Lowering cholesterol level within the body is not easy. As you embark on this journey of changing your lifestyle and eating habits, be prepared that it might take months of several years before you see real changes. It all depends with an individual. Lowering cholesterol has become such an important matter that there are a few people out there hoping to make loads of cash by promising quick and easy means to lowering body cholesterol. Loosing cholesterol can only be done successfully by combining exercise, healthy diets and medicine. What are the diets that lower body cholesterol? For a long time, doctors have insisted on eating natural foods as a means to better health. Unfortunately, the society is too attached to fast foods and takeouts that no one is willing to have a diet change. Planning your meals beforehand and cooking them properly ensures that you eat the right nutrients and correct amounts. Plant food is very nutritious and should form the largest portion of your diets. What is plant food? Plant food refers to any product that is grown and harvested for the sole purpose of human consumption. For example, we have seeds, nuts, vegetables, fruits and grains. People tend to eat more of animal products rather than plant food and this contributes highly to body cholesterol. Animal products such as cheese, ghee, whole milk, eggs and meat are good sources of bad cholesterol or LDL. Avoiding these foodstuffs will not only lower your body cholesterol but heighten HDL which is the good cholesterol. Vegetables and fruits are good sources of vitamins but also contain oils that are essential to the body. These oils are very little compared to the oils found in animal products. The oil is also unsaturated meaning that it is not harmful to your body. Examples of these plant products that contain cholesterol we have avocados, bananas, kales, cabbages and cauliflowers. Whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds contain a lot of oils. However, their oils are categorized as good since they have no negative effects within the body. Eating these food items constantly will not only give you essential proteins but lower your LDL level. As it is not possible to eliminate all dairy products, it would be wise to use products that have lower fats and reduced calories such as low fat milk and yogurt. Poultry meat can be eaten in moderation as it is white meat. Remember to remove the skin as it contains a lot of cholesterol. Lowering the amount of Trans-fat or trans-fatty acids in your meals helps in regulating body cholesterol. Check the labels of every food item when shopping to ensure that ingest the right fats. For more of Teresa Faulkners articles on , Visit her website at ==>.
Essential Foods to Lower Cholesterol Levels
August 7th, 2011 § 0
9 Foods for a Longer, Healthier Life
August 5th, 2011 § 0
Some foods in this world can simply work wonders to the human body. My hope in sharing this information with you is that you will simply use it. Use what you learn here on a daily basis to sculpt a healthier life for yourself and for your family. Here are 9 antioxidant-packed foods that can help you live longer and live healthier: ~Blueberries – This blue wonder berry helps in the prevention of heart disease and is bursting with antioxidants. Blueberries are high in fiber and low in calories and can be added fresh straight into cereals and oatmeal or just eaten by the handful for a burst of health. ~Blackberries – If being super rich in vitamin C and fiber isn’t enough for you, blackberries have been known to decrease the risk of cancer and heart disease in people! ~Cranberries – Renown for their wonderful ability to decrease urinary tract related issues, cranberries also help decrease the risk of heart disease, some cancers, and memory loss. Cranberries can be easily added to many dishes, just get creative! ~Raspberries – Besides being absolutely delicious and one of my personal favorite foods out there, raspberries also help to fight cardiovascular diseases, cancer, inflammation in the body and to reduce arthritic pain. ~Prunes – Although infamous for what some might call a slight side effect, prunes actually have been shown to help slow age related mental and physical issues and are a great snacking fruit. ~Red Beans – Full of iron and antioxidants as well as the ability to protect against heart disease, red beans are easily added to many dishes or as a simple dish themselves. Try adding red beans to spinach or other rich leafy greens, add some tomatoes and some parmesan cheese and you have a very healthy meal! ~Pinto Beans – Low in fat, zero saturated or trans fats, high in protein, fiber, iron, folic acid, potassium, and the ability to reduce high blood pressure and risk of stroke….what DON’T pinto beans do for you? ~Kidney Beans – Obviously you see a trend growing here…Legumes (nuts, beans, peas) work wonders on your body. Try substituting meat for legumes a few times a week for incredible overall health benefits. 1/2 a cup of beans constitutes about 10% of your daily folate needs, which many people fall short of very frequently. ~Artichokes – Delicious by themselves, fresh, or cooked…artichokes hold enormous nutritional value. High in vitamin C, fiber, and folate while very low in calories and sodium. Add to salads for an easy start to introducing artichokes into your regular diet. Some of these might not be news to the health nuts out there, and that’s great! Keep enjoying the benefits of these foods. However, for those of you who may not have realized how important these natural foods are, I hope you have learned something. These foods are not only great for you, but they are great tasting and easy to cook with. I supplement them into many of my own recipes that I cook at my restaurant or that I have put into my story-cookbook. It’s all about being creative and to not think about it as a diet, but just the new way you eat. If not for yourself, do it for your children or your family. They deserve a long, healthy life! Cheers! Eat, Drink, and Be Mediterranean with restaurant owner/head chef/author Visit for information on his newly released story-cookbook, “Savor the Spices of Life” and more info on eating, cooking, and living a heart healthier life. Eat Better, Fresher, Smarter!
