Get Healthy with Herbal Life

Everyone knows that drug will be very important for his or her life. Without having some drugs, it may be something danger for you because drugs will help you to be better. Actually, it is available for you several kinds of drugs. Moreover, sometimes, for some people have no successfully treatment when they consume for a drugs. Besides, for some drugs, it usually has a negative effect for the body of the consumer. It may be as the reason why some people search for the other drugs.

It is herbal as one of thing, which will give you better than everything will. Because herbal is natural content, it will be zero point for you to get a negative effect from herbal. Thus, herbal is actually as the best choice for you. Thus, for searching some herbal, you must know first for the Herbalife Distributor Herbal Nutrition Herbal. Then, to make sure about the quality of the herbal, you can joint for the Herbalife Herbal Life Herbalife International. Surely, it will give you much information about herbal life. In addition, you can add your knowledge about the benefits of herbal; you can search for the Nutrition Network.

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Posted in: Alternative Medicine

Heartburn and Acid Reflux Relief During Pregnancy!

Heartburn is a common condition for many, unfortunately, is even more common for women during pregnancy. The acidity is caused by stomach acid to escape and move into the esophagus. It can create pain, pressure and burn the women during pregnancy and naturally women would like a natural and effective solution that will not affect your growing baby.

There are two reasons why the heartburn becomes a particular issue for pregnant women;

First, the growing baby restricts a woman's organs. The stomach, in particular, is pushed up and restricted. This physical pressure can force stomach acid into the esophagus causing pain and can damage the esophagus.

Secondly, during pregnancy, progesterone levels rise.Progesterone serves many beneficial functions to protect the growing fetus and the strengthening of the placenta. The disadvantage is the high level can also cause swelling and relax the esophageal sphincter allowing acid to escape the stomach. Progesterone also may slow the digestion process.

Resources are available over the counter, but pregnant women should really take the advice of your doctor before taking any of these remedies. A better approach might be to adopt some simple lifestyle changes.

The following steps should be helpful...

Try to eat smaller meals and eat 5-6 meals a day instead of the traditional three large meals. To distribute food in this way you are allowing your stomach to digest food more efficiently and are avoiding creating more pressure than necessary.

Try eating more slowly. Chewing food thoroughly is also compatible with your digestive system. One way to curb your power is to put your fork down between mouthfuls.

Avoid spicy foods and foods high in acidity.. Also note any food that seems to be a trigger for heartburn.

Foods high in fat, particularly animal fats, can be difficult to digest. Eat in moderation

Drink plenty of water, as it will help your digestive system. A glass of water will also provide very fast, unfortunately temporary, acid wash solution into the stomach.

Wear comfortable clothing that does not restrict the stomach.

Never go to bed with a full stomach. . Staying vertical will allow gravity to help keep the acid in the stomach.

You can use pillows to support the upper body to help you sleep.

Finally, if you have not stopped smoking to protect your growing baby , then here's another good reason to quit smoking as well make heartburn less common.

The good news is that the symptoms of acid reflux is likely to ease after the birth of your baby...

Using the methods I have described will also help control symptoms during pregnancy.
by: Obadiea Jones

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Posted in: hearthburn,pregnancy

Exercise for Stomach Fat

With all the fast food we eat, only the fortunate few avoid a flabby gut without doing some sort of exercise for stomach fat. Two of the simplest types are planks and crunches. Before you start on either, bear in mind that pregnant women shouldn�t do these exercises. Also, if you have back problems, doing crunches on a hard surface can aggravate those problems, so don�t do that. As always, warm up before and stretch afterward. Never stretch cold muscles.

Planks

For the ab plank, lie on the floor face down with your weight on your forearms and toes. Straighten your body, as rigid and straight as possible, from neck to ankles for a 30-second holds (use the old �one-Mississippi, two-Mississippi� method for counting the seconds). Do three sets of 20 (or however many you can do to begin with and work up to three sets). Thirty-second holds are a starting point. Gradually increase your hold time as you grow more accustomed to the exercise. If this becomes too easy, do the exercise with a stability ball under your feet. The more you do the more stomach fat you will burn.

Another intense exercise for stomach fat is the side plank, start in the basic plank position (weight on toes and elbows), and roll to one side, placing all your weight on one forearm and placing your upper foot on your lower foot (the weight is now on the side of your foot), and extend your free arm straight upward. Hold that for 30 seconds, and then reverse, holding that for 30 seconds. This exercise can also be done with straight arms, weight resting on the palm of the hand. That�s a little more challenging balance-wise, but like anything else, it gets easier with practice. Again, the goal is three sets of twenty.

Crunches

For a more old-school exercise for stomach fat, do some crunches. Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Position your feet as wide as your hips, hands behind your head, and tuck hands behind your ears. Use your stomach (not your hands) to lift your head, neck and shoulder blades off the floor. Don�t pull your head forward with your hands. Keep your chin off your chest. Hold that position until it starts to burn, and then count to five before lowering. Do three sets of however many you can do, and keep going until failure (i.e., until you can�t do anymore).

An oblique crunch adds rotating slightly with your shoulders, moving one of your elbows toward the opposite knee, while doing the crunches. To increase the intensity of your stomach fat exercise, add a stability ball to the mix.

Stomach fat exercise should be part of your daily routine. It not only makes you look better, but it also remedies back pain caused by extra weight imposing on weak muscles in your stomach and back. You don�t get as tired because you aren�t hauling around extra stomach fat. Working your abs helps your posture and eliminates stress. All in all, you couldn�t do yourself a bigger favor.
by: James Taylor

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Posted in: stomach

Managing Your Cholesterol - The Best Way To Prevent Hearth Attacks

Cholesterol is one of the most familiar medical words today. Everyone knows �something� about it , but mostly cholesterol is associated in our mind with something �bad� and �unwanted� that happens to old and overweight people.The facts show that about 20 percent of the U.S. population has high blood cholesterol levels.

Actually holesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance (lipid) that your body needs for many important functions, such as producing new cells , some hormones, vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat.. It is present in cell walls or membranes everywhere in the body, including the brain, nerves, muscle, skin, liver, intestines, and heart.

In fact our bodies need cholesterol to function normally, but too much cholesterol can be bad for our health. Why ? Cholesterol and other fats can't dissolve in the blood. They have to be transported to and from the cells by special carriers. Cholesterol travels through your blood attached to a protein. This cholesterol�protein package is called a lipoprotein. Lipoproteins are high density or low density depending on how much protein there is in relation to fat.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the major cholesterol carrier in the blood. If too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the walls of the arteries feeding the heart and brain. Together with other substances it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. When the coronary arteries become narrowed or clogged by cholesterol and fat deposits (a process called atherosclerosis) and cannot supply enough blood to the heart, the result is coronary heart disease. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off by total blockage of a coronary artery, the result is a heart attack. This is usually due to a sudden closure from a blood clot forming on top of a previous narrowing. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is called "bad" cholesterol because it can cause cholesterol buildup and blockage of your arteries. LDL is mostly fat with only a small amount of protein.

