The Cholesterol Blog
What is the Keto Diet? So you have been searching for information on the keto diet, let’s go over what the keto diet is, the benefits, and some keto foods. We’re an affiliate We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Thank you if you use our links, we really appreciate it! Introduction: A ketogenic diet (or simply known as the keto diet) is characterized by very low carbohydrates, moderate-to-high protein, and high fats consumption for medium to long periods in order to burn excessive body fat (and to achieve certain other claimed health benefits). Including a high-fat diet to burn body fat may come as a surprise to some; however, the keto diet is known to provide efficient results. The idea behind the keto diet is fairly simple. When indulged in the keto diet, your body starts producing molecules known as “ketones,” and the body is said to have achieved the state of ketosis. Normally, 50-60% of an average person’s diet consists of carbohydrates, and the sugar included in these carbohydrates is used for the fuel source. On the other hand, however, body fat is used as the major source of fuel during the state of ketosis. It ultimately leads to fat loss. Keto diet is an effective weight-loss tool, but it may not be easy for two main reasons. Firstly, you may experience the keto fever during the early few days of keto diet since your body fuel is being shifted from sugars to fats. This fever goes away within a few days. Secondly, finding the right food sources for the keto diet may not be difficult since the majority of our regular food sources contain carbohydrates. For this purpose, the following list may be helpful for you: Keto Foods: Vegetables: One of the best food sources during keto diet could be to eat raw or steamed vegetables since a majority of this food source is very low on carbohydrates. Some of the vegetables that you may look to consume are cabbage, kale, lettuce, cauliflower, avocados, spinach, and olives. Meat and Poultry: Nearly all meat and poultry sources are loaded with protein but negligible carbohydrates. So, you may look to consume around 150 grams of grilled or lightly cooked meat or chicken every day. Oil: All oil sources have zero carbohydrates. While all oil sources are not healthy, you may look to consume coconut and olive oil due to several additional health benefits these sources may have to provide. Nuts: Nuts such as peanuts, walnuts, cashew, and pistachios, among several others, are an amazing source of healthy fats. Some nuts also have some protein but very less carbohydrates, making it a must-have keto food. Unsweetened Tea and Coffee: Let’s be honest! Leaving tea and coffee is a big ask, even though we all know these drinks are loaded with carbohydrates (sugar). The easiest way to strike a balance is to develop a habit of drinking unsweetened coffee and tea. Benefits of the Keto Diet: Weight loss is an obvious benefit of keto, and it has been proven numerous times. Apart from weight-loss, however, keto may also provide the following additional benefits: Reduces the risk of various kinds of cancers. Improves health of the heart and its functioning. Low-carb diet helps reduce seizures. Helps in managing diabetes. Improves functioning of the brain. Better clarity of mind. Helps fight acne, and improves skin. Increases “good” Cholesterol and decreases “bad” Cholesterol. Helps manage blood pressure. Helps in managing various brain disorders. The Essential Keto Diet Book for Beginners: Lose Weight with Easy and Tasty Recipes incl. 30 Days Weight Loss ChallengePaperback – 1 July 2020 by TLC Cholesterol November 20, 2020 Love Cooking – Let’s Get Keto Cooking!
