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1. The Oldest Written Recipe? Beer.

A 4000-year old Mesopotamian clay tablet had the archeologists who excavated it scratching their heads trying to decipher the ancient object’s hieroglyphics. Imagine their delight when they finally discovered that the tablet recorded civilization’s first known written recipe – for beer. It wasn’t just any common type of beer that deserved all the trouble of carving a stone recipe card; it was heavenly beer, a formula handed down to the Sumerians directly from the god Enki. Among other attributes, Enki was the god of crafting and mischief, which sounds about right for a beer master.

2. Not All Alcoholic Drinks are “Spirits”

People often use the term “spirits” to describe all types of alcoholic beverages, but in fact, only those drinks distilled without any additional sugar and containing 20 percent alcohol by volume fall under the category of spirits according to the industry. Beverages such as whisky, gin and tequila are a few examples. Distilled beverages that do include additional sugar or other flavorings bear the name of liqueurs, such as American schnapps or Frangelico. Beer and wine don’t qualify for the title at all since they are not distilled, but fermented.

3. Alcohol Puts You at Risk for STDs

Believe it or not, there’s a direct link between drinking and contracting a sexually transmitted disease. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 3.1 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 25 who identify themselves as heavy drinkers have or have had an STD within the last year. Only 1.4 percent of non-drinkers within the same age group have had an STD. Incidentally, the rate of STDs is higher for women who drink heavily than for their male counterparts.

5. Alcohol May Cause Cancer

There probably won’t be any cancer warnings on the side of a beer bottle any time soon, but the American Cancer Society cites a link between alcohol use and an increased risk of mouth, throat, larynx, liver, esophagus, breast and colon cancer.

6. The Origin of Toasting

Today we “make a toast” by offering well-wishes with a symbolic drink of alcohol, but the custom may have originated in Rome (or Greece or Germany) when an actual piece of toast was dipped into a glass of wine – perhaps to celebrate the plentitude of food and drink at a special occasion.

7. Champagne Facts

Only sparkling wine made from grapes grown in the Champagne region of France bears the legal label of Champagne. All others are merely sparkling wine (unless given their own regional name). Ever wonder how many bubbles are in a bottle of bubbly? Forty-nine million is the estimate. There’s more pressure in a Champagne bottle than in an automobile tire. Pop!

8. All Those Ads Don’t Make You Drink More

A study conducted by doctors from Pennsylvania State University and Montana State University concluded that alcohol advertising does not increase alcohol consumption. Their findings are in consensus with most of the body of research focused on the subject.

9. Binge Drinking Can Kill You – Even if it’s Only Beer

Too many young people are under the impression that acute alcohol poisoning can only happen if they’re drinking “hard” liquor. The fact is that any alcoholic drink can create levels of ethanol in the body high enough to suppress the respiratory system or cause death by asphyxiation. The symptoms of alcohol poisoning are often indiscernible from the symptoms of being intoxicated. If someone you know has been drinking and is vomiting, breathing slowly or appears incoherent, seek medical attention.

10. Alcohol Lowers Your Body Temperature

It feels like your temperature’s rising when you drink alcohol because alcohol is a vasodilator – it makes the blood vessels near your skin’s surface expand, which gives you a flush of warmth. The problem is that as the blood rushes to your skin’s dilated vessels, it’s rushing away from your body’s core. Frostbite, exhaustion, and potentially fatal hypothermia are dangerous realities of mid-winter binging, especially for those who live in severe climates.

Benjamin Franklin once said, “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy,” and maybe that’s true. But there is also a quote by an unknown author who said, “The first thing in the human personality that dissolves in alcohol is dignity,” and maybe that’s true, too. Of all the things you might not know about alcohol, one thing that you should know is the importance of enjoying it responsibly. Cheers!

This post was written and provided by Gregg Gustafson who is a freelance writer and consultant for Drug-Rehab.org. Gustafson works with individuals who suffer from drug abuse on a daily basis in turn referring them to some of the most prestige long term drug rehab centers active today.

The most advice step to take is to increase the number of times that you have sex. Regular sex will definitely increase your chances of conception. You should try to have sex about three times each week. If you are healthy, there is no limit on the number of times you engage in sexual activities. For some people, increasing the frequency may be the best solution. When you are ovulating, have sex at least once each day. This will increase your odds of getting a baby.

