Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels can greatly reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. What makes cholesterol so important? It gives your body the ability to repair cell membranes, creates vitamin D and helps to produce necessary hormones. When cholesterol levels become too high they interfere with these critical body functions and put you at risk for heart complications.

What do the numbers mean? Total cholesterol is the sum of three main factors. Theses are LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol (bad kind), HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol (good kind) and blood triglycerides. Healthy total cholesterol is under 200mg/dL with 180 mg/dL being optimal. LDL cholesterol should be under 100 mg/dL, HDL should be over 40 mg/dL and blood triglyceride levels under 150 mg/dL. When is cholesterol considered too high? When total cholesterol is over 240mg/dL with LDL levels over 160 mg/dL, HDL levels under 40 mg/dL and blood triglycerides 200 mg/dL you are at risk.

There are plenty of ways to help reduce cholesterol levels naturally. Medications are widely available but have been known to cause muscle pains and inflict damage on the liver. Lowering levels naturally is a much safer alternative. Natural remedies can also save you money on your prescriptions.

It is important to note that roughly 20% of cholesterol comes from your diet while nearly 80% comes from your liver. So changes in your diet may need to be taken further by adding nutritional supplements to your daily regimen. Cholesterol levels should be checked at least once every five years for people aged 20 or older. Use the following tips to help maintain healthy levels.

- Cut back on consuming sugar, white flower, rich desserts and fried foods.
- Switch to using healthy oils such as olive or walnut oil.
- Eat baked or poached fish a few nights a week.
- Consume more soluble fiber such as apples, barley, oats, psyllium, kidney beans and pears.
- Eat more nuts such as pecans, hazelnuts, peanuts, pistachios and walnuts.
- Load up on leafy and green vegetables during mealtimes. These include lettuce, broccoli, spinach and green beans.
- Switch to eating whole grain foods instead of starchy white bread and pastas.
- Eat more fruits and berries. These are high in antioxidants and phytonutrients.
- Soy can lower bad cholesterol by three percent.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes on most or all days of the week.

When an altered diet is not enough to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, you may want to consider taking some nutritional supplements. Always follow directions specified on labels and be sure to contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Below are some natural supplements that can help you achieve your goals.

- Octacosanol is derived from wheat germ oil. It is proven to reduce total cholesterol levels.

- Omega 3 Fatty Acids come from fish oil and flax seed oil. These not only help lower cholesterol but also reduce inflammation, a common risk factor associated with cardiovascular disease.

- Garlic can lower total levels.

- Niacin is a B vitamin that can help decrease cholesterol when used in larger doses. It lowers bad cholesterol and raises good cholesterol.

- Chromium (GTF) which aids in metabolizing sugars can help lower overall cholesterol.

- Guggul which is made from herbs is a medicine to help rid the body of bad cholesterol.

Always follow your doctors advice before starting any natural supplement regimen.

What’s the Big Deal About Organic Foods Anyway?

There is still a debate going on as to whether or not organic foods are better for you than conventional food products.  So what’s the big deal about organic foods anyway?  Well, here is a hint that non-organic foods might be a problem.

According to the National Research Council (NRC), “traces of pesticides left on traditionally grown products are unlikely to cause an increase in cancer.  If fruits and vegetables are properly washed, most of the chemicals are likely to be removed.”  This statement not only proves that non-organic foods can be hazardous to your health, but is contradictory to say the least.  On the one hand, the NRC, who are proponents for non-organic foods are saying it’s okay to buy these foods, yet on the other hand they are admitting that pesticides are present and can pose a health risk.  So who’s right?

It has long been confirmed that organic food does not contain high amounts of pesticides.  Thus, organic food has become more popular today than ever before.  Companies and organizations who promote healthy eating, as well as finding ways to protect the environment, may still be in the minority.  However, they are gaining ground in light of the recent recall of certain vegetables and meats.