About one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Medical experts think HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's passed from the body. Some experts believe HDL removes excess cholesterol from plaques and thus slows their growth. HDL is called "good" cholesterol because it helps prevent cholesterol from building up in your arteries. It is mostly protein with only a small amount of fat.

Since there is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol it is not only necessary to know your cholesterol level ,it is also important to know your levels of LDL and HDL.

The fact is that there are no symptoms of high cholesterol. Your first symptom of high cholesterol could be a heart attack or a stroke. The level of cholesterol can be measured only with a blood test.The results come as three main numbers:

� Total Cholesterol
� LDL
� HDL

The level of LDL should be less than 160.

Total cholesterol should be less than 200.

The level of HDL should be more than 35.

Most Important: Your LDL level is a good indicator of your risk for heart disease. Lowering LDL is the main aim of treatment if you have high cholesterol. In general, the higher your LDL level, the greater your chance of developing heart disease.

Remember : Regular cholesterol tests are recommended to find out if your cholesterol level is within normal range.

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT YOUR LDL CHOLESTEROL LEVELS?

The main cause of high blood cholesterol is eating too much fat, especially saturated fat. Saturated fats are found in animal products, such as meats, milk and other dairy products that are not fat free, butter, and eggs. Some of these foods are also high in cholesterol. Fried fast foods and snack foods often have a lot of fat.

Being overweight and not exercising can make your bad cholesterol go up and your good cholesterol go down. Regular physical activity can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels. It also helps you lose weight. You should try to be physically active for 30 minutes on most, if not all, days.

Cigarette smoking damages the walls of your blood vessels, making them likely to have cholesterol rich plaques rupture and have heart attacks. Smoking may also lower your level of HDL cholesterol by as much as 15 percent.

Also, after women go through menopause, their bad cholesterol levels tend to go up. There is also a rare type of inherited high cholesterol that often leads to early heart disease.Some people inherit a condition called familial hypercholesterolemia, which means that very high cholesterol levels run in the family.Other people, especially people for whom diabetes runs in the family, inherit high triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are another type of blood fat that can also push up cholesterol levels. People with high blood triglycerides usually have lower HDL cholesterol and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Progesterone, anabolic steroids and male sex hormones (testosterone) also lower HDL cholesterol levels.

So we can make a conclusion that the main therapy is to change your lifestyle. This includes controlling your weight, eating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, exercising regularly, not smoking and, in some cases, drinking less alcohol.

But , depending on your risk factors, if healthy eating and exercise don't work after about 6 months to 1 year, your doctor may suggest medicine to lower your cholesterol level.

Now there are very effective medications called �statins�,such as Lipitor.

The drug works by helping to clear harmful low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol out of the blood and by limiting the body's ability to form new LDL cholesterol. Each tablet Lipitor includes 20mg Atorvastatin. It is in a class of medications called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the body. Lipitor has shown the ability to halt, not just slow, the potentially fatal buildup of plaque in clogged arteries. While a handful of drugs now available slow the buildup of new plaque, or atherosclerosis, in coronary arteries, no drug on the market has been proven to both stop new build-up and clear existing plaque.
by: Richard Clement

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Posted in: cholesterol,heart,jantung,kolesterol

Anxiety and Stress : Risk of Heart Attack?

One of the most common questions asked with reference to anxiety and stress is whether or not these conditions cause heart disease.

Panic attacks usually involve sudden development of emotions such as anxiety, fear or extreme feeling of discomfort. These emotions are followed by some additional symptoms.

Panic attacks have always been associated to cardiovascular risks such as anger, depression and even hostility. Hypertension is yet another symptom associated to panic attacks. Anxiety or stress is known to add up to adverse effects of cardiovascular problems including enhanced blood clotting tendency, coronary artery spasm or heart rhythm disturbances.

Does stress actually increases the risk of heart attack?

According to a recent research it has been indicated that people with stress or panic disorders tend to possess a more active coagulation System and inhibited fibrinolysis. The result was not expected as there was no injury other than some breaks in the skin occurred due to blood sampling.

This clearly indicates that the clotting was unbalanced. This can be quite dangerous because a coronary artery may get blocked in extreme cases. However, the levels of coagulation measured were just within the range considered normal.

This research came up with an explanation of a data displaying. People with stress or panic disorder being four times more prone to die of a heart attack or stroke. Hence, when there are several other factors including smoking or obesity to enhance the risk of heart disease, a stress disorder can enhance the balance of coagulation further to danger zone.

It is very important to diagnose stress or anxiety disorder as soon as possible. Treatment given at an early stage tends to inhibit the chances of any kind of heart disease.

Anxiety or stress is also known to make a patient get a feeling like heart attack due to rapid pulse and shortness of breath. According to a study of more than three thousand older women, it is suggested that shortness of breath or rapid pulse experienced due to stress may evoke a feeling similar to heart attack and even result in serious heart troubles in the long run.

Studies have also revealed that women who have experienced a full blown panic or stress attack in 6 months were more vulnerable to stroke or heart attack as compared to those who didn�t experienced stress or panic attack.

The researchers also considered a lot of other risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, depression and in activity. However, they still came to a conclusion that stress and panic attack enhanced risks of heart related disease.

Women undergoing symptoms of post menopause tend to take a lot of stress and this is known to be one of the major causes of cardiovascular risk. Mental stress is always bad for health and may result in a lot of adverse effects.

A lot of scientific evidences have suggested that metal stress tend to affect the cardiovascular System adversely. Tasks promoting stress can result in blood flow decrease to the heart that ultimately result in a lot of heart related diseases such as a heart attack.

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Posted in: heart disease,jantung

Sauna, Health Benefits of Steam Bath

Did you know about sauna. Yes, people called this "steam bath" which bathing in a room that has been specially designed, where its room wall can issued a steam iron.

Sauna, steam room is now the tune. In Indonesia, the sauna evolved in many large cities such as Jakarta, Bandung, and Denpasar. Sauna developed in big cities because the market is also here where the majority of service users sauna is the people who live in urban areas. They were from middle and those rich, who have more money. Sauna just could be accessed by people from middle until high income, because it is expensive to have sauna.

Sauna is in place, including the type of conventional sauna. In line with the development of the technology now sauna can be brought to the house and you do not need to shift more difficult to place sauna. This type of sauna is the infrared saunas, the sauna that issue long-distance infrared waves that effectively be merged in your skin. You may determine the type, shape and design or choose the form of a sauna that you will use. And it is delivered to your home.