Making healthy life choices is also a great idea if you want to get a baby. This means that you need to maintain an ideal weight and include a range of physical activities. Eat the right foods and avoid processed ones. If you are not sure about what you need to eat to increase your chances, you should consult your doctor. It is also important to reduce your stress levels because this can interfere with conception. When you are under stress, your hormones are affected and this can make it difficult for you to get a baby.

Before you try to get a baby, you need to plan the process very carefully with the help of a medical professional. This is because there are certain medical conditions that can interfere with the conception process. Consulting a doctor helps you determine if you will be able to get a baby even if you have an existing medical condition. A thorough medical examination is necessary if you want to get a baby.

In some cases, increasing your intake of nutritional supplements can be very helpful for those who want to get a baby. Some of the supplements that you should take include Folic acid.

Some lifestyle habits also need to be avoided if you are thinking about getting a baby. If you are a smoker, you need to stop if you want to conceive. Smoking has been proven to cause miscarriages in some women. The ingredients that are found in cigarettes can also cause problems for you because they can prevent your baby from getting the nutrients and oxygen it requires. Come up with a plan that will help you to stop smoking before you start trying to conceive.

There are certain medications that are known to interfere with conception therefore it is important to see your doctor and discuss all the prescriptions that you are currently taking. The doctor may have to recommend alternative medication if you want to get a baby.

Physiology
Cholesterol participates in the synthesis of male and female steroid hormones especially testosterone and estrogens. About 80% of the body’s cholesterol is synthesized by the liver while rest comes from our diet. The major sources of dietary cholesterol are meat, fish, poultry, and dairy products. Among meat, liver is excessively rich in cholesterol content while foods of plant origin lack cholesterol. After consuming a meal, the dietary cholesterol is absorbed from the intestine and packaged inside a protein coat. This cholesterol-protein coat complex is known as chylomicron which is later stored in the liver. Liver bears the potential of regulating cholesterol levels in the blood stream. Cholesterol synthesis starts from simpler elements present in the body. In blood circulation it is transported within lipoproteins and if its level increases then the risk of atherosclerosis increases. Typically for a person weighing 68 kg the total body cholesterol synthesis is 1 g per day. The daily additional dietary intake of cholesterol in the United States is 200-300 mg. The body maintains equilibrium by minimizing the total amount synthesized in the body if the dietary intake of cholesterol increases.

Cholesterol is also recycled, it is excreted by the liver via bile into the digestive tract. About 50% of the excreted cholesterol is again reabsorbed in the small intestine and reaches blood stream. Phytosterols can compete with cholesterol reabsorption in the intestine and thus, reduce cholesterol level. Cholesterol is a fat required by the body in small amounts. High blood levels of cholesterol can lead to coronary artery disease and angina. Nitrates are used to relieve angina. Most people require regular tests for knowing blood cholesterol levels that comprise checking of triglycerides, high density lipoproteins (HDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL) and total cholesterol levels.

Methods for increasing the levels of good cholesterol or lowering blood cholesterol levels include cholesterol reducing drugs like statins, fibrates, niacin and bile acid resins. These drugs are not able to reverse calcification and if coronary arteries are blocked then heart attack may occur. The two chief types of cholesterols are high density lipoproteins (HDL) and low density lipoproteins (LDL). For the sake of simplicity HDL is considered as good cholesterol while LDL is known as the bad cholesterol. We can conclude that the bad cholesterol is responsible for forming plaques in the arteries and thus, increases the risk of heart attack. The good cholesterol on the other hand, reverses cholesterol transport by taking it out of the plaque and sending it back to blood circulation for excretion via liver.

Types
Three major types of lipoproteins are found in the serum of a fasting individual namely, low density lipoproteins (LDL), high density lipoproteins (HDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL).

1. Low density lipoproteins (LDL) or bad cholesterol and its management

LDL or bad cholesterol comprises 60-70% of the total serum cholesterol. It is the major atherogenic lipoprotein used in the cholesterol lowering therapy as its higher levels are dangerous. It deposits cholesterol on the walls of arteries resulting in the formation of a hard substance known as cholesterol plaque. This plaque is responsible for the hardening of arterial walls so they become narrow and the process is identified as atherosclerosis. Liver not only manufactures and secretes LDL cholesterol in the blood stream but also removes it from the blood. A large number of active receptors are present on the surface of liver that actively bind to the LDL cholesterol molecules and remove it from blood. A deficiency of LDL receptors is associated with the higher level of these molecules in the blood.

