Know Your Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol is a sterol lipid, a form of fat, found in the cell membranes of all body tissues of humans and animals. Most of it is synthesized internally in the liver, but a part of it comes directly from animal-derived foods (meats, eggs and dairy products) present in the diet.

Cholesterol is an essential ingredient of many physiological body functions. For example, it helps produce bile, combines hormones and vitamin D, and metabolises fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K). It is, therefore, important to keep cholesterol levels within an ideal range, not too low and not too high.

Link Between Cholesterol Levels and General Well-Being

Studies show a link between lower than ideal cholesterol levels and depression, anxiety, mood swings, and Parkinson's disease. On the other hand, high cholesterol levels can lead to a host of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, paralysis, and so on. This happens because the build up of a hard fatty deposit (the plaque) in the arteries and consequent narrowing and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).

The problem of plaque formation gets worse if the fraction of HDL cholesterol in the blood is low. HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is the good cholesterol that prevents the buildup of plaque in the arteries. The HDL helps to carry the plaque-forming bad cholesterol (LDL) away from the arteries and tissues to the liver for breakdown and disposal. LDL means low-density lipoprotein.

The Age Factor

The need to pay attention to cholesterol levels increases with age. It is, therefore, important to know the various causes that can contribute to high LDL cholesterol levels and low HDL cholesterol levels. Some of these risks are:

• Obesity: Obesity implies being overweight because of excess fat in the body, and excess fat translates to high cholesterol levels. The higher the total cholesterol, the higher would be the LDL level and, normally, the lower would be the HDL level.
  
• Heredity: Heredity is another risk factor for developing high cholesterol levels, however, you can control it to some extent by adopting a healthy lifestyle and a low-cholesterol diet.
  
• Diet: Diet plays an important role in controlling your cholesterol levels. Foods rich in cholesterol, saturated fats and trans fats push your cholesterol levels too high for your well-being.
  
• Sedentary lifestyle: Lack of physical exercise decreases the HDL level, which in turn raises the LDL level and the total cholesterol level.
  
• Smoking: Smoking hardens the arteries and decreases the HDL level, by increasing the LDL and total cholesterol levels.

Blood Test

A blood test called lipid or lipoprotein profiling measures the blood serum cholesterol levels, first on a fasting stomach and then after meals. The lipid profile will give information about the total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol.

Lab technicians measure all cholesterol levels in milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). The desirable total cholesterol level is less than 200 mg/dL. You can consider 200-239 mg/dL as borderline high, but more than 240 mg/dL is considered high.

The matching figures for LDL cholesterol are: less than 100 mg/dL (optimal); 130-159 mg/dL (borderline high) and 160-189 mg/dL (high) and more than 190 mg/dL (very high).

An HDL less than 40 mg/dL is considered a major risk factor for heart disease. From 40 to 59 mg/dL is considered satisfactory, and above 60 mg/dL is what provides protection against heart disease and is highly desirable.

Any treatment for high cholesterol levels aims at lowering the LDL level while raising the HDL level. Adopting some lifestyle and diet changes that minimize the risk factors can effectively lower moderately to borderline high cholesterol levels, without the need for prescription drugs. But for higher cholesterol levels one has to resort to cholesterol-lowering drugs as well as making therapeutic lifestyle and diet changes.

About the Author: Julia Carmichael. Get the latest in cholesterol levels know how from the only true source at http://www.lowercholesterollog.com. Check out our cholesterol levels pages.

DoctorSolve Healthcare Solutions Inc., a Canadian Internet-based pharmacy intermediary (license #BC X23),offers lower cost, long-term prescription drugs. A professionally registered pharmacist fills all Canadian prescriptions. A certified member of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association, DoctorSolve is ranked as one of the best Canadian pharmacies online by PharmacyChecker.com. DoctorSolve has filled more than 200,000 U.S. prescriptions.


For more information on how to order Canada drugs safely and securely call 1-866-732-0305 or visit http://www.doctorsolve.com/ - a trusted and reliable Canadian online pharmacy for over 6 years.

Top ten foods to help you live longer.

1. DARK FRUITS:

Red or purple fruits, black grapes, blueberries, black cherries, black berries and bilberries contain much vitamin C and flavonoids.

2. WHOLE-GRAINS:

They include brown rice, wholemeal bread and porridge, all keeping bowels regular and efficient to prevent toxins, that have been processed by the liver and sent to the intestines, from re-entering the blood. Whole-grains are also rich in vitamins E and B, which keep your nervous system healthy. Brown rice contains methionine, which forms enzymes that fight free radicals.