Type of this far infrared saunas also has health benefits are: ease pain in the body, make your weight go down, the more elastic collagen tissue that may effect on your skin, eliminate stress, make you feel relax, and can remove poisons from body. Why you should choose infrared saunas? Here is the reason, it’s because if it is compared with the conventional sauna this type has more effective and efficiently, more quickly and bring the heat by the effect of it waves.

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Posted in: Alternative Medicine,Fitness

How To Find the Best Stop Snoring Solution for You

When you start researching stop snoring solutions you begin to realize just how many different approaches are available for you to try. They range from stop snoring sprays to mouthpieces which are designed to keep your airways open to pretty drastic surgeries. You can be forgiven for feeling that you need to be a qualified MD to work out which snoring solution would be most appropriate for you.

But it is extremely important to take a very logical approach to work out which is the best solution to your individual and unique snoring issues. We are all different. We are all individual. There is not one single stop snoring product which will work for everyone. All of these solutions do work for some people. And so you do have to do your research thoroughly and then make an informed choice to find your snoring cure.

Fortunately, thanks to the internet, the process of research is far easier than it was in the past. One has to be aware however that it is necessary to also check out the credentials of the person who is promoting a particular snoring cure online. It's worth checking also to see what kind of success rate a snoring aid has or if there are real testimonials from satisfied customers.

At the end of the day it is your health which is affected by snoring and perhaps your relationship as well. And so taking the time to diligently research the possible stop snoring solutions is time well spent. I know what I would do. I would start by making a list of every single stop snoring aid that I could find mentioned anywhere at all. Then I would take each one and list the pros and cons in terms of simplicity to use, comfort, invasiveness, apparent success rate, strength of testimonials, suitability and, last of all, cost.

Where your health and relationship are affected, cost should be the last factor to be considered. Some stop snoring cures are undeniably simple, like losing weight or training yourself to sleep on your side. All they require is a little effort on your part. And so you have to weigh up in your own mind whether stopping snoring is more important than eating some of those favorite foods, or worth the effort involved in training your brain to make sleeping on your side a habit.

Some snorers decide that surgery is the easiest answer; but although it may require less effort on your part, you subject yourself to the inherent risks implicit in any form of invasive surgery. One has to think very, very carefully before deciding that this is the best stop snoring solution for you. You have to weigh up the health and lifestyle risks which are caused by snoring against the risks or effort required in the method of stopping.

Ultimately, everyone who snores wishes that they didn't; nobody likes knowing that they keep their partner awake or drive them into the spare bedroom. Nobody likes waking up with a sore throat, sore ribs (from being elbowed) and a frosty atmosphere.

In fact most snorers are frustrated by being subjected to something which they seemingly cannot control. But you can take control of your snoring issues. There are many possible cures and solutions to snoring; it's just a matter of taking the time to research and find the right one for you.

Roseanna Leaton, specialist in self hypnosis mp3 downloads which provide a non-invasive stop snoring solution.

P.S. Discover how easily you can train your brain with hypnosis; grab a free hypnosis download from my website now.

by: Roseanna Leaton

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Posted in: snoring

Head Sweating And Your Social Life

Three percent of people in the world suffer from head sweating. This is a staggering statistic. If one suffers from this medical condition one need not feel alone. The entire surface of the body is covered in millions of sweat glands that control the body temperature and allows the skin to perspire to cool down when hot. When this intricate system gets out of sink excessive head sweating of a primary or secondary form takes place.

Primary hyperhidrosis (head sweating), affects ninety-five percent of suffers and can be controlled to a certain degree by natural herbal homeopathic remedies. These medications have been known to help in the reducing and sometimes in certain cases completely stopping the sweating. These natural substances may also be able to treat the underlying causes of excessive sweating. With the wide variety of herbal solutions now available on the market one should always consult a reputable herbal consultant for optimum results, when seeking a remedy for this problem.

Secondary hyperhidrosis is endured by five percent of afflicted people. This small group may have excessive head sweating problems as a result of an underlying medical condition and it is advisable to consult a doctor.

It is an embarrassing dilemma that can often create severe psychological problems in a person's life. Wet hair and an itchy scalp, clammy face ruining makeup, forever feeling untidy and self-conscious about one's appearance all leave one insecure. Together with all these problems one still has the underlying fear of unpleasant odors resulting from the perspiration.

There are a number of helpful tips that can go a long way to helping lessen the chances of a head sweat. Loose clothing made from natural fibers, avoiding nylons and other synthetic materials will help one feel cooler. Keeping one's feet cool also allows the whole body to be cooler.

Hot, peppery foods and stimulants should be avoided at all costs. One should endeavor to use natural shampoos and not to wash one's hair too often. A well balanced nourishing diet is also recommended to prevent unnecessary sweating.

Emotional stress, anxiety levels and fits of rage can also bring one severe sweating. One is encouraged to find ways to bring these feelings under control and to work towards lessening these fits of emotion that increase the possibility of undue facial perspiration.

To cope with head sweating one needs to determine into which of the two categories, primary or secondary, one falls in to and then decide on how to deal with this unattractive disorder. Little is known of the exact cause except that the problem is focused around an overactive sympathetic nervous system that in some cases my benefit from natural homeopathic remedies.
Primary hyperhidrosis (head sweating), affects ninety-five percent of suffers and can be controlled to a certain degree by natural herbal homeopathic remedies. These medications have been known to help in the reducing and sometimes in certain cases completely stopping the sweating. These natural substances may also be able to treat the underlying causes of excessive sweating. With the wide variety of herbal solutions now available on the market one should always consult a reputable herbal consultant for optimum results, when seeking a remedy for this problem.

Secondary hyperhidrosis is endured by five percent of afflicted people. This small group may have excessive head sweating problems as a result of an underlying medical condition and it is advisable to consult a doctor.

It is an embarrassing dilemma that can often create severe psychological problems in a person's life. Wet hair and an itchy scalp, clammy face ruining makeup, forever feeling untidy and self-conscious about one's appearance all leave one insecure. Together with all these problems one still has the underlying fear of unpleasant odors resulting from the perspiration.

There are a number of helpful tips that can go a long way to helping lessen the chances of a head sweat. Loose clothing made from natural fibers, avoiding nylons and other synthetic materials will help one feel cooler. Keeping one's feet cool also allows the whole body to be cooler.

Hot, peppery foods and stimulants should be avoided at all costs. One should endeavor to use natural shampoos and not to wash one's hair too often. A well balanced nourishing diet is also recommended to prevent unnecessary sweating.

Emotional stress, anxiety levels and fits of rage can also bring one severe sweating. One is encouraged to find ways to bring these feelings under control and to work towards lessening these fits of emotion that increase the possibility of undue facial perspiration.