A number of advantages are known when the levels of bad cholesterol undergo reduction for example, declination in the formation of new plaques on the walls of the arteries, removal of existing plaques from the arterial walls, narrowed arteries attain their normal shape, avoidance of rupturing of plaques which facilitates formation of blood clots and finally the risk of heart attack is reduced. A number of studies have indicated that the risk of heart attack diminishes by 25% for every 10% drop in the LDL cholesterol level and it is the key factor ensuring that total blood cholesterol level has reached a safer zone. A study carried out with 4,000 individuals has confirmed that the levels of bad cholesterol and risk of heart attack were reduced to about 25% and 42%by using the drug statin. It is profitable that the daily calorie intake of fat must be reduced down to 30% and consumption different kinds of foods rich in carbohydrates, proteins must be increased as the body will convert them into triglycerides which are later stored as fat.

Foods rich in saturated fats increase levels of LDL cholesterol in blood stream. Fats may be classified as saturated and unsaturated fats. Saturated fats are easily available in the meat, dairy products and some vegetable oils especially those derived from coconut, palm and cocoa. Therapeutic lifestyle changes adopted for lowering the levels of bad cholesterol include regular exercise, loss of excess body weight and following a diet with low concentration of saturated fats and cholesterol. When lifestyle changes fail to give desired results then medications are taken into consideration. Statins are the most effective drugs giving best results for lowering the levels of bad cholesterol and also reducing the risk of heart diseases. Other drugs that can be used include fibrates like gemfibrozin, resins such as cholestyramine, ezetimibe and Zetia. The National Institute of Health, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology have published some guidelines that can help the medical experts while dealing with cases of high cholesterol.

2. High density lipoproteins (LDL) or good cholesterol and its advantages

HDL cholesterol or the good cholesterol as it prevents atherosclerosis by extracting cholesterol from the arterial walls and disposing them through liver. High levels of LDL cholesterol and low levels of HDL cholesterol are associated with the risk of heart diseases. So the levels must be maintained in order to enjoy a happy and healthy life. HDL cholesterol accounts for 20-30% of the total serum cholesterol. Since it reduces the risk of atherosclerosis its level must be checked from time to time. Both heredity and diet have a significant effect on a person’s HDL, LDL and total cholesterol levels. Families with low HDL levels are at an elevated risk of heart attack and vice versa. Lifestyle and other factors also influence HDL levels. HDL levels are low in individuals who smoke, are overweight, inactive and suffer from Type II diabetes mellitus. HDL levels are higher in individuals who are lean, exercise regularly and do not smoke. Estrogens also increase HDL levels so women have high HDL cholesterol levels as compared to men.

Lowering of the LDL cholesterol level is however easier than elevating the levels of HDL cholesterol. Reducing LDL and raising HDL levels have a beneficial effect on an individual’s health. Earlier the researchers were much focused on the ways of reducing the levels of bad cholesterol but with advancement in research it became clear that it is better to raise the levels of good cholesterol as it will automatically reduce bad cholesterol levels. The levels may be raised by weight loss, regular exercise and intake of niacin. Some studies have suggested that drugs like statin when coupled with niacin give better results and women with high levels of HDL have reduced risk of heart attack. The average HDL level for women must be in between 50-55 mg/dL and for men 40-50 mg/dL. The total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio can be of help in estimating the risk of atherosclerosis. An average ratio must be in between 4-5.

Studies have indicated that even a small increase in the level of HDL cholesterol can reduce the risk of heart attack. For every 1 mg/dL rise in the HDL cholesterol level the risk of coronary heart disease reduces by 2-4%. However, therapeutic lifestyle changes can help in increasing the HDL levels. When these changes fail to give positive results then medication is taken into account. Regular aerobic exercise, loss of excessive body weight and cessation of smoking are helpful in raising HDL levels. Regular alcohol consumption for example, taking one drink per day can also help in this regard but as alcohol consumption is coupled with many adverse health effects this criterion is not taken into consideration. Effective drugs include gemfibrozil, estrogen and lower doses of statin. A newer medicine, fenofibrate has also given better results and is used in reducing serum triglycerides.

3. Triglycerides or very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) or ugly cholesterol and its effects

The ugly cholesterol is a triglyceride rich lipoprotein that accounts for 10-15% of the total serum cholesterol. This cholesterol is produced by liver and some remnants of VLDL seem to promote atherosclerosis similar to that of LDL. Triglyceride is a form of fat transported to the tissue through blood. Body’s majority of fatty tissue is composed of triglycerides. Serum triglycerides can be derived from two sources. The first source is the food that we consume for example, if we consume a diet rich in fats then intestine packs some of them while rest is transported to the liver. The second source is the liver itself. When fats are received by the liver, it takes fatty acids released by the fat cells and ties them in triglyceride bundles that are later utilized as fuel. There is a controversy about the fact that whether high levels of triglycerides alone are responsible for coronary heart disease or not.

