Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Cholesterol Does Not Cause Heart Disease!

Cholesterol is an essential building block of every cell in the body, required for all metabolic processes. It is particularly important in the production of nerve tissue, bile and certain hormones. On average, our body produces about half of a gram to one gram of cholesterol per day, depending on how much of it the body needs at the time. By and large, our body is able to produce 400 times more cholesterol per day than what we would obtain from eating 3,5 ounces (100 grams) of butter. The main cholesterol producers are the liver and the small intestine, in that order. Normally, they are able to release cholesterol directly into the blood stream, where it is instantly tied to blood proteins. These proteins, which are called lipoproteins, are in charge of transporting the cholesterol to its numerous destinations. There are three main types of lipoproteins in charge of transporting cholesterol: Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL), and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL).

In comparison to HDL, which has been privileged with the name ‘good’ cholesterol, LDL and VLDL are relatively large cholesterol molecules; in fact, they are the richest in cholesterol. There is good reason for their large size. Unlike their smaller cousin, which easily passes through blood vessel walls, the LDL and VLDL versions of cholesterol are meant to take a different pathway; they leave the blood stream in the liver.

To read the complete article click here!

Monday, February 25, 2008

US Senate Document 264 from the 74th Congress in 1936 Second Session

"Our physical well-being is more directly dependent upon minerals we take into our systems than upon calories or vitamins, or upon precise proportions of starch, protein or carbohydrates we consume."

" Do you know that most of us today are suffering from certain dangerous diet deficiencies which cannot be remedied until depleted soils from which our foods come are brought into proper mineral balance?"

"The alarming fact is that foods (fruits and vegetables and grains) now being raised on millions of acres of land that no longer contains enough of certain needed minerals, are starving us--no matter how much of them we eat! No man of today can eat enough fruits and vegetables to supply his system with the minerals he requires for perfect health because his stomach isn't big enough to hold them."

"The truth is that our foods vary enormously in value, and some of them aren't worth eating as food...Our physical well-being is more directly dependent upon the minerals we take into our systems than upon calories or vitamins or upon the precise proportions of starch, protein or carbohydrates we consume."

"This talk about minerals is novel and quite startling. In fact, a realization of the importance of minerals in food is so new that the text books on nutritional dietetics contain very little about it. Nevertheless, it is something that concerns all of us, and the further we delve into it the more startling it becomes."

To read the rest of this document click here!

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Reducing Stress for a Healthy Life!

Feeling Stressed? Overworked? We all are these days, it seems. With many of us working two jobs, raising kids and taking care of elderly family members it often feels overwhelming. This constant stressed state can affect our sleep, contribute to anxiety, depression, and put us at risk for a heart attack, or stroke. So maybe it’s time we tried some simple things to regain our health and rebalance our lives. We owe it to ourselves and our loved one to consider these simple stress reducing techniques.


  • Daily Exercise: Did you know that exercising not only reduces stress but actually improves your mental and emotional well being. It doesn’t take a great deal of time either. Even 10 minutes of moderate exercise a day can improve your mood and decrease fatigue. For additional benefits, work towards the recommended 30 to 60 minutes a day and you will improve your sleep, and cut the risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
  • Proper Sleep: Getting as much as 8 hours of sleep a night allows your body to deal with stress and rejuvenate. Sleep deprivation has a profound impact on the bodies response to stress. Additionally, the sleep you get from 10 PM to 12 PM is twice as beneficial as those hours after midnight. The body also has important work to do during the hours of 10 PM until 2 AM like dumping toxins and recharging the adrenals.
  • Eat healthy: The body needs proper nutrition to function at peak performance. This means eating wholesome balanced and nutritious meals, not fast food. Eat often throughout the day to manage blood sugar and ward off the dizziness and anxiety which can precipitate a drop in blood sugar. Skipping meals only compounds the stress response.
  • Proper Supplementation: Even those who eat a healthy diet find it difficult to get enough vital nutrition to promote or sustain health. Getting additional nourishment by taking a food source vitamin/mineral supplement is key to having a strong, vibrant, healthy life.
  • Stimulates: Avoid stimulates like caffeine, sugar and even sugar substitutes (like Aspartame) and MSG. These substances offer no nutritional value but can further deplete and stress the body. The body runs on real nutrition. You will find no help using these substances.
  • Relaxation: We live in a time of tremendous rate of acceleration. We often feel that we must be doing something constantly to be of value. This is a flawed concept and one that will eventually cause you to crash. So slow down, find time for private reflection, meditation and prayer. Unplug and unwind. What is stressing you today will make no difference to anyone a hundred years from now. So be gentle with yourself.