Shaw H. Rabadi and live a healthier, happier life.
Organic Foods – Safer, Healthier, and Tastier
August 3rd, 2011 § 0
Organic Foods have grown to become the most in demand items in the agriculture industry. It has evolved from being a nobody in the food market into one that has its own niche. It has become the fastest growing sector of the food industry after consumers have finally been made aware that the notion that conventional food is safe is nothing but a misconception. The resulting increase in demand has helped organic agriculture expand. It has become significantly more available as more and more new organic farms are coming into existence. Many conventional farms are also converting into organic ones. The accessibility has also greatly increased as it is now available almost anywhere. Organic Foods are safer than conventional foods. They contain almost no or absolutely no chemical residues. Chemical residues are common on conventional foods. They are passed from the pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and herbicides to the crops. The crops then pass them to their produce. And the produce passes them to the people who consume the contaminated fruits and vegetables. The residues enter the body and become toxins that are hazardous to the individual. They disrupt the natural body processes and the body is forces to expend additional energy to deal with the increased toxicity. Most of these toxins are also carcinogenic. Organic Foods are healthier than conventional foods. They contain excessive amounts of nutrients become the crops from which they came from were allowed to grow naturally. Plants have the ability to adapt to the surroundings to survive. To make effective use of the nutrients in the soil they produce phytochemicals. And to resist common pests and diseases they produce antioxidants to make themselves more robust. Conventional crops have no need to produce high amounts of phytochemicals and antioxidants because the need for phytochemicals is taken care of by industrial fertilizers and the need for antioxidants is taken care of by pesticides. Organic Foods are also tastier. This is because of the excessive amounts of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidants they contain which provides them with extraordinary juicy flavor. Though no conclusive evidence has been accepted by the agriculture and food industry to prove that real food does taste better, many chefs and cooks attest to it. Many restaurants have completely switched to using organic ingredients for their dishes. They claim that overall, their dishes have tasted better after making the switch. Regular consumers have also concurred to the improved taste. You are what you eat. If you want to live healthy go organic! Visit us at Zen and get free tips about healthy eating, and learn more about organic food, and where to buy organic food.
Organic Foods – Back in Time for Healthier Living
August 1st, 2011 § 0
Organic Foods are described to be primitive by some skeptics because they are refusing the advancements brought to the world by industrialization. Supporters however argue that certain advancements are not necessarily for the better. Industrial farming has revolutionized the way farmers do with their business. It has introduced various synthetic substances that improved the yield rates and reduced the planting to harvest cycle significantly. The profits of farmers and increased exponentially and the food supply flourished which led to the reduction of the prices of conventional foods. All the benefits caused by the industrialization of agriculture have however come with a price, various and previously hidden negative impacts. Industrial agriculture has led to the creation of fake or dirty food. The produce of industrial crops is tainted with numerous chemical residues, most of which are toxic. Imagine eating fruits and vegetables that contain the same substance farmers use to kill pests and weeds. It is like you are ingesting poison. The very food that you consume to keep you alive is actually slowly killing you. You are actually putting poison in your meals a little each day. Organic Foods will help prevent this from happening and keep you away from the toxins. Organic Foods are also considered today as clean or real food. This is because they contain no synthetic substances. They are produced using only natural means and processes. Organic farms do not use pesticides. Instead, in order to fight pests, they use different techniques to facilitate the increase in the population of their natural predators. The increase in the population of predators also leads to improved biodiversity. They also do not use synthetic fertilizers. Instead, they use compost and crop rotation to provide the crops with enough nutrition. They also do not use herbicides. Instead they practice mechanical weeding. Organic Foods are produced without detriment to the environment. They protect the consumers and the environment. Consumers are kept safe from the dangers of chemical residues that can cause numerous health problems. Increased toxicity of the body can lead to diseases in various organs. It can also cause cells to grow abnormally and become malignant, thus forming the foundations of cancer. The chemicals also disrupt the environment. They desolate the soil by worsening erosion and killing beneficial microorganisms. They also hamper biodiversity because of the practice of monoculture. Monoculture is the practice of planting only one kind of plant during harvest cycle to harvest cycle. You are what you eat. If you want to live healthy go organic! Visit us at Zen and get free tips about healthy eating, and learn more about organic food, and where to buy organic food.