Other clinical conditions frequently coupled with high triglyceride levels are high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney, liver and circulatory disease and hypothyroidism. In some individuals elevated triglyceride levels are inherited and this condition is identified as hypertriglyceridemia. The common examples of hypertriglyceridemia include mixed hypertriglyceridemia, familial hypertriglyceridemia and familial dysbetalipoproteinemia. Hypertriglyceridemia can also occur due to some non-genetic factors like obesity, excessive alcohol, diabetes mellitus, kidney disease and use of estrogen containing medicines like birth control pills. The levels can be returned back to normal without medication by taking the help of a physician. The first step involved in the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia includes intake of a diet low in fats with limited consumption of sweets, regular aerobic exercise, loss of excess body weight, reduction of alcohol consumption and quitting smoking. In patients with diabetes mellitus effective control of glucose level is needed.

When medications become necessary statins, fibrates and niacin can be used. Fibrates not only reduce the triglyceride levels but also raise the HDL levels and particle size of LDL molecules. Same task is done by niacin but it lowers the levels of Lp (a) cholesterol. Statins on the other hand, reduce both triglyceride and LDL levels but are ineffective in raising HDL levels. A newly launched medicine, fenofibrate has shown promising results in lowering triglyceride and LDL levels as well as raising HDL levels especially in those individuals who show sub-optimal responses with fibrates. In some individuals a mixed dose of fibrate or fenofibrate along with statin is prescribed for better results.

Function

Cholesterol is needed for building and maintenance of membranes as it modulates membrane fluidity over a wide range of physiological temperatures. The hydroxyl group located on the cholesterol molecule interacts with the polar head groups of membrane phospholipids and sphingolipids and thus, reduces permeability of membrane to protons. Within the cell membrane it also functions in intracellular transport, nerve conduction and cell signaling. Cholesterol is also very essential for the structure and function of invaginated caveolae and clathrin coated pits in endocytosis. Recently, it has been suggested that cholesterol also plays some role in cell signaling process by assisting in formation of lipid rafts in plasma membrane. In many neurons a cholesterol rich myelin sheath is present which is derived from the compact layers of Schwann cell membrane helping in efficient nerve conduction. This layer also provides insulation. Within cells cholesterol also acts as a precursor molecule for several biochemical processes. In liver, cholesterol is converted into bile which is then stored in gallbladder. Bile is rich in bile salts which actively solubilize fat molecules in the digestive tract and thus, aid in intestinal absorption of fat molecules and fat soluble vitamins like A,D,E and K. It is also an essential precursor molecule for the synthesis of vitamin D and steroid hormones.

Biosynthesis and Regulation

All animal cells manufacture cholesterol but the rate of production varies depending upon the cell type and the organ involved. About 20-25% daily production of cholesterol occurs in the liver and rest in intestines, adrenal glands and reproductive organs. Synthesis of cholesterol within the body starts with one molecule of acetyl- CoA and one molecule of acetoacetyl-CoA that are hydrated to form 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA). The HMG-CoA so formed is reduced to form mevalonate by the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. This step is the rate limiting and irreversible step in the cholesterol synthesis. The mevalonate so formed is converted into 3-isopentenyl pyrophosphate in three reactions that need ATP. Mevalonate is then decarboxylated to form isopentenyl pyrophosphate. Then three molecules of isopentenyl pyrophosphate collaborate together to form farnesyl pyrophosphate in the presence of geranyl transferase. Two molecules of farnesyl pyrophosphate join to form squalene in the endoplasmic reticulum and the reaction is catalyzed by squalene synthase. Oxidosqualene cyclase then converts squalene to lanosterol that finally forms cholesterol. The mechanism and regulation of cholesterol was worked out by Konard Bloch and Feodor Lynen for which they received Noble Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1964.

