Essential Fatty Acids and Nutrition

What are Essential Fatty Acids? Essential Fatty Acids are fats that must be obtained from our diet. They are called "essential" because our bodies cannot create them. Essential fatty acids are necessary for almost every bodily function.

In terms of the types of fats that we need to include in our diet, essential fatty acids top the list. Because essential fatty acids assist in controlling cholesterol levels and lowering blood pressure, they play a major role in reducing the overall risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and heart attacks.


Additionally, essential fatty acids help fight inflammation, arthritis, infection, auto-immune disorders, diabetes and depression. Furthermore, they have been shown to be beneficial in relieving symptoms associated with vision problems, PMS, and hair / skin disorders.



For additional information about alternative medicine and other nutrition facts:

Herbal Nutrition Systems

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Heart Disease Risks

Do you know the primary risks of heart disease? Heart disease can come from two sets of factors.

Hereditary Factors for Heart Disease

• Age
• Family History
• Gender

Non-hereditary Factors for Heart Disease

• High Cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Sedentary Lifestyle
• High Homocysteine Level
• Smoking or inhaling passive smoke
• Stress

The hereditary factors for heart disease are pre-determined and can not be avoided. However, the non-hereditary factors are completely in your control. Take care of our heart and it will take care of you.

For additional information about alternative medicine and other nutrition facts:

Herbal Nutrition Systems

To learn how to optimize nutrition and learn about holistic health:

SC Certified Natural Health Professionals : http://www.sc-cnhp.org

For high quality, all-natural, herbal nutritional supplements:

http://www.herbsexpress.com

Technorati tags : cholesterol, heart, heart disease, cardiovascular disease, holistic, nutrition, herbal, herbal remedies, certified natural health professionals, alternative medicine, inflammation, nutritional supplements

Heart Disease, Inflammation, and Cholesterol

Inflammation is considered a risk and potential indicator for heart disease. Inflammation is considered an even greater indicator of heart disease than cholesterol.

Here are the facts. Roughly 40 million baby boomers have high inflammation levels, but at the same time have normal cholesterol levels. They actually have twice the risk of heart attack as people with what's considered to be high cholesterol. However for those suffering from both, high cholesterol and high inflammation levels - the news is not so good. Their risk level of having a heart attack increases by a factor of nine.

What's the heart disease connection?
Inflammation aggravates and deteriorates arterial plaque. This enables it to become fragile and increases the potential of it breaking off and causing a blood clot or blockage. This leads to heart attacks and strokes. Inflammation additionally allows free radials to thrive which oxidize LDL or bad cholesterol and make it more toxic.

Please check back for additional blog posts in this series to find holistic methods to combat inflammation.

For additional information about alternative medicine and other nutrition facts:

Herbal Nutrition Systems

To learn how to optimize nutrition and learn about holistic health:

SC Certified Natural Health Professionals : http://www.sc-cnhp.org

For high quality, all-natural, herbal nutritional supplements:

http://www.herbsexpress.com

Technorati tags : cholesterol, heart, heart disease, heart attack, cardiovascular disease, holistic, nutrition, herbal, herbal remedies, certified natural health professionals, alternative medicine, inflammation, nutritional supplements

Holistic Heart Month

Whether it's the color red or Valentines' day, February is designated as heart month. Throughout the month, you will see articles and ads about heart health and heart disease. It's no wonder. Cardiovascular disease kills roughly 500,000 Americans each year. Furthermore, it causes disability and pain for another 17 million.

On this blog, Holistic Health Nutrition Facts, we are declaring February to be Holistic Heart Month. Throughout February, we will present articles on improving your heart health and incorporating alternative, holistic behaviors into your lifestyle. Whether it is improving your cholesterol level, blood pressure, or preventing heart attacks, knowing how to protect yourself is key. Remember knowledge is power. Heart disease is a silent killer. Stay informed and stay ahead of the disease.

For natural health solutions for health health and heart disease:

http://www.herbsexpress.com

For additional information about alternative medicine and other nutrition facts:

Naturopathic-Medicine.net

To learn how to optimize nutrition and learn about holistic health:

SC Certified Natural Health Professionals : http://www.sc-cnhp.org

Technorati tags : holistic, cholesterol, heart, blood pressure, nutrition, herbal, herbal remedies, holistic, certified natural health professionals, alternative medicine, heart disease, herbs, heart attack, cardiovascular disease

Cholesterol free vegans?

Cholesterol is only found in foods of animal origin. As such, there is no cholesterol in plants. Therefore, you will find no cholesterol in vegetables, fruits, cereals, nuts or beans. Vegetarians may be on to something when it comes to cholesterol management.



For additional information about alternative medicine and other nutrition facts:

Herbal Nutrition Systems

To learn how to optimize nutrition and learn about holistic health:

SC Certified Natural Health Professionals : http://www.sc-cnhp.org

For high quality, all-natural, herbal nutritional supplements:

http://www.herbsexpress.com

Technorati tags : nutrition, cholesterol, holistic, vegan, certified natural health professionals, alternative medicine, herbal, herbs, vegetarian

Garlic for Heart Health

Garlic. This delightful, pungent herb not only fights certain cancers, diabetes, and infections; it also helps in the fight against cardiovascular disease. Garlic is excellent for heart health. Garlic's cholesterol fighting abilities have led to its longstanding reputation as a heart healthy herb.