Read MoreWhat Are Statins and What Do They Do Statins are a group of medications that help lower the level of excessive cholesterol in the body. This article is all about how they work, and the potential side effects. Let’s talk about them in detail. So basically, what are statins? Statins is the name given to a group of prescription medicines that reduce the cholesterol levels in the human body. If your lipid profile indicates the cholesterol level in your body to be high, your doctor might prescribe you statins to lower the cholesterol levels to prevent the risk of heart attack and stroke. How do they work? Statins help lower the cholesterol levels of the body via two-fold action. They block the action of the enzyme which helps in cholesterol synthesis, thereby hindering the production of new cholesterol. They help resorb the pre-existing excessive cholesterol in the body. Who needs to take them? Statins are usually prescribed to people with Hypercholesterolemia (excessive blood cholesterol levels) High risk of blood vessel diseases like heart attack and stroke Do statins need to be taken lifelong? Unfortunately, statins therapy goes a long way. Even if you don’t take statins lifelong, you need to take them for quite a long duration for the medication to effectively bring down the cholesterol levels. However, it is possible to come off statins therapy if you manage to lower the cholesterol levels with regular statins use and low-fat diet. Do statins have any side effects? Statins are usually well-tolerated by people. However, long term use of statins is associated with certain side effects including Headache Dizziness Nausea Diarrhea or constipation Body aches Muscle and joint pain The rather sinister side effects associated with statins include Low platelet counts Increased risk/worsening of type 2 diabetes Muscle cell damage Kidney damage Liver damage Memory disturbances Drug interactions How to take statins? Statins are usually prescribed to be taken at night time since cholesterol production is the highest at night. Depending on dose and the type of medication, statins are usually prescribed to be taken after meals before going to bed. However, certain statins are best taken at morning. If deemed necessary by the physician, statins may be prescribed for twice daily use. References https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/statins/ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statins/art-20045772
Read MoreHome Workouts for Fat Loss – let’s get moving! 3 Fail-Safe Home Workouts for Quick Fat Loss Along with diet, exercise still remains one of the proven methods for keeping your cholesterol levels in check for ideal body weight. Ever since the pandemic hit the world, at-home workouts have become popular. This article is all about what kind of home-workouts can help you lose all that stubborn fat but before we go any further, here’s a pro tip: consistency is the key when it comes to exercise. We’re an affiliate We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Thank you if you use our links, we really appreciate it! What Kind of Workouts Work Best for Weight Loss? Science says that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is superior to moderate-intensity continuous exercise in order to promote fat loss1. High-intensity interval training refers to short, high-intensity workout intervals alternating with periods of rest and low activity. This kind of workout routine not only helps burn more calories than a continuous workout but also increases endurance. The trick of HIIT is to pick any sort of cardio exercise of your choice like cycling and choose a fixed time period like 15-20 minutes as per your tolerance. Start with low-level activity, move to full intensity activity for the stipulated period and gradually slow down back to low-level activity. Here are some HIIT workout routines that you can follow at home. Running Start with a slight trot; break into a jog; run at full intensity for 15-20 minutes; slow back down bit by bit; and come back to a walk. You can run around the block or at a treadmill, whichever is more convenient for you. 6 step HIIT routine for cholesterol health You can time this routine according to your endurance level or according to the number of times you do each of the steps. Start by jogging in one place. With your feet slightly apart, start reverse lunges on alternate sides. Move on to squats, tapping each hand on the floor In between the squats. On all fours, tap each of your hands to the foot of opposite side. The next step is skaters. While balancing on your left leg, jump to the left. Repeat the same step to the right. The last step is the forearm planks. Balance on forearms placed parallel to each other for a fixed time period. Squat thrusts After warm-up, repeat the following routine for 10-20 minutes with short periods of rest in0between. Drop from standing position into a squat with both palms flat on the floor. Kick back into a plank position. Kick forwards back into a squat. Go back into standing position. Repeat. References Abbasi J. For Fat Burning, Interval Training Beats Continuous Exercise. Jama. 2019 Jun 11;321(22):2151-2.