The biosynthesis of cholesterol is under the strict control of the cholesterol levels but homeostatic mechanisms involved in its regulation are partly understood. A higher intake of cholesterol from food results in a net decrease in endogenous production and vice versa. The main mechanism involved comprises sensing of intracellular cholesterol by the protein SREBP (sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 and 2) located on the endoplasmic reticulum. In the presence of cholesterol this protein binds with two other proteins namely, SCAP (SREBP-cleavage-activating protein) and Insig 1. When the cholesterol level declines Insig 1 dissociates from the SREBP-SCAP complex, allowing entry of this complex into the Golgi apparatus, where SREBP is cleaved by S1 and S2 proteases. These proteases are activated by SCAP when cholesterol levels decline. The cleaved SREBP then migrates towards the nucleus to act as a transcription factor and here it binds to the sterol regulatory element (SRE) which stimulates transcription of many genes for example, scavenging of circulating LDL from the blood stream by low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor and increase in the endogenous production of cholesterol by HMG-CoA reductase. A larger part of this signaling pathway was worked out by Dr. Michael S. Brown and Dr. Joseph L. Goldstein in 1970s for which they received Noble Prize in 1985.

Cholesterol synthesis can be terminated when cholesterol levels are high. HMG-CoA reductase bears both cytosolic and membrane domains. The membrane domain is sensitive for the signals responsible for its degradation. Increased concentration of cholesterol causes a change in the oligomerized state of domain that makes it more susceptible to destruction by proteosome. The activity of this enzyme can also be reduced by phosphorylation by an AMP activated protein kinase. Cholesterol is only slightly soluble in water and can be dissolved in water-based blood stream but travels at exceedingly small concentrations. As cholesterol is insoluble in blood it is transported in the circulatory system within the lipoprotein complexes whose outer part is made up of amphiphilic proteins and lipids. Triglycerides and cholesterol esters are carried internally. Lipoproteins provide cholesterol a soluble medium to be transported through blood and for this reason lipoproteins are carried in different forms within blood namely, chylomicrons, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL).

Chylomicrons are the least dense type of cholesterol transporting molecules whose shells are rich in apolipoprotein B-48, apolipoprotein C and E. They carry fats from intestine to muscles and other tissues that require fatty acids for energy. Cholesterol that is not used by the muscles remains in the form of chylomicron remnant which is later taken up by the liver through blood stream. VLDL molecules produced by the liver are loaded with triacylglycerol and cholesterol that are not needed by the liver for the production of bile acids. These molecules contain apolipoprotein B100 and apoplipoprotein E in their shells. During transport the blood vessels cleave and absorb triacylglycerol from IDL molecules that have high concentration of cholesterol. LDL molecules are the major carriers of cholesterol in the blood and each molecule contains about 1,500 cholesterol esters. The shell of LDL molecule contains only one molecule of apolipoprotein B100 that is recognized by the LDL receptors present on the peripheral tissues. During binding of apolipoprotein B100 many LDL receptors become localized in the clathrin-coated pits. Both LDL and its receptors are internalized by endocytosis to form a vesicle within the cell which then fuses with the lysosome containing lysosomal acid lipase that hydrolyzes cholesterol esters. At this stage cholesterol can be used for the biosynthesis of membrane and can be stored within the cell.

Synthesis of LDL receptor is regulated by SREBP protein. When the cell has sufficient amount of cholesterol, LDL receptor synthesis is blocked and no more molecules of cholesterol can enter inside the cell. When the cell is deficient in cholesterol more LDL receptors are formed. When this system is deregulated more LDL molecules without LDL receptors appear in the bloodstream especially near the peripheral tissues. These molecules are then oxidized and taken up by the macrophages forming foam cells and contributing in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of the arteries causing heart attack. HDL molecules participate in reverse cholesterol transport as they return cholesterol back to the liver for excretion. Cholesterol is susceptible to oxidation and can easily form oxysterols that are the oxygenated derivatives. Oxysterols can be generated through three mechanisms especially by autoxidation, secondary oxidation to lipid peroxidation and cholesterol metabolizing enzyme oxidation. Oxysterols also participate in bile acid biosynthesis, transport of different forms of cholesterol and regulation of gene transcription.

Cholesterol is oxidized by the liver into a variety of bile acids which are in turn conjugated with glycine, taurine, glucuronic acid. A mixture of both conjugated as well as non-conjugated bile acids along with cholesterol is excreted from the liver into bile. About 95% of the bile acids are reabsorbed from the intestines while rest is lost in faeces. The excretion and reabsorption of bile acids form the basis of enterohepatic circulation essential for digestion and absorption of the dietary fats. In certain circumstances, cholesterol crystallizes and forms gallstones especially in the gallbladder. Lecithin and bilirubin gallstones are also known to occur but their percentage is low. Everyday about 1 g of cholesterol is known to enter the colon which comes from diet, bile, desquamated intestinal cells and can be metabolized by the colonic bacteria. Cholesterol is mainly converted into coprostanol which is a nonabsorbable sterol excreted in faeces. A cholesterol reducing bacterium has also been isolated from human faeces. Some cholesterol derivatives are known to generate liquid crystalline cholesteric phase.

