Sunday, February 20, 2011

Blood Cholesterol

Blood cholesterol plays an important part in deciding a person's chance or risk of getting coronary heart disease (CHD). The higher your blood cholesterol level, the greater your risk. That's why high blood cholesterol is called a risk factor for heart disease. Did you know that heart disease is the number one killer of men and of women in the United States? About a half million people die each year from heart attacks caused by CHD. Altogether 1.25 million heart attacks occur each year in the United States.

Even if your blood cholesterol level is close to the desirable range, you can lower it and reduce your risk of getting heart disease. Eating in a heart-healthy way, being physically active, and losing weight if you are overweight are things everyone can do to help lower their levels. This fact sheet will show you how. But first, a few things you ought to know...To be continue

How Much Can You Feed Your Sweet Tooth?

Sugars found naturally in fruits and milk are not a problem. Its the added sugars that need to be limited because they provide calories but few vitamins and minerals. You'll find sugar-laden food at the top of the Food Pyramid. Added sugars can be found in soft drinks, candy, jams, jellies, syrups and table sugar we add to coffee and cereal. Added sugar can also appear in sweetened yogurt, soups, spaghetti sauces, applesauce and other items where you wouldnt suspect it unless you check the list of ingredients.
Here are some guidelines for added sugar based on calories in the daily food choices:
1,600 calories - Limit sugar to 6 teaspoons per day or 22 grams per day
2,200 calories - Limit sugar to 12 teaspoons per day or 44 grams per day
2,800 calories - Limit sugar to 18 teaspoons per day or 66 grams per day
So if the food label on your sweetened yogurt says a one-cup serving contains 22 grams of sugar, and your meal plan has 1,600 calories a day, you've eaten your days allotment of sugar.

What Should we Do to Gain or Lose Weight?

We have probably heard it before, but its true. The best way to lose weight is to increase the amount of physical activity we get and reduce the fat and sugar in our food choices. Remember to eat at least the minimum number of servings from the five food groups shown in the Food Pyramid. If we choose fat and sugar rich foods and eliminate healthy foods, we wont be getting the nutrition you need. Try to choose from the lowest fat choices in the food groups.

If we need to gain weight, increase the amount of food we eat from all of the food groups. If we have lost weight unexpectedly, see our doctor.

The Food Guide Pyramid can be extremely useful - whether we want to gain weight, lose weight or maintain your weight. Eating a healthy diet is a little easier if we base our choices on the Food Pyramid.

Food Pyramid

Thursday, February 17, 2011

How to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risks

Cardiovascular disease risks are effected in over 81 thousand people in American. 425, 425 deaths have been linked to coronary heart disease. Cardiovascular diseases can be made up of high blood pressure, coronary disease, stroke, and health failure. 40 percent of deaths are due to heart diseases. Block blood vessels that go to your heart contribute to heart problems and cardiovascular diseases. A build up of fatty plaques in your arteries contribute to heart problems. Arteries carry blood from your heart. Those with high cholesterol tend to have hearth problems, or at higher risk.

To understand cardiovascular disease, you need to realize the things that contribute to heart problems. Stress, bad diet, hygiene, lack of exercise, and over all poor health will contribute to cardiovascular diseases. Especially as you get older, your heart tends to weaken as an organ. There are very easy and effective ways to reduce cardiovascular diseases. It's important that you take more of an effort to do so, because the risks are quite high. Poor health, diet, and lifestyle can contribute to heart problems.

Instructions

  1. Replace the fats you eat. A lot of the fats you eat can either contribute, or help reduce heart problems. The Mediterranean diet consists highly of monounsaturated fats, that can reduce cardiovascular diseases. It's one of the purposes, to focus more on the healthy fats that we should consume in our diet. You want to eliminate the saturated fats you eat. You'd like to get more polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats into your diet instead. Eating more fish oils can reduce your risk on cardiovascular disease as well. Lean meats, instead of high saturated fats. You should not eat a lot of red meats. Eat more vegetables, and fruits.
  2. Drink red wine moderately. A lot of the European culture tend to eat foods high in saturated fat, yet still have less cardiovascular diseases than Americans. Why? Well, they drink a high amount of red wine. Drinking 1-2 glasses of red wine a day can contribute to reducing heart diseases. The resveratrol found in red grape skins are anti-aging. They reduce cholesterol, promote good heart health. You can find resveratrol in white wines, but much higher in red wines.