Read MoreImprove Cholesterol Levels with theses 4 Lifestyle Changes That Will Improve Your Cholesterol Levels Cholesterol is a fatty substance made in the liver and is essential for many bodily functions such as cell membrane formation, hormone production, and food digestion. It is also present in animal products like meat, eggs, and dairy products. High levels of cholesterol are harmful to your body. There are two types of cholesterol, LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein). LDL is also known as the “bad cholesterol, “while HDL is also referred to as “good cholesterol.” An unhealthy lifestyle is one of the leading causes of high cholesterol in our bodies. Amazingly, there are no symptoms of high cholesterol in the body, but it can increase the risk of heart diseases, heart attack, and stroke. You can naturally lower your cholesterol level by observing a healthy lifestyle. Read on to discover. Observing Your Diet You are what you eat, and a few adjustments to your diet can reduce cholesterol in your body. Saturated fats and Trans fats raise the overall cholesterol level in the body. Saturated fats are mainly found in red meat and full-fat dairy products while Trans fats are used in margarine, vegetable shortening, partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, and fried foods. Reducing the consumption of these fats will help you reduce the LDL cholesterol in your body. Increasing foods rich in soluble fiber such as oatmeal, kidney beans, lentils, citrus fruits, and apples in your diet helps to reduce cholesterol in your body since it reduces its absorption in the bloodstream. Other heart-healthy foods include Omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, mackerel, herrings, and walnuts. Exercising and Increasing Your Physical Activity Studies show that the right kind of workouts, done regularly can raise the good cholesterol in your bloodstream. It also lowers dangerous triglycerides levels. You can incorporate regular exercise in your day to day life by walking, jogging, or cycling. Few studies also show that exercise can aid the transport of cholesterol from the bloodstream to the liver, where it is finally excreted. But, people with heart conditions should seek medical advice before engaging in intense physical activity. Losing weight Being overweight is a risk factor for heart diseases. Shedding excess weight even as little as 5% of your body weight can significantly improve your cholesterol levels. It helps to lower your LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglyceride levels and can also help to raise your HDL (good cholesterol). Quitting the Smoking Habit Smoking damages your arteries and blood vessels, which can make them more prone to clogging by excess cholesterol. A combination of high cholesterol and smoking sets a stage for stroke and heart attack. Although there is no conclusive research that shows how smoking alters the levels of LDL, it worsens its effects on the body. It also creates an environment that leads to the breakdown of LDL into a state that is more toxic to the blood vessels. Besides, Acrolein, a toxic substance present in the gas phase of cigarettes and tobacco smoke, interferes with the functionality of HDL by attacking the protein. This hindrance leads to more fat accumulating in the bloodstream and other parts of the body. Experts estimate that smokers have a higher chance (2 to 4 times) of developing heart diseases than non-smokers. Did these tips help to Improve Cholesterol Levels for you? Let us know on our Facebook Page!
Read MoreQuarantine Cholesterol Slowing You Down? Here’s What You Need To Do Getting tired of seeing your flabby belly getting even flabbier ever since the pandemic has forced you to be constrained at home? Read on for 3 most effective strategies to get rid of all that bad cholesterol to get back into shape (and leave everyone wondering how). Diet, diet, and diet It goes without saying that your diet is the single most important factor that determines your body type. Junk diet (like fried stuff, fizzy drinks etc) high in fat and cholesterol can lead to accumulation of excessive fat within the body. Obesity is the inevitable result. You need to watch every single morsel that goes into your mouth. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to shun all fats. You need healthy fats (like HDL cholesterol) in right amounts balanced with the right amounts of carbs and proteins for a healthy body. Making a diet plan (and sticking to it, no matter what) can go a long way in losing all those extra pounds. Exercise away Utilize all that free time on your hand to get your body back into shape. You don’t need any sophisticated equipment to workout at home. Sign up for online workout classes to get you going. Aerobic exercises specifically designed to target the areas of fat accumulation (belly, buttocks, thighs etc) can help tone your body by melting away those layers of fat and increasing the lean muscle mass. The key is persistence-don’t stop even if you feel like giving up. That reward of a perfect, fat-less body is too good to give up on. Where there is a will, there’s a way Most importantly, persist. If you believe it, you can do it. Believe in yourself that you are capable of getting into a great shape. This decision should not stem from the desire to impress others but in an effort to adopt a healthy and disease-free lifestyle as obesity only paves way for cardiovascular disease. Don’t reach for that cheeseburger even if your mind whispers it’s just one cheat meal or stop exercising just because it won’t matter if you don’t do it one single day. A sound mind in a sound body is possible only when you adopt a pro-active approach towards a positive lifestyle through sheer hard work and dedication. Is Quarantine Cholesterol slowing you down? Leave a comment on our Facebook Page!
