What Is Cholesterol

Monday 30th November 2009

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a lipid found in the cell membranes of all tissues, and it is transported in the blood plasma of all animals.

Because cholesterol is synthesized by all eukaryotes, trace amounts of cholesterol are also found in membranes of plants and fungi.

The name originates from the Greek chole- (bile) and stereos (solid), and the chemical suffix -ol for an alcohol, as researchers first identified cholesterol in solid form in gallstones by François Poulletier de la Salle in 1769. However, it is only in 1815 that chemist Eugène Chevreul named the compound "cholesterine".

Most of the cholesterol is synthesized by the body and some has dietary origin. Cholesterol is more abundant in tissues which either synthesize more or have more abundant densely-packed membranes, for example, the liver, spinal cord and brain.

It plays a central role in many biochemical processes, such as the composition of cell membranes and the synthesis of steroid hormones. Cholesterol is insoluble in blood, but is transported in the circulatory system bound to one of the varieties of lipoprotein, spherical particles which have an exterior composed mainly of water-soluble proteins.

The main types, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) carry cholesterol from and to the liver.According to the lipid hypothesis, abnormally high cholesterol levels (hypercholesterolemia) and abnormal proportions of LDL and HDL are associated with cardiovascular disease by promoting atheroma development in arteries (atherosclerosis).

This disease process leads to myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke and peripheral vascular disease. As high LDL contributes to this process, it is termed "bad cholesterol", while high levels of HDL ("good cholesterol") offer a degree of protection.

The balance can be redressed with exercise, a healthy diet, and sometimes medication.

For more information visit: http://www.hypercet.com

See you tomorrow!

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Something For The Weekend 11

Friday 27th November 2009

Yet another week has passed and I have managed to locate a bottle of C.K. One at an amazing price, making this our crowned Product Of The Week.

This bottle of C.K. One comes in at just $29.89 for a 6.7oz Eau De Toilette Spray bottle. This unisex fragrance is a great addition to any fragrance collection...what more can I say...but it for your wife, your husband, your brother...for anyone!

Website Of The Week

Continuing the theme of last week, you know, Christmas and New Year fancy dress parties I have found a great website which promises some fabulous costumes for less.

They are called Costumes 4 Less and you can find them by clicking here.

With a great range of 'sexy' consumes, medieval costumes and some great shoes you really should be paying them a visit.

Once again, thanks for stopping by and reading, commenting and digging!

I hope you have a great weekend.

See you Monday!

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What Can Aloe Vera Be Used For?

Thursday 26th November 2009

I know I have mentioned what a huge fan of Aloe Vera I am before, but when I received an email yesterday asking what it could be used for, I was delighted to be able to dedicated a whole post to my favorite plant and remedy.

Did you know that there are in excess of 150 Aloe Vera species? Originally a native plant of South America, it can be grown indoors or out, and the Aloe Vera is commonly used to treat skin burns and rashes. Over the last few years Aloe has also become a widely used ingredient in cosmetics, shampoos, lotions and a number of household products.

The healing properties of Aloe Vera comes from the 18 amino acids within the plant.

Used for centuries as a home remedy, natural Aloe Vera is an off white colour and can be obtained by simply breaking off a leaf which allows the liquid to run out. The leaves can also be crushed and used as a salve. It's most common use is as a sun burn soother but it can also be made into juices, gels and powders for all manner of purposes.

More recently Aloe Vera has been made into a capsule and has proven to be a great cure for constipation, some say it is helpful in the battle against acne, while most report that it adds a softness to the skin.

The health benefits of Aloe Vera range from treating digestive disorders to healing and treating burns, cuts and bruises. It’s strong anti inflammatory as well as its cool and soothing effect can bring instant relief to painful situations like bruises or scraping of the skin. Its role in the treatment of digestive disorders includes management of conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, ulcers, Crohn’s disease, and even as a colon cleansing agent.

Aloe Vera essentially boosts our overall immune system and with its enormous anti bacterial, anti fungal and antibiotic properties, Aloe Vera works equally well with topic application as well as internal consumption.

While I use the plants in my own garden to treat scuffed knees, minor cuts and insect bites, I would not recommend digesting them.

Here are a few other ways to use the Aloe Vera plant extract;

• Banish bruises by applying liberally to the affected area
• Alleviate mysterious rashes
• Take the itch out of insect bites
• Fight athletes foot
• Dab onto blisters for quick relief
• Use as a general moisturiser for dry skin
• Prevents scarring and stretchmarks
• Shrinks warts
• Helps against eczema
• Decrease dark spots and pigmentation of the skin
• Helps strong hair growth by rubbing onto the scalp and leaving for 30 minutes before rinsing
• Removes eye make up

As I said this is just a few of the many ways that Aloe Vera can help you, and are all ways that I have successfully used my own plants.

