Lowering your cholesterol may be one of the healthiest New Year resolutions. If you have high cholesterol, 2010 might be the year to finally bring your cholesterol to healthy levels.

The main causes of high cholesterol can be divided in two groups: the causes you cannot control such as genetics or family history, and the causes you can control such as weight, diet, stress, alcohol and smoking.

There are many ways to control your cholesterol levels and stay off medication. Diet plays an important role in lowering your cholesterol and some foods can significantly help this battle and protect your heart. Try to replace foods high in saturated fats, such as cheese, meat and croutons, in your salad with nuts, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Walnuts and almonds can reduce blood cholesterol, as studies have shown that nuts help keep blood vessels healthy and elastic. Most nuts appear to have a similar effect including hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, pine nuts and pistachios.

In addition, fish is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and is highly recommended to reduce cholesterol levels. Most doctors recommend two to three servings of fish per week. Salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring and sardines have the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

Fish oil supplements can also support healthy cholesterol levels. Many people have successfully reduced cholesterol levels simply taking a fish oil in addition to red yeast rice, another natural supplement to fight cholesterol.

 1 Comment, latest by Sizzlechest

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New Year, new life. The idea is very simple. Many people like to, at least, give it at try at the start of a new year.

The end of the year is generally a good time to reflect on one’s virtues and faults. It’s time to think about general things in life, perhaps a radical change for the New Year, or just a minor adjustment.

Many people start the New Year with a resolution but it’s quite interesting to check if people actually achieve their goals and maintain their resolutions. You can find a lot of ideas for resolutions on the Internet, magazines or television programs.

Quit smoking is one of the most popular New Year Resolutions. If you decided that 2010 would be the year you finally stop this unhealthy habit, make it happen!

Five days into 2010 and some people might have had “quit” their resolution, or may have had a slip. A slip is normally something people can easily recover from. A relapse is when you go back to smoking. If you could not resist and smoke one cigarette, it does not mean you should stop trying.

The difference between a slip and a relapse is within your control. A slip is a one-time mistake that is quickly corrected. You can use the slip as an excuse to go back to smoking, or you can look at what went wrong and renew your commitment to staying away from smoking for good. Quit smoking is difficult and a little help wouldn’t hurt.

Natural smoking deterrents may help to quit smoking. Most products are safe to be taken on a daily basis and have no side effects.

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Winter is here and so are the health complications. Cold and flu are common problems but strep throat may also be an issue around this time of the year.

Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the tissues in the back of the throat and the tonsils or adenoids. The tissues become irritated and inflamed, causing a sudden, severe sore throat.

The most common symptoms of strep throat include a sore throat with fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher, pain and difficulty swallowing, white spots on the throat and tonsils, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. In some cases, strep throat may also cause body aches, headache, stomachache, nausea or vomiting. Strep throat usually does not occur with cold symptoms, such as sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, or cough.

Even though strep throat usually goes away on its own in a few days, you have many ways to treat and prevent it.

Several natural products can help prevent strep throat as well as throat related infections. You may use a throat spray to promote pain relief but some people prefer throat syrup or pastilles. Teas may also provide mild relief for sore throat. Lozenges and throat drops can reduce pain and irritation and support throat health.

Strep throat is spread by direct contact with an infected person. It’s important to get a new toothbrush after the infection is over to ensure the problem does not reoccur.

 1 Comment, latest by Greased up Deaf Guy

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Thanksgiving Day is this Thursday in the United States and just like every year, we can’t wait for the traditional meal and the gathering of family and friends.

Turkey, cranberry sauce, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, sweet corn and squash are traditionally served at Thanksgiving meals. Pie is the usual dessert. Pumpkin, sweet potato, pecan and apple are generally the options and everyone has their favorite pie.

Unfortunately, indigestion is often associated with the celebration of Thanksgiving. Why do we eat too much? Why do we fall asleep?

The traditional Thanksgiving meal has plenty of foods with high amounts of carbohydrates, which is likely the reason we feel stuffed.

In addition, turkey meat contains high levels of tryptophan, which may cause drowsiness. But don’t blame it all on turkey. High amounts of fats and alcohol are likely the reason for post-meal sleepiness. In fact, the white meat of turkey is generally considered healthier than dark meat because of its lower fat content.

Natural digestive enzymes may relief symptoms of indigestion such as gas and bloating. Plant-based enzymes have been used for many years to soothe the gastrointestinal tract and promote optimal digestion. Most formulas contain a special enzyme complex including lipases, amylases, proteases and cellulases, which provide powerful digestion of protein, fat, carbohydrates, milk lactose and vegetable cellulose.