Organic Foods – The Sustainable Diet
July 29th, 2011 § 0
Organic Foods provide individuals the opportunity to enjoy a sustainable diet instead of the traditional foods that are devastating to both consumers and the environment. Conventional food is food that is tainted by the plague of industrialization. Industrialization has introduced various ways to improve the yield and profits of farmers. Plants became more resistant to diseases with the help of pesticides. The quantity of produce increased with the help of industrial fertilizers. Weeds were ceased being a problem because of herbicides. And the harvest cycle became shorter with the help of GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms), products of advancements in genetic engineering. The various approaches brought about by industrialization in the farming industry were indeed very beneficial for farmers, but the impact on consumers and the environment were the opposite. Pesticides, industrial fertilizers, and pesticides have high chances of leaving behind chemical residues in the produce of the crops that come into contact with. These residues were discounted as harmless before because they are come in very small quantities. Recent studies however have proven that these residues tend to accumulate and become bodily toxins. These toxins can cause different serious health problems such as organ malfunctions and diseases. These toxins are also believed by many experts to be carcinogenic. Organic Foods will spare you of all this poison. Conventional agriculture also does not spare the environment from the damage. The chemicals contaminate the soil and make its particles loosen. Hence, the rate of erosion is increased exponentially. The chemicals also kill the microorganisms in the soil and harm the worms. Microorganisms and worms are essential in replacing used nutrients in the soil and maintaining its fertility. Without them the soil will soon be void of nutrition and become desolate and unfit for farming. The application of monoculture will also harm the biodiversity of the surrounding ecosystem. All these damage can be prevented by switching to Organic Foods. Organic Foods are free from the plagues of industrialization. They are free from the various industrial chemicals that disrupt the natural flow of the ecosystem. The population of natural predators of pests is supplemented to fight diseases instead of using pesticides. Compost pits are used to nourish crops in place of industrial fertilizers. Mechanical weeding is employed instead of using herbicides. GMOs are also prohibited. Crop rotation is also applied instead of monoculture. Planting different plant species throughout the year helps maintain soil fertility and preserve biodiversity. Which is more effective – or traditional diet? Get answers from Zen, resource for organic food articles, organic recipes, and healthy eating tips.
5 Types of Foods to Lower Your Cholesterol
July 24th, 2011 § 0
Lifestyle choices determine our health. We live in a world that believes in meals from fast food outlets and takeouts. Every year thousands of people are admitted to health centers due to high cholesterol levels or some other type of disease related to poor nutritional habits. Takeouts are well known for their high content in fats, cholesterol, starch and low nutritional value. Most of these foods have little or no vegetables, salads, grains and roughage. Cutting back on food high in cholesterol is essential in lowering the risk of heart related diseases. People who love to snack on unhealthy diets such as cakes, ice-cream and chips should watch out as these types of items rank high on the calorie counter. Cooking meals that incorporate some food items such as apples, walnuts and soy help in lowering body cholesterol. Below is a list of 5 food items that have been associated with lowering blood cholesterol. OAT MEAL Foods high in soluble fiber are believed to lower LDL within the body. They bind cholesterol during digestion and it is eliminated as waste. This prevents LDL absorption within the body. Whole meal cereals also contain a lot of soluble fiber and should be included in breakfast meals. SALMON Salmon is a very oily fish. Its fatty acids are great in lowering bad body cholesterol. Omega 3 fatty acids reduce blood and heart related conditions. Doctors recommend that in order to increase your HDL levels you should eat two servings per week. Other sources of omega 3 fatty acids include sardines and mackerel. WALNUTS Nuts contain a lot of polyunsaturated fatty acids that are essential to our bodies. They clean up the blood and reduce the risk of blood and heart related conditions. Avoid eating nuts that have too much salt or sugar. GRAPES Grapes contain flavonoids which are believed to lower LDL within the human body. Grapes are antioxidants. This means that they prevent LDL oxidation that might lead to heart diseases and other complications. Grapes are well known for reducing vascular damage and vessel constriction. GARLIC Garlic is one of the few vegetables used as herbs and food. Health experts insist that to ensure multiple health benefits, meals should be prepared daily with a little garlic. Garlic lowers bad body cholesterol consequently preventing heart related conditions. Garlic contains allicin which is believed to be the factor behind prevention of fungal and bacterial infections. To read more information on , Visit my website at ==>.
