Cholesterol and Heart

Eating a healthy diet and taking regular exercise are perhaps the best ways
of managing your cholesterol levels as the article below explains. All it
takes is a brisk walk for 30 minutes three times a week, and you're well on
your way to forming the exercise habit. Combine this with a low fat diet
and you should start to get your cholesterol levels under control.
----------------------------------------------

Cholesterol and Heart
Copyright (c) 2006 Alvin Toh

It is important to maintain a healthy cholesterol level
irrespective of your age. Coronary heart disease is the
main cause of death in America. There are several
contributing risk factors to heart disease and cholesterol
is one of them that can be controlled. Not all cholesterol
is bad, so a good understanding and knowledge of the facts
about cholesterol can help you to live a healthier life.

Cholesterol is a fat-like, waxy substance found in the
body's cells and bloodstream. You can get cholesterol in
two ways. Cholesterol is produced by your liver. It is also
found in animal products with high saturated fat such as
meat, seafood, poultry, and dairy products. Processed foods
are another culprit as they contain trans-fatty acids that
can raise cholesterol.

Cholesterol is essential to maintain healthy bodily
functions such as producing bile that aids with digestion,
protecting nerve fibers, building cell membranes, creating
hormones, and synthesis of vitamin D. Too much of it,
however, is not healthy for the body. It can clog our
arteries, thus leading to heart attack or stroke.

There are two types of cholesterol, high density
lipoproteins (HDL) and low density lipoproteins (LDL). HDL
is also called the good cholesterol because it can protect
the heart while LDL is the bad cholesterol because it can
clog arteries. We need these 2 types of cholesterol in our
bodies but in the right balance. The health concern of
cholesterol refers to excessive amount of LDL and
insufficient amount of HDL in the body.

Excessive LDL cholesterol in our bodies builds up in inner
walls of arteries that supply the heart and brain. It forms
a plague that clogs the arteries. A clot that blocks the
blood flow to the heart or brain can cause a heart attack
or stroke.

Why is HDL considered as good cholesterol? It carries the
bad cholesterol, LDL from the arteries to the liver to be
excreted from the body. As high level of HDL protects
against heart disease, you want more of HDL than LDL in
your body.

The link between cholesterol and heart disease has been
established in numerous studies. High cholesterol level is
a main risk for coronary heart disease. Cholesterol can be
managed through a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise,
regular screening, weight control, medications, avoid
smoking and drinking. A healthy diet and lifestyle can
prevent and reduce your risk of developing heart attack,
stroke and other diseases.

----------------------------------------------------
Can cholesterol-lowering drugs do you more harm than good?
There are ways to manage your cholesterol level without
relying on the long-term use of cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Find out how you can do so at
http://www.scienti.info/art-heart
-----------------------------------------------------

All cholesterol in the diet is not bad, but if you have any concerns of
this nature you should consult a qualified health practitioner. Information
is presented here for entertainment and educational purposes and is not
intended to replace that of your doctor or health professional.

Pumpkin Power! Superfood Virtues Beyond Pumpkin Carving!

Pumpkin Power! Superfood Virtues Beyond Pumpkin Carving!
============================================
Pumpkin is at the heart of Halloween festivities, and for
many is the only experience they have of the squash all
season. This is usually for the joys of pumpkin carving
rather than cooking. When you discover just how healthy
pumpkins are however, you'll realise that pumpkin recipes
are just as worth getting excited about and that it would
be foolish not to eat the remaining flesh left over from
your pumpkin carving. (As a note, if you're rolling up your
sleeves ready to tackle your orange fellow there are plenty
of free pumpkin carving pattern ideas available on the
internet).

Pumpkin is a superfood indeed. In fact, it's not just the
inner meat of a pumpkin that's virtuous but its seeds are
super nutritous too and contain a wealth of
health-promoting properties. Like melons, cucumber, and
squash, pumpkins belong to the gourd family. They were much
celebrated by Native American Indians who made use of their
flesh and seeds for culinary and medicinal purposes.
Pumpkin flesh is high in fibre and vitamins C and E,
magnesium and potassium and a staggering quantity and
variety of carotenoids, being one of the most abundant
natural sources of these amazing phytonutrients.