Digestive enzymes with probiotics may promote even quicker relief. Don’t eat too much this year, but if you do, try digestive enzymes for naturally relief.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Millions of Americans suffer from joint pain. A variety of products are available on the market but many people struggle to accomplish results. Let’s try to understand the process of inflammation before you purchase a pain relief product.

Inflammation is the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, damaged cells, or irritants. It is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli as well as initiate the healing process for the tissue.

It’s important to know that pain comes from inflammation, the way in which the body reacts to infection, irritation or injury. It may affect not only joints but the entire body. An abscess on the skin, swelling and redness are also characteristic body responses to inflammation.

Supplements for joint health should be geared toward promoting a healthy inflammation response. As strange as it sounds, the human body needs inflammation. In the absence of inflammation, wounds and infections would never heal and progressive destruction of the tissue would compromise the survival of the organism.

However, an unhealthy inflammation may lead to a host of diseases, such as hay fever and rheumatoid arthritis. It is for that reason that inflammation needs to be properly regulated by the body.

Supplements to promote healthy inflammation can help accomplish this difficult but important goal. A variety of products offer herbal combinations including ingredients such as bromelain, papain, rosemary, turmeric and ginger. These formulations of herbs have the ability to promote a safe and natural response to inflammation.

Photo Credit: www.arthritis.org

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A recent report shows a few interesting tips you can try to help you get more sleep. According to the Cleveland Clinic, half of all adults experience insomnia on occasion, and one in ten battle insomnia on a regular basis.

Most people know the general rules for a good night of sleep. Don’t drink too much caffeine late in the day, keep your bedroom at a cool comfortable temperature and ensure your bed is comfortable.

The additional tips are very interesting and some may help if you are struggling to fall asleep. Try to relax 20 minutes prior bedtime doing something quiet. For example, read a book, listen to relaxing music or try crosswords. These activities may help you power-down before falling asleep.

Getting up a half-hour earlier is another helpful tip. It resets your body clock and you are likely to feel tired earlier in the evening than your normally do.

Some people have the ability to control their sleep but most people suffering from chronic insomnia tend to force themselves to go to bed. If it does not work, going to bed when you are tired may prevent tossing and turning. If it’s getting late and you are still “not tired”, once again, do something relaxing but don’t stay in bed if you can’t fall sleep.

Some teas may help to promote relaxation in your body. Herbals teas are the best choice because they are generally caffeine free. Try one or two cups of tea one hour before bedtime.

In addition, some natural sleeping aid supplements may you to fall asleep faster and to have a longer night of sleep. Valerian, Kava Kava and Melatonin are the most efficient ingredients and are normally safe to be taken.

 1 Comment, latest by Batwing

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Eating disorders are something everyone should worry about. The problem is increasing dramatically in recent years.

Teenagers are generally the age group with the highest number of eating disorders. However, recent reports show that this self-destructive habit has become an issue at any age.

Eating disorders can be classified in two different ways: starvation and overeating. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia lead to severe weight loss. People, generally women, starve themselves, abusing laxatives and fat burners or exercising to dangerous extremes. On the other side, binge eating can lead to obesity and several health problems.

It creates opposite results but the main problem is the same: lack of self-control and inability to eat properly.

What can be done if a new eating disorder is affecting you, a family member or a friend?

First, identify it. Understanding the problem is the most important part of the plan. Significant weight loss/gain is the first sign. Compulsive eating, snacking frequently, skipping meals and refusing to eat are common signs of a problematic diet.

Second, plan it. Come up with new ideas; for example, organize a “meal schedule”. Read about it. Be aware of problems and consequences of eating disorders.

Finally take action. Don’t let the problem reach an extreme level. The longer you wait to take action, the slower the recovery process will be.

Shakes and nutritional bars can be useful to enhance appetite. Anorexia is often a psychological problem and help may be needed to prevent depression and anger. Overeating can be prevented with appetite suppressants and healthy snacks. Exercise in moderation may help as well.

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A recent report shows that ginger may help chemotherapy patients with nausea. The study was funded by the National Cancer Institute and will be presented later this month at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting.

Chemotherapy may cause nausea, which may be alleviated through ginger, more specifically ginger purified supplements. About 70 percent of cancer patients experience nausea during chemo treatment and could use a safe and natural product to feel better during recovery.

Ginger supplements may provide the relief needed as researchers found a smidgen of purified ginger could reduce chemotherapy-related nausea by 40 percent on the first day of treatment when used in combination with traditional anti-nausea medications.

Ginger supplementation may reduce vomiting as well. The results should not surprise anyone as ginger has been used as a powerful herbal medicine for many years.

