance with ferocity far greater than required ...