To cope with head sweating one needs to determine into which of the two categories, primary or secondary, one falls in to and then decide on how to deal with this unattractive disorder. Little is known of the exact cause except that the problem is focused around an overactive sympathetic nervous system that in some cases my benefit from natural homeopathic remedies.

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Posted in: head sweating

I Have Rheumatoid Arthritis And Am Worried About Heart Attack Risk...

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you should be worried about risk from cardiovascular events. That includes both heart attacks and strokes.

Women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have high rates of non fatal heart attacks. This occurs even without traditional risk factors being present. (Solomon, et al. Circulation 2003; 107: 1303-1307). The same is probably true for men with RA as well.

In addition multiple studies have demonstrated the increased risk of stroke occurring in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Presence of intimal plaque (atherosclerosis in the inner walls of the carotid arteries) has been used as a surrogate marker of arterial disease elsewhere.

The conclusions drawn from multiple studies are that RA is an extremely potent risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. More aggressive goals for risk factor modification should be instituted.

It�s important to assess all risk factors in patients with RA. Control of hyperlipidemia and high blood pressure is mandatory. Dietary measures are primary. If dietary changes don�t work, then statin therapy maybe needed. These drugs lower LDL cholesterol (�bad� cholesterol) and reduce levels of C-reactive protein. If a patient has diabetes, tight control of blood sugar is extremely important.

Discontinuation of cigarette smoking and proper weight management are important.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients could reduce their cardiovascular risk by spending more time walking.

Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior contribute to the risk of cardiovascular disease but little is known about energy expenditure from lifestyle physical activity in RA patients.

A recent study compared energy expenditure from exercise and lifestyle activities between 122 RA patients and 122 healthy controls.

At the beginning of the study, RA patients spent fewer kilocalories per week walking, exercising and participating in sports than did controls, the authors report.

Similar percentages of RA patients and controls met their recommended thresholds for total weekly energy expenditure, but the percent of RA patients meeting the recommended threshold for walking (32%) was notably lower than controls (48%).

At follow-up an average of 14 months later, RA patients continued to expend fewer kilocalories per week overall and were less likely to meet the threshold for walking, compared with controls.

"This study provides evidence that despite the fact that walking is an excellent lifestyle activity and it is markedly underutilized in RA patients," the authors note. "Our study supports the development and implementation of interventions to foster walking as part of a program to address cardiovascular risk in RA patients." (Mancuso C, et al. Arthritis Rheum 2007; 57:672-678).

Aspirin therapy has been shown to be effective prophylaxis for men and some studies also indicate its potential effectiveness in women.

In the final analysis, it must be mentioned that the most potent weapon against the increase in cardiovascular mortality is tight control of the rheumatoid arthritis- getting the disease into remission. Fortunately, the advent of first, second, and third generation biologic medicines have made this a reality.
by: Nathan Wei

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Posted in: rheumatoid

Margarine: Low IQ and Heart Attacks

Margarine lowers the IQ of children. I know it sounds completely arrogant but it is true. According to researchers at the University of Auckland, children who ate margarine every day had significantly lower IQ scores by...

the age of three-and-a-half than those who did not (1). The saddest thing is that margarine is promoted to be a healthy alternative to butter which not true. Margarine is an artificial product that has been heavily processed and chemically refined. Due to these procedures it goes through it has acquired serious toxic and inflammatory properties. The vegetable oils used in most margarine are hydrogenated to make them solid. This turns the oil into highly unhealthy trans-fatty acids. These man-made fatty acids have been shown to raise �bad� cholesterol (LDL) and lower �good� cholesterol (HDL). They have also been linked to inflammation, one of the major causes of heart disease (2).

In another study, people were tracked for 20 years and the number of heart attacks was recorded and analysed (3). Data from the Framingham Study backed up this particular project. The results are in complete disagreement with everything we have been told so far. As margarine consumption increased, heart attacks went up. As butter consumption increased, heart attacks declined. During the second decade, the group eating the most margarine had 77% more heart attacks than the group eating none!

The Framingham Study is considered to be the research project backing up the conventional theories for heart disease and cholesterol for many decades now. After 40 years, the director of the Framingham Study admitted: "In Framingham, the more saturated fat one ate, the more cholesterol one ate, the more calories one ate, the lower the person's serum cholesterol. . . we found that the people who ate the most cholesterol, ate the most saturated fat, ate the most calories, weighed the least and were the most physically active."

I guess that the point to take home from the above studies, is that things are not always the way they are presented by the media. It has become imperative to be very careful when we choose our sources of information concerning health issues.

References

1.Theodore, RF., Thompson, JMD., et al. Dietary patterns and intelligence in early and middle childhood, Intelligence. 2009; 37(5):506-513

2.C. Oomen, M. Ocke, et al, �Association between trans fatty acid intake and 10-year risk of coronary heart disease in the Zutphen Elderly Study: The Lancet, Volume 357, Issue 9258, Pages 746-751

3.�Margarine Intake and Subsequent Coronary Heart Disease in Men.� Matthew W. Gillman, L. Adrienne Cupples, et al. Epidemiology Vol. 8, No. 2 (Mar., 1997), pp. 144-149
by: Helen Davies

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Posted in: heart disease,jantung

How to Avoid Needing Dental Implants

Dental implants are an effective way dentists can restore missing teeth or teeth that are loose. The way the implants work is by implanting a titanium root into the gum and allowing it time to fuse with the bone in the mouth as if it were totally natural. This can take up to 6 months. Titanium is rarely rejected by the body which is why this material is used, and once it is solid a prosthetic tooth can be inserted or screwed into place. The tooth is created to match the others in the mouth making it very natural looking. No one who didn't know the tooth was artificial would be able to tell the difference.

This procedure is not the only way to fill in a gap in the mouth. You can also have removable dentures, however often people are not so keen to have these. It is also possible to have a fixed bridge, but because some of the enamel has to be worn away on the neighbouring teeth to have this done, it is also not as popular as dental implants. The trick with keeping all your teeth and having to avoid any type of surgery or implants is to look after your teeth properly. There is not too much you have to do, but like most things in life consistency is the key. This article provides the ways you need to look after your teeth in order to avoid having any serious work done, including dental implants.

Brush your teeth

This is a pretty obvious one, but still worth mentioning because sometimes people only brush their teeth in a half hearted way. Teeth should be brushed every morning and every evening. You shouldn't scrub away at them either, because this can wear away the enamel and the brush should be replaced every 3 months, maximum. When you are cleaning make sure you reach every single tooth in both the upper and lower part of the mouth. Repeatedly missing a tooth can stain it initially and create cavities too.