People have been using ginger for the treatment of motion sickness and morning sickness. It can also support abdominal bloating, vomiting and diarrhea. Nausea generally occurs when traveling by boat or plane. Transcontinental flights are known for causing nausea and ginger capsules of chews may help minimizing this inconvenient sensation.

Moreover, ginger can support the digestive system and has been recommended to relief stomachaches and indigestion. The herb has the capability of transporting substances through the digestive tract, lessening irritation to the intestinal walls, the usual cause of abdominal pain.

Whether is nausea or vomiting, ginger supplements may help you to feel better.

 7 Comments, latest by Eat Smart Age Smart

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It’s time for the first real sun tanning of the year but it should not be time for your first sunburn.

People often forget to apply sun lotion in sunny days during late spring and early summer. The result: mild sunburn and the skin eventually peeling off.

Natural sun tanning should be done slowly. If you follow these easy steps, your tan will progressively look better and you can prevent skin damage and skin cancer, as excessive UV-radiation is the leading cause of skin tumors.

Early morning and late afternoon hours are the best for safe sun tanning. Avoid sun exposure between 10am and 2pm, especially if you live in hot sunny regions. Apply sun lotion before and during your tanning. Most people normally forget to reapply after a few hours in the sun. It’s a lot easier to remember to reapply sun lotion when you are tanning by the pool or on the beach.

Pool parties, baseball games, long walks, and any outdoor activity lasting longer than two hours often result in sunburns. People may get distracted and forget to take care of their skin.

Worst case scenario, if you get sunburned, treat your skin as soon as possible. Try to gently moisturize the burned area applying sunburn lotion without pulling the skin off. Most sunburn relief products can soothe your red and irritated skin. Remember, the dead skin cells cannot protect you from the sun and, after your skin peels off, you will be without any protection and extra care is needed.

Don’t let the sun “burn” the beginning of your summer. Keep sun protection in mind at all times to prevent the inconvenience and the danger of sunburns.

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Boosting the immune system has been one of the hottest topics these days.

The Swine Flu has sparked a flurry of articles on how to enhance the immune system to prevent the new flu. However, awareness is not the main problem as most people know what to do in order to fortify their immune system.

The real issue is the inability of most people to implement the necessary changes to their lifestyle.

Vitamin C is one of the best ways to enhance the immune system, but most people do not eat foods high in vitamin C on a daily basis. In addition, some people buy vitamin C supplements but often forget to take the tablets, minimizing the benefits.

So, what can we do to increase the vitamin C intake?

Drink a glass of orange juice for breakfast. That’s a good start. If you struggle with tablets and always forget to take them, let’s try an alternative way.

Vitamin C chewables can be the solution for your problem. Leave a bottle on your work-desk or somewhere visible in the living room, by the TV remote control for example. You may chew C tablets at anytime of the day.

Moreover, vitamin C effervescent products may be a convenient way to get your daily dose of vitamin C. Most products come in single packets, which provide the daily recommended 1000mg of vitamin C.  Just add the powder in water and enjoy a delicious drink.

If you don’t really like citrus flavor, don’t worry, plenty of flavors are available for this drink, all providing 1000 mg of vitamin C.

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We have all heard the news about the Swine Flu or The Influenza A-H1N1 virus. The media has focused on reporting many cases of this dangerous virus in the past few days.

The World Health Organization has raised the Swine Flu to pandemic level, indicating a widespread human-to-human transmission and yet there are no approved vaccines and limited anti-viral drugs for this new virus. Perhaps the media should switch focus from reporting existing cases to preventing new cases, informing people what can be done to avoid the virus.

Lucky Vitamin will provide this information this week on the Lucky Blog, with a series of articles about ways to naturally prevent the flu as well as to enhance the body’s defenses to viral infections.

A healthy diet and natural supplements can significantly boost your immune system against the Swine Flu. It’s definitely time to start eating more oranges and to consume more foods containing probiotic bacteria, such as yogurt, and omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in fish.

Probiotics supplements can quickly build up your immune system. The majority of products can be taken on a daily basis without any side effects. Several natural immune-enhancer products may provide nutrients missing from a poor diet, such as vitamin C, vitamin A and essential minerals.

Herbal ingredients can also contribute to support the immune system, regulating the body’s own inflammatory response. Echinacea has been used to support and treat the immune system for many years. This powerful herb is capable of strengthen the immune system and, when taken at first sign of a cold, can reduce cold symptoms or shortened their duration.

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Do you wake up early to have breakfast? Do you eat enough for breakfast to prevent from feeling hungry before lunch? Do you eat breakfast at all?

If you answered “no” to all these questions, you are not alone.

