5 Foods for Lower Cholesterol

The Total cholesterol in our body is a combination of HDL and LDL. HDL is the good cholesterol while LDL is the bad one. The acronym "LDL" stands for low-density lipoprotein. When this number gets elevated, fatty substances called plaque have a tendency to stick to the inside of arterial walls.

This in turn can lead to coronary heart disease and in the worst of cases, it can be fatal. That is why it is important to lower LDL, which can be done by including these food items in you regular diet..

Fish:

They contain Omega-3 Fatty acids which are known to stabilize heart rhythms, lower cholesterol and triglycerides, and reduce inflammation in the arteries. One recent study claimed that there is 17 percent less risk of dying from cardiovascular disease by consuming just half a serving weekly.

Olives and Olive oil:

They contain mono-saturated fat which is good for the heart while other types of oils contain saturated fat. Also antioxidants called Polyphenols contained in Olives help reduce inflammation in the blood vessels, improving cholesterol.

Tomatoes:

The lycopene in tomatoes, a powerful antioxidant in the cartenoid family, protects against heart disease by preventing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Cooking tip: Because cooking releases lycopene from tomatoes, you'll reap greater reward from sauce, rather than raw tomatoes.

Apples:

The antioxidants in apples and apple juice delay the breakdown of LDL cholesterol by about 20 percent. Also Apple's antioxidants mimic statins, stimulating the liver to remove harmful LDL cholesterol from the blood.

Go Nuts!:

Nuts sure have a lot of fat, but  its the good mono-saturated & polyunsaturated varieties which help to lower cholesterol while protecting your heart. This is possible because nuts offer fiber, protein, vitamin E, magnesium, b vitamins, and potassium

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Cup of Black Tea a day keeps heart disease away

As per a recent study, drinking one cup of black tea everyday might protect you against cardiovascular disease. This was the outcome of a study conducted at University of L'Aquila in Italy and supported by the Lipton Institute of Tea.

In the study 19 healthy men with 33 being their median age, were given one of five prescribed intakes of the tea over five periods lasting one week each. The caffeine level of each dose was standardised but the dose of tea flavonoids was controlled at the levels of 0 (the control dose), 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg per day.

It was found that black tea consumption improves blood vessel reactivity and reduces blood pressure and arterial stiffness, indicating a notably better cardiovascular health profile.

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10 Health benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric revered in India as "holy powder" or yellow-gold spice has being used for centuries in Indian Cuisine as a seasoning that provides flavor to Indian curries. It has for centuries been an important part of traditional Asian and Ayurvedic medicine used to treat everything from a runny nose to chest pain.

Turmeric is truely one of nature's most powerful healers. Scientists in Michigan are reporting discovery of the secret behind the fabled healing power of Turmeric.

Using a high-tech instrument termed solid-state NMR spectroscopy, the scientists discovered that molecules of curcumin, the active ingredient, act like a biochemical disciplinarian. They insert themselves into cell membranes and make the membranes more stable and orderly in a way that increases cells' resistance to infection by disease-causing microbes.

1. Small studies have found that curcumin the active ingredient, cuts cholesterol
2. Animal research suggests it inhibits tumor formation.
3. Turmeric is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.
4. It prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.
5. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.
6. May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.
7. A new research, just published in the May 2009 issue of The Journal of Nutrition, involving mice provides clues that turmeric could be helpful in the fight against obesity.
8. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin. Also helps in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.
9. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
10. Now more than a dozen studies in humans are investigating whether it protects against cancer and other diseases like multiple myeloma, pancreatic cancer
    

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Health Tips: Control blood sugar with Fenugreek (Methi)

These little seeds are commonly used as a spice in Indian cuisine, but did you knonw that fenugreek (or methi) is also powerful medicine. In fact, it's one of the oldest plant medicines. Fenugreek have been found to lower blood sugar, increase insulin sensitivity, and reduce high cholesterol, according to several animal and human studies.

In one of the largest studies on fenugreek, 60 people who took 25 grams daily showed significant improvements in blood sugar control and post-meal spikes.

Fenugreek actually belongs to the legume family (as do lentils) and the seeds are 50 percent fiber, which probably explains their blood sugar benefits. The seeds also contain an amino acid that appears to boost the release of insulin. An added bonus: They also reduce cholesterol.

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