Dietary sources of cholesterol

Animal fats are complex mixtures of triglycerides having lower proportions of phospholipids and cholesterol. Major dietary sources of cholesterol include cheese, egg yolks, beef, pork, shrimp and poultry. Human breast milk also contains sufficient amounts of cholesterol. The amount cholesterol present in the plant sources is lesser when compared with the animal sources. Plant products like peanuts and flax seeds bear phytosterols which are cholesterol like compounds helping to lower serum cholesterol levels. The total fat intake especially in the form of saturated and trans fats play greater role in blood cholesterol rather than the intake of cholesterol itself. Saturated fats are abundantly present in the full fat dairy products, animal fats, chocolate and several types of oils.

Trans fats are obtained by the partial hydrogenation of unsaturated fats and do not occur in significant amounts in nature. They are present in good amounts in the margarine, hydrogenated vegetable fats and in many fast foods like snacks, fried or baked goods. Avoiding consumption of cholesterol rich animal products not only reduces the amount of cholesterol taken through the diet but also reduces the synthesis of cholesterol. Individuals interested to reduce their cholesterol levels through diet must consume less than 7% of their daily energy needs from the animal fats and fewer than 200 mg of cholesterol per day. It is debatable that reduced consumption of dietary fat and cholesterol can lower blood cholesterol levels because any declination in the dietary uptake of cholesterol is compensated by the organs involved in its synthesis so that the levels can be kept constant.

Foods that might cholesterol

Dietary fibers play a major role in maintaining our health as well as also protect us from a number of diseases like diabetes and heart diseases. Oats, oat bran and oat meal contain a special type of soluble fiber known as beta-glucan that helps in reducing the levels of LDL cholesterol. Oat fibers are different from other fibers in the manner that they reduce the levels of bad cholesterol while the levels of good cholesterol remain unchanged. So we can say that oat fibers help in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. Studies have also indicated that if individuals with high levels of HDL consume 3 g of soluble oat fiber per day the total cholesterol levels may be declined. Soy protein also protects against heart diseases and hypercholesterolemia as it reduces the bad cholesterol and raises the good cholesterol. It also prevents the oxidation of bad cholesterol so that it may not coagulate on the arterial walls.

Several studies have indicated that drinking of green or black teas also reduce the blood cholesterol concentration, blood pressure and inhibit blood clotting and also provide some protection against cardiovascular diseases. Green tea is rich in catechins while black tea contains flavins that inhibit oxidation of bad cholesterol. Tea also contains folic acid that helps in reducing the risk of heart attack and cancer. A person can get 25% of RDA for folic acid by drinking five cups of tea in a day. Several studies have indicated that barely has some unique health promoting effects especially for the heart. The cholesterol fighting efficiency of barley is more pronounced than that of oats. Studies have indicated that it can reduce up to 15% of total cholesterol levels in individuals with elevated cholesterol levels. Barley is also a rich source of beta-glucan which retards fat and cholesterol absorption by the intestines. The fiber is known to bind bile salts and thus, removes cholesterol from the body. Psyllium husk is also a rich source of soluble and insoluble fibers known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, serum cholesterol, LDL levels, triglycerides and apolipoprotein B. Psyllium husk is rich in a fiber known as beta-sitosterol.

Cholesterol testing and reducing high cholesterol

The American Heart Association recommends that the cholesterol levels of individuals above 20 years of age must be checked in every five years. A blood sample after 12-hour fasting is taken by the medical expert for the determination of the lipoprotein profile. This determines LDL, HDL, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Causes of high cholesterol may vary from person to person and are influenced by the lifestyle and gender of an individual. A number of steps can be taken in order to reduce high cholesterol levels for example loss of excessive body weight. Avoidance of consumption of foods derived from animal fats, regular physical activity and exercise can also help in maintaining low cholesterol levels. Levels of cholesterol in both males and females increase after a certain age and the levels in women tend to increase after menopause. Genes also play an important role in a person’s health.

If you are looking for inspiration or encouragement, here are five reasons which will hopefully motivate you.

1. Blood of all types is high in demand. You might think your blood type is not needed, but it is estimated that forty thousand units are needed daily in the United States alone! This includes A, B and O. If you have blood in your body, donation centers hope you can give a pint every few months.