Use Mouthwash

Mouthwash is often used after you have cleaned your teeth for a final rinse. This is worthwhile, but it can also be a good idea to have an initial rinse too. Sometimes brushing can rub food into the tiny crevices of the teeth so having a very quick rinse to get rid of little bits of food that may be lurking can prevent it from getting mashed in. Just half a cap before and half a cup after in the morning and evening can ensure your teeth stay perfect for longer.

Avoid sugar

Unfortunately nothing rots teeth quicker than sugary food and drinks. Sugary drinks are the worst because they tend to be consumed throughout the day so your teeth never get a chance to recover from the onslaught. Eating a sugary chocolate bar all in one go is better for your teeth than slowly sipping away at a sugar filled drink. Try and avoid as much sugar as possible and be aware that even drinks like orange juice and other "healthy drinks" can be full of sugar too.

Don't Smoke

Smoking can cause your teeth damage because it can wear aware the bone and make the teeth become loose. This is often a cause of losing teeth in adults and can be why dental implants are needed. Ensuring good overall health by not smoking, avoiding excess alcohol and getting plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet can help you keep good, strong teeth for longer.

If you want to avoid having dental implants and tooth whitening later on in life then the advice above should be followed. It is always possible to improve your smile if you want to go one step further with professional teeth whitening - this will make them dazzle!

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Posted in: dental

Diet Programs And Meals - The Okinawa Diet

The Okinawa Diet was created by Makoto Suzuki. It is based on the nutritional habits of people who live in the Ryukyu Islands including the city of Okinawa in southern Japan. In the past these people had the longest life expectancy in the world. This is a long term or life long diet. You will eat 300 calories a day less than your caloric expenditure. Stop eating before you are full. 78% of your nourishment comes from vegetable sources. Privileged foods include rice, soy, and fish. Eat as little dairy products as possible. Here are some of the diet principles.

Eat about 80% of the food you feel you need. Eat low-calorie foods; these are foods that may contain the highest level of micronutrients. Eat seven or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Eat seven servings of legumes and grains daily. Eat two servings of soy daily. Eat algae; they include numerous minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Eat fish three times a day. Limit your consumption of animal products, replacing them with vegetable proteins. Drink very little alcohol but drink a small amount of red wine regularly. You should try to avoid sugar and salt such as in prepared foods. Drink a lot of water and tea.

The Okinawa Diet claims to reduce the risks of diabetes, excess cholesterol, cancer, and heart disease. It also claims to lower stress and fight against aging. This diet has the advantage of being easy to follow, unless you are a fan of salt or sugar. You may find yourself hungry.

Here are two sample menus:

Menu 1

Breakfast: A slice of carrot cake. A nectarine. Tea.

Lunch: A few sushi. Algae soup. Grated carrots. Tea.

Supper: Miso soup. A bowl of white rice. Cucumber salad. A banana. Tea.

Menu 2

Breakfast: A two-egg herb omelet. Two slices of bran bread. An apple. Tea.

Lunch: A lettuce, tomato, tofu, and endive sandwich on whole-grain bread. A bowl of rice. An orange. Tea.

Supper: Soy and carrot salad. A bowl of white rice. Curried lentils. A peach. Tea.

Some information in this article comes from a fascinating new book, La Bible des Regimes, written by Jenny de Jonquieres and published by Amerik Media. Her book describes over 80 diets and weight reduction programs. Each diet is presented with 5 menu plans, a detailed discussion of its advantages and disadvantages, and lots more. La Bible des Regimes is presently available only in French.

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Posted in: diet

10 Ways To Reduce Gastric and Heartburn During Pregnancy

My wife has gastric since her teenage days but nothing too serious that requires her to get constant medication. But as she get pregnant, her gastric problem came back and causing her to have this heartburn sensation in the chest and throat, everything to her now taste different and her tongue tasted bitter all the time, the increased amount of acid in her stomach caused her to be 'gassy' all the time. Well research shows that this situation normally happens to most of pregnant women (early pregnancy) and usually it will go away/reduced after the first Trimester. So, as a concerned husband, I did some research on how to reduce the feeling of discomfort caused by gastric and heartburn.

Tips:

1. Avoid food that can trigger acid build-up such as oily food, vinegar, some citrus fruits, chocolate, spicy foods, caffeinated products (Coffee, Tea, Cola), carbonated drinks, anything sourly.

2. Try to eat more regularly with smaller portions. As our wives become pregnant, the content of acid in their stomach increased and the process of food digestion also become slower thus the reason of lowering the volume of food and best if they munch their food as many times as possible before swallowing to help the food to processed faster reducing the acid buildup.

3. No ALCOHOL, Period!

4. Ask them to wear comfortable clothing that didn't restrict/pressing your stomach and waist.

5. Don't overstress them; this can also cause acid reflux to goes wild and your gastric and heartburn worst!

6. Drink yogurt based drinks or milk before sleep.

7. Try chewing gum after eating. Chewing gum stimulates your salivary glands, and saliva can help neutralize acid.

8. Avoid eating close to bedtime.

9. Drinking soymilk and barley also helps.

10. Medication: ALWAYS consult with your gynecologist on what medication that your spouse can take.

So there you go guys, I hoped the info I shared with you is beneficial and helpful in any way possible.
by: Jep Black

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Posted in: Gastric,pregnancy

Professional Teeth Whitening Brightens Smiles

Everyone�s teeth become stained over time. At some point, toothpaste alone will not be adequate to address your staining. This is when an in-office visit for professional teeth whitening may be what you need.

Professional Teeth Whitening

Your Austin cosmetic dentist will use an in-office teeth whitening system such as Zoom! or BriteSmile. These systems have been proven to effectively lighten teeth by up to eight shades. The procedure is conducted by a certified dental assistant and usually takes no more than an hour. The take-home bleaching trays are not as effective and results typically take longer to see.

The Teeth Whitening Process

Before your teeth whitening procedure, your dentist will conduct a comprehensive check to verify that the procedure is appropriate for you. The process consists of applying a gel to your teeth then directing a laser beam at them to activate the oxidation process and expedite the whitening. It generally takes about an hour to adequately and evenly whiten the entire dental set during which time you may watch TV, listen to music or even take a nap.

The Safety of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening does absolutely no damage to the teeth�s external or internal structure and it is completely safe for fillings. Patients almost never report any pain, although patients with extremely sensitive teeth may experience some aching or tenderness for a day or two afterwards.

The Results of Teeth Whitening

The results may last up to a year or two. However, that time frame varies depending on your personal habits. If you drink dark liquids such as coffee, tea, and red wine; eat dark foods, or smoke, your teeth will accumulate stains faster. But ultimately, even with the best of diets and oral hygiene routines, people typically still find they will need whitening again in a few years� time. We constantly use our teeth, and there is no way to keep them from showing the effects of that use.