Read MoreIf you wish to lower your cholesterol levels, following a perfect diet may be able to help you a lot. It has actually been known for a long period of time now that the food an individual is or consumes accustomed to eating daily can have a direct relation in the body’s cholesterol levels. And it is essential for individuals to decrease their cholesterol levels because cholesterol has actually been related to the development of coronary heart problem. The greater the level of blood cholesterol levels in a private, the more likely it is that he will be establishing cardiovascular disease later on. Aside from that high cholesterol levels can likewise put a person at danger of experiencing a stroke or a heart attack. Aside from using drugs to lower cholesterol levels, following a low cholesterol diet plan is the next finest thing to keep your cholesterol levels down. Consuming more veggies, soy items and other low cholesterol foods can be just as effective at reducing blood cholesterol as medication. A research study has been able to reveal that a vegetarian diet plan can decrease cholesterol by as much as one-third in just a month. The best cholesterol-lowering diet that you can follow typically consists of a hearty serving of veggies such as broccoli and red peppers. Soymilk and soy sausages, oat bran cereal and bread along with plenty of fruits and nuts make up a total low cholesterol diet. Soy protein, nuts, and fiber rich food such as oats and barley can successfully cut cholesterol levels by up to 7 percent. A low cholesterol diet plan likewise needs you to minimize your intake of hydrogenated fat by seven percent and other fat compounds by 25-35 percent. It has actually been found that the best diet plan for preventing coronary cardiovascular disease consists of taking in non-hydrogenated (unprocessed) fats instead of the hydrogenated variety. Increased intake of omega-3 fats from fish, fish oil or plant sources such as flaxseeds is the recommended fat consumption in a low cholesterol diet. With a low cholesterol diet, one must also limit day-to-day sodium intake somewhere in the level of 2400 milligrams daily. A normal day on the low cholesterol diet would consist of a hearty breakfast of soymilk, oat bran cereal with sliced fruit and almonds, oatmeal bread, vegetable-based margarine and jam. A typical low cholesterol lunch would consist of soy cold cuts, oat bran bread, bean soup and a dessert of fruit. For dinner, stir-fry veggies, tofu, fruit and almonds would be the typical low cholesterol diet plan fare. Following this kind of low cholesterol diet consistently for extended periods, it is possible for one’s cholesterol level to stop by as much as 29 percent in simply a month. Aside from using drugs to lower cholesterol levels, following a low cholesterol diet is the next best thing to keep your cholesterol levels down. Consuming more vegetables, soy items and other low cholesterol foods can be simply as reliable at minimizing blood cholesterol as medication. Following this type of low cholesterol diet religiously for long periods, it is possible for one’s cholesterol level to drop by as much as 29 percent in simply a month.