2. A trauma victim may need as many as 100 units of blood following an accident. When somebody is involved in an accident, he or she can lose a great amount of blood in a short period of time. It is important, therefore, for blood banks and hospitals to have enough on hand to help people in critical condition. Consider, too, that large-scale disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes may require relief on a grander scale.

3. Donating blood is not very painful, and simple and safe to do. Are you afraid of needles? If this is the one thing that has prevented you from giving blood, know that it doesn’t have to be a horrifying experience. Many people who donate may reveal that there is only an initial sting as the needle is inserted into your vein. At most, you may come away with some soreness and light bruising. If you are concerned about HIV, know that organizations take precautions to ensure the safety of blood donors.

4. Regular donation can help keep supplies plentiful in case of emergencies. The more you donate in times when there isn’t really a critical need, the better equipped clinics and hospitals will be when something does happen. Proactive donations help!

5. One donation of blood can save up to three different lives. When you give blood, your donation may be separated into different units allowing more people to benefit.

The next time your office sponsors a blood drive, or if you know of a donation event in your area, consider giving a precious gift that helps others. You may need blood one day yourself, and a donation is a grand blessing.

1. Aloe Vera (Aloe vera)
Originally from Africa, this plant is one of the world’s most often used plants. Aloe Vera has thick, fleshy leaves that are beneficial for healing many illnesses and ailments. The plant’s gel is found helpful in stopping bleeding, lowering blood sugar, lowering cholesterol levels, curing constipation, expelling worms, curing mouth ulcers, enhancing bile flow. It is also useful for healing wounds, sunburn and burns. Aloe Vera is also used as a main ingredient for cosmetic products such as shampoo and soaps.

2. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
This tropical plant is widely used around the world as an herbal remedy as well as an ingredient in foods. Ginger root is particularly beneficial for our body because it can help heal many illnesses. The uses of ginger, among others, include preventing breech birth, relieving morning sickness, killing anisakid worms in fish (mostly used in sushi), relieving rheumatoid arthritis pain, killing cold viruses, reducing cholesterol levels, reducing plate-activating factor (PAF) that causes strokes, reducing inflammation, and many more.

3. Garlic (Allium sativa)
Although garlic is mostly known as a condiment, this plant also has great healing properties. Crushed raw garlic releases allicin, which is a stronger antibiotic compared to tetracycline or penicillin. Garlic is known to be a remedy for high cholesterol levels, high blood sugar, atherosclerosis, ear infections, kidney and bladder infections, yeast infections and strep throats. Garlic is also effective in killing fungi, viruses, bacteria and parasites.

4. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum casia)
Cinnamon is a native plant from Ceylon that is a known to aid digestion. Compared to Cassia or Chinese cinnamon, which originates from Burma, cinnamon has a lighter, delicate flavor and is more expensive. Cinnamon’s bittersweet tree bark is a good remedy for cold-related illnesses such as cold and winter chills. Drink hot cinnamon for preventing and curing colds, flu, fevers and catarrh. Inhaling the oil made from cinnamon bark can be used to relieve chest infections and head colds.

5. Jasmine (Jasminum officinale L.)
Jasmine is characterized by its small, white and aromatic flowers. In the 16th century, European used this plant as the main ingredient in French perfumes, while the Chinese used Jasmine as a cleansing remedy. Jasmine tea can flush away toxins in your body when taken regularly. Jasmine tea has a bitter, pungent and cooling taste. Jasmine tea is known to promote relaxation, relieve pain (it works as a powerful analgesic), reduce fever and work as antibacterial agent.

Osteoporosis is likely to be the cause of 80% of the 30,000 hip fractures that occur annually in Canada alone.

Unfortunately osteoporosis is becoming more common in both men and women. Particularly men and women over the age of 50 are at risk of developing osteoporosis, and therefore more likely to experience bone fractures in their later years.

It is important to have an understanding as to how to keep our bones healthy so that we can be proactive in preventing bone density loss. Unfortunately drug companies would have us believe that the only way to prevent or maintain the disease is to take drugs. On the contrary, a knowledge about bone health, and creating a lifestyle that keeps bones healthy using diet and exercise can prevent bone loss and reduce the risk factors for osteoporosis in your later years.

A person approaches the aged 30 can start to lose bone density at the rate half to one perent a year. Bone density levels are partially determined by genetics, and certainly have an impact on the development of osteoporosis. Bone loss can accelerate, in extreme old age, particularly through immobility.

