The Lazy Man’s Way to Reduce Bad Cholesterol

I’m happy to introduce my guest writer for today’s post, Deborah H. Land of Cholesterol Reduction Diet Site. Deborah’s site helps raise awareness on healthy eating habits to support those living with high cholesterol. Please visit her site for more information. Enjoy the post!

a. The Myth of Good and Bad Cholesterol

There are actually two types of cholesterol, which is not a known fact for people who misconstrue it as something bad. HDL is the name of the good cholesterol, while the bad one is called LDL. A bloodstream with too much LDL will result in plaques in the arteries. Over time, blood will have a difficult time travelling your arteries because the opening becomes narrow thanks to the amount of bad cholesterol in it. Dietary cholesterol is not the culprit for your having high cholesterol in the blood. Rather, it is copious amounts of saturated fat along with Tran’s fat that is to blame for the tightening of the artery. To keep your cholesterol on the low level, you should eat plenty of unsaturated fats and fibrous foods, as well as exercise often.
b. Cholesterol Numbers and What They Mean

On an average, adults will usually need to have cholesterol checks every five years. Each time you get a cholesterol check it will yield four results – total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and Triglycerides. You will probably need more exercise and dietary change if you go above or below the healthy levels.

Total Cholesterol – less than 200 mg/dL (5.2 mmol/L)
LDL Cholesterol – less than 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L)
HDL Cholesterol – greater than 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L)
Triglycerides – less than 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L)

c. Can Vitamin E Protect Your Heart?

Vegetable oils, nuts and leafy vegetables are good sources of Vitamin E. Vitamin E is not proven to stop you from getting a stroke, but it can lessen your heart disease risk level.

d. Five Great Foods to Lower Your Cholesterol

1. Oatmeal and Oat Bran: These contain a high amount of soluble fiber, which can lower LDL.

2. Fish: Fish is a great source of omega 3 fatty acids, which lowers LDL and raises HDL.

3. Nuts: Not only are nuts high in fiber, but they contain the healthy fats you need to keep LDL in check.

4. Plant Sterols: This is found in foods like margarine, salad dressing, orange juice, and functional cookies. 2 grams per day will lower your LDL by 10-15%.

5. Soy: This popular meat replacement can lower LDL by up to 3%.
e. Plant Sterols and its Healthy Benefits

Foods such as VitaTops Muffin Tops, Benecol Spread, granola bars and fat free milk are rich sources of plant sterols. You can easily help your heart when you start eating foods packed with plant sterols and avoid eating foods that contain saturated fats. A saturated fat-filled diet is not canceled out by this. Exercising often as well as eating healthy food will keep your cholesterol in check.

About the Writer – Deborah H. Land writes for cholesterol reduction diet site, her personal hobby blog she uses to help people lower bad cholesterol levels.

Today is April 25th, Reversing Diabetes Action Day

The diabetes epidemic is out of control! Over 246 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes or pre-diabetes! Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the Untied States alone. Every year the number of people diagnosed with diabetes continues to increase, and the age of these people inflicted are getting younger and younger. It is no longer an adult disease – children as young as 5 and 6 are suffering from this disease. This epidemic truly is out of control! “And do you know what the saddest part about it is? Most diabetes, if not all, can be reversed naturally. That’s right – diabetes is reversible!

Today April 25th, which marks the second annual Reversing Diabetes Action Day. The start of a week where health experts come together to spread accurate and effective information on how to reverse diabetes.

In honor of this day the team behind the film “Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days” is giving away their film for an amazing 50% OFF the regular price.

If you haven’t yet seen this film, which features the actor Woody Harrelson, peak performance coach Tony Robbins, Rev. Michael Beckwith from “The Secret,” Morgan Spurlock from “Super Size Me,” Dr. Gabriel Cousens and David Wolfe, then I highly recommend you see the trailer on the page
below and pick up a copy today.

You can see the trailer and read about what the Simply
Raw team is doing here:

Documentary Trailer: Raw for 30 Days

Whether you’re in perfect health or suffering with diabetes or any other health issue I highly recommend you watch this film.  It’s a powerful, emotional and educational film that is a must see for anyone who cares about their health.

Along with offering “Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days” for 50% OFF they’re also offering the companion “Raw for Life” 2 disc DVD set for 50% OFF the regular price!

It’s all being done in an effort to raise awareness on how to reverse diabetes and other illnesses with raw and living foods.

