It often feels like pharmaceutical companies often get wrapped up in dollar signs and forget the bottom-line reason for manufacturing the medication – improving your health. A study compared the effectiveness of Niacin versus Zetia.
The study
The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine this past November 2009. Researchers analyzed the effect of extended-release niacin and ezetimibe (Zetia) on LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels.
A subscriber to The Heart of Health submitted the following question.
Question: “Your article [How to Lower Triglycerides] suggests avoiding baked goods. Is it possible for a more detailed explanation of “baked goods”? Does this pertain to store-bought baked goods w/ sugar, or does it also apply to home-baked such as bread machine output w/ minimal sugar – and that being honey? Are you referring to the sugar itself, or the conversion to sugar of a carbohydrate? Information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.”
Answer: In this case, the definition of baked goods includes cookies, cakes, and pastries regardless of whether or not the product was store bought or home-made. Both will have an impact on triglyceride levels due to sugar content.
All right, this is the final series of questions and answers from my interview with Dr. Mark Houston in February 2010.
Lisa Nelson RD: Does grape seed really help lower blood pressure?
Dr. Houston: Yes, systolic blood pressure is reduced about 8 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure 5 mm Hg. It is in the formulas mentioned above.
Lisa Nelson RD: What causes of an enlarged heart and are there ways to reverse an enlarged heart?
Having you been during endless cardio workouts and still struggling to lose weight?
Next week JJ Virgin will be going into detail on 5 simple steps you can put into action NOW to have the body, energy, and confidence for this summer and beyond!
Here’s a little of what she’ll be covering . . .
When you eat breakfast in the morning do you find you are hungrier throughout the day? I recently had someone comment that this was what they experienced and for that reason they choose not to eat breakfast.
So, let’s address why this may happen and what you can do if you find eating breakfast increases your hunger.
First of all, there are two potential reasons breakfast can increase your hunger later in the morning.
1. Higher metabolism
When you do not eat breakfast the body naturally adapts and conserves energy by slowing your metabolism and decreasing hunger. This adaptive function can lead to bad habits of not eating breakfast then also skipping lunch because you just don’t feel hungry and not eating your first meal until the middle of the afternoon. The major benefit of eating a healthy breakfast is to jump start your metabolism so you burn more calories throughout the day to promote weight loss. This elevated metabolic rate may cause feelings of hunger mid-morning. It is okay to satisfy this hunger with a small snack, such as a handful of mixed nuts.
2. High carbohydrate breakfast
Have you set a goal to eat more fruits and vegetables, but not followed through? Have you set up a gym membership only to let it go to waste?
At the Virtual Health Retreat next week, Australian nutritionist Cyndi O’Meara will be sharing with you 5 easy steps for increased energy, vitality, and incredible health. She’s had international and national success with her two books Changing Habits Changing Lives and Companion Cookbook.
Here’s a little of what she’ll be covering . . .