It also follows that families who are making a conscious effort to protect the environment are leaning towards an organic lifestyle.  So the question still remains:  What’s the big deal about organic foods?  Quite frankly, it is only a big deal to those who oppose this alternative lifestyle.

Let’s take a look at some facts about organic foods:
* Consuming foods that are naturally grown is healthier and provides more nutrition.
* Foods organically grown are known to contain more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
* There are no additives present.
* The process of organic farming eliminates any form of chemicals or hormones.  Our environment is protected and our wildlife are given much better treatment than by conventional standards.
* Most importantly, the fertilization of soil promotes healthier crops.

Finally, those in the know tell us that organic foods taste better than the more traditional non-organic foods.

Consuming organic foods is an individual choice.  But whether you grow your own organic garden, eat at restaurants which only serve organic foods, or purchase organic foods at your local farmer’s market, there is something to be said for the nutritional value contained in organic foods.

So what’s the big deal about organic foods anyway?  Obviously, the big deal is most likely an economic one.  Organic farming, or converting a conventional farm into an organic one, would take years before it can be certified as organic.  In addition, while there are organic farms today, the supply has not yet met the demand.  For now, however, those who prefer an organic lifestyle are living healthier, eating healthier, and are contributing to a more viable environment.

Five Places to Buy Organic Fruits and Vegetables

Whether you grown your own organic garden or shop at your local farmer’s market, you can be assured there are plenty of places to obtain organic fruits and vegetables. To assist you in this endeavor, here are five places to buy organic fruits and vegetables:

1. Organics Online. There are several websites devoted to purchasing organic fruits and vegetables. Some sites offer you the opportunity to buy directly online, while others give you lists of places where you can purchases fruits and vegetables. The Organic Consumers Association has a comprehensive website that is totally devoted to organic foods. Here you will find lists of places where you can purchase organic foods.

2. Farmer’s Markets. This is a great place to find organic fruits and vegetables. Once you have determined that the market is in fact organic, you will be afforded the opportunity to purchase freshly picked fruits and vegetables when in season. In fact, you may find that the prices are a bit less than traditional supermarkets that carry organic products.

3. Grown Your Own Organic Garden. This is probably the best way to ensure your fruits and vegetables are grown safely and pesticide free. Many people are now in the process of starting a compost pile which will aid them in the planting phase in the spring. There is absolutely nothing like the taste of a freshly grown tomato, as well as other vegetables from your own organic garden. It’s affordable and easy to maintain. In addition, you can check online sources to assist you on where to purchase seeds as well as get gardening tips.

4. Local Supermarkets. Since there is a demand for organic fruits and vegetables, you may wish to check several of your local supermarkets to determine if they have organic products available. The prices may be a bit high, so research is required to ascertain who has the best prices and availability.

5. Organic Co-ops. This is probably the most inexpensive way to obtain organic fruits and vegetables. There are many food cooperatives which offer discounts to its members based on bulk buying. Not only can you save money, but you are helping these local farmers to continue to provide organic foods at low prices. The only requirement is that if you buy in bulk, you have enough storage space where you can easily store the fruits and vegetables for a few months.

As mentioned earlier, the Organic Consumers Association is your best bet in locating organic fruits and vegetables, especially if you live in a community where farmer’s markets or local supermarkets do not carry organic products.

Today people all over the world are looking for natural alternatives to the more conventional prescription drugs that many of them are forced to take. Today the biggest selling pharmaceutical drugs are medications used to treat high cholesterol, depression, sexual dysfunction, high blood pressure and pain. And not coincidentally, many of the biggest selling alternative natural remedies are herbs used to treat these same health problems.

What follows is a list of the most common and effective herbal remedies that can be used in the treatment of these conditions.

1) Garlic (Allium Sativum) Garlic’s reputation as an effective herbal remedy that can be used in the treatment of many conditions has been known for centuries.

