Cholesterol – Good versus Bad
The label given to LDL cholesterol of “bad” and HDL “good” cholesterol tends to be misunderstood.
“Good” and “Bad” Cholesterol
LDL cholesterols potential for oxidation which leads to the development of arterial plaque has given it the rap of being “bad”. While HDL cholesterol contains more protein and tends to pick up cholesterol dropped throughout your arteries and returns it to the liver giving it the role of being “good”.
However, I think it’s very important for you to realize that there are “good” and “bad” forms of LDL cholesterol and “good” and “bad” forms of HDL cholesterol.
Veteran Coverage for Agent Orange Exposure with Link to Heart Disease
For some background info on this issue review “Agent Orange and Heart Disease”.
New Coverage for Vets
On March 25, 2010, the Department of Veterans Affairs published a proposed regulation to establish ischemic heart disease as linked to Agent Orange exposure.
This meant until regulation becomes final, eligible Vietnam Veterans may receive disability compensation for these disease.
Controversy
Health Care Reform Bill – Medicaid Changes
Here’s a few details on how the Health Care Reform Bill impacts Medicaid from a nutrition standpoint.
Medicaid
A 5 year grant will be established to provide incentives for implementing a healthy lifestyle. This includes weight loss, cholesterol reduction, diabetes prevention, and diabetes management. The grant will cover preventive services that are recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and will eliminate cost sharing for prevention services. The grant won’t be effective until January 1, 2011. (FYI – The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is established with the passing of the bill into law.)
High Blood Pressure Linked to Dementia
It’s well known high blood pressure increases your risk for stroke. A stroke occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is blocked and brain cells become deprived of oxygen and die. Individuals with high blood pressure are 4-6 times more likely to have a stroke. An individual’s risk of having a stroke is directly related to how elevated their blood pressure is.
Now there is evidence linking high blood pressure with dementia and the risk is also directly related to how high your blood pressure is.
Steps to Lower Blood Pressure
A few steps you can take right now to promote a lower blood pressure include:
- Quit smoking
- Lose and/or maintain a healthy weight
- Decrease salt intake to less than 2400 mg sodium per day
- Restrict alcohol to less than 1 drink/day for women and 2 drinks or less per day for men
- Exercise 30 or more minutes daily
- Following a heart healthy diet, such as the DASH diet to lower blood pressure
Be sure to sign up for the free e-course 7 Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure and http://www.lowerbloodpressurewithlisa.com.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
https://www.lisanelsonrd.com
Hidden Calories: Watch out!
There are some changes you may make in an attempt to be healthier than can actually be sabotaging your weight loss efforts. Let’s discuss some hidden calories that may hide in some supposedly “healthy” choices.
Bagels and Muffins
Muffins and bagels have changed drastically over the years. In the past, if you grabbed a muffin at your local coffee shop they would’ve been about the size of a tennis ball. Nowadays muffins are closer to softball size, while bagels have increased an average of 4-6 inches in diameter.
The increased size equals a dramatic calorie increase. One standard muffin or bagel can provide 400-600 calories.
If you’re in a hurry and the only option is to grab breakfast on the run, choose to eat half the muffin or bagel and save the rest for another day.
Salads
Just because it’s a salad doesn’t mean it’s the best choice on the menu.
