5 Ways to Naturally Lower Cholesterol

Last Updated on Tuesday, 5 January 2010 01:39 Written by Natural Health Team Tuesday, 5 January 2010 01:39

If you’ve been diagnosed with high cholesterol, you’re probably trying to come up with ways to lower your cholesterol before turning to medications like Zocor or Lipitor. If so, then you’ve come to the right place. Below are 5 things you can do to help lower your cholesterol naturally.

1. Know your numbers. Men and women ages 20 years old and up should have their cholesterol levels checked at least once a year, more often if you have high cholesterol. That means that even healthy young people with no history of high cholesterol should get tested. A cholesterol problem could sneak up on you and the earlier it’s detected, the easier time you’ll have lowering those numbers.

2. Lose weight. People who carry around extra weight run a higher risk of having high cholesterol, but more important, they have a harder time lowering too-high levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol.

3. Exercise. This will help you lose weight and will help keep your heart healthy. Studies show that people who engage in regular daily brisk walks have up to 75% less chance of heart attack. And that’s just walking! Imagine how happy your heart, arteries, and veins will be if you join a kickboxing class, do power yoga, or start jogging a few miles a day!

4. Eat healthy fats. People with high cholesterol need to learn the difference between healthy fats and unhealthy fats. Healthy fats are those that are made of monounsaturated fats and include peanut butter, canola oil, and avocados. These have been shown to not only reduce LDL cholesterol, but raise the good HDL cholesterol at the same time. Omega-3 fatty acids are also included in this category.

5. Consume fiber-rich foods. Lower high cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease without buying drugs from your online drugstore with this simple rule: Fiber should be your new best friend. Both soluble and insoluble fibers (but more soluble) will help lower LDL cholesterol levels, aid digestion, keep arteries clear, and even help curb your appetite. Fiber-rich foods include fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.

This article was written by Dr. Elliot Spencer, a cardiologist who specializes in heart health, weight loss, and exercise.

Cholesterol

Choosing an Insurance Provider

Last Updated on Monday, 4 January 2010 12:58 Written by Natural Health Team Monday, 4 January 2010 12:58

When buying insurance – auto insurance, health insurance, home insurance, life insurance or renters insurance – choosing your insurance provider is a big part of the decision process. When you compare insurance quotes it’s easy to see the different prices offered by different insurance providers, but cost alone may not go into your insurance purchase decision. Your insurance provider should help you get the best possible coverage at the best possible price.

Your insurance provider must be licensed to sell insurance in your state so make use of your state’s insurance department. This department can provide you with recommendations for insurance providers and it keeps a file on insurance providers with complaints and recommendations. Check into any complaints to find out why some customers had problems with different insurance providers. Also don’t be afraid to use your social network and friends for recommendations on insurance providers.

It should go without stating, but on the subject of insurance licensing make sure your insurance provider is licensed to sell insurance in your state and absolutely avoid any unlicensed insurance providers.

It’s also worthwhile to look beyond the lowest price when choosing an insurance provider and take experience into account. Insurance agents are paid the same commission percentage regardless of their experience level. Often a more experienced insurance provider can help you maximize your coverage while saving you the most money over the long term.

A regular review of your insurance policy is a service you should expect from your insurance provider. Before buying insurance, ask the potential providers how often they will look over your policy with you. These reviews ensure your insurance policy is not outdated in any way and that you have the coverage you want.

A final consideration when choosing an insurance provider is they are your support and assistance when accidents, catastrophe or disaster strikes. You want an insurance provider who will fight for your side to resolve any claim you have to make on your insurance.

health insurance

South Florida: The Skin Belt

Last Updated on Friday, 25 December 2009 01:55 Written by Natural Health Team Friday, 25 December 2009 01:55

South Florida offers so many different types of skin care treatments that residents are starting to refer to it as the “Skin Belt.” The moniker “Sun belt” definately had an impact on this nickname, but the amount of skin care companies and treatments that are accessible in South Florida is off the charts. People are flocking to South Florida to treat their skin and get some of the best skin care products and treatments available today.

If you open up any City Pages, New Times, or other locally made publication, you will see a plethora of advertisements from cosmetic surgeons and skin care manufacturers alike that are helping people look younger. Of course, places like Aventura are popular with women who are looking at skin and cosmetic surgeries from breast augmentation to Dysport. Every high-end hotel on the Miami skyline has some sort of wellness spa, and many of them come with some of the best follow-up skin care treatments that are aimed to reduce wrinkles, help get rid of dark circles around the eyes, and smooth out skin on the neck.

So why do so many skin care professionals choose to set up their operation in the Skin Belt? Here are a few reasons….

1. Miami’s location makes it very simple to import ingredients from laboratories overseas. Many of the best ingredients come from labs in other parts of the world, such as Europe.

2. Companies can deliver to international customers much faster than their competitors outside of the “Skin Belt.”

3. Many local companies and spa’s are business-to-business customers private labeling or distributing the locally made skin care products.

4. The local population is affected each and every day by the sun. Skin care consumers are very abundant in South Florida.

skin care

Hypertension and Stroke (Health Tip)

Last Updated on Friday, 25 December 2009 01:36 Written by Natural Health Team Friday, 25 December 2009 01:36

Hypertension is one of the leading causes of stroke. But there are ways to reduce your risk.

Hypertension

Hypertension Part 1

Last Updated on Saturday, 19 December 2009 01:34 Written by Natural Health Team Saturday, 19 December 2009 01:34

Hypertension

Hypertension