The Candidates of Teeth Whitening

Almost anyone over the age of 18 is eligible for professional teeth whitening. The age limits vary depending on area and dentist. However, teeth whitening does not whiten false teeth, so if you have a prominent false tooth, consult with your dentist before deciding to whiten.
by: Meredi Wagner-Hoehn

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Posted in: teeth

Poor Dental Health May Point To Other Health Problems

Have you had your dentist ask you questions like, 'Are you snoring or sleeping bad?' or 'Do you suffer from halitosis no matter what you eat or do?' or 'Do you suffer from acidity?' Would be surprised if your dentist points you to a sleep apnea clinic rather than an invisalign? Do not because very often poor dental health is actually a pointer to other medical conditions that you might be suffering and not knowing about.

Mouth odor which is so terrible and everyone hates, could be the result of poor digestion, bad eating habits, gastroenteritis, and many other similar problems. High acidity also causes yellowing of teeth, plaque and even cavities. Snoring is another example where oral health points to underlying health problems -- in this case it is respiratory disorders.

Recent studies show that even heart diseases could be detected through the analysis of the condition of your oral health. Tooth infections and abscesses can influence the immune system to such an extent that the heart would be affected as well. When there are acute and continuous recurring infections of the jaw bone in particular, it is often a pointer that the heart is under threat as well.

This is why it is important to visit your dentist at least every six months so you would not only ensure the health of your teeth but also your health overall. The dentist would be able to tell you whether what you are suffering from is owed to poor dental hygiene, poor eating habits or other ailments in the body that reflect in the oral health problems.

It is very important therefore that you maintain good oral health and take the trouble to immediately remedy any problem you find with your teeth or gums. Most people still suffer from dentist phobia and would do anything to postpone a visit. If you are among this bracket of people, please note that you are doing yourself a great disservice. You might be hiding some very serious medical condition.

There are a few things that you should always do to ensure that your teeth stay healthy and disease free.

1. Brush your teeth two to three times a day -- generally the best habit is to brush immediately after a meal. However, brushing 2-3 times a day would suffice. Brushing usually helps to remove any remaining food particles from in-between teeth and also wash away any acidic remnants from the food you consumed.

2. Flossing is a must -- flossing is once again a very important daily activity which you should never ignore. Flossing, like brushing would ensure that there are no shreds of food remaining in between the teeth, which would later decompose and create mouth odor.

3. Avoid sugary foods -- as a general rule refined sugar is not recommended for good health. Generally speaking this creates acidity and gastric problems. When sugary matter remains on the teeth it weakens the enamel and causes cavities.

It is very important that you pay attention to the health of your teeth and mouth in general for neglecting this aspect may impact negatively the rest of your body.
by: Stewart Wrighter

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Posted in: teeth

A Rockledge Chiropractor Offers 5 Tips To Reduce Headaches

Ever have a headache so bad you thought your head would explode? You feel sick, have nausea and dizziness, intense neck and head pain, and even feel disoriented. You are not alone.

Millions of people suffer from debilitating headaches each day, some from migraines others cluster, but most due to tension from stress. Dr. La Starza has offered headache relief for thousands of people who have been suffering for years. If you have no significant health issues, then there are 5 things you can use to reduce the discomfort and pain associated with headaches and make your life more enjoyable.

My first suggestion for reducing headaches will even save you money. That's a bonus! I always recommend to my Chiropractic patients to reduce their caffeine intake. Coffee is usually the main culprit, but many times sodas, teas, energy drinks, and even "indulgence" foods like chocolate can be a huge contributor to your headaches. By reducing the intake of caffeine products, and replacing them with loads of clean water, you can take a major step forward in reducing the intensity, duration, and frequency of your headaches.

Another suggestion that can save you money and prevent other health issues is to stop smoking, which is putting chemical stress into your body. While the main culprit of cigarette smoking is nicotine, there are many other sources of nicotine to consider. Chewing tobacco, cigars, cigarettes and even second-hand smoke (at someone house or in bars and clubs) can be a significant contributor to your headaches. Reducing exposure to nicotine is a critical decision to make as it will affect many area�s of your health.

Third tip is easy and something our parents preached to us as young kids. Remember when your parents wished you a good night's sleep? They were teaching you something valuable! A good night's sleep, full of uninterrupted deep rest, goes a long way in reducing the duration and intensity of your headaches. It also helps with your immune system and overall health. When you sleep your body can repair and regenerate itself. Meditation helps reduce the overall stress in your life, so that you can get deep, quality sleep.

Next is maintain a good diet. Eating healthy will allow your body (and internal systems) to work properly. A diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables, and low in red meat will help reduce inflammation and decrease headaches. Refine your eating habits as much as possible so that you improve your overall health and, at the same time, reduce your headaches. Remember that a part of eating healthy is to drink plenty of water. Talk with your chiropractor or nutritionist, or look at the US RDA recommendations for your height and body weight. Chiropractors are very educated with nutrition and the biochemistry of the body. At La Starza Wellness Chiropractic in Rockledge we offer standard process nutritional products as well as many more.

Finally, chiropractic adjustments can help relieve headache pain quickly. Many of our patients with headaches have had an issue with a spinal cord disc, an impinged nerve, other spinal interference, which when corrected immediately relieved the headache. Find a qualified, licensed chiropractor, who has experience in relieving headaches. You should understand exactly what the chiropractor can do to help your body start working properly again.
by: Marco J. La Starza, D.C.

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Posted in: Headaches

Riset: Obesitas Percepat Kematian

STOCKHOLM - Sebuah studi menunjukkan bahwa orang-orang Denmark yang mengalami kegemukan atau obesitas di usia 20 tahun memiliki resiko meninggal delapan tahun lebih dulu dibanding mereka yang tidak kegemukan.

Penelitian tersebut, yang dipresentasikan pada Kongres Obesitas International di Stockholm, juga mengindikasikan jika obesitas biasanya berkembang sebelum usia penderita mencapai 20 tahun.

Lebih dari 5.000 wajib militer mengambil bagian dalam studi ini, mulai dari umur 20 sampai 80 tahun. Sekitar 2.000 responden telah mengalami kegemukan ketika mengikuti riset ini.

Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa risiko kematian prematur pada penderita obesitas meningkat 10 persen untuk setiap titik, melebihi level sehat dari 25 poin indeks massa tubuh (BMI). Indeks massa tubuh digunakan untuk menentukan lemak tubuh seseorang melalui perhitungan tinggi dan berat badan.

"Pada usia 70 tahun, 70 persen pria di kelompok lain dan 50 persen dari mereka dalam kelompok obesitas masih hidup. Dan kami memperkirakan bahwa dari usia menengah, penderita kegemukan kemungkinan meninggal delapan tahun lebih awal daripada mereka yang berada di kelompok lain," kata Esther Zimmermann dari Copenhagen University Hospital, seperti dikutip melalui Straits Times, Rabu (14/7/2010).