    I would not recommended becoming an alcoholic, and drinking excessively. Drinking a high amount of alcohol is very bad for your cardiovascular health. You don't have to drink red wine, just to get the benefits of resveratrol. Red grapes and peanuts contain resveratrol in them. Taking resveratrol supplements contain a higher amount.
  3. Workout. Get into shape, because obesity is linked to cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure is one of the leading causes to poor heart health. You need to also watch your intake of sodium, which will lead to high blood pressure. Anyway, staying active and losing weight will help you reduce cardiovascular disease. Exercise can improve your mood and relieve stress. Too much stress can cause cardiovascular diseases.
  4. Use health supplements. You should consult with your doctor, if you're taking any medications. A lot of supplements can contribute to improved cardiovascular disease. Taking omega-3 fish oils contribute to improved heart health. You should drink more green tea, a powerful antioxidant drink that's used in the Asian culture.

Heart Problem Symptoms

The heart is susceptible to a number of problems that can negatively affect its health and function. Typically, heart problems cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from mild to life-threatening. Recognizing the symptoms of a heart problem can help speed diagnosis and treatment, thus preventing severe complications.

    Chest Pain

  1. Chest pain is a common symptom of many types of heart problems and can be present either as a dull, generalized pain or as a sharp, piercing pain. Generally, chest pain occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle becomes inadequate. This can be caused by a number of heart problems that affect coronary blood flow, including coronary artery disease and heart valve defects. A lack of coronary blood flow stresses the heart and irritates its tissues, causing pain.

    Shortness of Breath

  2. Along with chest pain, shortness of breath is a common symptom of a heart problem. Shortness of breath typically occurs when the heart muscle becomes deprived of adequate blood flow. When this happens, heart muscle function (including pumping ability) becomes compromised, and the heart labors and strains to meet the demands placed on it by the body. This typically causes shortness of breath as well as extreme fatigue and lethargy.

    Dizziness

  3. A weak or damaged heart muscle can lose its ability to properly circulate blood throughout the body. If the brain becomes deprived of adequate blood flow, dizziness, and in some cases, fainting, can occur. Dizziness can often be a symptom of an underlying heart problem, especially heart problems that cause reduced blood flow, such as ventricular disease and coronary artery disease..

    Arrythmia

  4. Certain types of heart problems can affect the heart's electrical system and cause abnormal heartbeat patterns. An arrythmia, which is a fast, chaotic heart beat, is a common symptom of an underlying heart problem. Generally, an arrythmia occurs as the result of abnormal and excessive electrical conduction within the heart. Conditions, such as cardiomyopathy (heart muscle thickening) and left ventricular disease, are common causes of a heart arrythmia.

    Heart Attack

  5. A heart attack occurs when blood flow through one of the heart's coronary arteries becomes obstructed, cutting off oxygen flow to a portion of the heart muscle. This typically happens when a blood clot lodges in a coronary artery that is partially obstructed by arteriosclerotic plaque, or coronary blockage. A heart attack is a major symptom of an underlying heart problem and is normally indicative of underlying coronary artery disease.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

List of vitamins that we can consumes from food

Vitamin A
Function: Stimulates growth of white blood cells and improves immunity.
Found in: Milk, eggs, fruits, and green vegetables.

Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
Function: Converts carbohydrates into energy, important for proper functioning of heart,
muscles, and nervous system.
Found in: Pasta, meat, and fish.

