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Daily Archives: October 31, 2011

What Is Cholesterol? What Is A Healthy Cholesterol Level

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy steroid that is produced in the liver. Cholesterol helps make cells waterproof and it is also necessary for the uptake of several hormones in the brain. Excess amounts of fatty build-up around vital organs can be deadly and as a result the marketing of supplements like Raspberry Ketone, African Mango etc are devised to convince you they can remove fatty build up around these vital organs.

What are the different types of cholesterol?

Cholesterol can be divided into two different groups, High-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein. High-density lipoprotein or HDL is often referred to as the good cholesterol. It helps keep the arteries clean.

Low-density lipoprotein or LDL is often referred to as the bad cholesterol. It builds up in the arteries and causes numerous health problems.

What are the normal cholesterol levels?

Health experts have stated that a normal cholesterol level is below 200 mg/dl. People who have cholesterol levels between 200-240 mg/dl have borderline high cholesterol. Those who have levels above 240 mg/dl have high cholesterol.

Experts also recommend keeping the LDL below 130 mg/dl. Some doctors have stated that the LDL level should be below 100 mg/dl. People who have a LDL between 130-149 have borderline high LDL cholesterol and those who have levels above 160 have high LDL cholesterol.

Men should have a HDL above 40 mg/dl and women should have a level above 50 mg/dl. People who have a HDL level that is above 60 mg/dl have a decreased risk of heart disease. High HDL indicates that a person’s arteries are getting cleaned.

What are some of the dangers of having high cholesterol? How can it be lowered?

High cholesterol is associated with an increased risk for heart disease and stroke. It is important to note that this condition does not have any symptoms. Losing weight, eating right and exercising will help improve the cholesterol profile in many patients. However, some patients may have to take medication to control their cholesterol. Statins are one of the most commonly prescribed cholesterol-lowering medications.

How Should I Take Care Of My Skin In A Practical Way?

What is the skin?

The skin is the body’s outer covering. It is also the body’s largest organ. The skin is composed of three layers: the dermis, epidermis and hypothermis. The epidermis is the top layer of skin and the dermis lies below it. The hypothermis lies below the thermis and attaches the skin to bones and muscles. The skin has multiple functions. Protecting, absorption and heat regulation are just a few of those functions.

How should I take care of my skin in a practical way?

The skin is the body’s largest organ so it is very important that people take the necessary steps to care for it. Below are a few simple things that people can do to care for their skin.

*Protect it from the skin from the heat and cold*. Protection is one of the functions that the skin has so people have to make sure that they protect their skin from the cold. Wearing protective clothing during the winter and summer months will protect the skin from the harsh winter.

*Keep it clean*. Toxins from the environment can threated the health of the skin. Washing the skin twice a day can help remove those impurities and keep the skin healthy. However, it is important to note that overwashing the skin can dry it out. For that reason, a person should not wash the skin more than three times per day.

*Keep it hydrated*- Healthy skin is hydrated skin. That is why it is important to drink the recommended 8-10 cups of water per day. Water also helps remove toxins from the skin.

*Eat a well-balanced diet*- Vitamins C, E, D and biotin are some of the key nutrients that promote healthy skin. These nutrients can be obtained by eating vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy products and beans.

Do Americans Use Too Much Salt?

What is salt?

Salt is a mineral that is composed of sodium and chloride. It is needed by the body in small amounts to support normal functioning of tissues and muscles.

Health experts recommend getting anywhere from 1500 to 2300 mg of salt per day. However, studies have shown that most people exceed this amount. The average person gets around 3500o mg of sodium per day and this is 50 percent above the recommended intake. In fact, almost 90 percent of adults and children in America exceed the recommended salt intake.

What are some of the dangers associated with eating too much salt?

Excessive salt intake is associated with some of the following health conditions:

*Hypertension*- A high level of salt causes the body to retain more water. Water retention puts more stress on the heart and this leads to high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a serious health problem that increases the risk of stroke and heart attack.

*Kidney Stones*- Excess salt can crystallize and form kidney stones. Additionally, excessive salt can also cause the body to secrete more calcium. This also increases the risk of kidney stones.

*Mineral Imbalance*- The body has to have the right balance of sodium and potassium to function properly. When there is too much salt in the blood, this balance is thrown off.

How to reduce salt intake

*Do not add table salt too food*- Passing the salt can help drastically cut one’s sodium consumption.

*Eat less chips, pretzels, pizza, processed meats.-These foods are naturally high in sodium and should be eaten sparingly. It is also important to note that canned vegetables have a high sodium content. For that reason, people should try to eat as much fresh fruit and vegetables as possible.

How Much Bacteria Really Are In Public Bathrooms

It does not take germ-o-phobic tendencies for someone to worry about the invisible bacteria that might lurk in public restrooms. People worry about germs on the toilet seats, faucets and doorknobs. However, some people do wonder just how much bacteria really are in public bathrooms. The answer is probably not as much as you would think.

One of the commonly feared areas is the toilet seat. Experts say the toilet seat is less likely to transmit harmful bacteria than a faucet handle is. Most germs cannot remain alive on the seat for long, and people do not tend to touch the seat numerous times. A good hand washing after using the restroom should take care of anything that might be living on the seat.

Faucets and doorknobs that are touched by dozens or hundreds of people each day are more likely to house cold germs and other invisible beasts. Again, expects state that proper hand washing techniques should provide appropriate protection against the germs. Good hand washing involves soap, warm water and at least 30 seconds of your time.

Some experts point to the fact that many public restrooms are thoroughly cleaned more often than your facilities at home, so germs are reduced. Obviously, this does not include icky gas station bathrooms or the not-quite-modern facilities at the local ballpark. It does include restrooms in most restaurants, retail stores and office complexes.

OSHA and other agencies provide rules about how often such areas have to be cleaned and to what degree. Although more people use these facilities than your bathroom at home, the cleaning staff mop, scrub and spray them down one to four times per day. Unless you have a true germ phobia, you probably cannot say the same for the cleanliness of your bathroom at home.