3. CABBAGE FAMILY:

All members of the cabbage family, especially broccoli, Brussels sprouts and spring and winter greens are rich in chemicals that help the liver break down cancer-causing toxins and pollutants. They are also rich in carotenes, more agents that fight against free radicals. The cabbage family helps prevent osteoporosis, as it is an excellent source of vitamin K, needed for bone formation and repair.

4. OILY FISH:

The omega-3 oils found in oily fish, particularly mackerel, herring and sardines, may help prevent red blood cells from clumping and blocking blood vessels. Oily fish are also rich in zinc, which helps prevent prostate problems in older men.

5. SOY BEANS:

Recent research has shown that soy beans contain materials that can be converted by digestions and fermentation to genistein and daidzein, which help prevent breast cancer and prostate cancer and also forms a natural hormone replacement therapy for those in the menopause. Referred to as 'plant oestrogens', they are, in fact, a type of flavonoid which is a good oestrogen balancer. To receive all the benefits soy has to offer, eat tofu, soy yoghurt, soy flour and soy milk, but more especially fermented soy products such as miso and tempeh.

6. BRAZIL NUTS:

Selenium is found in Brazil nuts, which are actually one of the very few good sources for this mineral, needed in the body to make the antioxidant enzyme called glutathione peroxidase, which helps prevent free-radical damage to your cells. Studies continue to show that people who eat selenium-rich food greatly reduce their risk of developing cancer and heart disease. Research also indicates that selenium helps the kidneys to clean toxins from the body more efficiently. Other sources
include whole-grain cereals, seafood and seaweed.

7. CELERY JUICE:

Meat eating can cause over-acidity which can lead to illnesses such as osteoarthritis. Celery juice, made with an extractor or juicer, will help reduce acidity. It is credited with being one of the best treatments for the prevention of osteoarthritis. Drink 1-2 glasses daily, even more if it seems to be helping.

8. SESAME SEEDS:

Although bones obviously need calcium to remain strong and healthy in later life, they also need the osteoporosis-fighting nutrients magnesium and zinc. Sesame seeds are rich in both and contain levels of calcium. Mix them with other foods or use
tahini (sesame seed paste) instead of butter.

9. ORGANIC LIVER:

Liver is rich in vitamin A and zinc, which are both in the anti-ageing nutrient list and help prevent hormone deficiencies. Liver also contains folic acid and other B vitamins, which could help prevent heart attacks and Alzheimer's. Furthermore, it contains chromium, which helps keep blood sugar levels down. Not everyone likes to eat liver; those who prefer not to but who are happy to eat meat can buy desiccated liver tablets, though they are quite difficult to find in organic forms. Vegetarians need to eat a varied diet and take vitamin A (up to 10,000 i.u.), or safer beta-carotene which is converted to vitamin A (but not readily diabetics), and mineral supplements. It is not advisable for pregnant women to eat non-organic liver as it has high retinol content.

10. WATER:

Dehydration goes unnoticed in too many people. Stimulants, such as tea, coffee and alcohol, increase our need for water as they cause dehydration and thus increase the potential of kidney problems and damage. The average adult must drink at least 8
glasses of water daily to flush out toxins, maintain good health and adequate hydration. People who exercise a lot must drink more.

About The Author: Tony TT is an author for the health
information site http://www.healthadel.com.

DoctorSolve Healthcare Solutions Inc., a Canadian Internet-based pharmacy intermediary (license #BC Q37),offers lower cost, long-term prescription drugs. A professionally registered pharmacist fills all Canadian prescriptions. A certified member of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association, DoctorSolve is ranked as one of the best Canadian pharmacies online by PharmacyChecker.com. DoctorSolve has filled more than 200,000 U.S. prescriptions.


For more information on how to order Canada drugs safely and securely call 1-866-732-0305 or visit http://www.doctorsolve.com/ - a trusted and reliable Canadian online pharmacy for over 6 years.

Can progesterone help treat menopause?

Progesterone hormone therapy for menopause helps balance the effects of estrogen, as well as helping with hot flushes, endometriosis, and fibroids. Progesterone cream helps with estrogen dominance, but it does not balance synthetic estrogen. It is however, excellent for controlling excessive bleeding, PMS symptoms, hot flushes, and strengthening bones.

Progesterone is given with estrogen because it lowers the risk of uterine cancer. Estrogen on it's own increases this risk. The exception to this is low dose estrogen hormone replacement therapy.