In the treatment of high cholesterol, garlic is particularly effective due to its high sulphur content. Sulphur has the affect of decreasing “bad” cholesterol (LDL) while increasing “good” cholesterol (HDL).

The specific action that causes this is the decreased formation of plaque in our arteries and blood vessels due to decreased clotting factors.

In this way garlic is not only an excellent herbal remedy for high cholesterol, it is also an excellent general circulatory system herb as well.

2) Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) sexual dysfunction and loss of libido is becoming more and more common. One of the most powerful herbs (with scientific research to support it’s claims) to help restore normal sexual function in both men and women is Maca.

Maca’s reputation is such that it is known as “Peruvian Viagra”. Unfortunately this leads many people to assume that Maca is for men only, which is not the case at all as Maca is very effective in the treatment of loss of libido and frigidity in women.

For men, as the “Peruvian Viagra” label would indicate, Maca is very effective in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and has been shown to increase levels of testosterone leading to increased levels of energy and vigour in men of all ages.

3) St John’s Wort (Hypericum Perforatum) The herbal remedy most people think of when it comes to treating depression is St John’s Wort. Recent scientific research has shown that St John’s Wort can help to reduce dramatically the signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Additionally, it can be used in the treatment of generalized stress, sleeping difficulties, lack of energy and premenstrual stress disorders.

The active ingredient, Hypericin, has been shown to be an effective natural alternative for more conventional ant-depressants such as Prozac and Zoloft.

4) White Willow Bark (Salix Alba) For the treatment of pain there are a number of effective herbal remedies than can be used as substitutes for medications such as aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs.

White Willow Bark is often referred to as “herbal aspirin” due to the fact that its active ingredient, salacin, is the main chemical component of aspirin.

The salicylic acid in White Willow Bark decreases the levels of prostaglandins in the body that can be the cause of inflammation and pain.

Wherever you would take an aspirin, White Willow Bark can be used as a natural alternative.

5) Hawthorn Berries (Crataegus Oxyacanthoides) are one of the most powerful herbal remedies in the treatment of any blood and circulatory disorder. The remedy has a strong, yet gentle, normalizing affect on the heart tonifying and strengthening it when needed and sedating when appropriate.

As a circulatory tonic, Hawthorn Berries are most often used in the treatment of high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis and angina.

If you are looking to incorporate herbal medicine in the treatment of any disease or dysfunction, the easiest and safest way to do so is to look for a health care professional trained in not only the use of natural alternative medicine, but also someone with training and understanding in conventional pharmaceutical medications.

While there is almost always a safe and natural herbal alternative to most drugs, if you are presently taking pharmaceutical medication of any kind, before making any changes or modifications to your treatment program you will need to consult with your health care professional.

Everyone desires to be in good health. No one wants to suffer from sickness and disease. The fact is there are secrets the healthiest people in the world know that most people do not. Let’s discover what the top 10 secrets are.

1. They eat organic fruits and vegetables. The healthiest people in the world eat lots of fresh, organic, and raw fruits and vegetables. They also lightly steam their vegetables if they do not eat them raw. Eating four pieces of fresh, organic fruit and two big organic salads a day would be a good start for most people. Just doing these two things can help many medical conditions.

2. They use juice machines. As most people know, the food supply is not packed with vital vitamins and minerals anymore. While organic fruits and vegetables don’t have all the necessary nutrients, they do have up to ten times the needed vitamins and minerals when compared to non-organic foods. Therefore, when organic fruits and vegetables are juiced, needed vitamins, minerals, and enzymes are consumed. Drinking three to four glasses a day is best.

3. They eat lots of organic nuts and seeds.

4. They get lots of sunlight. Sunlight has enormous health benefits for the body.

5. They eat organic fruit on a daily basis. Organic apples are some of the best fruit to eat.

6. They use natural vitamin E. It is important not to use synthetic vitamin E products, but instead purchase all natural, full spectrum brands. Everyone is nutritionally deficit. Taking vitamin e can prevent heart disease and alleviate depression. They also are many other benefits as well. The bottom line is supplementing with an all natural, full spectrum vitamin E product is a must.

