Heartburn Archives

Atherosclerosis And Cholesterol

Cholesterol is essential to life and is used by every single cell in the human body. Some people are genetically predisposed to a high cholesterol level but diet and lifestyle changes can help to lower cholesterol naturally. Cholesterol is a white flaky substance , different from other waxy substances. Cholesterol is produced by the liver and is found in bile which helps to digest fatty foods in the intestine. Cholesterol is found in human blood and brain tissue. It is also found in arteries that has plaque buildup. Significant changes occur in the arterial walls during the process of plaque buildup. The actual hardening is due to the formation of bone tissue in the arterial wall. This hardening is referred to as atherosclerosis or the hardening of the arteries. Fat and cholesterol work their way into the artery wall to produce the dreaded build up of plaque.
Obviously the main role of cholesterol in the body is not the production of a heart attack. Cholesterol is produced by the liver for several vital purposes.
Cholesterol serves various important functions in the body. It is a vital component of the microscopic wall or membrane that surrounds each cell, providing the cell with support and protection. Cholesterol is also required for the formation of Vitamin D and for the hormone testosterone estrogen, progesterone and cortisol. In the brain and spinal cord, cholesterol serves as part of the insulation that covers your nerve cells and keeps your nerve signals going to the right locations. It also forms a key role in the formation of bile. Without cholesterol we would not be able to digest the fats found in many of the foods we eat. When the cholesterol level in the blood rises because of diet , the production of cholesterol by the liver is reduced in an attempt to keep the level of cholesterol in the blood constant.
Cholesterol comes from two sources, your diet and the cholesterol manufactures on its own. The vast majority of cholesterol is supposed to be made in the body. However, in our modern “fat and calorie overload” we consume far more than our bodies can use. To make matters worse the high calorie and fat content in our diets can stimulate excess cholesterol production making it harder for cholesterol to be removed from the blood stream.
Cholesterol does not travel around the blood stream by itself, It is generally packaged with fats called triglycerides. Triglycerides are the body’s preferred form of energy storage. The only reason you can survive for long periods without food is because of your body’s triglycerides stores. Triglycerides make up about 95% of the fats in the foods you eat, and the vast majority of the fat in your body. Triglycerides are constructed from fatty acids. When a triglyceride is needed for energy it is broken down in the fat cell into three fatty acids. Your body can make some fatty acids, however, there are two fatty acids which must come from the diet, and these are called “essential fatty acids”namely linolenic and linoleic acid. So you do need to eat a small amount of dietary fat each day, about 5 to 10 percent of your total calories.
Carefully count the fat calories you consume as excess cholesterol in the bloodstream can cause major damage to your cardiovascular system resulting in various forms of heart disease and even death.
CardiOmega 3 Seal oil is by far superior to other omega 3 oils from fish oil and flaxseed oil. It contains DPA, DHA and EPA. Omega 3 Fatty Acids can reduce the risk of heart attack by up to 70%! It keeps the artery walls soft and plaque free, smoother and more elastic. Harp Seal oil is 100% free of chemicals and toxins such as mercury.
It is important to know that the oil is a residual product of a chartered harp seal oil hunt in Newfoundland that is humane and does not affect the seal population. In fact the hunt is chartered for population control and is done in a proper manner
Your body is an amazing biological machine, but it can only tolerate so much abuse, you need to be working with your body by reducing the amount of fat,c alorie and cholesterol you consume.

Finding A Cure For Chronic Heartburn

Are you fond of eating junk food, protein-rich food and processed foods? If you do, well, this is bad news for you. You are certainly a candidate for an acid indigestion problem in your stomach and esophagus.

Acid reflux is a condition that is a prelude to ulcer. It is caused by a disturbance in the acid-alkaline condition in the stomach.

Eating specific acid foods that are hard to digest induces stomach spasms or twitching which causes the cardiac sphincter, opening between the esophagus and stomach to open for gases to form that should not.
This is an indigestion problem that has gotten out of hand and created acid wastes to flow up to your esophagus causing an irritation. This irritation, if not controlled can result to ulcers and other infections. The chronic heartburn diet that you have been eating should now be changed.

Once you have the symptoms of acid reflux, you need not resort to medications at once to cure the problem. You can start with home remedies that are surely less expensive.

You may start with changing your diet. You have to say goodbye to the following food and beverages: tea, coffee, radishes, garlic, onion, spices (pepper), oils, alcohol, sugar, soft drinks, diet soft drinks, asparagus (Brussels sprouts), high protein foods, pasta noodles, corn starch, eggs, plums, prunes, cranberries, and all processed foods including junk foods. Now, you may want to cry. All your comfort foods are gone.

If you think, you cannot abruptly eliminate them in your diet; start with taking just small amounts. Then start substituting them with the following: fruits, citric fruits in small amounts though due to their acidic content, all kinds of vegetables and almonds.
If you feel that you are not feeling the acid indigestion symptoms anymore, you may go back to your previous diet in moderation though to prevent recurrence of the acid reflux.

Aside from proper diet, there are practical home remedies to avoid the acid reflux symptom. They are:
· Avoid smoking before or during meals.
· Eat in an upright sitting position.
· Do not lie on the bed immediately after eating.
· Take small walks after eating. It stimulates the digestive system.
· Avoid exercise after a large meal.
· Avoid wearing tight clothes.
· Do not drink alcohol while eating.
· Chew food slowly and thoroughly.

One of the home remedies for treating acid reflux is the ginger alternative. Ingesting ginger with a meal helps to reduce an upset stomach. The ginger is grounded and added to foods and taken in tea or capsule form. Most herbalists recommend consuming 500mg. of ginger with a full glass of water after meals.

We are often told by our physicians to drink more water, if possible at least 8 glasses each day. The water helps eliminate body toxins and allow the body to expel acid naturally.

Green tea has been used for centuries in Japan and other oriental countries as an after dinner drink. Green teas assist the body in the digestion process, and help soothe the stomach’s sensitive tissue.

Herbal teas containing peppermint, chamomile, ginger, licorice root and catnip even in just small traces help the stomach lining repair itself. Often, one cup of tea following dinner is enough to reduce future acid reflux symptoms.

So, kiss acid reflux symptom goodbye!