When you pick up a copy today you’ll also get a laundry list of amazing bonuses.  So take a minute to watch the trailer for this amazing film by visiting the site below.

Documentary Trailer: Raw for 30 Days

And remember, diabetes is a pandemic situation with over 246 million people suffering worldwide.  If you or anyone you know is dealing with diabetes make sure that they watch this film.  It just may save their life…

To your health!

Peace! =)

Debbie Marsh

P.S. – The 50% OFF is a ridiculously low price for the film. With the bonuses they’ve added on it’s almost a no brainer. It shows how passionate they are about getting this information out to the public.  Make sure to check it out:
Documentary Trailer: Raw for 30 Days

Raw Honey – Super Food Gold!

Honey is one of the oldest and most superior super foods on the planet. The benefits of honey go back thousands of years. Honey has been referred to as “gold” just for its medicinal properties alone. Honey was the sweetener of choices for hundreds of years until the introduction of refined sugar and sugar cane. However, honey is making a big comeback – and it’s a good thing!

Honey boosts the immune system. Raw honey contains an abundance of disease-fighting antioxidants that provide a natural defense against cell damage. It is the perfect source for healing during the cold and flu season.

Honey aids the stomach and digestion, and does not ferment in the stomach. Since it is considered an inverted sugar, it is easily absorbed, preventing any bacterial invasion from occurring. Raw honey helps anemia, and the malnourished. It is easily absorbed, and enhances appetite. Honey-based diets and reduce weight gain, as well as the percentage of body fat. It improves HDL cholesterol, and improves blood sugar levels, making it the perfect, natural, sugar replacement source. Honey can also aid with overall brain health, decreasing anxiety, and improving memory.

Raw honey is a great source for increased energy, and a perfect food for athletes. Honey is the optimal source of carbohydrates for athletes to use, allowing for maximum performance levels.

Honey has a variety of other uses besides physical health and well-being. Honey is also used as an antiseptic, anti-fungal, and is a natural preservative. It can be used in lotions, soaps, mouth and teeth products, hair and scalp products, and a variety of medicines too. As a topical ointment, honey can heal skin wounds; heal skin burns, and other skin irritations.

The process in which honey is made is fascinating. It begins with bees eating from flowers, collecting the nectar in their mouths, and then carrying back to their hive. While in the bee’s mouth, the nectar mixes with certain enzymes found in the bee’s saliva, which is considered an alchemical process. This process is what turns the nectar into honey. When the bees return to the hive, the honey is then deposited into the cells of the hive’s walls. The honey’s moisture content is reduced from natural ventilation created by the fluttering of the bees’ wings.

Honey can be found in a variety of flavors, textures, and colors. The most commonly found varieties are honeys made from clover and lavender. The quality of honey is important. Most honeys are pasteurized, but raw honey is becoming more readily available. Only choose raw honey that has not been pasteurized, clarified, and if possible unfiltered. If the honey is filtered be sure that the process is of the highest quality and organic too.

My raw honey of choice is Honey Gardens Apitherapy Raw Honey – specifically Orange Blossom Apitherapy Raw Honey. It has perfect flavor and texture, and makes me feel great! Check out my product review here.

For all these reasons mentioned in this article, raw honey is definitely a SUPER FOOD, and one of the premium super foods at that! Here’s to honey!

Childhood Obesity – A Small Look at a Huge Problem! How to Stomp Out this Disease!!!

Okay, so lately I’ve been promoting Jamie Oliver’s efforts to help kids fight obesity. I truly believe in his Food Revolution campaign! I believe it can make a difference.

Well, tonight I was looking for more informative videos on food, health, and diet, and the effects it has on our children. In the process I discovered several videos that really put it into perspective.

The first video, “Surviving Abundance: Over Weight Kids in Crisis”, explores the pandemic problem of global childhood obesity and the multiple diseases that come with it, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cancer, and a list of other debilitating health problems that lead to early death! It’s astounding. Check it out here:

Another documentary to check out is “All Jacked Up: The Explosive Junk Food Documentary”. It’s about food addiction and teens. The Health Ranger, Mike Adams of Natural News is one of the featured presenters in the movie. It’s a great trailer. I’m going to have to get my hands on a copy to watch the whole thing. You will definitely get the jest of the message – we are killing our kids with processed sh**t!!!

