5 Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

You've probably already heard of chocolate improving the mood, but there are more health benefits to chocolate that you may be unaware of. Before you go raiding the candy jar, keep in mind that these health benefits pertain to DARK CHOCOLATE only. That is anything with a cocoa content over 65%. Milk chocolate is probably what you are used to, but if you are interested in eating healthy it might be a good idea to give dark chocolate a try.

1. Good for the Heart - Due to the presence of antioxidants in dark chocolate, studies have found that in individuals with high blood pressure, a stick of dark chocolate a day can lower blood pressure levels. In addition, dark chocolate has been known to lower cholesterol levels by up to 10%.

2. Improves Mood - Dark chocolate stimulates endorphin production which in turn provides the brain with feelings of pleasure. A substance called theobromine which provides you with caffeine-like stimulation is also present in dark chocolate. Dark chocolate contains serotonin which is known to act as an anti-depressant.

3. Low fat - Unlike milk chocolate or white chocolate, dark chocolate contains very little fat that will affect your cholesterol. Of the small amount of fat in dark chocolate, 1/3 of the fats are actually good fats which are healthy for the body. The remaining 2/3rds are made up of a neutral fat, and a saturated fat.

4. Stress Reducer - A study found that eating an ounce of dark chocolate a day for two weeks drastically reduced stress levels in the bodies of people who were feeling highly stressed.

5. Stabilizer - Not only does dark chocolate regulate and stabilize the mood, but it's also been found to help regulate the body's metabolism

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5 ways to Break the Fast Food Habit

Many of us eat fast food regularly due to it's availability and convenience. Even though you know it's not the best thing to be putting in your body, the addicting tastes and affordable prices are enough to keep you coming back for more. However, Eating large amounts of fast food will eventually cause your body harm. Fast food does not contain the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs to get out of a meal. Problems with cholesterol and obesity could occur in those who eat fast food regularly. Here are some tips to help you break your fast food habit.

1. Plan ahead - For the most part, we tend to opt for fast food when we are in a hurry and need a quick meal. If you plan ahead you not have to stop at McDonalds on the way home from work for dinner. Always have an idea about what you are going to have for breakfast, lunch, and dinner before you start the day.

2. Pack Snacks - If you carry healthy snacks with you when you go out, they will hold you off until it is time to have a meal. Pack things like trail mix, carrots and dip, or crackers and cheese. This way you will not be tempted to grab a small bite of greasy food.

3. Try once a month cooking - There are recipes online and in books that teach you how to cook enough meals to freeze so that they can be re-heated if you need a quick dinner solution.

4. Healthy Restaurants - find out if there are any healthy restaurants or cafes in your area and try eating there instead of fast food joints when you need a quick meal.

5. Reward yourself - If you are successful in cutting back on fast food, its okay to reward yourself every now and then. Having fast food a few times a month will satisfy your fast food cravings, but won't bring you back into the habit!




DoctorSolve Healthcare Solutions Inc., a Canadian Internet-based pharmacy intermediary (license #BC X23), offers low 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 online Canadian pharmacies by PharmacyChecker.com.

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Heart Risks Found In 20% of Teens

Did you know that 1 out of every 5 students in Grade 9 have at least one major risk factor for heart disease and stroke? The recent Canadian study shows just how fast teen health is declining.

The study showed an increase in cardiovascular risk factors since 2002. However, the most alarming statistics is that the study reported that 13% of teenagers are obese and 16% had high blood cholesterol levels! Remember this is in Canada (Only around 30 million people, whereas the United States has about ten times the number of people).

Obviously there is a huge problem here. My thoughts would be to implement a more rigorous physical education (P.E) course/make P.E mandatory from middle school all the way through high school. Also, remove junk food from cafeteria's and put in healthier snacks. The kids will complain, but honestly it must be done. Additionally, as part of the P.E curriculum, spend a week, at least, on nutrition and the importance of exercise. These kids need to have this knowledge drilled into their minds so it because second nature to them. Somethings need to change, and change quickly.

DoctorSolve Healthcare Solutions Inc., a Canadian Internet-based pharmacy intermediary (license #BC X23), offers low 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 online Canadian pharmacies by PharmacyChecker.com.

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 since 1999.

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.