Dietary carotenoids correlate with lower a risk of numerous
cancers, heart disease, cataracts and blindness. Pumpkin
contains heaps of beta-carotene as well as a huge
concentration of alpha-carotene, with just a quarter of a
cup yielding the recommended daily amount. Alpha-carotene
protects against certain cancers and cataracts, and has
also been discovered to be a powerful ally against aging.

Both alpha- and beta-carotene can be converted into vitamin
A within the body, which plays an essential role in growth,
development and immunity. Beta-carotene is a potent
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent and prevents
cholesterol build up in blood vessels that could lead to
stroke or heart attack. The presence of magnesium,
potassium and folate in pumpkin heightens its
heart-friendly attributes. Beta-carotene works most
effectively in combination with other carotenoids and has
been found to reduce the risk of lung and colon cancer in
particular.

When exploring pumpkin recipes experiment with other
squashes too. There are numerous types in all shapes and
sizes with many similar nutritional values. One tasty
alternative is the butternut squash.

Pumpkins yield delicious and highly nutritious seeds. Known
as pepitas, they are dark green and flat with a chewy
texture and rich nutty flavour. These seeds are dense in
minerals, with just a quarter of a cup providing
approximately half the daily recommended dose for magnesium
and iron, in addition to high doses of zinc, phosphorous,
potassium, selenium, manganese and copper. They also
contain the amino acid tryptophan known for anti-depressant
qualities, and essential fatty acids.

The dark green oil produced from pumpkin seeds has been
used throughout history in India, Europe and America to
fight parasites, aid the digestive tract and help with
prostate and reproductive disorders. It has also been
recommended for pregnant and lactating women because of its
high content of essential fatty acids.

Pumpkin seeds have been found to help prevent against
prostate gland enlargement due to the chemical substances
called cucurbitacins it contains. The essential fatty acids
in pumpkin seeds are also necessary for prostate health,
and zinc (which pumpkin seeds are especially high in) is
great for the reproductive systems and has been shown to
reduce prostate size.

The L-tryptophan in pumpkin seeds is known to have
anti-depressant properties, so it is suggested eating them
can elevate your mood. Pumpkin seeds also contain omega-3
fatty acids known for their role in improving mental
function, alleviating depression and aiding memory. Both
the omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids in pumpkin
seeds have a broad range of health functions in the body.

So, for a smashing pumpkin Halloween, as well enjoying
carving pumpkins, check out some tasty pumpkin recipes so
you can benefit from the super healthy flesh of your
pumpkin carving remains, and throw a handful of pumpkin
seeds on top for that extra nutritional boost!

----------------------------------------------------
MIRACLE SUPERFOODS:
http://www.miracle-superfoods.com
MANIFESTING SECRETS:
http://www.manifestingsecrets.co.uk
MIRACLE MIND:
http://www.miracle-mind.com

Elliptical Trainer Comparison - How To Make An Accurate Elliptical Comparison Before Buying