Check out the trailer for yourself:

If you want more proof of how poorly our children are eating – and how poorly people of all ages are eating, just check out the movie Super Size Me. This movie puts fast food and obesity in to perspective. Here’s the full-length feature:

It’s truly disgusting what has happened to our society. Obviously it has been a growing problem since the industrial age began, and not one that was deliberately taken lightly by the general public. We have bought into the lies, to the concepts, and have been manipulated by mass marketing, the health industry, and so on. Do you really think people want to be fat and sick? Better yet, do you really think people want to make their children fat and sick? I think not! I do believe there is a lot of people in denial about the whole thing. But it’s time for change! If not, we will have no future. Our future is our children. What good can they serve if they’re lives are shorten, and the days they live are spent fighting debilitating diseases, and unforeseen health costs? No good at all!

Wake up people! It’s time for change! Let’s start with our children! Several things you can do today. One, change your family’s behavior at home as it relates to food and eating. Make better, healthier choices for them and yourself. Lead by example. Two, sign Jamie Oliver’s petition to fight childhood obesity by changing the lunch options in our public schools. Children need nutritious food to eat to grow strong, and have healthy brains, and lead successful lives. Get rid of the JUNK LUNCHES in the schools! Three, start your own community campaign to help make change as it relates to food and children. Perhaps start a MeetUp Group to exchange ideas to make change. Whatever the idea, do something! Make a difference in a child’s life – in your child’s life!

If you believe in the information I am sharing with you today, please share this post with others and spread the word!

Thank you, and peace!=)
-Debbie

P.S.
Other related videos to check out:

Food Inc.

Fast Food Nation

Food Matters

Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution – The Mission Cotinues…

Tonight I watched another episode of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution on Hulu.com. Once again I found myself with tears of joy and inspiration at the progress, determination, and passion that Jamie has to help this town of Huntington, West Va., and help them get healthy. It’s so wonderful to see the people within the town come together to fight for a joint cause and be counted.

I really believe in what Jamie is doing. I so agree that we need to spread this concept of healthy eating across this nation, and the globe. People need to stop eating processed junk, and stop feeding their children and pets processed junk. We are poisoning ourselves, and destroying the future of our species. We are not all perfect, but it’s time to take a good look around us and realize we have a serious epidemic on our hands. Obesity is all around us. Being chunky is the new “slim”, and being underweight and malnourished is no better. Instead of consuming the mass quantities of sugary “non-convenient” convenience foods, it’s time to start eating nature’s fast foods – fresh vegetables, fruits, greens, grains, nuts and seeds, and water.

We are addicted, but we can recover. It’s time for some serious rehabilitation! We need to start with ourselves, and our children. A great way to do this is to change the standards of what are children are being fed in schools, and at home. Please support Jamie Oliver’s cause. Watch this episodes, and sign the petition. Start your own food revolution in your community. Visit Jamie’s sight for more information.

Thank you! To your health!

Peace!=)

Here’s the link to watch episode 4. Enjoy.

Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution

I can’t even begin to tell you how moved I am by what Jamie Oliver has commissioned himself to do, and how he has taken action, gotten the support of the network, and the town of Huntington, West VA to make a difference! He is truly about putting the health of our children first – we all should!

I’m not saying that you have to be a raw food purest. I’m saying that the first step – the most important step, is to get back to food basics. Real fresh, whole foods – not processed crap! Real food!!! From that point you can grow from there. I choose a high raw food diet, because I have experienced for myself how truly beneficial it has been for me and others in so many ways. Even my son has definitely changed the way he eats. He too, mostly eats a high vegan/vegetarian diet of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and grains. It has made a world of difference in his health as well.

If you haven’t already, take the time to watch Jamie’s show. I have included a link to this third episode in this post for your to view. View here. Let me tell you, it is passionate – it brought tears of joy to my eyes. Please show your support and share his vision with others. Peace!=)

[hulu:http://www.hulu.com/embed/pAXFLZI7Us6OjT_1XE-1PQ%5D

Maple Syrup Is Your Tasty Food That Can Fight Cancer and Diabetes

Today’s post is provided by my very first “guest writer”, Sandy Harris of Diabetic Snacks Blog. Sandy is very passionate about managing and preventing Diabetes. Like me, Sandy agrees that diet plays a very important part in prevention of Diabetes and other debilitating chronic diseases.