Read MoreMedicine and High Blood Pressure are interdependent. The sort of medicine to be taken for High Blood Pressure is not a single path to be followed. The dosage and the type of medicine to be taken depend on the level of High Blood Pressure that a client is suffering from. Initially, the medicine for patients with just a small rise above the typical high blood pressure level is Diuretics. These High Blood Pressure Medicines work on the kidneys and eliminate excess water and sodium from the body. In the next greater phase, the High Blood Pressure Medicine includes beta blockers. This medicine for High Blood Pressure reduces nerve impulses to the heart and blood vessels. This High Blood Pressure Medicine is known as Beta Blocker since of its functions. If there is a narrowing of blood vessels, then the choice of High Blood Pressure Medicine is an Angio Tensin Converting Enzyme. These High Blood Pressure Medicines shield blood vessels from making angiotensin and broaden blood vessels to consequently lower blood pressure. In the next category of High Blood Pressure Medicine, there are the Calcium Channel Blockers. This allows the blood to pass without constraints through the blood vessels and thus assists the blood pressure to go down. The beta blockers used for high blood pressure medicine likewise slow down the heart beat. In yet another category of medicine for hypertension, there are the Nervous System Inhibitors. They hinder heart and relax capillary by managing nerve impulses. Doctors also use Vasodilators as High Blood Pressure Medicication in the last. These medications for High Blood Pressure directly open capillary and enable the high blood pressure to be lowered. Integrating this medication and High Blood Pressure with the right way of life can be extremely practical. If there is a narrowing of blood vessels, then the option of High Blood Pressure Medicine is an Angio Tensin Converting Enzyme. These High Blood Pressure Medicines guard blood vessels from making angiotensin and expand blood vessels to subsequently lower blood pressure. This allows the blood to pass without constraints through the blood vessels and therefore assists the blood pressure to go down. These medicines for High Blood Pressure straight open blood vessels and enable the blood pressure to be lowered.
Read MoreConsidering that times immemorial, Acupuncture is a distinct treatment for reducing hypertension in humans. Hypertension refers to a circumstance where blood begins putting in pressure versus the walls of arteries, veins and also the chambers of the heart. Over a defined period, this heavy rush of blood begins harming the lining of the capillary. It can likewise cause arteriosclerosis, implying hardening of the arteries. Signs of hypertension The diagnosis of high blood pressure is done when the normal pressure tends to consistently increase. The other physical symptoms of high blood pressure includes continuous tendency to urinate, decrease in eye vision and muscle weakness. Electro-acupuncture treatments Acupuncture combined with electric stimulation or electro-acupuncture can reduce elevations of blood pressure in human beings. While high frequency of stimulation had no result, low frequencies of electro stimulation decreased blood pressure successfully. A comprehensive research on acupuncture reveals that the inserted needles thrills brain cells, triggering them to launch neurotransmitters that always increase the heart’s activities. To cure high blood pressure, acupuncture inserts needles on certain points on the wrist, forearm or leg, to excite the opioid chemicals in the brain and lower excitatory reactions of the cardiovascular systems. This ultimate reduction in heart activity and require for oxygen can lower blood pressure to an excellent extent. It also promotes in the recovery of other heart-related conditions like myocardial anemia and high blood pressures. Other acupuncture treatments to minimize high blood pressure While you are going through acupuncture treatments for curing hypertension, you can also utilize herbs like Tian Ma [Gastrodia Rhizome], Xia Ku Cao [Prunella] and Shan Zha to reduce high blood pressure. You must inject the juices of these herbs into your blood to attain much better outcomes. A distinct and natural acupuncture treatment for high blood pressure also include pushing of the skin on the back of your hand in between the thumb and forefinger. Because times immemorial, Acupuncture is a distinct treatment for decreasing high blood pressure in human beings. High blood pressure refers to a circumstance where blood begins applying pressure versus the walls of arteries, veins and also the chambers of the heart. Over a specified time duration, this heavy rush of blood starts damaging the lining of the blood vessels. The diagnosis of high blood pressure is done when the typical pressure tends to repeatedly rise. To cure high blood pressure, acupuncture inserts needles on specific points on the lower arm, leg or wrist, to delight the opioid chemicals in the brain and decrease excitatory responses of the cardiovascular systems.
