Nutrition Information

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Blueberries and Their Role in Cholesterol Control


Our bodies need cholesterol. We use cholesterol to produce vitamin D, hormones, and certain acids that help us digest fat. Only a small amount of cholesterol is needed to meet these needs; in fact, our bodies actually produce enough cholesterol on their own, and any cholesterol derived from food is unnecessary. Problems arise when we have too much cholesterol, commonly known as LDL. Many factors help determine whether your LDL-cholesterol level is high or low. The following factors are the most important:

-Heredity
-What you eat
-Weight
-Physical activity/exercise
-Age and sex
-Alcohol
-Stress

Of these, you obviously cannot control your heredity, age, or sex but you should always consider those factors when embarking on a plan to lower your LDL level. On a good note, most of the known factors that contribute to cholesterol problems and heart disease ARE under your control.

The foods you eat, your weight, and your amount of physical activity are all inter-related components that can contribute to decreasing your LDL levels. The two main ingredients in many of the foods you consume that can cause an increase in LDL are saturated fat and cholesterol. Both of these nutrients are found in animal products, so eating more lean meats and fish, along with a heavy supply of fruits and vegetables, can cut down on these elements. Also, by eating this healthier diet, weight loss will most likely occur naturally; this will lower triglycerides, which will raise "good" cholesterol, known as HDL. Increasing physical activity is also all tied in to a healthy diet and weight loss, and will not only help you lose weight, but build up your stamina and improve your overall health

Alcohol intake increases HDL cholesterol, but does not lower LDL cholesterol. Doctors are unsure as to whether alcohol reduces the risk of heart disease. Drinking too much alcohol can damage the liver and heart muscle, however, causing high blood pressure and raising triglycerides; because of the risks, alcoholic beverages should not be used as a way to prevent heart disease.

Finally, stress is something we all want to avoid, but which is sometimes unavoidable. Many times, when we stress, we don't make wise choices and wind up eating fatty foods that are high in saturated fat. Some ways to de-stress: yoga, exercise, breathing exercises. Even taking twenty minutes out of your day to take a quiet bath or read a book can calm your nerves and reduce stress.

There has been a long-standing belief in natural medicine that there are certain foods that provide more than just dietary value and are believed to have disease-fighting and healing properties. One of these foods that has been proven to be a way to fill up on antioxidants is the blueberry. In recent USDA studies blueberries been shown to be number one in antioxidant activity, as compared to 40 other fruits and vegetables and makes this humble fruit the ideal health supplement.

Find out more: http://blueberrysupplements.co.uk


MORE RESOURCES:

Department of Defense

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By Anita Marlay The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that diseases of the heart remain the No. 1 cause of mortality in the United States, causing 600000 deaths a year. Heart protective eating habits can help to lower your risk of ...
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Cambridge News

Healthy Chocolates Make a Lovely Valentine
Patch.com
Nutrition author explains which chocolates are richest in anti-oxidants; fruit and nut gifts also help keep valentines' hearts healthy so they can love you longer. By Pam DeFiglio and Christopher Brinckerhoff Chocolate flavors are incredibly complex ...
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OUR Center's Empty Bowls fundraiser highlights nutrition
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LETTER: 'No cuts to Elder Nutrition Program'
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Walmart Unveils 'Great For You' Icon
CSPnet.com
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Globe and Mail

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As part of its promise last year to improve the nutritional quality of the food it sells, Walmart said on Tuesday that it had devised standards to determine what is healthy and would label the foods that meet those standards.
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NorthJersey.com

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Think of them as nutrition facts for a health insurance plan that outline a health plan's deductible, out-of-pocket limits and costs for visits to the emergency room or primary care doctor. What you see above is one part of a four-page document that ...
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Boston.com

First lady talks nutrition in Florida
MiamiHerald.com
AP HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Michelle Obama is assuring kids and parents that hamburgers and chicken nuggets aren't completely off-limits as she chats about healthy eating and exercise during a town hall meeting in Florida. The first lady took part in a WebMD ...
First lady announces expansion of military nutrition program on Arkansas visitArkansas News
UPDATED: First Lady Michelle Obama and Top Chefs put on cooking show in DallasPegasus News
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Nutritional Medicine for Adults Workshop Series at Rush University Medical Center
Newswise (press release)
Newswise — CHICAGO — Rush University Medical Center is sponsoring a Nutritional Medicine workshop March 15 to 16, 2012, that features internationally-renowned faculty who are leaders in research in nutritional medicine. The workshop is part of a ...

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