Vitamin B6
Function: Required for normal functioning of brain and nerves; also helps with blood cell
formation.
Found in: Potatoes, bananas, nuts, and beans.

Vitamin B12:
Function: Makes DNA, helps with red blood cell formation, and helps with nerve cell
functions.
Found in: Fish, meat, poultry, and milk.

Vitamin C
Function: Strengthens teeth, gums, bones, and blood vessels.
Found in: Broccoli, kiwi, guava juice, grape fruit juice, oranges, tomatoes, and spinach.

Vitamin D
Function: Enables body to absorb calcium, which leads to bone strengthening.
Found in: This can be formed from the presence of sun light in your skin, but foods
that also include it are egg yolks, milk, and fish oils.

Vitamin E
Function: Protects cells from any damage; also required for blood cells.
Found in: Vegetable oils, nuts, leafy green vegetables

How to determine what vitamin our body needs

Our bodies need a certain amount of vitamins and minerals to function. Many people wonder if they need to be taking a supplement because they are concerned that they are not getting the recommended daily amounts of vitamins and minerals. In most cases, healthy eaters are getting the right amounts of vitamins and minerals. For pregnant women and elderly people, a supplement (such as a multivitamin) is not a bad idea, because the needed amount of these vitamins increases.

There are two types of vitamins: fat-soluble and water-soluble.

 The fat-soluble vitamins are A, D, and E, and these are stored and moved around in fat. These are not needed every day because they stay in your body longer.

The water-soluble vitamins are B and C. These vitamins you do need every day, because the excess is passed through your urine, not stored.

As said before, a balanced diet will include all of these vitamins, and following is a list of foods you can find them in.
 To be continue.

Monday, February 14, 2011

cold shower good for health

im just having my shower this morning with cold water, suddenly i got an idea to find the benefit of this cold water.The first time when the cold water touching to my body, feels like to jumping constantly.hehe
Nobody can deny that a cold shower is stimulating. It may be shocking, and at times uncomfortable, but a good cold shower may have more to offer you than a swift wake-up call. Cold showers stimulate the circulation, help the body rid itself of toxins, and can even promote energy and a sense of well-being.Last time,my local radio does inform that about the cold shower good for health.

Therefore, i try to find the reasons people says that. After wear my shirts and pants i try to look up for the idea.
Here there are :
1)    The reason for this is the shocking effect a cold shower has on the system. It sets the heart pumping, pushing oxygen and blood throughout the body at a higher rate. It contracts the muscles, which then take in fresh blood and release toxins. It stimulates circulation to all areas of the body.
2)     It also prompts a release of chemicals from your brain, waking you up. Once you are out of the shower, the increased circulation of oxygen in your body should give you a sense of calm and well-being. 3)3)     Cold showers may help people with anxiety issues or who suffer panic attacks, although very little research has been done in this area so far.

To be continue, i need to prepare to go to my office. Until next writing. Da


Saturday, February 12, 2011

5 reasons we need to wash our face before sleep

What’s the #1 reason someone will go to sleep without washing their face? Exhaustion.

We certainly understand the discipline and effort it requires to perform your nighttime skin care routine, especially when you’re exhausted. But, you really must do it.

Here are five reasons why:
1. Touching your face all day long, without intentionally doing so, is making your face one of the dirtiest parts on your body. It’s important to clean the skin to avoid the spread of acne bacteria that can cause increased blemishes.

2. Cleansing your skin at night will reduce oil and the ability for acne-causing bacteria to thrive inside the pores. This means less break outs!

3. Your skin repairs itself at night, so removing makeup gives your skin a clean palette for applying your night time performance products for maximum absorption.

4. While you sleep, your skin is at rest allowing regeneration to occur. For the best anti-aging results clean your skin and use a high performance serum and moisturizer

5. Moisturizers evaporate when on the skin all day, so washing your skin and applying moisturizer at night ensures it will stay moist and hydrated.

Tip: Too tired to wash your skin at night? Perform your nighttime skin routine at 7:00 or 8:00. Earlier is better than never! Learn how and why we suggest using a cleansing lotion to wash your skin at night.