Zimmerman, yang memimpin tim peneliti di rumah sakit Institute of Preventive Medicine, mengatakan penelitian mencatat pengaruh merokok, tahun kelahiran, dan pendidikan tetapi tidak faktor-faktor lain, seperti penyakit keturunan. Penelitian itu tidak termasuk wanita, tetapi mereka megatakan temuan tersebut juga dibuat dalam studi serupa.

Tahun lalu, sebuah studi di Amerika yang diterbitkan dalam jurnal medis BMJ mengatakan jika obesitas mampu mengurangi kemungkinan para wanita mencapai usia 80 tahun dalam keadaan yang sehat. Para peneliti menemukan, untuk setiap kenaikan satu titik pada indeks massa tubuh wanita memiliki kesempatan lebih rendah 12 persen untuk menjalani usia 70 tahun dalam kesehatan yang baik.
Sebuah penelitian Inggris yang diterbitkan di Lancet pada tahun 2009 menemukan bahwa orang dengan indeks massa tubuh 30-35 memiliki resiko meninggal tiga tahun lebih awal dari biasanya, sementara orang-orang yang gemuk, dengan indeks di atas 40, mati sekitar satu dekade lebih dulu.
okezone.com

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Posted in: obesitas

Sugar Overload!!!

As kids our moms warned us that having too many sweets would rot our teeth. Well guess what, mom was right! A typical can of soda can contain as much as 10 teaspoons of sugar! And we all know that some Americans, especially teenagers, sure can guzzle their soda!

Do you know how much sugar you and your family drink every day? According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the consumption of soft drinks, fruit juices, and sports drinks has increased by 500% over the past 50 years in the United States. The ADA reports that Americans consume more than 53 gallons of carbonated soft drinks per person per year. Some people find it difficult to avoid these sugary drinks since there are nearly 450 different soft drinks available in the United States.

What�s alarming is that most people don�t realize how much sugar they, or their children, consume on a daily basis. A research project published in the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that the average American eats the equivalent of 21 teaspoons of added sugar a day and that�s about 2 � to 3 times more sugar than recommended.

Excess sugar consumption is associated with obesity, diabetes, and other conditions linked to heart disease. The study warns that eating a diet that is extremely high in sugar can be as dangerous as having one that is high in fat.

The study showed that people who ate the most added sugar had the lowest HDL, or good cholesterol and people who ate the least amount of sugar had the highest HDL, or bad cholesterol. The study concluded that eating large amounts of added sugar more than tripled the risk of having low HDL, which is �a major risk factor for heart disease.�

The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar in the diet to no more than 100 calories a day for most women and 150 calories a day for most men. That equals about 6 teaspoons of sugar a day for women and 9 teaspoons for men. Did you know, however, that just one 12-ounce can of regular soda can have up to 10 teaspoons of sugar!

Eating and drinking excessive amounts of sugar affects the health of your mouth, too. Consuming too much sugar may lead to oral health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Sugar weakens and erodes enamel, the protective outer surface of teeth, and this makes teeth more susceptible to harmful bacteria and decay.

Simply put, eating and drinking too much sugar can cause cavities. A cavity starts as a small hole in your tooth. The ADA explains on their website that when you eat or drink sugary or starchy foods, the sugars and plaque on your teeth mix together to make an acid. The acids in your mouth attack your teeth and can make cavities.

Cavities cannot be fixed by themselves. They can only be fixed by a dentist who will remove the decay and put a filling in the hole left in your tooth. So what can you do to prevent cavities? The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing at least once per day, visiting the dentist regularly, and making nutritious food and beverage choices.

Bright Side Dental is a dental office with locations in Sterling Heights, Livonia, Canton, and Royal Oak, Michigan. Visit www.BrightSideDental.com for more information cavity prevention.
by: Josh Gershonowicz

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Posted in: obesity

This Common Drug Could be Causing Your Insomnia

It should not be a surprise that caffeine can have an impact on one's ability to get a good night's sleep. While some people can drink a quad venti mocha right before bed with no troubles, others will toss and turn all night if they consume any caffeine during the day.

If you are suffering from insomnia, you may want to take a look at the amount of caffeine that you ingest as being a possible culprit. Before taking drastic measures, such as taking sleeping pills, see what happens if you eliminate caffeine from your diet.

To some this may seem impossible, but if you can start to get a proper amount of sleep each night, that will do far more to boost your energy level than downing cup after cup of coffee. When you also consider that a lack of sleep can have an impact on your overall health, it should be an easy decision to try and cut out caffeine to see if that will relieve your insomnia.

If you insist on that morning cup of coffee, at least avoid all caffeine starting about lunchtime. While it would best to avoid caffeine altogether, at least if you keep your consumption of it to the morning hours, it will mostly have worked its way out of your system by bedtime. It is important to keep in mind that cutting out coffee and tea does not mean that you are eliminating all caffeine. Caffeine is found in a number of products, some of which you may never imagine would contain caffeine.

To cut your caffeine consumption you will, obviously, have to eliminate coffee and tea. You will also need to avoid most types of soda (caffeine-free varieties are fine). Some candy contains just as much caffeine as a small cup of coffee, so it should be avoided as well.

One of the biggest surprise sources of caffeine is in some over the counter medications. Some, such as Midol and Excedrin contain nearly 50 mg of caffeine. When you consider that a small cup of coffee contains about 100 mg, that amount is quite significant.

You may not have to avoid caffeine forever. Just try to cut it out, or at least way down, to see if that helps with your insomnia. If it does not, then you will know that you need to investigate other possible reasons for your inability to sleep. This may include a visit to your doctor or making other behavioral changes.

If your insomnia is helped by reducing caffeine, then you should try to continue to avoid it. If, however, you want to try to drink coffee or tea once again, try to add it only in small doses. If you used to drink 3 cups of coffee a day, try to stick to just one. Also, if you just miss the experience and taste of your coffee or tea, consider one of the many decaf varieties. Many taste just the same as caffeinated drinks. Cutting caffeine may be the answer to your insomnia. When you think of the alternative solutions, such as sleeping pills, it is certainly worth a try.
by: Paul Stevens

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Posted in: insomnia

Kontrol Kolesterol Selama Berpuasa

MENYANTAP menu makanan manis dan tinggi lemak plus kurangnya aktivitas fisik di bulan puasa, bisa memicu tingginya kadar kolesterol. Nah, bagaimana mengatasinya?

