Cholesterol

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol and triglycerides are important fats for the body. Cholesterol is an essential component of cell membranes, and bile which helps the body emulsify and absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins

The body uses cholesterolto make vitamin D and hormones such as oestrogen, testosterone and cortisol.

The body can produce all the cholesterol all the cholesterol that it needs, but we also get cholesterol from our food. Too much cholesterol in our bodies increases the risk of heart disease.


There are two main types of cholesterol in the blood :

• Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol - called the 'bad' cholesterol because it goes into the bloodstream and clogs up your arteries with fatty plaque deposits (atherosclerosis)
• High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol - called 'good' cholesterol because it helps to take the 'bad' cholesterol out of the bloodstream and back to the liver to be broken down and excreted in bile

There's a simple rule of thumb - more HDL is good ; more LDL is bad.

Why do we get high Cholesterol?

Cholesterol levels may become abnormal because of changes that occur with Ageing, various disorders (including some hereditary ones), use of certain drugs, or lifestyle (consuming a high-fat diet, being physically inactive, or being overweight).

Cholesterol in the diet comes mainlyfrom saturated fats found in animal products (meat especially bacon and organ meat) as well crayfish, prawns, cheese, diary products, coconut and palm oils, margarine, butter adn fried foods. All foods from animals contain some cholesterol. Food from plants do not contain cholesterol.

Treatment and Herbal and Nutritional supplementsfor high Cholesterol

Changing your diet is important to lower cholesterol ; it decreases the amount of unnecessary cholesterol entering the body :

• Increase fibre to bind cholesterol and excrete it from the body - fruit, veges, legumes, barley, oats and oats bran, psyllium husks, flaxseeds
• Plant sterols, found naturally in plant food, can lower cholesterol levels.
  Plants sterol enriched margarines may help to lower LDL cholesterol.
• Avoid : animal products, fatty meats, organ meats, processed meats, deep fried food, cakes, biscuits, pastries, potato chips, processed an junk food, too much dairy, margarine
• Consume healthy unsaturated fats - raw nuts and seeds, fish, flaxseed oil, veges, olive oil for cooking
• Have fish at least twice a week
• Eat food that are good for liver - garlic, onions, beetroot, carrots, dandelion
• Reduce your alcohol intake to no more than 2 drinks per day and avoid binge drinking
• Don't smoke ; it increases the ability of LDL cholesterol to get into your cells and cause damage
• Exercise regularly - at least 30 minutes every day - it increases HDL and reduces LDL levels in the body, combats stress, keep the arteries in good condition to promote the flow of blood and utilises excess body fats to help lower cholesterol

FISH OIL (OMEGA 3)
Helps maintain a healthy and cardiovascular system
Assists in the management of cholesterol health
Helps maintain healthy triglyceride levels
Supports healthy blood pressure

When the omega 3 essential fatty acid is present in the body, cholesterol binds to it and is used for functions essential to the body - functions such as hormone and cell structure. When there is a deficiency of omega 3, cholesterol attaches to saturated fats instead adn forms cholesterol plaques on vessel walls (leading to atherosclerosis)

CO-ENZYME Q10
Low CoQ10 levels may be associated with ageing, smoking, cardiovescular disease and high cholesterol
CoQ10 is vital for energy production and heart muscle contraction and function
Helps maintain circulation and the health of arteries
Assists in the management of cholesterol health
Some cholesterol lowering medications decrease the body's production of CoQ10

GLOBE ARTICHOKE
Liver and gall bladder tonic
Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels

Prevention of high Cholesterol

• A healthy lifestyle, eating plan and exercise (as mentioned under 'Treatment and Herbal and Nutritional supplements for high cholesterol')
  

Colds, Flu and Immunity

Why do we get Colds and Flu?

No matter how healthy we are, it is very likely that at some time we will get a cold or flu. Colds and Flu are caused by viruses and there are hundreds of types of viruses that our immune systems have to try and combat.

It is actually good for our immune system, and helps strenghten it, to get a cold/flu once or twice a year.


What is the Immune System?

The immune system is made up of special white blood cells ( the 'soldiers' ) that fight infections that invade our bodies.

Every time a 'battle' occurs with an infection, the immune system remembers the germ that attacked. This mean if the boy comes in contact with that germ again, it can destroy the microbe more quickly and it doesn't have so much of an impact on the body.

Some infections, like influenza and common cold, have to be fought many times because there are so many different types of viruses that cause them.


Symptoms of a Cold

Colds, or upper respiratory tract infections, are the most common cause of illness.
It is viral infection of the lining of the nose, sinuses, throat and large airways.

There are over 200 types of viruses that can cause the common cold which can be spread by sneezing, coughing and hand contact. Becoming chilled does not cause colds, nor does it increase a person's susceptibility to infection.

Symptoms include :

• Respiratory mucous congestion
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Swollen lymph glands

Symptoms of the Flu

Influenza (flu) is an infection of the lungs and airways caused by a virus,which can be spread by sneezing, coughing and hand contact.

There are two types of flu virus, type A and B, and many different strains within each type. The strain of virus causing outbreaks and world epidemics is always changing, so for vaccines to be effective they have to be specific to that viral strain.

Influenza is different fromthe common cold. It is caused by a different virus and produces symptoms that are more severe :

• Fever, chills and sweating
• Muscle aches
• Weakness and malaise
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Cough

Treatment and Herbal and Nutritional supplements for Colds/Flu

Colds/Flu are described as self-limiting which means they 'run their course' as your immune system detects adn eradicates the infection.

Antibiotics do not help people with Colds/Flu because they are only effective against bacterial infections, and Colds/Flu are viral infections. Popular over-the-counter remedies help to relieve symptoms temporarily, but they do not cure the infection.

Rest, drink lots of water, stay warm and avoid spreading the infection to others. Inhaling steam may help to keep secretion loose ad easier to expel.

Many people complain about catching things 'all the time' and getting 'whatever is going around'. By using herbs such as Andrographis, Golden seal, Echinacea and Garlic in combination with Vitamin C, Zinc and other nutrients daily, you can assist with the relief of symptoms, the cause of the infection, and the support of the immune system to help build-up resistance to infections.

In a healthy immune system, a cold should not last more than 10 days. When using remedies,do not expect immediate relief as natural remedies won't suppress the symptoms as some over-the-counter medications will, but the cold will generally be shorter lives - especiallyif you start supplementation within the first 24 - 48 hours of initial symptoms.

VITAMIN C
May improve immune function and decreasethe incidence of common colds.
Reduces symptoms adn duration of colds and upper respiratory tract infections

ZINC
Helps maintain a healthy immune system
Helps relieve mucous congestion
Reduces the severity and duration of the common cold

ANDROGRAPHIS
Used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to reduce frequency and severity of colds and upper respiratory tract infections.
Clinical trials have shown Andrographis helps relieve symptoms of tiredness, sleeplessness, sore throat, cough, nasal secretion, headache, earache, coughs.

ECHINACEA
Stimulates the immune system and builds resistance to viral, and bacterial infections
Reduces severity and duration of cols and upper respiratory complaints

GARLIC
Nature's antibiotic - supports the immune system and useful for bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Used to treat mucous congestion, productive coughs, colds, upper respiratory tract infections