Friday, February 11, 2011

chocolate good or bad?

Chocolate is made from plants, which means it contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables. These benefits are from flavonoids, which act as antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from aging caused by free radicals, which can cause damage that leads to heart disease. Dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants (nearly 8 times the number found in strawberries). Flavonoids also help relax blood pressure through the production of nitric oxide, and balance certain hormones in the body.
Heart Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate:
Dark chocolate is good for your heart. A small bar of it everyday can help keep your heart and cardiovascular system running well. Two heart health benefits of dark chocolate are:
  • Lower Blood Pressure: Studies have shown that consuming a small bar of dark chocolate everyday can reduce blood pressure in individuals with high blood pressure.
  • Lower Cholesterol: Dark chocolate has also been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) by up to 10 percent.
Other Benefits of Dark Chocolate:
Chocolate also holds benefits apart from protecting your heart:
  • it tastes good
  • it stimulates endorphin production, which gives a feeling of pleasure
  • it contains serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant
  • it contains theobromine, caffeine and other substances which are stimulants

Doesn't Chocolate Have a lot of Fat?:

Here is some more good news -- some of the fats in chocolate do not impact your cholesterol. The fats in chocolate are 1/3 oleic acid, 1/3 stearic acid and 1/3 palmitic acid:
  • Oleic Acid is a healthy monounsaturated fat that is also found in olive oil.
  • Stearic Acid is a saturated fat but one which research is shows has a neutral effect on cholesterol.
  • Palmitic Acid is also a saturated fat, one which raises cholesterol and heart disease risk.

That means only 1/3 of the fat in dark chocolate is bad for you.


Chocolate Tip 1 - Balance the Calories:
This information doesn't mean that you should eat a pound of chocolate a day. Chocolate is still a high-calorie, high-fat food. Most of the studies done used no more than 100 grams, or about 3.5 ounces, of dark chocolate a day to get the benefits.
One bar of dark chocolate has around 400 calories. If you eat half a bar of chocolate a day, you must balance those 200 calories by eating less of something else. Cut out other sweets or snacks and replace them with chocolate to keep your total calories the same.
Chocolate Tip 2 - Taste the Chocolate:
Chocolate is a complex food with over 300 compounds and chemicals in each bite. To really enjoy and appreciate chocolate, take the time to taste it. Professional chocolate tasters have developed a system for tasting chocolate that include assessing the appearance, smell, feel and taste of each piece.
Chocolate Tip 3 - Go for Dark Chocolate:
Dark chocolate has far more antioxidants than milk or white chocolate. These other two chocolates cannot make any health claims. Dark chocolate has 65 percent or higher cocoa content.
Chocolate Tip 4 - Skip the Nougat:
You should look for pure dark chocolate or dark chocolate with nuts, orange peel or other flavorings. Avoid anything with caramel, nougat or other fillings. These fillings are just adding sugar and fat which erase many of the benefits you get from eating the chocolate.
Chocolate Tip 5 - Avoid Milk:
It may taste good but some research shows that washing your chocolate down with a glass of milk could prevent the antioxidants being absorbed or used by your body.
 
 
 
 
                Question: I've heard that chocolates are very bad for you.
                I've heard that chocolates are very bad for you. That people hurt in their joints if they continuously eat a lot of it. Why is this? Is it true? Why is it addictive? Keith - About.com User Answer: Chocolate will not damage your joints. Being overweight will hurt your joints. So, if a person is overweight and eats lots of chocolate, he may blame the chocolate. But it is really due to the fact that he consumes too many total calories each day. There is, however, the possibility that a person could be allergic to some ingredient in a chocolate candy bar which could cause some swelling. Actually, a little bit of chocolate may be good for you. Dark chocolate has antioxidants that are good for your health. Unfortunately, chocolate treats and candy usually have lots of sugar and fat that may add extra calories you probably don't need. But you only need about 1.5 ounces of dark chocolate each day.    Chocolate lovers enjoy both the flavor and the feeling of chocolate melting in their mouth. This combination of taste and texture make chocolate a favorite form of "comfort food." Perhaps chocolate is not physically addicting, but it can be emotionally addicting when you enjoy this comfort food too often.   There are some interesting chemicals naturally found in chocolate. Xanthine, which is like caffeine, can make a person feel jittery. Theobromine will stimulate the central nervous system, relax the bronchi in the lungs and your blood vessels. Phenylethylamine (PEA) is similar to amphetamine. PEA reproduces the feeling someone has when he or she falls in love. So maybe chocolate may help soothe a broken heart.