As men and women age, they may need to make lifestyle changes to reduce that bone loss such changes can include increasing weight bearing and balance exercises and making sure that they are eating a diet that is rich in calcium and vitamin D

As women go through the menopause, they can experience rapid bone loss due to the decrease in estrogen. In fact, women could lose as much as 20% of their bone mass during the first 5 to 6 years of menopause, and then continue to lose bone at the rate of around 1% a year after that.

For both men and women, it is important to achieve peak, bone density and focus on maintaining the bone by living a bone healthy lifestyle from a young age. Genetics can influence the amount of bone density in an individual. If someone in your family has experienced a bone fracture, it would be wise to go to a health care professional and have a bone density test, while you are still young. This would identify whether you have a high risk of osteoporosis and need to make any lifestyle changes necessary to take decrease the risk of osteoporosis later on in your life.

To prevent the onset of osteoporosis in your body you need to be proactive and become informed so that you can make good choices.

The truth is that building muscle mass can be accomplished with the correct exercise and a healthy diet. You can take supplements for building muscles quicker, but be very careful about what you use.

Take time to learn about various supplements before you start using one so you will now if it is safe and effective. Always do your research before taking any supplement.

Now, the quickest and most effective routine that you can do is a weight training workout. This is the quickest because you will be able to build up muscle in all areas of your body and not just one area.

It is important that you concentrate on the whole body and not just one small area or you could end up with a body that is out of balance due to increased muscle in that one area only.

With weight training you can rotate the muscles you work on each day so you can rest muscles in between workouts for that particular group of muscles. The resting period is imperative because during rest is the time when your muscles will build.

Overwork the muscles and you will be breaking them down too much and this will cause you to lose muscle mass and not gain it. You have to be smart about how you work out so you are targeting the areas where you need muscle, but so you can also rest them so they have adequate time to build like you are aiming for.

It is a good idea to find a personal trainer that can help you come up with an effective weight training workout specifically for you. That way you will be confident that every exercise you do is helping you move towards your goal of bigger and healthier muscles.

Now, no matter how much weight training you are doing, if you are not eating a healthy diet with it then you will not build the muscles you want. It is important to eat small nutritionally balanced meals 6 or 7 times a day, instead of 3 big meals a day.

The smaller meals are going to help your body have energy to burn fat and for building muscle. It is a smart idea to begin eating a healthy diet in small meals from the first day you start your weight training workout so you can get the good results you are aiming for.

Now that you understand how to build up muscle mass fast, you just need to get started. Building muscles is not going to be simple, but it will definitely be worth it when you look better, feel better and when you are healthier.

General practitioners recommend at least 30 minutes of cardio activity, and it is for these very same reasons. If you live a very sedentary lifestyle at home and your job does not demand you to get active then a walking program is what you need. It helps curb lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases and cancer aside from prolonging your life.

However, if your goal is to lose weight then you need to walk more and maybe combine it with other exercises. Experts recommend a good 10,000 steps daily if the intention is to lose weight. This will definitely take longer than 30 minutes, depending on how you are walking: shorter if you do brisk and race walking and longer if you are doing leisure walking. Breaking the habit of a sedentary lifestyle may be difficult but if you focus on goals you will get motivated. Set your goals before choosing an appropriate walking program and work your way into achieving those goals.

Use a pedometer if you want to monitor your progress in walking. It’s basically a walking gear that counts the steps you made. Most pedometers give you the amount of calories burned during the exercise, the miles you’ve walked or the time you spent walking. Tracking your progress is made easier with this device. Some pedometers can keep logs of up to 7 days so that you are on top of your game.

If you are a reluctant walker create a walking calendar to motivate you. Print and place this calendar in a prominent place in your home like the fridge or your washroom. After your walks you can record the number of steps made and the amount of time you spent walking. Do this for 6 weeks, as it takes about this amount of time to turn walking into a habit. You can also add calories burned in the calendar. It takes 3500 burned calories to lose 1 pound.

Since it’s already getting nippy outdoors make sure you wear the proper attire when you go out for a walk. Some walkers trade the outdoors for the comfort of the treadmill during colder months. If you don’t have one in your home, it’s time to visit the gym. It all depends on individual preferences where the walk is made (indoors or outdoors) and how to do it (Nordic walking, brisk walking or race walking). Most walkers also evolve and combine other exercises in their routine. The most important thing is to start somewhere – and walking being kindest to the knees, is a highly recommended exercise. So get healthy, be smart and start walking.