According to research, skipping meals, especially breakfast, can actually make weight control more difficult because people tend to eat more food than usual at the next meal or nibble on snacks to stave off hunger.

Many people skip the most important meal of the day because they do not have time to eat as they rush out of the house. It’s time to work on day-planning.

Wake up a half hour earlier and take your time to prepare your breakfast. Eat slowly and try to enjoy your meal.

Some people mistakenly skip breakfast in an effort to lose weight. That’s one of the most common errors in any weight-loss diet.

Keep in mind: you have the entire day to burn the calories ingested from your breakfast. Most importantly, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals from your morning meal will be the fuel the body needs to generate energy throughout the day.

It’s important to educate our kids about the importance of the morning meal and the role it plays in maintaining good health and preventing obesity. If you still can’t find time to properly prepare breakfast, start eating breakfast bars.

Most nutritional breakfast bars provide as much nutrients as a regular meal. Nuts and fruits are also a good option for “breakfast on the go”. Just make sure you eat something healthy before you start your day!

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The warm and beautiful spring days are here. We can’t wait to get outside but don’t forget to get outdoor protection.

We have talked about the sun and all the skin problems caused by sun exposure without sun blockers, but it shouldn’t be the only concern.

Outdoor protection should include remedies for insect bites and stings, products for Poison Ivy, as well as wound healing for cuts and bruises.

Many outdoor activities are enjoyable but you don’t want to miss out on the fun because you did not prepare yourself for the problems caused by Mother Nature.

Hiking and camping can be a lot of fun. Many people believe the spring is the best time of the year for outdoor explorations. The spring mild weather is a much better option than hot summer days. But insects and bugs are out in the spring and can create several problems.

Insect bites are very common this time of the year. We normally have products at home but often forget to bring them everywhere we go. Bites can generally heal better if treatment is quickly applied. Itching is normally the first reaction felt but (we know it’s hard not to do) scratching will not help or heal bites.

Natural insect repellents provide safe and effective protection for the whole family, stopping bugs from biting and providing fast, soothing relief from previous bites. Natural products are a great alternative to harsh chemical used in regular repellants.

Keep mosquitoes and other bugs away from you this spring. Have fun and enjoy the weather.

 1 Comment, latest by steve d

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A recent study has suggested that consumption of high-fructose corn syrup, used as a sweetener in a wide variety of foods, may increase the risk of obesity and heart disease. The study was published online on Monday in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.

That’s not news. Most people are fully aware of the potential risks of regular consumption of fructose-sweetened beverages. Drinks sweetened with fructose can lead to higher blood levels of LDL, the famous “bad cholesterol”, and triglycerides, and both health concerns have been linked to an increase risk of cardiovascular disease.

Water is still the best beverage for the human system but most people still prefer to drink different beverages, such as sodas, juices, coffee or tea. One of the reasons people drink sodas instead of water is because they do not eat enough fruits, which contains small amounts of fructose but is also a great source of important nutritional benefits.

The human system craves for sugar and people eventually obtain fructose or glucose from sweetened drinks. People eating fruit on a daily basis are more likely to drink water because they do not rely on beverages to be the main source of sugar.

For example, a person eating an apple for breakfast is less likely to get a soda fas a mid-morning beverage than a person who skips breakfast and would like a drink/snack before lunch.

Natural juices are a great drink to replace sodas. Most fruit juices provide vitamins and minerals and several blend juices are delicious.

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Spring is here, and so are the seasonal allergies. It’s time to take action and prevent spring allergy symptoms such as runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing and itchy nose.

Allergies are responses generated by the immune system to a particular food, inhalant airborne substance or chemical. Spring is the time of year that we normally think of when it comes to allergies.

As the trees start to bloom and the pollen gets airborne, people begin the inconvenient ritual of sniffling and sneezing. Each year, 35 million Americans feel the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever.

The biggest allergy trigger is pollen, as tiny grains released into the air by trees, grasses, and weeds get into the nose, stimulating the immune system to react in various ways such as sneezing. The immune system reacts to every single foreign invader, including dust, mold and any other particles in the air.

There is no cure for seasonal allergies but there are several ways to minimize the effects and reactions. First, you may want to start with a big spring clean up. It’s the perfect time to clean up your house because removing dust can tremendously reduce your allergies. Don’t forget to clean up your car, your desk at work and any place you spend time on a daily basis.

In addition, supplements to build up the immune system generally produce great results. Some products are made specifically for immune defense and can significantly reduce symptoms like runny nose, sneezing and itchy eyes.

Airborne allergens can trigger asthma, a condition in which the airways narrow, making breathing difficult and leading to coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

 1 Comment, latest by Mike Edwards

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