Welcome to our WELLNESS CORNER the most recent addition to our quarterly ST/Dystonia newsmagazine. As space permits, we will feature information, help and products meant to compliment any therapies and/or medical supervision that you may be receiving. It is the mission of the WELLNESS CORNER to provoke comfort, empowerment, and options for our members.
By way of introduction my name is Linda Rafferty. I have had ST since 1986. I have been proactive with ST/Dystonia since 1989. My career background for 25 years has been in accounting for small business. In 1998 I became a Mississippi and Florida licensed aesthetician (skin care specialist). I am also a wellness and nutritional consultant and an independent distributor with the Shaklee® Corporation. Your comments and suggestions are most welcome.
Nutrition KNOWLEDGY CHOLESTEROLLY YOURS
Believe it or not, cholesterol is essential for all body cells to function; it helps the body to make vitamin D and bile and also helps regulate certain hormones. But when blood cholesterol levels become too high (over 200 mg), it puts us at risk for cardiovascular (heart) disease.
Cholesterol is a lipid (or fat) that does not travel easily through the bloodstream, so it combines with a water soluble "lipoprotein" that delivers it where it is needed in the body. Two lipoproteins that may be familiar are High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
HDL is a good guy, carrying away plaque that can clog arteries. LDL is not good, it easily oxidizes, damages artery walls, and encourages mineral and fat deposits, leading to heart disease. In addition to total cholesterol, the higher your HDL (the good guy) and lower your LDL (the bad guy), the better. A lab report that includes cholesterol will measure total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and a risk ratio of total cholesterol to HDL. Your physician will discuss the results with you.
High cholesterol levels are epidemic in America, not just in our aging population, but in young adults as well. 80% of this epidemic is caused by poor diet and lack of exercise. Approximately 36 million Americans are on prescription medication to lower high cholesterol levels. High cholesterol levels should be monitored by your physician, but don't be fooled into believing that health problems are caused by drug deficiencies. Drugs play an important role in our health care, but they are not the only answer.
Behavior modification can reduce the dangers of high cholesterol. Prescription medication and its side effects can be reduced and sometimes eliminated. For instance, statin drugs prescribed to lower cholesterol, dramatically inhibit the body's ability to produce CoEnzyme Q10. CoEnzyme Q10 is essential for the energy which all cells must have to function and is found in high concentrations in the heart muscle.
Be Pro-Active with your health on a regular, consistent basis.
Make Healthier Food Choices and Get Moving!
~ Add more soy to your menu; soy nuts are a delicious snack; non-fat soy milk is excellent for cooking, drinking and cereal.
~ Add more fruits, vegetables, and fiber to your daily diet.
~ Drink a lot of purified or filtered water (coffee, tea, and colas do not count!) to flush out toxins.
~ Enjoy a handful of walnuts or almonds (low, low, low in cholesterol and saturated fat and rich in essential fatty acids - EFA's)
~ Include a balanced vitamin supplementation program including an EFA.
~ If you are on a prescription medication to lower your cholesterol, please talk with your doctor about including a Co-Enzyme Q-10 supplement.
~ Get Walking - many malls (inside) provide the ideal, secure place, have "mile markers", and "walking clubs" - bad weather is no excuse!
~ Park your car a good distance away from your destination and walk.
~ Swimming and bike riding are enjoyable ways to exercise and get your heart pumping.
For more healthy information and products, please contact Linda Rafferty, Path to Good Health
E- mail: HYPERLINK "mailto:linda@pathtogoodhealth.com" linda@pathtogoodhealth.com visit my website HYPERLINK "http://www.pathtogoodhealth.com" www.pathtogoodhealth.com or Call Free 1.866/818.2676
These suggestions are never meant to replace professional medical treatment and advice.