I know that you will find her article of great benefit. I encourage you to visit her blog, and share it with others. Thank you!

Are you looking for a natural solution to reduce the risk of diabetes and slow down the growth of cancer cells? Your search is probably over because recent studies have shown that maple syrup holds the key to these problems.

US researchers have found that maple syrup has the ability to substantially decrease the risk of diabetes. The syrup also showed great potential in slowing down the growth of cancerous cells.

Maple syrup has thirteen active antioxidant substances. These antioxidants were previously unknown but were discovered only recently. Because of these antioxidants, researchers have firmed up that maple syrup has a great potential in fighting cancer growth, diabetes, and infections.

Food for Diabetic Sufferers

Researchers found out that maple syrup contains phytohormone and abscisic acid. This acid is the primary agent that serves as an effective defense against diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The acid releases insulin through the pancreatic cells and can enhance the increased sensitivity of the fat cells to insulin. These actions proved that claims that maple syrup is very effective in controlling diabetes.

The studies were brought before the American Chemical Society in San Francisco. The results were reviewed by experts and other researchers.

Maple Syrup as Your Best Chance against Cancer

A study punished in the Journal of Medicinal Food showed that maple syrup can significantly inhibit the growth of cancerous cells. This study was conducted by Quebec scholars. It seeks to prove the impact of maple syrup against cancer cells.

Based on the Quebec research, the growth of cancer cells can be inhibited by maple syrup. Specifically, the syrup is very effective against brain, prostate, and lung cancer. Unfortunately, maple syrup has minimal impact against breast cancer growth.

Your Tasty Alternative to Fight Cancer and Diabetes

Maple syrup can serve as your tasty alternative in fighting cancer and diabetes. There are many anti cancer foods today like blueberries, tomatoes, broccoli, and carrots. However, recent studies have shown that maple syrup is more effective against cancer compared to other anti cancer foods.

Laboratory testing results also show that the syrup is more potent compared to the maple sap. It is also ideal to use the pure dark syrup rather than the lighter syrup. Dark syrup has high color oxidation. This is the reason why darker maple syrup should be preferred. So if you want a better alternative to fight cancer and diabetes, then your favorite maple syrup is a good option.

Reference: Journal of medicinal food. 01/02/2010; ISSN: 1557-7600, OI: 10.1089/jmf.2009.0029

About the Author – Sandy Harris writes for the diabetic diet blog , her personal hobby blog focused on tips to prevent, cure and manage diabetes using healthy snacks and recipes.

Consuming Kids – The “Truth” in Advertising!

I love reading blogs and site posts using Google Reader. One of the sites I’ve been following lately is called Nutritionbase. Nutritionbase offers a variety of videos on the subject of health and nutrition, from remedies, factual data, to politics and religious views. There is so much to see and learn.

One of the videos I viewed this evening was on the subject of the multi-billion dollar marketing that targets kids to buy and consume everything from  junk food, video games, and anything else these corporate industry giants want our children to consume. The program or film that the video is an excerpt from is called, “Consuming Kids”. The story really shows the so-called “truth” in the advertising to our kids!

This particular video I am sharing with you is part 4 of 7. I think it’s incredible how we have become as a “mass consuming” society. Even I have been unknowingly guilty of allowing my own child to be sucked in to this “mass consumption” nightmare! Truth is, a large majority of us have been conditioned into falling for this behavior. I feel it has had a great impact on us economically, socially, mentally, spiritually, environmentally, and physically. No wonder we have so much imbalance in our society these days!

I can only say that the next step is to learn all that we can about what we need to work on to find the balance, and to pass this on to our children in hopes that as they grow they will discover their own balance as well. We need to take back control of our lives! Part of this is to reprogram our thinking on how we utilize “consumption”. We can start with what we allow our children and ourselves to be exposed to. Or, at least educate ourselves on how to better handle what we are observing, or rather “absorbing”!

Here’s the link to the site. Let me know what you think about all this.

Peace!=)

– Debbie

Simply Raw – A Powerful and Important “Must See” Movie!

Have you ever tried to convince your friends, family, and coworkers about the power of raw and living foods? Have you ever had some resistance? If you’re like me, I’m pretty sure the answer is YES to both questions.

There’s an unbelievable film that is EXTREMELY powerful in helping to motivate people about the importance of what they eat – and it’s important for you to see as well!

