How To Lower High Cholesterol Levels Naturally

High cholesterol levels can occur as a result of eating too many saturated fats and not enough fibrous foods such as fruits and vegetables and nuts and seeds. It can also result of being overweight or obese and living a sedentary lifestyle, as well as from diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, kidney and liver diseases or an under-active thyroid.

Cholesterol is required in the body to help metabolize fat soluble vitamins, as well as to help with the production of certain hormones and bile. However, when the levels become too high, it puts one at risk for certain types of cancers as well as atherosclerosis, stroke, heart attacks and many other cardiovascular diseases. Therefore it is essential to lower high cholesterol levels when they get too high. Read More...

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a non-life threatening, but serious disease. It affects more and more people everyday, disrupting their family and social lives. Many lose their jobs, and some are even crippled and confined to wheelchairs.

Fibromyalgia is chronic musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder which affects the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Scientifically speaking there is no cure, and in many cases goes undiagnosed because of all the symptoms associated with this crippling disease. People are treated for the symptoms rather than the underlying cause, and are prescribed different medications for each symptom. Read More...

Pine Nuts

Pine nuts are the seeds produced by a variety of pine trees. They are covered by a hard shell on the pine cones. Some of the varieties are the Pinus Pin, also known as stone pine, Pinus Edulis which grows in the southwest US, and Pinus Cembroides which is a Mexican pine nut. There are also Chinese, European, and Korean pine nut varieties. 

The size of the pine nut ranges from 1 to 5 cm in length. Most pine nuts are harvested by hand which is why they are so expensive to buy.

Pine nuts are known to be good for the heart, eyes, digestive system, gastrointestinal problems, and help with inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. They are high in antioxidants and contain pinoleic acid which helps to stimulate hormones, and acts as an appetite suppressant which is helpful in weight loss. Read More...

Ways Vegetarians Can Get Enough Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Their Diets

A common misconception has been that a vegetarian diet is unable to provide individuals with enough omega fatty acids. However, there are plenty of foods other than animal products, from which vegetarians can get enough omega fatty acids in their diets.

The only difference is that plant-based foods provide the body with Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which the body then converts into longer chain acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are found in animal products. Read More...

Raw Cacao

The cacao bean measures approximately 1 inch long, it has a reddish-brown color on the outside and a rich dark-brown on the inside.

It grows on an evergreen fruit tree mainly cultivated in Brazil, Costa Rica, Guayaquil, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, Guatemala, the island of Trinidad, Africa and Ceylon.

The scientific name is Theobroma Cacao, which means food of the gods. Read More...

What Are Cranberries

Cranberries grow on groundcovering vines in the Nothern Hemispheres of Canada, United States and Europe. The berries are dark red and are commercially harvested between September and December. They are related to the billberry, blueberry, huckleberry and buckberry. There are several different varieties of cranberries and they include Ben Lear, Early Black, Stevens and Howes.

The cranberries are usually grown in man-made bogs or wetlands. The vines of the cranberry plant can reach as long as 2 m, and a height of 5 to 20 cm. The plant produces runners ranging from 1 to 6 feet long. These runners produce short (5 to 7.5 cm), vertical upright branches that are non-trailing. Most of the berries grow on these uprights. Read More...

Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Medical studies have revealed that there are many health benefits associated with omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids can be obtained from consuming fish and other sea foods, nuts and seeds, avocados and leafy green vegetables.

Basically there are 3 types of omega-3 fatty acids, and they include alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is the type that is found in plant foods; and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are the long chain fatty acids that are found in animal foods. The human body is able to convert ALA into EPA and DHA when it is taken in the correct proportions with omega-6, and when the right enzymes are present in the body. Read More...