Cholesterol is found ONLY in the animal foods you eat.
Triglycerides are found in BOTH animal fats and plant oils.

• Animal organs like brains & liver have high amounts of cholesterol so do egg yolks, shrimps and crayfish.

• Other parts of the animal used for eating along with whole dairy products for example milk & butter have substantial amounts of cholesterol.

Your liver actually makes a high quantity, about 2/3rds of cholesterol the body uses.

It uses the fats you eat, mainly the saturated fats to make the cholesterol.
The liver also makes a certain amount of the triglycerides used.

Both sugar & alcohol increase the liver’s production of triglycerides.

If it is found that your cholesterol levels are high, as well as looking at your diet you may have to have some medication called Statin. This is a medicine that works by blocking the enzyme that makes the liver produce cholesterol.

The best way to reduce your blood cholesterol level or keep it low is to choose foods low in saturated fat.

One way to do this is by choosing foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grain foods, and low fat or non fat dairy products, which are naturally low in fat.

Also, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are high in starch and fiber, which can help reduce your blood cholesterol or keep it low.

The Different Types of ‘HARMFUL’ Fats.

There are several different types of fat in our diet and over the years we have been lead to believe that ANY fat is dangerous to our health as it causes heart disease & other problems.

The fact is we NEED fat in our diet, to give our body fuel for energy. Another fact that has not been explained fully is that not ALL fats are harmful. We have explored the cholesterol side of things now lets explore the fat side of things.

Saturated fats: are the fats which are solid at room temperature & are found in high quantities in meat, animal fat & dairy products, they are also found in some oils like palm & coconut oils.
These fats ARE harmful to our health as they solidify in our veins.

Trans Fats: Is another kind of fat you need to be aware of. This is ‘manufactured fat’. This fat have been developed by industry NOT by nature.
It was created soley for the purpose of transforming liquid oils into solids so they could be transported more easily and following this process the solid fat is less likely to go rancid or off in other words. This fat works in the same damaging way saturated fats do, causing heart disease and strokes from atherosclerosis.

We find this Trans fat in commercial goods such as baked goods, fast - food fries and margarine.

What Your Cholesterol Levels Mean to You

When your healthcare professional checks your cholesterol levels, it is your LDL levels (Low-Density Lipoproteins) that will be the important. This level is a good indicator of your risk of developing heart disease.

As a general rule, the higher your LDL level, the greater the risk of you developing heart disease is.

LDL-Cholesterol Levels:
Less than 100 mg/dL Optimal
100 to 129 mg/dL Near Optimal/Above Optimal
130 to 159 mg/dL Borderline High
160 to 189 mg/dL High
190 mg/dL and above Very High

HDL-Cholesterol Levels:
Less than 40 mg/dL A major risk factor for heart disease
40 to 59 mg/dL The higher your HDL, the better
60 mg/dL and above An HDL of 60 mg/dL and above is considered protective against heart disease

Beginning Your LDL Lowering Routine

In addition, to your treatment for lowering the levels of LDL in your blood, you and your healthcare professional, will also need to look at what risk factors you have that influence the LDL lowering treatment.

Lowering LDL is the main aim of treatment if you have high cholesterol, and the treatment can be:

• A change in diet,
• Cholesterol lowering tablets and change in diet.

An activity programme would be a good thing to consider, especially if you have some excess weight you could do with losing.

Now would be a good time to start giving your body a workout. Look at what you enjoy outside work, perhaps a short walk at lunchtime and another one in the evening?

You don’t have to turn in to an Olympic athlete overnight, but, it is the little things you do that will make a huge difference now and in the future.

The tea has no caffeine and only half the tannin of ordinary tea. Apart from being refreshing to drink, in place of ordinary tea and coffee, it has the advantage of containing minerals and powerful antioxidants. Having no oxalic acid it also does not irritate the kidneys.

The Japanese scientists, who did studies in the 1960’s, discovered Rooibos contains a powerful antioxidant similar to SOD which is thought to retard aging and quercetin which is believed to have potent anti-inflammatory properties. Besides that Rooibos is also found to contain aspalathin which counteracts the atherosclerotic processes that result in heart disease. Due to this the Japanese promote it as an Anti-Aging Tea and import large quantities of the tea.

Research was done elsewhere where the French found that hair lotion containing Rooibos promoted faster hair growth with improvement in the hair condition and caused no allergic reactions. In South Africa research found that the polyphenol content in Rooibos is similar to green tea. Polyphenols help protect the body from damage by free radicals.

Rooibos has been found to be helpful with general health problems. It relieves digestive problems, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and constipation. Having a calming effect it helps with irritability, insomnia and depression.

Both pre natal and breast feeding Mothers supplement their intake of manganese, calcium and fluoride drinking Rooibos and therefore promote strong teeth and healthy bones in their babies. Rooibos, when applied at every nappy change, relieves nappy rash and when drunk by the baby relieves colic.

Preparation of Rooibos is the same as ordinary tea. First warm the tea pot with boiling water and then place one teaspoon of tea or tea bag per cup required in the pot. Pour over boiling water and let infuse for a few minutes. The longer it is left before drinking the more antioxidants the tea will contain. Can be served plain, with hot or cold milk or lemon. It can be lightly sweetened with honey or sugar or just left without any sweetening. Rooibos also makes a wonderful ice tea.

In South Africa Rooibos Tea is often used in day to day cooking as not only does it add important minerals and antioxidants to the diet and help digestion, it also enhances the flavors of the cooking. Just replace the water in a recipe with the tea.