You can learn more about the film, and view the trailer here:

Raw for 30 Days

If you haven’t yet seen the film “Simply Raw” then now is the time to check it out. This independent documentary film is about six individuals with incurable diabetics changing their diet and getting off insulin – and reversing their diabetes through raw foods. It is amazing!

Whether you are a diabetic or not, this is still, a very important film to see. It will help you to do that “Convincing” with friends (and yourself) a lot easier.

The exciting thing about a movie like Simply Raw is that it’s a PASSIVE way of spreading powerful information. Like I said before, convincing your friends about raw food can be tough. But with “Simply Raw” you just have to convince them to watch the movie with you, or view it on their own, and let the movie inspire them into believers that raw foods are powerful body medicine! There’s additional wisdom is provided by Morgan Spurlock, Woody Harrelson, Anthony Robbins, Rev. Michael Beckwith, David Wolfe and Doctors Fred Bisci, Joel Fuhrman, and Gabriel Cousens. Plus, there are hours of more footage with the companion film, “Raw for Life Encyclopedia”

Check it out. This is a must have for everybody who cares about their health and the health of the planet:

Raw for 30 Days

To your health!

Debbie

Coconut Oil Promotes Weight Loss

Learn the facts about Coconut Oil and Weight Loss

MYTH: The saturated fat in coconut oil is bad for you

FACT: Surprisingly enough coconut oil, although being a saturated fat can actually make you lose weight.

This is due directly to the to the short and Medium-Chain Fatty Acids (also here referred as MCT*) that coconut oil is rich in.

Dr. Bruce Fife, N.D. makes a reference to a recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition in which researchers reviewed all the published studies to date on *Medium-Chain Triglycerides – MCT (also known as *Medium-Chain Fatty Acids) and weight management. Dr Fife, wrote that such studies demonstrated that diets containing MCT resulted in an “increase in energy, a rise in metabolism, increase burning of calories, decrease in food consumption, lower body fat mass, and reduce body weight. Because of these effects, the authors of this study recommend using oils containing MCT, such as coconut oil, as a means to lose excess body fat, control weight, and even treat obesity.”.

Coconut oil also contains fewer calories than other oils; it’s easier to digest and helps prevent bacterial, viral and fungal infections (including yeast). It will keep your skin soft and smooth, will act as a protective antioxidant, and is more nutritious than other oils. Above all, it will increase your body’s metabolism making it possible to burn more energy and consequently help you in losing weight. Its MCT’s get processed directly in the liver converting this fat into immediately available energy and also improving the absorption of other nutrients.

So what is the real difference between fats contained in coconut oil and other types of fats? Most fats in our diets are made of molecules known as Long-Chain Triglycerides (LCT). These are larger in size than the Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCT). This difference between fats is of great significance because our bodies process these fats differently. While our bodies transform into readily available energy the MCT’s contained in coconut oil, when it comes to the Long-Chain Triglycerides (LCT), types of fats that are present in lard, soy, corn, canola oil, etc., it will keep it stored as fat, because our bodies can not break them down. So, even though coconut oil is made up of around 85% of saturated fat, this fat is constituted of Medium-Chain Fatty Acids, which means that your body uses them as energy and will not be stored in your body.

What makes coconut oil so special is that one of its main MCT’s is Lauric Acid, this MCT is considered as being of major importance. Lauric acid is also found in breast milk, and infants convert it into monolarin, which protects them from infections. So we might say that, the next best thing to mother’s milk is coconut oil. Lauric Acid is especially beneficial for its anti-viral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and capable of destroying lipid-coated viruses, such as herpes and influenza. The Lauric acid present in coconut oil has a long shelf life, is nontoxic and safe to handle.

Coconuts and Cocopura’s oil! How to choose the best oil:
Our coconut oil is extra special because of its patented extraction method. Cocopura® oil is produced by a method called ‘Direct Micro Expelling’ (DME). The results are amazing! A full flavor oil with an extraordinary scent and of a remarkable superior quality. The ‘Direct Micro Expelling’ method simply means that our coconut oil is quickly produced within an hour of opening the nut! Making it a super efficient method, using Micro, i.e. smaller production scales, meaning that we use family sized farms with an efficient extraction method that produces an oil of superior quality.

*MCT’s = Medium-Chain Triglycerides = MCFA’s = Medium-Chain Fatty Acids.