In laboratory tests, garlic has decreased cholesterol production by liver cells by as much as 40 to 60 percent. For those suffering from high cholesterol, garlic has been reported to be able to reduce it by as much as 10 percent. Garlic lowers triglyceride levels and minimizes or prevents blood clots by preventing blood platelets from sticking together. Furthermore, garlic inhibits damage to the endothelial cells in our blood vessels due to oxidized LDL, the "bad cholesterol". Previous European studies suggest that garlic works much like our HDL, the "good cholesterol", in that it dissolves newly formed arteriosclerotic plaque at the molecular level. Other US studies suggest that saponins in garlic interfere with cholesterol absorption in the intestines, preventing it from going back into the blood stream.

Increase your intake of garlic to improve your overall health. Use fresh garlic in cooking or take it as a nutritional supplement. Taking just 600mg of garlic daily in tablet form can lower both your blood pressure and your cholesterol level in only a few weeks.

For natural health solutions for health health and heart disease:

http://www.herbsexpress.com

For additional information about alternative medicine and other nutrition facts:

Naturopathic-Medicine.net

To learn how to optimize nutrition and learn about holistic health:

SC Certified Natural Health Professionals : http://www.sc-cnhp.org

Technorati tags : garlic, heart, cholesterol, LDL, cancer, nutrition, herbal, herbal remedies, holistic, certified natural health professionals, alternative medicine, heart disease, herbs, diabetes, nutritional supplements

Heart Health and Hawthorn Berries

Traditional medicine has long hailed the miracle herb hawthorn berry for heart health. Asian, European, and Native American herbalists have cultivated it for use in treating and preventing heart disease and general use as a heart tonic. Modern medicine has recently studied this herb for use with cardiac and heart attack patients.


Alternative Medicine and Hawthorn Berries

A strong antioxidant, hawthorn or hawthorn berries may help heart health in the following ways

• Improving endurance by reducing fatigue and shortness of breath when exercising
• Reducing blood pressure by counter-acting blood vessel constricting enzymes
  
• Easing chest tightness and pressure associated with angina
• Improving cholesterol level by promoting the conversion of LDL cholesterol into HDL and minimizing accumulation of cholesterol in the liver
  
• Relaxation of blood vessels to lower blood pressure and helping with small blood clots
  

If you are taking heart or blood pressure medicine already, consult a health practitioner before and while you are talking hawthorn as it is a powerful herb. Hawthorn's effects are additive. When combined with prescription drugs that have similar purpose, you compound the effect. You would not want to reduce your blood pressure too fast or too low for example. Just make sure you and your health practitioner monitor this and you will be able to benefit from this amazing herb.



More about other wonderful herbs will be revealed in upcoming blog posts.... Stay tuned to learn more about herbal traditions and natural medicine.



For natural health solutions for health health and heart disease:

http://www.herbsexpress.com

For additional information about alternative medicine and other nutrition facts:

Naturopathic-Medicine.net

To learn how to optimize nutrition and learn about holistic health:

SC Certified Natural Health Professionals : http://www.sc-cnhp.org

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Holistic Benefits of Fiber - Nutrition Facts

Dietary fiber may help prevent colon cancer, reduce blood cholesterol, and help maintain a healthy weight. Fiber is a nutritional powerhouse and benefits holistic health and wellness.

Dietary fiber is a member of the carbohydrate family and consists of fruits, vegetables, and the outer linings of seeds, grains, nuts, and beans. Dietary fiber comes in two forms: soluble and insoluble fiber. The human body needs both types to be healthy.

Soluble fiber lowers cholesterol because it blocks fat absorption in the blood stream. Insoluble fiber helps with weight loss because it fills you up without adding all the extra calories. It also adds bulk to your diet and sweeps away toxins and undigested foods from the colon.

Boost your nutrition. Include dietary fiber in your daily nutrition plan to maintain a healthy, holistic lifestyle.


To learn how to optimize nutrition and learn about holistic health:

SC Certified Natural Health Professionals : http://www.sc-cnhp.org

For additional information about alternative medicine:

Naturopathic-Medicine.net

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Insulin Quick Facts

While insulin helps burn blood sugar, it also promotes increased blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and storage of body fat. Monitor your intake of refined carbohydrates to keep your insulin levels in check.




For additional information about alternative medicine and other nutrition facts:

Naturopathic-Medicine.net

To learn how to optimize nutrition and learn about holistic health:

SC Certified Natural Health Professionals : http://www.sc-cnhp.org

For high quality, all-natural, herbal nutritional supplements:

http://www.herbsexpress.com

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Saturated vs. Unsaturated Fats - Nutrition Facts

Saturated fats are derived from animal fat and are solid at room temperature. Saturated fats are considered unhealthy and contribute to heart disease and high cholesterol. Unsaturated fats are derived from plants and are liquid at room temperature and are considered a healthier choice.



For additional information about alternative medicine and other nutrition facts:

Naturopathic-Medicine.net

To learn how to optimize nutrition and learn about holistic health:

SC Certified Natural Health Professionals : http://www.sc-cnhp.org

For high quality, all-natural, herbal nutritional supplements:

http://www.herbsexpress.com

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