You can find both natural and synthetic forms of progesterone. The synthetic forms have more side effects, such as weight gain, depression, breast tenderness, fluid retention, migraines, lower sexual desire, as well as increasing the risk of coronary heart vasospasm. According to many doctors, when used in amounts no greater than what the body normally takes, there are no known natural progesterone side effects or no natural progesterone cream side effects.

Taking natural progesterone can help you eliminate premenopause and menopausal symptoms or correct a hormone imbalance or deficiency that you may be experiencing.

Natural progesterone is identically the same hormone as found in the body, but is produced by a scientific process from the extract of the Mexican wild yam. Also, natural progesterone is bio-identical which means that it is the same as the body makes, which makes it more effective and with greater protective benefits.

Without progesterone, women could not have periods every month, and they could not bring new life into the world. One of its functions is to balance the actions of estrogen, a second hormone found in the body. Also, progesterone will not work without at least some estrogen to prime its receptors.

The cream is not as strong as the progesterone used in oral hormone replacement therapy so it should never be used as a substitute. It does not counteract the effect of estrogen on the uterus, whereas progesterone does.

Taking estrogen without progesterone therapy to balance the hormonal cycle could cause over stimulation of the endometrium tissue lining the uterus. This was found to lead to uncontrolled tissue growth, known as hyperplasia, which develops into endometrial cancer. Progestin (but not progesterone cream) can counteract this risk.

DoctorSolve Healthcare Solutions Inc., a Canadian Internet-based pharmacy intermediary (license #BC Q37),offers lower cost, long-term prescription drugs. A professionally registered pharmacist fills all Canadian prescriptions. A certified member of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association, DoctorSolve is ranked as one of the best Canadian pharmacies online by PharmacyChecker.com. DoctorSolve has filled more than 200,000 U.S. prescriptions.

For more information on how to order Canada drugs safely and securely call 1-866-732-0305 or visit http://www.doctorsolve.com/ - a trusted and reliable Canadian online pharmacy for over 6 years.

Zelnorm

Zelnorm works with your body's digestive process to help abdominal discomfort or bloating and constipation. It treats an underlying cause — a slow-moving digestive system.

If you have a slow-moving digestive system, the muscles in your intestines may not work as they're supposed to. This can mean that the content in your intestine moves more slowly, causing the symptoms of chronic constipation and Irritable Bowel Syndrome with constipation. Zelnorm helps Irritable Bowel Syndrome by coordinating the muscles in your intestines so they function at a normal level. Therefore enabling content to move through your intestines and out your body.

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

IBS is the most common disease diagnosed by gastroenterologists (doctors who specialize in medical treatment of disorders of the stomach and intestines) and one of the most common disorders seen by primary care physicians.

Sometimes Irritable Bowel Syndrome is referred to as spastic colon, mucous colitis, spastic colitis, nervous stomach, or irritable colon. In people with IBS, symptoms result from what appears to be a disturbance in the interaction between the gut or intestines, the brain, and the autonomic nervous system that alters regulation of bowel motility (motor function) or sensory function.

Irritable bowel syndrome is commonly characterized by a group of symptoms in which abdominal pain or discomfort is associated with a change in bowel pattern, such as loose or more frequent bowel movements, diarrhea, and/or constipation.

Signs and symptoms of IBS vary widely from one person to another and often occur with many other diseases. Among the most common are:

• Abdominal pain or cramping
  
• A bloated feeling
  
• Gas (flatulence)
  
• Diarrhea or constipation — people with IBS may experience alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea
  
• Mucus in the stool

Like many people, you may have only mild signs and symptoms of IBS. However, sometimes these problems can be disabling. In some cases, you may have severe signs and symptoms that don't respond well to medical treatment.

For most people, IBS is a chronic condition, although there will likely be times when signs and symptoms are worse and times when they improve or even disappear completely.

What type of IBS does Zelnorm help?

If you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, it means your digestive system may not be working normally. This can result in a group of symptoms or a "syndrome." Along with this group of symptoms, you may have one overriding symptom that doctors use to describe the condition. You may have:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C)
  
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D)
  
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome that alternates between diarrhea and constipation (IBS-A)

Zelnorm is indicated for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation.

Does Zelnorm have any side effects?

Headache and diarrhea have been the most common side effects when using Zelnorm.