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>If you're buying a home elliptical trainer, you'll probably
>want to make several comparisons before you buy. With
>ellipticals skyrocketing in popularity, there are more and more
>new models out each year. This can make choosing the right
>machine a challenge.
>
>This article will give you 3 easy tips when making an
>elliptical trainer comparison. You'll learn what you need to
>look for and how to find the best machine for your personal
>workout needs.
>
>Follow these tips and you're guaranteed to choose the best
>elliptical for you!
>
>1) Compare Apples To Apples
>
>There are 2 places to buy a crosstrainer - online and at a
>store. It's not fair to compare ellipticals sold online to
>ellipticals sold at a store. They are two different animals.
>
>For example, at a store, you get to try out the trainer before
>buying. However the disadvantage is that you'll also pay more
>for it. Stores usually sell a limited number of brands as well,
>which will limit the models you can compare. If you want to
>compare more machines you have to locate and drive to the
>various stores around your neighbourhood.
>
>When you buy online you can compare a large selection of
>ellipticals from the comfort of your own home. You can also
>save money. For example, there are several elliptical trainer
>wholesalers that sell directly to the consumer and can save you
>up to 45% off retail prices. You can often find deals on
>shipping and sales tax as well.
>
>So for example, a trainer that runs approximately $1500 in a
>store might cost you $999 online. So to be accurate, make sure
>you compare online to online and store to store ellipticals.
>
>2) Know the Key Ingredients to a Quality Machine
>
>Lots of features make a great elliptical trainer. (For example
>number of programs, construction, availability of arm bars,
>forward and backward motions, etc.) However there are 3
>essential features to any high quality elliptical. They are:
>
>Brand Name
>
>Smoothness of Ride
>
>Warranty
>
>Excellent brand names build great machines (the majority of the
>time). They have the experience, reputation and know-how that
>you're looking for when you buy. When you research look for
>names that keep coming up over and over again which will give
>you a sense of which brands are best.
>
>Smoothness of the elliptical ride encompasses everything from
>stride length to properly aligned armbars to the proper
>alignment of footpads. Cheaper units don't always have the
>alignment right which can cause a jerky ride and result in a
>less efficient workout.
>
>The warranty gives you a good idea of the quality of
>construction. Look for a lengthy warranty as that tells you
>that the elliptical was built to last and to stand up under
>fairly frequent use. Try to steer clear of the 90 day
>warranties you get with most department store brands if you
>can. (Unless you like returning a 200 pound piece of equipment
>to the store).
>
>3) Know What You Need When You Compare Machines
>
>It's always great to get a bargain but also try to think in
>terms of your workout goals. For example, are you planning to
>exercise regularly? You'll need a medium or high end
>crosstrainer built to withstand freqent use.
>
>Do you like to pick up the pace when working out? You may want
>to select a highly stable piece of equipment with a higher user
>weight capacity.
>
>What about other people who will be using the elliptical? Do
>they have height, weight or workout considerations?
>
>By knowing these things when you compare elliptical trainers,
>you'll be able to choose a machine that best fits your needs
>(instead of just choosing the one that's on sale this week).
>You'll get more out of your investment and be much happier with
>your purchase.
>
>That's it - now you're way ahead of 99% of people buying an
>elliptical trainer! Just remember that with elliptical
>trainers, you do get what you pay for - so don't skimp when it
>comes to your health!
>
>
>About The Author: Kathryn O'Neill is chief editor for
>http://www.EllipticalTrainerReview.com - a consumer oriented
>website focusing on the home elliptical trainer market. For the
>latest elliptical Best Buys visit:
>http://www.EllipticalTrainerReview.com/Best_Elliptical_Buys.html
>

Nitric Oxide: Will It Help You Lose Weight & Burn Fat?

Nitric Oxide: Will It Help You Lose Weight & Burn Fat?
Copyright (c) 2006 Jonathan Perez

Nitric Oxide, also know as "N.O.", is one of the latest
supplements to hit the market, promising lean muscle tone
and a sculpted body, enhancing the weight loss and fat
burning appearance.

Can this supplement in fact help you to tone up, lose
weight, and burn body fat?

If you believe what all the magazines are saying , then I
have some land in the Everglades I'd like to sell you.

The bottom line behind nitric oxide supplements (when you
shuffle through all the "mumbo-jumbo" sales pitch and hype
that are in the ads that promote these products) is that it
is a "vasodilator", which simply means that it supposedly
dilates, or opens up, your blood vessels.

This "opening" up wider of the blood vessels supposedly
will allow more blood to flow to the working muscles, which
will supposedly "enhance" the pump, which will supposedly
engorge them and make them larger, helping you build lean
muscle tissue, which helps speed up your metabolic rate,
which in turn will speed up any weight loss or fat burning
that goes on.

Well, there are 2 major points that have to be considered
here when evaluating how well they truly are in helping you:

1) Does nitric oxide really open up the blood vessels?

2) Is getting a "massive pump" important if you are trying
to build lean, toned muscle to raise the metabolic rate and
burn fat and lose weight?

If and how much nitric oxide dilates your blood vessels is
still a topic in discussion.

There have been no un-biased, independent, peer-reviewed
studies done on this to make it conclusive.

So, we really can't say "yes" or "no".

However, let's play "make believe" and pretend that "yes",
nitric oxide supplements do allow more blood to flow into a
working muscle.

