Healthy Life

by Irene Parks

Research shows that there's a possible link between birth control pills and high cholesterol (LDL). But that doesn't mean that if you've got a cholesterol problem that you can't use birth control. You just need to know how to choose the right birth control for you.

Most birth control pills contain estrogen and progestin-they're called combined pills because of this combo. The estrogen in the pill actually helps increase "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol), and a decrease in "bad cholesterol" (low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol).

Sounds perfect, right? But there's a downside too: The progestin in the pill does the opposite. It can raise LDL cholesterol levels and lower HDL levels. If you have low HDL and high LDL levels to begin with and take a high progestin birth control pill, then you may see a jump in your "bad" cholesterol levels. For many people the increase is insignificant, but if you have a cholesterol problem to begin with, then even an insignificant increase could put your LDL levels too high.

If you have a cholesterol problem or find that your regular combined pill is increasing your cholesterol too much, then you may want to consider switching to a low-dose birth control pill. These pills are just as effective as regular combined pills but contain much less progestin.

An added benefit of switching to a low dose pill (besides for lowering high cholesterol) is that it can increase libido. While there's no known connection between high cholesterol and low libido, if you happen to suffer from both these conditions, then reducing progestin is definitely the best thing you can do for your body, your heart, and your sex life!

By Alvin Hopkinson

Blood pressure is two measurements that determine the pressure of your blood moving through your arteries. The arteries carry the blood from your heart to the rest of your body.

High blood pressure or hypertension occurs when the blood circulates through the arteries at a higher pressure than normal. At this point, it is important to implement treatment to reduce blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause further complications that are potentially life threatening if not treated immediately.

High blood pressure is a dangerous disease that damages the blood vessels. The disease also raises the risk of stroke, kidney failure, heart disease and heart attack. The disease may develop in children as well as in adults. The risks of developing hypertension may increase if it is prominent within your family, if you live an unhealthy life- style, and if you have had high blood pressure in the past.

It is recommended by healthcare providers that you get your blood pressure checked regularly; especially if you have a predisposition to develop the condition. Upon diagnosis, the physicians prescribe and recommend several treatment therapies to reduce blood pressure.

There are many ways to lower high blood pressure and manage the effects of the condition. In most cases, physicians first implement drug therapy to fight the progression of hypertension. However, treatment can also begin with you. It begins with changes that you make in your life- style.

Changing your life- style will not only reduce blood pressure, but it will significantly decrease your risk of heart disease. More so, a healthy life- style will effectively reduce the amount of medicine (and dosages) that you are prescribed. Some effective life- style changes that you should consider to reduce blood pressure are:

1. Stop smoking cigarettes or any tobacco product 2. Exercise regularly 3. Implement relaxation techniques 4. Loose weight and maintain healthy weight 5. Reduce sodium, alcohol and caffeine 6. Consume healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables 7. Consume healthy foods that are low in cholesterol and fats

By: Ranju Kumar

A central concern of the society in which we live is health. People are getting more and more conscious about living a healthy life. Eating healthy food is of course a great way to improve your health and stay healthy. A common misconception among people is that healthy food refers to bland and boring food that is widely available as a natural food co-op. However, healthy food is actually what you eat every day, only it is prepared in a slightly different way.

Healthy food as well as healthy eating habits is pleasant for the palate. Closer the food is to its natural state; the healthier it is for you. You can improve your eating habits by cutting down on packaged food. This kind of food, although convenient, is filled with preservatives and artificial ingredients. Healthy food can be convenient too, once you get into the habit of preparing them.

It is very easy and inexpensive to prepare and eat healthy food. Here is an example: grill some lean hamburger patties until they are well cooked. Once this is done, place the patties on whole grain all natural hamburger buns. The burgers can be served with a tossed salad as well as a side of steamed green beans. Follow it up by serving fresh fruit for dessert. This entire meal

can be prepared within half an hour and includes a variety of healthy food.

Grilling lean meat, fish, or chicken does not take a long time. While the meat cooks, you can easily toss up a salad of greens and vegetables. You can also round out the meal by using frozen or fresh vegetables. You can bring in variety into your meals by using healthy foods that you have never tasted before. Be sure to check the produce section of the local grocer, which will be stocked with a whole range of exotic fruits and vegetables. Some produce sections also offer recipes on how to cook the vegetables with which you are not familiar. This is a great way to introduce your children to healthy foods. You can also experiment with fresh herbs that can add new flavors to your meal.

Preparing healthy food on a regular basis will help you to make fast health nutrition meals. If you get the time, try using healthy food in exotic recipes. Healthy food can be prepared before hand and frozen for later use. When you prepare your own frozen food, you can be absolutely sure that there are no artificial additives or preservatives.

Encourage your children to get involved in the preparation of healthy foods. This will create a time that you can share with them. Eating healthy food does not cost you much of your time or money and most certainly, it is a better option for you.