Most people who had diarrhea had it during the first week of starting Zelnorm. Typically, it went away with continued therapy. If you get bad diarrhea, or if you get diarrhea together with bad cramping, abdominal pain, fainting or dizziness, tell your doctor. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking Zelnorm or suggest other ways to manage your diarrhea.

There have been rare cases of rectal bleeding and severe abdominal pain in patients treated with Zelnorm. Some of these problems were related to insufficient blood flow to part of the bowel. It is not known if this was related to Zelnorm use.

Who should not use Zelnorm?

Do not use Zelnorm if:

• You now have diarrhea or have diarrhea often.
  
• You have bad kidney or liver disease.
  
• You have ever had bowel obstruction (intestinal blockage), symptomatic gallbladder disease, or abdominal adhesions causing pain and/or intestinal blockage.
  
• You are allergic to Zelnorm or any of its ingredients.

DoctorSolve Healthcare Solutions Inc., a Canadian Internet-based pharmacy intermediary (license #BC Q37),offers lower cost, long-term prescription drugs. A professionally registered pharmacist fills all Canadian prescriptions. A certified member of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association, DoctorSolve is ranked as one of the best Canadian pharmacies online by PharmacyChecker.com. DoctorSolve has filled more than 200,000 U.S. prescriptions.

For more information on how to order Canada drugs safely and securely call 1-866-732-0305 or visit http://www.doctorsolve.com/ - a trusted and reliable Canadian online pharmacy for over 6 years.

Baraclude - treatment for Hepatitis B.

Baraclude is a new antiviral prescription drug used for chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in adults who also have active liver damage.

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver caused by the Hepatitis z virus (HBV), a member of the Hepadnavirus family and one of several unrelated viral species which cause viral hepatitis. Symptoms of the acute illness caused by the virus include liver inflammation, vomiting, jaundice, and rarely, death. Chronic hepatitis B may cause liver cirrhosis which may then lead to liver cancer.

Hepatitis B is largely transmitted through exposure to bodily fluids containing the virus. This includes unprotected sexual contact, blood transfusions, re-use of contaminated needles and syringes, vertical transmission from mother to child during childbirth, and so on.

What should I know about Baraclude before using it?

• Lactic acidosis and severe liver problems, including fatal cases, have been reported with the use of Baraclude, alone or in combination. Contact your physician immediately if you experience nausea, vomiting, or unusual or unexpected stomach discomfort; weakness and tiredness; shortness of breath; weakness in the arms and legs; yellowing of the skin or eyes; or pain in the upper stomach area. These may be early symptoms of lactic acidosis or liver problems.
  
  
• Some people who have taken medicines like Baraclude have developed serious liver problems called hepatotoxicity, with liver enlargement (hepatomegaly) and fat in the liver (steatosis). Call your healthcare provider right away if; your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice), your urine turns dark, your bowel movements (stools) turn light in color, you don't feel like eating food for several days or longer, you feel sick to your stomach (nausea) or if you have lower stomach pain. These may be early symptoms of liver problems.
  
  
• Follow your physician's instructions with respect to high-risk activities such as unprotected sex and the sharing of needles. Baraclude does not reduce the risk of passing hepatitis B virus to others.
  
  
• It is not known whether Baraclude passes into breast milk and what effect it may have on a nursing baby. Do not take Baraclude without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How do I take Baraclude?

Baraclude is available as 0.5mg tablets and 1mg tablets and should be taken with a full glass of water on an empty stomach - at least 2 hours after a meal and at least two hours before the next meal. Try to take it at the same time every day.

Your dose depends on whether you have been treated for hepatitis B virus infection before and what medicine you took. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Store Baraclude at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Does Baraclude have any side effects?

There are less serious side effects which may likely occur. Continue taking Baraclude and talk to your doctor if you experience:

• fatigue or tiredness;
  
• mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or decreased appetite;
  
• headache;
  
• dizziness;
  
• skin rash; or
  
• insomnia

If you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives), stop taking Baraclude and seek emergency medical attention.

DoctorSolve Healthcare Solutions Inc., a Canadian Internet-based pharmacy intermediary (license #BC Q37),offers lower cost, long-term prescription drugs. A professionally registered pharmacist fills all prescriptions. A certified member of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association, DoctorSolve is ranked as one of the best Canadian pharmacies online by PharmacyChecker.com. DoctorSolve has filled more than 200,000 U.S. prescriptions.



For more information on how to order canadian drugs safely and securely call 1-866-732-0305 or visit http://www.doctorsolve.com/ - a trusted and reliable Canada pharmacy for over 6 years.