I don't think a week goes by without a question or two about cholesterol, statin drugs and diet. Although it's a complicated issue (sort of) and each person is different, here are just a few thoughts on the subject.
Cholesterol: Good or Bad?
Although often referred to as "good" or "bad", HDL and LDL simply refer to the particle size. Cholesterol is not "bad" and is actually necessary for many metabolic functions, not the least of which is making hormones and keeping things from leaking thru our arterial walls!
Statin Drugs
like Lipitor and the lot inhibit the pathway that makes cholesterol by inhibiting the enzyme that kicks off the molecular process. Unfortunately, there are other end products along this pathway that are also inhibited. These include Ubiquinone or CoQ10 and Dolichol.
Cholesterol contributes to production of
Sex Hormones (Estrogen, Testosterone)
Vitamin D (deficiency in Vit D has been linked to cancer)
Stress Hormones (Cortisol, DHEA)
CoQ10 contributes to
Heart function (deficiency leads to heart failure!)
Muscle repair (yeah, the heart is a muscle, too)
Blood Pressure regulation
Cell Energy & Blood Sugar levels
Dolichol contributes to
Cognitive function ("Now where did I put my Lipitor?")
The true test in cholesterol is not quanitity but QUALITY! The level of oxidation in your cholesterol is a better marker of health issues - this is what I like to evaluate. And things like hydrogenated oils and High Fructose Corn Syrup are more detrimental to your health than dietary cholesterol!
Questions or comments? Let me know!
Be informed - be healthy!!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
David Wolfe's Free Videos!
In preparation for the launch of his new program, Longevity NOW!, David Wolfe is providing some great educational videos to improve your health now!
The latest one, Discipline, is a great one for us procrastinators or people who think they "can't", "don't have time" or a myriad of other excuses we (I) use everyday! You can view this one at http://bit.ly/DavidWolfeVideo3
If you haven't seen the previous ones, be sure to check out 10 Foods to Increase Your Wealth! Who would have thought what you eat impacts your wealth! David, of course!! Check it out at http://bit.ly/DavidWolfeVideo2
And check out his video on Immunity - http://bit.ly/DavidWolfeVideo
David discusses 5 medicinal mushrooms you can eat to really boost your immune system. I have actually been taking these for more than a year now and I can attest that THEY WORK. You can check out the product I use at http://bit.ly/Immune
There will be more videos to come, and I will be sharing David's incredible new program, Longevity NOW when it launches on June 24! I am very excited about this new program and look forward to sharing it with you!
The latest one, Discipline, is a great one for us procrastinators or people who think they "can't", "don't have time" or a myriad of other excuses we (I) use everyday! You can view this one at http://bit.ly/DavidWolfeVideo3
If you haven't seen the previous ones, be sure to check out 10 Foods to Increase Your Wealth! Who would have thought what you eat impacts your wealth! David, of course!! Check it out at http://bit.ly/DavidWolfeVideo2
And check out his video on Immunity - http://bit.ly/DavidWolfeVideo
David discusses 5 medicinal mushrooms you can eat to really boost your immune system. I have actually been taking these for more than a year now and I can attest that THEY WORK. You can check out the product I use at http://bit.ly/Immune
There will be more videos to come, and I will be sharing David's incredible new program, Longevity NOW when it launches on June 24! I am very excited about this new program and look forward to sharing it with you!
Monday, June 15, 2009
David Wolfe Launches Longevity Now Program!
Renowned Nutrition expert David Wolfe is getting ready to launch an innovative and ground breaking new program on June 24th. I believe that the Longevity Now program is just what the world needs to regain health, vitality and youthfulness.
Leading up to the launch, David is providing a series of 4 videos. The first one on Immunity went up today (6/15). I hope everyone will check it out! David outlines several keys to boost and maintain your Immune level. This is 30 minutes of understandable, great information you can put to use TODAY! Use this link to opt-in to receive not just this video, but the complete series:
https://bewellbuzz.infusionsoft.com/go/video1/nkodell
You'll get an update when the next video is available, as well as notification when the complete program is available. I think David's program has the potential to not just change lives, but CHANGE A LOT OF LIVES!!