Healthy Foods to Lower Cholesterol
July 24th, 2011 § 0
The fast food industry has become the most profitable all over the world. The society today wants instant diets such as French fries, deep fried chicken wings and burgers. The list of unhealthy diets is quite long when we consider delicacies such as cakes, doughnuts and cookies. All these foodstuffs carry a lot of cholesterol. If we decide to find out just how nutritious the fast foods are, it would shock us to realize that most of these diets are not balanced and contain minimal nutrients. They contain a lot of sugars, fats and carbohydrates. In order to curb your cholesterol level, the journey begins with changing your diet. Just what foods are healthy to maintain an acceptable level of cholesterol within the body? Below is a list of what experts have recommended for people whose target is to enjoy healthy meals that lower body cholesterol. Vegetables This group is one of the most recommended as it contains absolutely no bad cholesterol and the vegetable oils that they contain is essential. Fresh vegetables such as kales, carrots, spinach, broccoli and asparagus are some of the many available options in the market. Cooking a meal that includes 2 or 3 of these is one of the way of ensuring your meals are healthy. Fruits Fruits are well known for their vitamin content and their role in keeping us healthy and free from diseases. Some fruits such as grapes have an antioxidant effect that prevents damage to cells caused by free radicals. Taking in as many different fruits as possible every day ensures that you not only maintain a healthy diet, but you don’t miss out on the most essential nutrients needed for your body. Fruits have no bad cholesterol in them. Examples include oranges, melons, grapes, pineapples and apples. Sea Food & Fish These two are well known for their omega 3 fatty acids that are very valuable to the human body. Including fish and sea food meat in your diets is one way to ensure that you get the required amount of good cholesterol. Examples include salmon, tuna, mackerel, tilapia, sardines, crabs, lobsters, oysters and herring. Lean Meat & White meat Getting rid of meat entirely is not a wise choice. There are some nutrients in meats that cannot be replaced with either seafood or legumes. Ensuring that you eat fat trimmed meat and skinned poultry meat is one way to keep your cholesterol at a minimum. The key point here is to make sure that you eat meats moderately. Nuts It is true that most nuts are laden with fats. Unlike animal products, however, nuts contain linoleic and linolenic acids which are unsaturated fats. Experts confirm that nuts protect us from heart diseases. Nuts such as walnuts lower LDL within the body. Their Omega 3 fatty acid is believed to restrain HDL levels consequently, lower body cholesterol. Legumes & Grains Adding legumes and grains to your meals ensures that you receive essential amino acids which are the building blocks of our bodies. Legumes and grains have very little fats in them and so are highly recommended as healthy food that lower cholesterol. Examples include beans, lentils, brown rice, peanuts, and peas. Want to learn more about ? Visit my website at ==>.
Super Foods!
