The Skinny on Cholesterol

On the whole, cholesterol isn’t a bad guy. It just got a bad name. cholesterol is used by cells to maintain the integrity of their membranes. The brain uses cholesterol to help improve memory. It is a packaging system for hormones and other substances that travel from place to place through the blood. So, as you can see, it has an importance in the body that can’t be denied.

The problem comes when we have an unbalanced cholesterol level. Certain cholesterol molecules, namely HDL cholesterol, or the ” good cholesterol,” help to keep the blood vessels clear, preventing plaques from forming on the walls. Other cholesterol molecules, LDL and Triglycerides, can cause problems in high amounts. They can form plaques and clots that narrow vessels and lead to conditions like stroke and embolism.

Overall, it is a good idea to maintain the balance of these three cholesterols in the blood. That means a change in the makeup of your food plate. Some foods that contain a lot of fat also contain the wrong type of cholesterol. Many people struggle with their ideal cholesterol numbers, often you can simplify the whole process and get a healthy balance just by eating right. This leads us back to how do we find cholesterol-fighting super foods?(...)

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© Natural Health Blog 2011. | More articles: avocados, cholesterol, fish, nuts, oats, Super Foods

The Realities of Weight Loss

Why can’t we seem to take it off? The real answer lies in what we eat. To get your weight loss journey on track switch from processed foods to simple things like super foods. Super foods are packed with power.

Super foods have specific qualities that make it easier to lose weight.

1. They fill you up with fiber. If your belly is full, you don’t want any more food.
2. They change your desires. If you change your palate by avoiding sugary foods, then sweet treats won’t have the same appeal. In fact, when you start craving sweet summer strawberries instead of gooey strawberry shortcake, then you know you’re on your way!

It is not easy to lose fat. It takes roughly a 3,500 calorie deficit to lose a pound. That sounds like a lot, but when you are eating foods that are high in nutritional value and low in calories—ie: the super foods—the weight will feel like it is literally melting off. And, you get the benefit of super nutrients strengthening your body at the same time.

Here is a list of our favorite super foods for weight loss. (...)

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© Natural Health Blog 2011. | More articles: apples, eggs, oats, peppers, sardines, Super Foods, whole grains