Safflower oil may keep heart disease away

March 23, 2011 · Posted in cholesterol · Comment 
David Goodhue – AHN News Reporter

Ohio, United States (AHN) – Daily intake of safflower oil could help keep away heart disease in certain women, according to a new study.

The Ohio State University researchers said that a daily dose of the common cooking oil for 16 weeks could improve good cholesterol, blood sugar, insulin sensitivity and inflammation in obese postmenopausal women who have type-2 diabetes.

The same researchers almost two years ago said safflower oil reduced abdominal fat and increased muscle tissue in the same group of women after 16 weeks of daily supplementation.

The researchers said in a statement that their findings suggest safflower oil could be recommended as a safe way to lower cardiovascular disease risk, and not just in the group studied, but also for the general popularion.

“I believe these findings suggest that people consciously make sure they get a serving of healthy oil in their diets each day – maybe an oil and vinegar dressing on a salad, or some oil for cooking. And this recommendation can be extended to everyone,” Martha Belury, a professor of human nutrition at Ohio State, and the study’s lead author, said in a statement.

A report on the study appears in the journal Clinical Research.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

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The Metabolic Benefits Of Birch Bark Ingredient

January 5, 2011 · Posted in cholesterol · Comment 

An ingredient found in abundance in birch bark appears to have an array of metabolic benefits, according to new studies in animals that are reported in the January issue of Cell Metabolism, a Cell Press publication. In mice, the compound known as betulin lowered cholesterol, helped prevent diet-induced obesity, and improved insulin sensitivity. Betulin-treated mice were also more resistant to developing atherosclerotic plaques in their arteries…

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Adding Cocoa Beans to Your Daily Diet

December 3, 2010 · Posted in diets to lower cholesterol · Comment 

Commonly referred to as a “Super Food”, Cocoa beans contain a large amount of healthy nutrients your body needs. Cocoa beans are seeds from a cocoa tree, and they are the primary ingredient in chocolate. Including Cocoa beans in your daily diet is an easy way to give your body a healthy boost. Some benefits include:

Plenty of Antioxidants

Researchers agree that cocoa beans are one of the most natural, antioxidant-rich foods you can consume. In fact, in its natural form cocoa beans have three times the amount of antioxidants of green tea. Antioxidants promote healthy cholesterol, protect against cell damage, and may even help prevent certain types of cancers. Those are just a few examples. All around, antioxidants are extremely beneficial to the human body.

A Natural Antidepressant

Sometimes referred to as “Nature’s Antidepressant”, Cocoa beans contain three key neurotransmitters that promote a positive mood. Serotonin, dopamine and phenylethylamine all work together to keep your mental state happy. In addition to this, cocoa beans also contain monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, which allow the three neurotransmitters to circulate in your blood stream longer than they normally would.

Supports a Healthy Weight

Although research is thin in this area, it is generally believed that cocoa beans help promote weight-loss. This is due to the polyphenols contained in the beans, which may improve insulin sensitivity, thus helping you maintain a proper weight.

Promotes a Healthy Heart

It is a fact that cocoa beans have a positive impact on the cardiovascular system. Cocoa beans do this by lowering the “bad” cholesterol in your blood stream and raising the “good” cholesterol levels. Cocoa beans also contain magnesium, which keeps blood free of clots, and keeps your heart pumping blood efficiently.

When consuming cocoa beans, you have a couple options. Some people choose to eat them raw, and while this is undoubtedly the most beneficial way to eat them, it is also the most bitter. Dark chocolate is a far more enjoyable way to eat cocoa beans. It would be wise to purchase a bar that contains at least 70% cocoa, and that does not contain any milk, as milk would detract from your body’s ability to absorb the natural antioxidants.

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LDL Cholesterol – What is Low Density Lipoprotein?

December 2, 2009 · Posted in ldl cholesterol · Comment 

LDL cholesterol stands for low-density lipoprotein, which is a form of lipoprotein that moves triglycerides and cholesterol to peripheral tissues, from the liver. It is at times given the nickname of “bad cholesterol.” High levels of LDL may direct the view of a patient’s medical condition to an underlying disease, in some cases cardiovascular issues.

Along with this form, there are four others to make a total of five kinds of lipoproteins: chylomicrons, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). All lipoproteins, including low-density lipoprotein, can be used to move fat and cholesterol through the bloodstream by its water-based solution. Read more

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