July 19th, 2011 § 0
Here are a few of my favorite things that will make a major impact on your health. What you don’t need is the latest Amazon juice or herb from Tibet. What you do need is: Green tea and black tea- There are many studies showing the phyto-nutrient compounds (plant made compounds) contained in primarily green tea (but also in black tea) are wonder compounds helping with just about every aspect of health. Such as: weight management, GI health, brain health, blood sugar control, oral health and antioxidant protection. Virtually every aspect of body function benefits from the compounds in green tea. Just ‘google’ green tea – it is amazing how much information there is showing the benefits. If you are doing what you should be by drinking lots of pure water everyday, just add a green tea bag or two to the water. Just let it cold brew and drink it. Everyday – all day – as much as you can. It’s a taste you will get used to real fast and the benefit from this very simple, inexpensive action will be tremendous. No sugar – just plain tea. Just do it! Flax seeds – They are just a little more effort than green tea but well worth it. Once again – it is a small food with a long list of benefits. You can find flax seeds in many supermarkets in the health food section. You will need a coffee grinder to grind them up as needed. Add the ground flax seeds to cereal, smoothies, salads, veggies or mix with nut butter. The list of vitamins, minerals, phyto nutrients, fiber and healthy fats is very impressive. The amount of research verifying the benefits is very long. Try to get 1 rounded tablespoon a day into your food. Real butter – Yes – butter – saturated fat, cholesterol-containing butter. It is so much better than any other “spread”. Don’t for one minute believe the hype about Smart Balance or any other spread being healthier than butter. Dr. Western Price, a pioneer in nutrition, called butter a ‘wonder food’. Naturally, don’t overuse it-but don’t use anything else in its place. Olive oil – Speaking of fat-this should be your primary oil for cooking, for salads and for everything else unless you are deep-frying something. Only use a good quality olive oil. Fruits and Vegetables – Eat every fruit and vegetable in the produce section of the supermarket. Eat large quantities and eat a large variety. Move Well – Eat Well – Think Well Dr. Dennis Mutell, D.C., D.A.C.B.S.P., D.A.C.B.N., C.C.N. graduated from Life Chiropractic College in 1983 with honors. Following graduation Dr. Mutell set up a private practice in Baldwin, New York. While in practice Dr. Mutell’s interest in running led him to pursue post graduate training in the care and treatment of athletes. Both for personal and professional reasons his interest in nutrition for improved athletic performance and health became a focal point of his practice. Dr. Mutell obtained diplomat status with the American Clinical Board of Nutrition. Since 1984 Dr. Mutell has worked with athletes, private patients and corporations helping individuals achieve better health and wellness with proper nutrition and life style management.
Best Foods to Lose Weight
May 26th, 2011 § 0
Looking for the foods to eat to help you take off those unwanted pounds? Losing weight is an obstacle millions of people face. The biggest factor in losing weight is the selection of foods to include in one’s diet when attempting to slim down. Most people know that high calorie foods made of sugar should be avoided when planning the best menus for the dieter’s world, but not everyone is aware of what foods to include into their menu so you get the most value for the foods you have selected to eat. When looking at “diet foods” most people think rabbit food, but you may be surprised to find that there are an abundance of tasty foods to eat that are healthy for the low-calorie menu. The human body is made up of about 70% water. What this means is that the human body mostly consist of water. If the human body consists of such a large amount of water, we should put water back into the body on a daily basis. The healthy person can drink about 3 gallons of water per day. That does not mean that to lose weight we must drink 3 gallons per day, but water leads to increased energy levels. Drinking water helps to maintain healthy weight by increasing metabolism and regulating the appetite. Adequate consumption of water can also decrease certain risks of diseases. Selection of foods that are liked is important to most people. When in search for the foods that has the best nutritional value and low in calories and fat, think about the food pyramid. Choose the best foods to lose weight such as fruits, vegetables and proteins. Fruits and vegetables have many health benefits. Avoid even purchasing the junk food at the store and this will help you avoid these foods when at home. It is a good idea to try new recipes with a variety of ingredients so boredom will not happen due to eating the same foods. Be mindful of snack foods high in fat and also the place where the snack is consumed is a major problems for most people. Stay away from eating in from of the computer or television. Also, try to avoid the fast food restaurants that offer a meal filled with complete fat, but if you must eat out, select a meal that may be prepared in a leaner preparation method and smaller portions. It is a wiser choice to cook your own meals at home which keeps you in control. Remember, if the food is not something that is liked, most likely it will not be something that can continue to be eaten. Be selective when deciding on which foods to choose! Portion control is another aspect when thinking about food selections. Following the serving guidelines for foods will be helpful when determining if the food value is worthwhile for consumption. One way to deceive your brain to think you have more food to eat is to use a smaller plate during meals. When preparing your plate, you will be okay in the calorie range when filling the small plate full of the best foods to lose weight. Find a medley of the that are liked and low in fat, and be on your way to a new you.