              blood pressure; can we maintain it

              People can have problems maintaining normal blood pressure. Normal blood pressure (BP) is 120 over 80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). According to the American Heart Association: "The 120 represents systolic pressure (the pressure of blood in the vessels when the heart beats) and the 80 refers to diastolic pressure (the pressure between beats when the heart relaxes). Prehypertension is recorded as 125/85 mmHg and high blood pressure is recorded as 140/90 mmHg or higher." Below are some healthy tips that a person can apply so as to help regulate healthy blood pressure.



              1.  Diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products can reduce blood pressure in the general population and people with hypertension. This diet is called "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension" (DASH). Special foods for people with high blood pressure include: celery, garlic, and onions to lower cholesterol; nuts and seeds, for their essential fatty acid content; cold-water fish (e.g. salmon and mackerel) or fish oil products concentrated for the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA; green leafy vegetables and sea vegetables for their calcium and magnesium; whole flax seeds, whole grains, and legumes for their fiber; and foods rich in vitamin C (e.g., broccoli and citrus fruits). (Source: www.doctormurray.com)


              2.  Grape Seed Extract: The U.C. Davis research team demonstrated that grape seed extract lowered the blood pressure of patients. C. Tissa Kappagoda, professor of cardiovascular medicine said, "Generally, the higher the patient's initial oxidized LDL level was, the greater the drop by the end of the study."



              3.  Maitake: In Japan, laboratory rats with high blood pressure and high cholesterol that were given maitake feedings showed lower blood pressure levels and lower blood cholesterol levels.



              4.  Antioxidants: In July 2007, research in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that the antioxidants in dark chocolate can help to slightly lower blood pressure. However, according to this study, the chocolate portions have to be limited to 30 calories a day, which works out to be slightly more than one Hershey's Kiss. (Kiss, kiss!)



              5.  Exercise: A study published in the American Journal of Hypertension showed that after eight weeks even the modest exercise-60 to 90 minutes a week-by people with high blood pressure significantly reduced both their systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Some of the exercises included: brisk walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, and stretching.



              6.  Meditation: Meditation has many health benefits. For example: The Journal, Hypertension, shows that patients with high blood pressure showed a significant reduction of systolic and diastolic blood pressure after three months of Transcendental Meditation (TM). Moreover Harvard cardiologist Dr. Herbert Benson showed that practicing meditation for twenty-minutes daily, twice-a-day, can significantly reduce blood pressure (a marker for chronic stress).



              7.  Thoughts and Emotions: When you perceive stress and then feel stressed the adrenal glands secrete cortisol and other hormones that increase breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. This moves more oxygen-rich blood faster to the brain and to the muscles needed for dealing with the stressful situation. Your energy level is also heightened because adrenaline causes a rapid release of glucose and fatty acids into your bloodstream. All of these chemical changes in the blood affect the body's equilibrium and pH level. More glucose and fatty acids in the bloodstream lower the pH to become more acidic. The body cannot heal itself when it is acidic. The body's natural and healthy state is alkaline. Think and feel properly so as to maintain an alkaline enriched environment within your body.

              Thursday, February 10, 2011

              do u like leeches..?please dont hate it coz it good for us..