7. They drink “miracle” juice. There are fruits from certain parts of the world that can help heal many diseases. The fruits are typically are bottled since it is difficult to buy them fresh and then juice them. These “miracle” juices are Noni, Mangosteen, Aloe Vera, and Acai Berry. These juices provide super nutrition as well as cleanse and detoxify the body.

8. They use whole food supplements. The healthiest people in the world know it is important to avoid cheap, synthetic vitamins and minerals. They realize concentrated real food has nutrients and living enzymes.

9. They use collodial daily. These supplements include spirulna, whole food herbs, dehydrated juices, chorella, and sprouts.

10. They use oxygen water coolers. Everyone’s body is deficit in oxygen. The healthiest people in the world know that increasing the amounts of oxygen in their bodies alkalizes it and creates a healthy environment where disease can’t reside. A good way for people to get their needed oxygen is through an oxygenated water cooler and not by purchasing it in a store. Using oxygenated water helps people feel full of energy and vitality.

Now, everyone can be privy to the same secrets the healthiest people in the world know and use. Begin to implement at least some of these top ten secrets and become one of the healthiest people in the world.

In the West, we like to think of our world as modern and of our medical system as sophisticated. Yet, with the wide array of illnesses, diseases and disorders that continue to escalate in scope and number, it might be time to explore another way of evaluating and maintaining health. Many people are doing just that, exploring the realm of natural health.

The basic premise of natural health is that when the body is nourished and maintained optimally, it is able to heal itself naturally. Better yet, it can prevent the occurrence of disease in the first place. In other words, we wouldn’t need the interventions of our medical system in many cases after all. Instead, we can create the environment and conditions that allow the body to heal itself in which optimum health can be assured.

A healthy lifestyle is the cornerstone to natural health. Prevention is the foundation. Natural health is not about being a health fanatic, but more a health conscious person. This means holistic health, encompassing the whole person, body, mind and spirit.

Natural health practitioners believe that prevention is each individual person’s choice, and that each is capable of taking active responsibility for their own personal health and well being. The healthy lifestyle that is encouraged involves eating fresh whole foods, taking nutritional supplements as needed, ensuring regular physical exercise, and managing the sources and levels of stress in the environment.

Despite the best intentions and prevention, disorders of the body might develop. When concerns do arise, natural health treatment can include everything from vitamins and supplements, to massage therapy, to homeopathy, to acupuncture, to other forms of energy work. By definition, natural healing methods address the whole person; they are holistic, rather than focusing on a specific disease or body part that is affected.

While the natural health approach is to prevent the occurrence of serious infectious diseases or any medical emergencies, it never condones treating these apart from traditional medical intervention. There is nothing that prevents natural healing methods from being used side by side with conventional medical treatment. In many cases it can support the effectiveness of the medical treatment by building the immune system and bolstering health in other body systems.

While there have been efforts to pass legislation that requires a prescription for dispensing vitamins and supplements, none have yet been passed – at least not at the national level – in the US. There are laws and regulations that govern the “practice of medicine” that natural health practitioners cannot violate. But, by and large, natural health is still an unregulated field. This lack of regulation can be good and bad. Ultimately, some middle ground will be reached overseeing safe practices while ensuring choices in health care.

With its focus on prevention, natural health is the lifestyle choice among millions of people today who choose to take responsibility for their own well being. It emphasizes a holistic approach to health and healing, creating the optimal environment for the body to thrive, and employs natural strategies when imbalance does occur. The interest in and pursuit of natural health is more in demand today than ever before.

Naturalopolis has gone blogging!  We’ve expanded our website to include this blog where we’ll post the latest natural and alternative health articles.  We’ll also include new natural product finds and news related to Naturalopolis.com.

We welcome your comments and questions on every post and look forward to growing a large natural health community!