Check it out and let you friends and family members know - you can send them here to read about the program and check out the videos.
PS: One of the keys David discusses is the use of medicinal mushrooms. You can check out one of my favorite products, Immune at http://bit.ly/Immune; it contains all the types of mushrooms David recommends!
Enjoy & Be Well!!
Leading up to the launch, David is providing a series of 4 videos. The first one on Immunity went up today (6/15). I hope everyone will check it out! David outlines several keys to boost and maintain your Immune level. This is 30 minutes of understandable, great information you can put to use TODAY! Use this link to opt-in to receive not just this video, but the complete series:
https://bewellbuzz.infusionsoft.com/go/video1/nkodell
You'll get an update when the next video is available, as well as notification when the complete program is available. I think David's program has the potential to not just change lives, but CHANGE A LOT OF LIVES!!
Check it out and let you friends and family members know - you can send them here to read about the program and check out the videos.
PS: One of the keys David discusses is the use of medicinal mushrooms. You can check out one of my favorite products, Immune at http://bit.ly/Immune; it contains all the types of mushrooms David recommends!
Enjoy & Be Well!!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Sleep Disturbances Increase with Stress
I've definitely seen an increase in questions from clients with sleep problems. Stress can definitely play a part in disrupting sleep patterns, from raising cortisol levels to tightening muscles. Because these can have a variety of origins it's impossible to say what may be causing your sleep disruption, but here are some general guidelines to consider:
Stress
When we're stressed, our body releases cortisol and adreneline to kick in that "fight or flight" response. Increased cortisol can contribute to weight gain as well as a disruption in our natural cortisol rhythms. Along that same line, Chronic Stress can contribute to Adrenal Fatigue which can cause sleep problems (do you get a "second wind" around 11p? Need a keg of coffee to get you going in the morning? Sensitive to sunlight? Classic Adrenal Fatigue symptoms)
Try taking a walk in the evening to help disperse that excess cortisol or take a stress-busting bath with epsom salts before bed.
Blood Sugar
Do you wake up around 3am? This could indicate a fall in blood sugar, especially if you fall into the category of folks that eat high carbs foods before bed (cereal, cookies, etc). Try eating some protein instead! This is the long burning fuel that will last longer and keep your blood sugar from dropping.
Stimulants
If you are caffeine sensitive, remove coffee, soft drinks, or other caffeine drinks from your diet (all together if you can, at least after 2pm)
Environment
Keep as much electrical equipment out of your bedroom, limiting LED lights (clock radios, TVs, DVDs, etc). Even the smallest amount of light can disrupt the pineal gland and the production of melatonin and seratonin.
These are just a few ideas. If you are experiencing sleep pattern disruption feel free to contact me for a more detailed evaluation of possible causes. Remember, when stress comes knocking on your door, B-R-E-A-T-H-E. . . .
Stress
When we're stressed, our body releases cortisol and adreneline to kick in that "fight or flight" response. Increased cortisol can contribute to weight gain as well as a disruption in our natural cortisol rhythms. Along that same line, Chronic Stress can contribute to Adrenal Fatigue which can cause sleep problems (do you get a "second wind" around 11p? Need a keg of coffee to get you going in the morning? Sensitive to sunlight? Classic Adrenal Fatigue symptoms)
Try taking a walk in the evening to help disperse that excess cortisol or take a stress-busting bath with epsom salts before bed.
Blood Sugar
Do you wake up around 3am? This could indicate a fall in blood sugar, especially if you fall into the category of folks that eat high carbs foods before bed (cereal, cookies, etc). Try eating some protein instead! This is the long burning fuel that will last longer and keep your blood sugar from dropping.
Stimulants
If you are caffeine sensitive, remove coffee, soft drinks, or other caffeine drinks from your diet (all together if you can, at least after 2pm)
Environment
Keep as much electrical equipment out of your bedroom, limiting LED lights (clock radios, TVs, DVDs, etc). Even the smallest amount of light can disrupt the pineal gland and the production of melatonin and seratonin.
These are just a few ideas. If you are experiencing sleep pattern disruption feel free to contact me for a more detailed evaluation of possible causes. Remember, when stress comes knocking on your door, B-R-E-A-T-H-E. . . .
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