              Leeches can be used in many applications especially for medical and cosmetic purpose. Traditional use of leeches is by letting the leech to suck blood of the patient’s body to relief symptoms like headache and join pain. Leech oil is known to the local community for enhancing the sex capability of man. In India, it is used for preventing hair loss. Chinese medicine use leech as and ingredient for various treatments. Modern medicine uses the ingredient extracted from leech to cure blood related diseases.

              Leeches have been used for medical purposes since over 2000 years ago. One example is using leeches to suck out the blood in the body to achieve the healing purpose. Today there is a real clinical application in this method; they are of great value to plastic surgeons when venous congestion of skin and muscle flaps is a problem. The leech can suck the blood at the joint where blood is clogged and make it flow again. Leeches today are used in plastic and reconstructive surgery worldwide. There is also successful ongoing research into relieving symptoms of osteoarthritis by using leech.

              One bigger progress in using leeches in medical field is that they have been approved in America for use in therapy purposes. Live leech are being distributed to various location in the country and also worldwide for use. After sucking the blood, leeches are treated in the same way as other blood treatment procedure that they only can be used on the same patient. This is mainly to prevent the spreading of disease that carried by blood.

              Other usage of leeches also includes treatment of black eyes. Hirudin, the anti-coagulant from leech can be used in the treatment of inflammation of the middle ear. It is also being developed for experimental use as a systemic anticoagulant, and may prove useful in invitro blood sampling. By extracting the anti-clotting serum from the leech researchers are isolating new pharmaceutical compounds for eventual treatment of heart diseases.

              From the history, leech was indispensable in 19th Century medicine for bloodletting, a practice believed to be a cure for anything from headaches to gout. The medicinal leech is getting more popular in modern medicine thanks to the work of Dr. Roy Sawyer, an American scientist who established the world’s first leech farm.

              Thousands of patients owe the successful reattachment of body parts to technological advances in plastic and reconstructive surgery; at least some of these operations might have failed if leeches had not been reintroduced into the operating room.

              The reason for using leeches in surgical procedures is actually very straightforward. The key to success is from what contain in the leech bite, which punctures a wound that bleeds literally for hours. The leech’s saliva contains substances that anaesthetize the wound area, dilate the blood vessels to increase blood flow, at the same time prevent the blood from clotting. Usually the surgeon can get blood to flow in the reattached arteries but not veins. With the venous circulation severely compromised, the blood going to the reattached finger becomes congested; the reattached portion turns blue and lifeless and is at serious risk of being lost. At this time leeches start to play their major role in letting go of the clotting blood.

              Do you like leeches now??

              Leech preparing to bite a man's arm (Kalimantan; Borneo (Indonesian Borneo))

              Wednesday, February 9, 2011

              More about Smile: smile make us healthier

              Does smile make us healthier??let see why is it can help us on the our health. This is the most reason why we need to smile each other. Smiling is a great way to make yourself stand out while helping your body to function better. Smile to improve your health, your stress level, and your attractiveness. Smiling is just one fun way to live longer read about the others and try as many as you can. Here are some of the reasons why we need to smile:


              1. Smiling Makes Us Attractive

              We are drawn to people who smile. There is an attraction factor. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away -- but a smile draws them in (avoid these smile aging habits to keep your smile looking great).

              2. Smiling Changes Our Mood

              Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There's a good chance you mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.

              3. Smiling Is Contagious

              When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.
               

              4. Smiling Relieves Stress

              Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you'll be better able to take action.
               

              5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System

              Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Prevent the flu and colds by smiling.
               

              6. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure

              When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes, take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?
               

              7. Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin

              Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. Together these three make us feel good. Smiling is a natural drug.
               

              8. Smiling Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger

              The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. Don't go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day -- you'll look younger and feel better.
               

              9. Smiling Makes You Seem Successful

              Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and more likely to be approached. Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.
               

              10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive

              Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It's hard. When we smile our body is sending the rest of us a message that "Life is Good!" Stay away from depression, stress and worry by smiling.