Read MoreIf you didn’t know by now, yoga asanas can assist you in the treatment of hypertension, and assist you lower blood pressure. Yoga asanas make steady your high blood pressure, so lower high blood pressure when it’s abnormaly high. Asanas have beneficial results on the nervous system. By practicing particular yoga asanas you can not only lower your blood pressure, but also decrease the impacts of hypertension on the other organs of the body. There are a couple of categories of asanas which are recommended to lower high blood pressure: forward flexes, sitting, supine and inversions group. Forward bends have the very best impacts on high blood pressure, so they can assist you the most to decrease your high blood pressure. These workouts have a soothing effect on the brain, the blood circulation to the brain is stabilized, and they assist you decrease the stress from the sense organs, things that lower blood pressure. So, the brain, the supportive nervous system and the sense organs are unwinded, the heart output and the pulse rate slow down at the very same time, and blood pressure supports, so it lowers blood pressure when it’s high. Other asanas which have beneficial impacts on the nervous system and help you lower high blood pressure are Uttanasana and Adhomukha Svanasana, which have to be practiced with the head resting on props, so the blood distributes more freely into the aortic arch. These assist you lower high blood pressure. Baddhakonasana and Virasana are a few of the sitting asanas which can be practiced in order to get a lower blood pressure by the hypertensives, which most of the times are tough breathing. These presents eliminate the stress from the ribs and the intercostal muscles, so they help you to breathe without any difficulty, and lower blood pressure. Other poses which help you lower blood pressure are the supine poses, like Supta Baddhakonasana which, by relaxing the abdominal region, therefore the entire body, bring calm on the nerves. Inversions asanasas such as Viparita Karanti and Halasana renew the nerves, guarantee the control over the lungs and diaphragm, so if you practice these exercises constantly, you will get a lower blood pressure. There are likewise helpful the Svanasana and pranayama, which offer the control over the automated nervous system. As the senses and the mind are cooling, the blood pressure supports, and in case of high blood pressure it results in a lower high blood pressure. If you didn’t understand by now, yoga asanas can help you in the treatment of high blood pressure, and assist you lower blood pressure. Yoga asanas make steady your blood pressure, so lower blood pressure when it’s abnormaly high. Forward bends have the best results on high blood pressure, so they can assist you the most to lower your blood pressure.
Read MoreCholesterol is a material that exists in the body, and also is both great and negative for us. High levels of cholesterol, specifically LDL or bad cholesterol can put you at an increased danger for heart problem as well as strokes. Similarly, low degrees of HDL or good cholesterol, can additionally boost your danger significantly. Yet what are low and high levels of cholesterol? Here’s a sight of suitable cholesterol analyses. Total Cholesterol According to the overall cholesterol in your body, you might have normal levels or raised degrees of cholesterol. Under 200mg/DL: This is the most desirable degree of cholesterol to have. If you have cholesterol lower than 200 milligrams per deciliter of blood, after that you are taken into consideration to have the optimum and also normal levels of cholesterol. Between 200 and 239mg/DL: People within this variety of total body cholesterol fall into the category of borderline high threat for getting cardiovascular disease or stroke. 240mg/DL and also over: If your overall body cholesterol is 240mg/DL or more, after that you are at very high threat for contracting heart conditions. Regular Degrees Of HDL CholesterolThe regular degrees of HDL cholesterol are 50-60 mg/DL for females, as well as 40-50mg/ DL for males. HDL is the excellent cholesterol, as well as levels less than 40mg/DL can raise your risk of heart problem. Typical Levels Of LDL Cholesterol Right here is a graph, which will reveal you the optimum, normal, as well as high degrees of LDL cholesterol. Levels Of LDL Cholesterol Diagnosis Listed below: 100mg/DL Optimum degrees In between 100 as well as 129mg/DL Typical levels Between 130 as well as 159mg/DL Borderline Threat Between 160 as well as 189mg/DL High Risk More Than 190mg/DL Very High Danger Note that these analyses are guidelines and are considered as part of your overall account when a doctor makes an analysis of your perfect cholesterol analyses. Some people may review high compared to others as well as yet be discovered to not be at danger. This is since cholesterol is likewise made normally by the body and some individuals might simply have higher levels than others. Nevertheless, by understanding the ideal cholesterol analysis varieties and also by making healthy way of life choices, you need to be able to achieve your own optimal cholesterol degrees, normally.
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