Banyak kebiasaan makan yang salah yang terjadi saat bulan Ramadan tiba. Mengonsumsi makanan berlebihan misalnya, kebiasaan ini menjadi salah satu kebiasaan dari beberapa orang saat berbuka puasa atau saat makan sahur. Umumnya, orang memakan makanan secara berlebihan karena sebagian dari mereka merasa takut jika siang hari kelaparan, apabila tidak menyimpan cadangan makanan yang banyak. Kebiasaan tersebut juga semakin diperburuk dengan kebiasaan tidur setelah makan sahur yang semakin menumpuk cadangan lemak tubuh.

Dikatakan spesialis penyakit saraf serta Ketua Bidang Humas dan Penyuluhan Yayasan Stroke Indonesia Dr H Sutarto Prodjo Disastro SpS, bahwa apabila pola makan yang salah terus dilakukan, maka tidak dapat dipungkiri kesehatan tubuh pun akan terganggu, seperti stroke yang disebabkan kolesterol. �Untuk menghindari penyakit serius seperti stroke, mengontrol kolesterol serta menjalani hidup yang lebih sehat, baik selama Ramadan dan Hari Raya, maupun setelah itu sangatlah dianjurkan,� tandasnya.

Dikatakan Marketing Communications Senior Manager PT Pfizer Indonesia Andriani Ganeswari, bahwa sudah menjadi kebiasaan setiap Ramadan serta saat Idul Fitri, kita memiliki kecenderungan mengonsumsi makanan dan minuman yang manis dan bersantan.
Selain itu, kita pun cenderung untuk mengurangi aktivitas olah tubuh dengan alasan untuk menyimpan tenaga agar kuat menjalani tugas sehari-hari.

�Tanpa kita sadari perubahan gaya hidup selama Ramadan dan Idul Fitri ini dapat menimbulkan risiko kolesterol tinggi,� ucapnya. Untuk itu, bagi para penderita kolesterol, sangat disarankan untuk mengontrol pola makan selama Ramadan dan saat Idul Fitri nanti, serta tidak lupa untuk berolahraga ringan.

Bisa dikatakan, peningkatan jumlah penderita stroke di Indonesia identik dengan kolesterol yang diakibatkan pola hidup yang tidak sehat. Menurut Yayasan Stroke Indonesia, saat ini ada kecenderungan meningkatnya jumlah penyandang stroke di Indonesia dalam dasawarsa terakhir. Kecenderungannya menyerang generasi muda yang masih dalam usia produktif.Hal ini akan berdampak terhadap menurunnya tingkat produktivitas serta dapat mengakibatkan terganggunya sosial-ekonomi keluarga.

Kolesterol merupakan senyawa lemak kompleks yang 80% dihasilkan dalam tubuh, yaitu oleh organ hati dan sisanya dari luar tubuh lewat asupan makanan. Kolesterol memiliki beragam fungsi bagi tubuh, antara lain sumber energi, pembentukan dinding sel, dan pembentukan hormon.
Selain itu, kolesterol membawa dampak baik untuk kesehatan apabila kadarnya dalam darah masih dalam keadaan normal. Namun apabila kolesterol yang berada dalam darah kadarnya melebihi batas normal, justru akan memberi dampak negatif dan membahayakan kesehatan.

Di negara-negara maju dengan konsumsi kolesterol yang tinggi, seperti Amerika Serikat, penyakit jantung merupakan salah satu penyebab utama kematian. Penelitian yang dilakukan American Heart Association (AHA) menyatakan bahwa lebih dari 100 juta orang di negara tersebut memiliki kadar kolesterol di atas rata-rata dan 40 juta di antaranya berkadar kolesterol yang sangat tinggi. Kondisi ini menyebabkan angka kematian akibat penyakit jantung dan stroke mencapai 500.000 orang setiap tahunnya.

Sementara data yang dikeluarkan WHO pada 2002, menyebutkan bahwa hiperkolesterolemia menyebabkan 4,4 juta kematian di dunia. Sebagian besar dari orang yang memiliki sifat hiperkolesterolemia adalah mereka yang mempunyai rata-rata kadar kolesterol cukup tinggi antara 200�250 mg%. International Stroke Conference (konferensi stroke internasional), suatu konferensi yang diadakan di Wina, Austria pada 2008 menyatakan bahwa jumlah pengidap stroke di kawasan Asia terus meningkat. Stroke yang juga merupakan penyebab kematian ketiga terbesar di Indonesia saat ini, cenderung mengancam usia-usia produktif di bawah 45 tahun.

Dikatakan spesialis penyakit jantung dan pembuluh darah dr Arieska Ann Soenarta SpJP (K), bahwa tingginya kadar kolesterol dalam darah dapat mengganggu kesehatan, salah satunya adalah meningkatkan risiko serangan jantung koroner. Di beberapa negara maju, prevalensi penyakit jantung koroner sebenarnya sudah mulai menunjukkan penurunan beberapa tahun terakhir ini, tetapi tidak demikian dengan negara berkembang. Pola hidup yang tidak sehat merupakan faktor utama penyebab meningkatnya kasus penyakit jantung koroner yang diakibatkan tingginya kadar kolesterol dalam darah. �Karena itulah, sangat penting bagi masyarakat untuk mulai menyikapi kolesterol dengan bijak sejak dini dan mengubah gaya hidup ke arah yang lebih sehat,� tuturnya dalam acara temu media bertema �Kontrol Hidup Kontrol Kolesterol� yang diadakan PT Pfizer Indonesia beberapa waktu lalu.

Perlunya Cek Kolesterol Rutin

Banyak cara untuk mengontrol kolesterol. Bagi yang belum memiliki sifat hiperkolesterolemia, risiko gangguan ini dapat dikontrol dengan secara berkesinambungan mengontrol gaya hidup mereka melalui pola makan dan olahraga. Untuk mendeteksi risiko kolesterol yang mungkin dihadapi, masyarakat juga harus secara rutin melakukan cek kolesterol setidaknya enam bulan sekali.

�Deteksi rutin ini dapat membantu masyarakat untuk lebih cepat bertindak dalam mengantisipasi gangguan kolesterol apabila tingkat risiko mereka sudah dinyatakan tinggi,� paparnya.

Bertindak dengan cepat untuk menurunkan kadar kolesterol jahat yang ada di dalam tubuhnya, adalah satu tindakan yang harus dilakukan bagi seseorang yang telah terdeteksi memiliki risiko gangguan kolesterol tinggi. Konsumsi obat-obatan secara teratur dan mengubah gaya hidup, dapat dilakukan untuk menurunkan kadar kolesterol.

�Kadar kolesterol juga harus diperiksa secara rutin di laboratorium dan dikonsultasikan dengan dokter,� jelas Arieska. Sejak 2005, Pfizer telah mengenalkan konsep 3 Ring Peduli Kolesterol yang bertujuan untuk membantu masyarakat dalam mengontrol gaya hidupnya agar terbebas dari gangguan kolesterol.
okezone.com

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Posted in: cholesterol,kolesterol