Anyone who has had a gallbladder “attack” knows how uncomfortable it is. They would also like to know how to prevent having another gallstone, avoiding the pain and discomfort.
A new study, just presented at the Digestive Disease Week annual meeting, has found that moderate alcohol intake reduces the cholesterol in bile and may decrease the chances of developing gallstones by as much as one third.
Gallstones are small stones that develop in the gallbladder, which is a small pear-shaped organ in what is called your right upper abdomen. Bile, which is made in the liver, helps your body digest …read more

What is usually thought to be a funny quirk in some dogs — chasing their own tail — is now being thought to have a more serious link.

Researchers are discovering that tail chasing might be a sign of high cholesterol, which adds one more symptom to a list of behavioral issues that they already feel can be attributed to high cholesterol in humans, such as panic attacks and OCD.
They tested 30 dogs — 15 who chased their tails and 15 who didn’t — to come up with their data. The tail chasers had higher HDL and LDL cholesterol numbers. …read more

 
Cherries have powerful antioxidants, known as anthocyanins that are thought to help fight inflammation and risk of heart disease.
A study conducted by Dr. Steven F. Bolling at the University of Michigan, shows that eating cherries may lower body fat, weight, cholesterol and inflammation.
Our bodies use inflammation to fight off infection and injury. A chronic state of inflammation can raise your risk of heart disease.  With 2 out of 3 people overweight or obese in the United States, especially around their middle, this problem is more prevalent.
In the study rats were feed a (Western Diet) which was high in fat and …read more

In today’s fast pace, fast food world even our children have high cholesterol. It is more important than ever to know your cholesterol levels.
Good cholesterol HDL levels for men should be higher than 40 and 50 for women. When the levels are over 60 it lowers your risk factors for heart disease.
The HDL removes cholesterol from the arteries, taking it back to the liver where it passes from your body.
Bad cholesterol or LDL builds up in the walls of the arteries. The walls of your blood vessels will narrow over time, due to the build-up of the fatty deposits. The …read more

CRP or an inflammatory marker is a protein that is made when there is inflammation present in the body. CRP inflammation can be caused by high blood pressure, high blood sugar or smoking, it is also the way your body reacts to injury or infection.
CRP(C-reactive protein) inflammation encourages plaque to form in the blood vessels. This plaque will eventually cause the blood vessels to rupture causing a heart attack or stroke.
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is often shortened to CPR. When your health care provider is explaining your disorder they will usually use the term CRP.  You will see CRP in …read more

From 1999 to 2006 the death rate of heart attacks and strokes fell about 30%. A cardiologist from UCLA said this is one of the outstanding achievements of modern history.
Even with this amazing news, the death count for Americans in 2006 from heart attacks and strokes was still at 829,072.
On an average one American dies from heart disease every 37 seconds.
A study on cholesterol levels in men men over 40 and women over 60 showed a 2% improvement. The same study showed no improvement in younger people.
We also have a rise in children with high cholesterol, due to their …read more

Statin drugs are herald as the wonder drug of the 21st. century. These wonder drugs block the substance that will potentially cause cholesterol and will in time block your arteries.
Health care providers also believe that the statin drugs may help to eliminate the plaque over time, that is already present in your arteries.
The belief is that in time, health care providers will see benefits to their patients from these drugs, other then just lowering cholesterol. The statin drugs are already showing promise in other areas.
Your cholesterol level and other risk factors for heart failure will determine whether statin drugs are …read more

In countries around the world (Trans Fats) have been eliminated in most foods. Some traces of trans fats are found in some dairy and meat products, which are formed during the manufacturing process.
Limiting the intake of saturated and trans fat in your daily diet can lower your risk of cholesterol or plaque buildup which causes coronary and artery disease.
Most of us acquired our eating habits while we were young and these habits are different through out the world. If you have been eating unhealthy most of your life and are thinking you need to take control of your diet, maybe …read more

During the holidays we find ourselves attending more social events, at these events there is always an abundance of food and alcohol. Before attending these events it is always wise to ask your health care provider some questions. Ask them if consuming alcohol could cause any problems with your heart or interfere with any medication that you are presently taking.
Research that has taken place suggest that moderate alcohol consumption my actually be beneficial for your heart. Drinking one drink a day for women or lightweight individuals and two drinks per day for men is suggested. Some examples are 12 ounces …read more

                                                                                                                               
This is the season for parties, office snacks and great holiday dinners. With a few suggestions from the sites listed below you too will enjoy the holiday season. The foods listed on the sites are heart healthy.
Everyone gets tired of trying to always eat what is best for us, because it seems as though these foods do not taste that good. Well that is behind us for I have found some snacks and good tasting alternatives.
I hope you will find these easy recipes for snacks, desserts and meals just what you have been dreaming of. Your dream has come …read more