Next time you are in your health shop or in a department store stocking specialty teas, why not pick up a packet and try it out?

In recent years numerous experts have been conducting extensive
research work on this fruit and the results that have come up have been
really outstanding. Just think of the amount of nutritional qualities
Goji berries have together with the health benefits that emerge from
them. There is evidence that up on the remote mountains of those
Himalayan regions people generally live more than one hundred years
leading a happy and healthy life, and their main diet consists of
eating Goji berries and drinking its juice on a regular basis.

One of the most exceptional qualities of this wonder berry is that
when eaten it prevents the cravings for sweet foods giving its
contribution to weight loss. Drinking its juice also has its benefits,
for instance it can reduce problems of insomnia in pregnant women and
can even lend a hand in reducing dry skin leaving the complexion nice
looking and nourished.

Goji Berries are a rich source of antioxidants and are full of
minerals, vitamins and amino acids. This fruit can be added to a
regular diet as a supplement of outstanding nutritional value. These
berries have an unbelievable amount of beta-carotene, more than carrots
themselves, plus there are a number of vitamins such as C and E, Omega
6 fatty acid, Linoleic acid and a vast array of B- complex vitamins.

The goodness of this berry can come in various ways depending on
how it is grown. Both the organic and chemically grown goji berry
plants have countless benefits but while the the good quality
ingredients of organically grown Goji berries are fully assimilated by
the body, the chemically grown ones are full of chemicals that prevent
the assimilation of all of its good elements.

Research has shown that Goji Berries are beneficial in more than
one way. Like with any other food supplements further tests will have
to be made before it can be universally accepted for the benefits
mentioned above. In any case, many people have found benefit and relief
eating Goji berries or drinking its juice and as it has no apparent
side effects you could give it a try it could help you feel better and
look younger.

In a rushed and always on the go world we live in today, it is no wonder we are susceptible to ill health. When did you last take a lunch break, no a REAL lunch break, you remember the one where you sit down and unhurriedly eat a salad or sandwich??

Ummm, the memories a bit fuzz, isn’t it?? Thats because, we are always eating on the run, hot pie here, sushi there and as we neglect to feed our bodies, we have high expectations of what we demand it does.

We simply don’t have time to make a nutritious lunch, or dinner, let alone breakfast. Yet we also don’t have time to be sick, injured or not at our desk ready to work that 60 hour a week.

What is wrong with this picture??

Would you expect your car to run without fuel?

So why do we take it for granted, that if we put anything in our bodies it will perform beyond our expectations??

Ok, enough??

Well, perhaps you should check out what real juice drinks can do for you:

They will give your body an easy way to absorb all the nutrients from fruit and vegetables faster and more effectively than if you ate a four course meal

They are simple, and quick to prepare

They can be ‘designer’ made to suit your needs and tastes

They create very little washing up

You can drink them on the go

And being raw foods, none of the precious nutrients are lost in cooking

You will find juices that are:

Cleansing, although real juices do not contain the ‘fibre’ of whole fruits and vegetables, they have an amazing cleansing effect on the body. The juices work by removing toxins from the digestive tract. An area that most of us have trouble with because of our busy lifestyles.

Healing & Healthy, real juices help boost our immune system naturally, so our body can fight infections, keep colds at bay and allow the body to repair any damaged cells and use the natural nutrients that real juices give our body, to make us and keep us healthy, the way nature intended.

Rejuvenating, people who have been in the real juice trail a while, have reported their skin is healthier, they feel good, they have more natural energy, their hair, nails and bones are stronger.

It may seem to good to be true, but, real juicy drinks incorporated into a healthy diet have got to be good.

Why not check it out for yourself?

But first the important bit.
Remember real juice drinks are not meant to be a substitute for an all round healthy diet. They are simple a means of feeding your body at a time when you are to busy to feed it properly. They are to be used in conjunction with three good meals a day. If in doubt, consult your healthcare provider.

It’s important to understand that everything that comes in contact with our body affects our health and the condition of our skin. That’s why choosing all natural skin care products and ingredients is important. The liver filters the toxins and poisons from the food we eat, but whatever we place on our skin is directly absorbed. This includes deodorant, lotions, gels, cleansers, toners, make-up, perfumes and more. The answer to achieving a radiant, glowing complexion are within arm’s reach. Here are just a few all natural skin care solutions for you to try. You’ll be very pleased with the results.

Once a week, rub your skin with baking soda while in the shower, for a smooth, silky feeling. You can also do this on your face to remove blackheads.

Fresh tomato juice is great for the oily parts of your face (Be sure to try the tomato juice on your arm first, as your skin may be sensitive to it). Rinse thoroughly after applying the tomato juice to your skin.

For a great moisturizer try olive oil: this healthy fat is good for you and great for your skin. You can also use it to soothe sunburned skin.

Vinegar can work wonders for smelly feet and armpits. Mix water and vinegar 50/50, and use in place of deodorant: it will keep the unpleasant sweat smell away, without any irritation. As for your feet, if you suffer from Athlete’s Foot, a week of vinegar foot baths will help a lot, sometimes completely eliminating the condition.

Egg yolk mixed with honey makes a fantastic facial mask. Apply to your face and leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse off with tepid water.

Another egg yolk tip: for those with eczema, use it instead of soap. It doesn’t smell great, but it will soothe your damaged skin.

A great treatment for dry skin is avocados. Simply mash some avocado in a bowl and then apply it your dry skin and leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse off with tepid water.

Finally, be sure to drink 8 glasses of water every day to keep your skin healthy from the inside out.