If that's the case, then let's consider the next point.

Do you need to get a big blood pump into the muscle to
develop or tone it?

Will it help the weight loss / fat burning process?

Just about everyone thinks that "yes", you must get a pump
in a muscle to build it.

However, when you are training a muscle in reality you
aren't pushing or sending more blood to the muscle.

What's actually happening is that when the fibers contract
the area inside of the muscle gets smaller, which results
in the blood that's already in there to become trapped and
the pressure increased.

So, in reality, there isn't more blood going into the
muscle, there's actually less since the blood that's in
there is trapped, cannot leave, nor allow fresh blood to
enter.

That's also why as you continue to do reps you begin to
feel the "burning" sensation in the working muscle.

That's a major sign that there is no oxygen anymore inside
the blood that's in the muscle.

When there is no oxygen in the blood it creates a chemical
called lactic acid.

Lactic acid is what causes this "burning" feeling.

There is no oxygen in the blood because fresh blood can't
get in there with new oxygen and nutrients!

Plus, you can do 1000 reps of an exercise using a 20 pound
dumbbell and get a major pump.

But I guarantee you that you won't build as toned of a
muscle as if you were to use heavier weight, even though it
may not make it easier to get as big a "pump".

So all of this "hoopla" about nitric oxide supplements
allowing you to get a better pump to build more lean muscle
mass, enhancing the metabolism, weight loss, and fat
burning systems is nothing but hype!!!!

It won't help you lose one ounce of fat / weight.

You watch and see, shortly all of these "N.O." supplements
are going to fade into the shadows and some new powder or
pill is going to be the new "talk of the town", I guarantee
it!

----------------------------------------------------
How did a Cleveland Firefighter discover how to lose over
50 pounds of fat weight and 10 inches off his waist in 3
and half months WITHOUT using any supplements, doing NO
cardio, and no fad diet? Jonathan Perez has exposed the
truth - "Fat To Buff!.....How To Lose Weight Eating Any
Foods You Want Every 4th Day, Using No Supplements
Whatsoever, and No Cardio"
FREE Details: -------> http://www.FatToBuff.com

6 Weight Gain Tips Without Getting Fat

6 Weight Gain Tips Without Getting Fat
==============================
After you read this short article, you will have leaned
some quick tips to start gaining healthy weight.

Here's 6 simple ways on how to gain weight without getting
fat:

Tip 1: Eating Enough Quality Calories

Have you ever asked somebody who's trying to gain weight
what they eat?

I did. And the response I received was shocking.

"I just eat."

That's what he said. I just eat.

You MUST know how many calories a day you need for your
weight gain goal.

This person desperately wanted to gain weight and every
time I saw him the gym he had some excuse as to why it
wasn't going his way. And it was usually related to his
metabolism.

Let me tell you...

If you want to gain quality weight, you have to eat high
quality dense foods and ENOUGH of them. Furthermore... if
you want to gain weight without getting fat, then you bulk
with the same principles as if you were on a cutting diet.
Choose higher-calorie foods when given a choice.

In my years of experience, when I bulked up and gained
weight and fat, the biggest mistake I made was not tracking
what I ate. I always tracked my diet when I was on a
calorie restricted phase (that was a given) but when I
wanted to gain weight I just ate everything I could.

Have you ever felt that way?

In order to gain weight, you need to eat more than your
usual maintenance calorie intake but not so much as to just
store the excess calories and get fat. And you need to eat
consistently.

That should have been your "ah -ha" moment.

Gaining weight isn't your cue to eat everything under the
sun. In order to gain weight, lean mass and not get fat,
you need to eat just over what you body needs to maintain.
In this manner, you'll provide your body with all the
calories it needs to build muscle but you won't give it so
much as it stores the excess as fat.

[ Remember that anything in excess, even protein, can be
stored as fat. ]

The key is to gain healthy weight and minimize the fat
gains.

Tip 2: Grocery Shopping 101

If you are looking to gain weight, then don't have bare
cupboards. Go to your kitchen right now after reading this
section and take a look at what you've got in stock.

Make sure your kitchen is fully stocked with the foods you
need to eat. Dense foods work wonders for putting on the
weight.

