Contributed by Veselina Dzhingarova.

Did you know that meat isn’t what gives you energy? That plant-based diets include more than enough protein? Or that Gladiators were, in fact, predominantly vegetarian? It’s true. These are just some of the revelations to come out of Netflix’s documentary, ‘The Game Changers’.

If gladiators could eat fruits and vegetables and still be strong enough to, quite literally, fight for their lives…then why do sports stars, fitness enthusiasts, and the general public still believe they need meat?

How did this misconception start?

Steak. Burgers. Grills. Barbecues. Like most things these days, it’s largely a marketing thing. Plant-based diets have been kicking up a storm for years, and since then claims have continued to emerge that ‘veganism’ fails to deliver the fiber, protein, and energy required to reach peak performance.

Unfortunately, many of these beliefs fuel the stigma around plant-based diets. It’s why people believe that for a man to be a real ‘manly man’ he needs to eat meat. According to Netflix’s newest documentary, it’s a misconception that could lead to serious health issues.

Contributed by Ryan Peterson.

Constant levels of high-stress can lead to health problems, such as high blood pressure, angina, arrhythmia, and heart disease.

There’s no shortage of things that can cause stress in this day and age. Work, technology, the state of the world…the list is endless. Perhaps the one that causes the most stress, in western countries at least, is money. It seems like there’s a significant portion of the public who end up staying awake at night, because they have financial matters on their mind. Let’s take a look at a few tried and tested methods for keeping money-related stress to a minimum.

A Workable Budget

You’ll find it much easier to sleep at night if you know that, at the very least, you’re sticking to a budget that won’t put you in financial difficulties. All too often, people are stressed because they have a sense that their expenses are greater than their income. There are nearly always ways to reduce the amount of money you spend. As well as making sure that your monthly incomings/outgoings are in sync, you should also look at putting some savings to one side. It’s often the surprise expenses that put us in financial difficulties, so a cushion would be very handy! 

LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol carries mostly cholesterol, some protein, and minimal triglycerides throughout your circulation.

LDL cholesterol is commonly referred to as the “bad” cholesterol because it’s deposited along artery walls and if it becomes oxidized it will form a plaque eventually leading to blockage of your arteries. For this reason, physicians like to see low LDL levels. The American Heart Association recommends LDL cholesterol be below 130 mg/dl and ideally less than 100 mg/dl.

Here are four steps to lower LDL cholesterol diet:

#1 Unsaturated Fats

To lower LDL levels evaluate your diet for saturated and trans fats. You want to replace saturated and trans fats with heart-healthy unsaturated fats, such as omega 3 fatty acids.

Saturated fat intake should be limited to less than 7% of your total daily calories.

Sources include meat, milk, cheese, ice cream, butter, lard, shortening, hydrogenated vegetable fat, palm oil, and coconut oil.

#2 Soluble Fiber

Increase dietary fiber, especially soluble fiber. Eat 25-35 grams of fiber daily and of this at least 15 grams should be soluble fiber. Research has shown that for every 1-2 grams of daily soluble fiber intake, LDL (bad) cholesterol is lowered 1%.

Contributed by Ryan Peterson.

Even though your vital organs are important to focus on and keep healthy, we tend to forget about the largest organ of all – the skin. Looking after your skin is just as important as looking after your heart, lungs, or kidney. Here are some tips to improve the health and appearance of your skin.

Drink Plenty Of Water

Water is a great thing for your skin because our skin cells are mostly made up of water anyway. A lack of water will leave our skin feeling very dull and dry. To get more water into your body, make sure you’re always carrying a bottle of water around with you and that you’re asking for water whenever you have a drink in the day. This extra pint or two per day can really make a difference in how your skin feels and looks. Flavor your water with fruit or certain vegetables like cucumber, for example.

Keep Out Of The Sun

Although it’s nice to sit out in the sun, care should be taken to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Sun cream should be a necessity and nothing something that’s optional. Make sure you’re applying it routinely, and if you feel any part of your body starting to burn, it’s a sign to top up on the SPF. Damage to your skin from sun rays can lead to skin cancer, and so there’s really no excuse not to use sunscreen when you’re laying out in the sun. Try to keep out of it if your skin is sensitive, and wearing hats or caps over your head, can help protect your head and more importantly, reduce the chance of you getting sunstroke.