10 Foods to Add to the Brain Diet to Help Improve Brain Function
April 13th, 2011 § 0
Food is an easy way to improve brain function because you can build up the nutrients and chemicals needed for your brain to operate at maximum efficiency while also enhancing your overall health. Have you ever noticed if you skip a meal or two you have difficulty concentrating, or perhaps you become a little irritable? That’s your brain telling you it needs a new supply of nutrition to operate properly. Essential fatty acids- many people are led to believe that dietary fats are bad. However certain fats obtained from foods are critical for optimal brain health. Your brain cells depend on fats for construction, repair, and ongoing communication. Unsaturated fats are those that must be obtained from diet because the body cannot create them. Among the most important of these are unsaturated omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. Omega 6 fatty acids are plentiful in the typical American diet, it’s the omega-3 fatty acids that are less plentiful in our diet. Water – water is required for survival 70 % of your brain is water. Each of us needs to drink plenty of water to maintain proper brain function. If you don’t consume enough water every day you will become dehydrated. When your brain becomes dehydrated, it is harder for your brain to make connections and recall information. You will easily become confused and disoriented. Stay hydrated if you expect your brain to keep working at its best. Antioxidants and free radicals- Oxidative damage caused by free radicals is responsible for much of the aging of our brain and other parts of our body. Free radicals damage various parts of our cells. The body’s defenses for neutralizing these free radicals are antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules of various sizes and shapes that protect the brain and the body from free radicals and oxidative damage. 1. Blueberries – The levels of antioxidants found in blueberries help slow down oxidation of the brain. Not only do these chemicals help reduce the risk of mental diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as some cancers, they also can result in increased memory and motor skill function. 2. Black Currants – Black currants not only help protect brain cells, they are also jammed packed with antioxidants. They protect the cells found in hippocampus, a part of the brain which helps usher in information to be remembered and stored in other parts of the brain. The darker the color, the more rich in antioxidants they are. 3. Cherries – Jam-packed with antioxidants, cherries not only taste good, they are good brain food. Antioxidants help to fight off free radicals, thereby helping blood flow easier to the brain. Without the free radicals, not only does more blood make it to the brain, but the blood is more nutrient-dense. 4. Seafood – Many people refer to seafood as ‘brain food’ because of the proliferation of Omega-3 fatty acids in many fish such as salmon, sardines, herring, tuna, Marcel, and other cold water fish. Make these a regular part of your brain healthy diet Studies have shown that Omega-3 fatty acid found in fish actually helps to improve memory function 5. Eggplant – Eggplant helps to protect the lipids in brain cell membranes. These lipids help to keep some of the bad stuff out, like free radicals, while also keeping the good stuff in. 6. Soy Beans – While many scientists previously thought soy was damaging to the brain, new studies have shown soy to have protective qualities. Similar to lipids, these chemicals play a large role in the development of the brain; especially the parts which are responsible for memory. 7. Vegetables – the more colorful the vegetables on your plate, the better they are for you. Think about various colored lettuce, spinach, onions, bell peppers, I could go on and on. The more colorful the vegetable the better. 8. Salads- are refreshing ways to consume plenty of colorful vegetables, add a few almonds or walnuts or sunflower seeds. You can add some tuna or chicken salmon some olive oil. Salads are a healthy addition to the brain diet. 9. Fresh fruit-try adding fruit to your meals or as a snack between meals; strawberries and blueberries and other berries, oranges, tangerines, Apples, pears, melons, peaches, or mangoes can make refreshing and healthy desserts and snacks. Start using fruit in place of pastries and cookies for dessert your memory and your waistline will thank you. 10. Nuts and seeds – nuts and seeds are not only healthy but you can eat them as snacks add them to your salad or vegetable dish. Almonds, walnuts, and sunflower seeds are good brain healthy choices try to limit these to a small handful a day, due to their high calorie content. William is a memory expert,and is giving away a free memory improvement mini course, and many free resources you can use to help . For more great information on improve your memory, visit .