Examples are whole-grain breads, vegetables such as
avocados and potatoes, kidney beans, lean red meat, poultry
and fish.

Bare cupboards = no weight gain!

Bodybuilding doesn't have to break the bank. Many times
you can get bulk items for much cheaper than you think.
Packages of tuna, turkey, chicken legs, pasta all are great
bulking items that don't cost a ton of money.

Perishable items like fruits and sugary laden items and
condiments are usually things that cost the most.

Tip 3: Meal Planning for Dummies

Part of performance nutrition is eating 5-6 times a day.
Every 2-3 hours you should be consuming a meal consisting
of a lean protein, fibrous/starchy carb and potentially a
healthy fat.

If you really want to gain weight, you need to eat 5-6
times a day! And it needs to be consistent. This means no
skipping meals.

Eating 3 times a day full of bacon and eggs might have
worked for some of the past legends but it probably won't
do you any good.

Keeping your metabolism high and your system flushed with
nitrogen (protein) will ensure you keep all the muscle you
are working to build and that you are consuming slight
excess calories for weight gain.

If you eat a big dinner but skip snacks and have light
breakfasts, that is part of the problem. Healthy weight
gain only comes from people who are consistent in their
eating and don't skip meals.

Failure to plan your meals ultimately means you won't be
eating enough to gain weight.

Tip 4: Nutrient Variety is Key

It happens to the best of us... We get used to eating
certain foods and we don't budge. For a bulking diet, this
can be a killer as it drastically limits the number of
calories you can eat. Plus, you will limit the nutrients
and vitamins you will be able to intake. Both are
essential to maximum healthy weight gain.

Did anybody ever tell you that nutrients are essential for
growth?

Tip 5: Essential Meal Timing

While it might be socially acceptable to eat just 3 times a
day, that is not acceptable for those who are serious about
putting on lean muscle mass without putting on fat.

You've heard all the benefits of performance nutrition and
eating 5-6 times a day but re-read this...

Quality muscle gain without putting on fat requires a high
metabolism AND an excess number of calories.

In order to do just that, you need to eat frequently.

That means 5-6 times a day (or more).

Tip 6: Eat, Eat and Eat [ did I mention eat ]

Don't feel hungry?

Eat. Now in most cases, that is against the current
movement but in reality, if you want to put on quality mass
you have to eat regardless of your hunger levels. Eating
based on your mood is not the path to healthy weight gain.

Countless people tell me they cannot eat like a 200 lb
bodybuilder.

That's because they are not a 200 lb bodybuilder.

Once they eat more, gain muscle mass, they will be and it
will seem like nothing to eat like a 200 lb bodybuilder.

This doesn't mean stuffing yourself, gorging on food or
getting sick. It means eating more and more gradually over
time in order to prime your body for more frequent meal
times. Slowly start adding more food to your portions
until you've nailed your perfect weight gain calorie needs.

As you eat more and small but frequent meals, you won't
feel stuff and your body will become more efficient at
digesting and breaking down foods.

All this means to you is...

A higher metabolic rate and more calories!

The two essential keys to putting on weight without the fat.

:: Additional Tips ::

* Drink plenty of water. With your additional meals and
workouts, you'll want to ensure you are properly hydrated.

* Engage in a weight training program. Building muscle is
a priority during your bulking phase. Since you will have
plenty of energy from your carb sources, you should be
fueled and primed to get some of the best and most intense
workouts of your life. Now is an opportune time to build
muscle.

* Limit your cardio workouts. Cardio workouts are a tool.
Use it sparingly depending on your metabolism. If you
feel like you aren't putting on weight, reduce the amount
of cardio you are doing. If you feel like you are putting
on a bit too much fat, increase the cardio.

* Take weekly weight and body fat measurements. By taking
a weekly measurement, you can see if the weight you are
putting on is fat or muscle.

----------------------------------------------------
Marc David is a bodybuilder and author of the, Beginner's
Guide to Fitness and Bodybuilding. You can get info on
Marc's e-book at: http://www.Beginning-Bodybuilding.com .
To get Marc's free e-zine, visit http://www.JustAskMarc.com