Next week I am going to show you how to extract the liquid from your own Aloe Vera plants, so watch this space!

Photo by Steve Locke

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How To Lighten Your Hair With Lemon Juice

Wednesday 25th November 2009

First of all I would just like to confirm that yes, lemon juice will lighten your hair, but it will only work as a highlight to your natural hair colour. This means that if you have a dark brown hair you will get a lighter brown highlight, you will not become a blond. If you have black hair, it is very likely that using lemon juice will result in a red tint wherever you apply the juice.

Lemon juice does work best as a natural highlighter for blond or dull blond hair, and light brown hair can turn out some pretty impressive results too.

So, how does it work?

Well, the acid in the lemon juice simply acts as an accelerator. When you are sitting out in the sun your hair does get lighter gradually, and adding lemon juice to the equation just speeds up the whole process.

What do you need to do?

All you need to do is follow these five simple steps for great results.

1. There is no need to wash or wet your hair before you start, it is best to use unwashed/dirty hair.

2. Get yourself one fresh lemon, cut in in half and extract the juice. Use an electric juicer, or if you don't have one, squeeze the juice out by hand into a jug.

3. Add a small drop of water to your juice. For an even covering place the juice into a spray bottle and apply liberally to the hair. If you are just wanting highlights, wipe the mixture onto selected strands of hair using your fingertips remembering to get right down to the roots.

4. When you are happy with the coverage it's time to get outside into the sun. Please remember to apply sun screen before you go outside, you need to be out there for a good hour.

5. After spending time outside, come back indoors and rinse the lemon from your hair, you can then repeat the process if you would like to enhance the colour some more. Be aware that you may have to do this once or twice a day for a couple of days to get the maximum benefit.

The highlights you will achieve with this method are as permanent as those that you would expect from a salon. They will only grow out, so your roots will need the occasional touch up.

Using lemon juice to lighten the hair is a good, natural and cheaper alternative to getting chemical highlights. All you need is a little patience and your efforts will pay off.

If you have done this in the past, or are trying it out for the first time, let everyone else know how it worked for you by leaving a comment.

See you again tomorrow when we find out just how useful Aloe Vera can be.

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Eat To Boost Fertility

Tuesday 24th November 2009

It is guest blogger time again so please welcome todays guest blogger Omo Franca who has written a brilliant blog on the topic of fertility and conception, babyfertile.blogspot.com, so make sure you pay it a visit.

EAT TO BOOST FERTILITY!

Having trouble getting pregnant? Experts now believe that following the right diet could be the single most important factor for successful conception.

A Spanish study recently found that men could boost their sperm counts by eating less red meat and fatty food, and more fruit and veg.

Meanwhile, research at Harvard University also found that women who made dietary changes reduced their risk of infertility by as much as 80%.
“The food choices you and your partner make can have a major effect on improving fertility,” agrees fertility expert Dr Zita West, whose client list includes actresses Kate Winslet, Cate Blanchett and Davina McCall.

Here are the foods you – and your partner – need to eat...
How to do it:
The first step to better fertility is to ensure you have a balanced diet and don’t cut out any major food groups. “Make sure you both get adequate protein from lean meat and fish, essential fats from fish, nuts and seeds, wholemeal carbohydrates and lots fruit and veg,” says Zita.
Once you have the basics right you can then add the specific superfoods that researchers have found can boost egg and sperm production. But be patient: you will both need to stick to a diet plan for at least three months before you will know if it has had any effect.

Here’s what you should be eating...

For him
Oily fish.This is the best source of essential fatty acids (EFAs), omega-3 and omega-6 oils – all of which are vital for sperm development. They also enhance sperm quality and mobility.* Eat: Salmon, mackerel and sardines are all types of oily fish. Men should eat between one and four portions a week.
Oysters.A great source of zinc, which is needed to make the outer layer and tail of the sperm. Nutritionists believe just 15mg a day can help repair sperm that have been damaged by chemicals absorbed from the environment.

* Eat: If you can’t stomach or afford oysters, you’ll find plenty of zinc in beans, nuts, seeds and eggs.

Garlic.This is a great source of selenium, an antioxidant, which helps maintain strong healthy sperm.* Eat: Add chopped garlic to stir-fries, pasta sauces and curries. Garlic breath may not be very romantic but it can be easily neutralised by chewing a little parsley afterwards.

Spinach.This and other leafy greens are rich in folate, which improves sperm production. A study by the University of California found men with high intakes of this nutrient had up to 30% healthier sperm.

* Eat: Steam spinach lightly with garlic and chilli or eat it raw in a healthy salad.

Avocados.A rich source of vitamin E, which improves the quality of sperm. Avocados are also an excellent way to absorb unsaturated fats, which are crucial for healthy hormone function.

* Eat: Make your own guacamole as a dip for carrot sticks. Scoop flesh out of a couple of avocados and mash it up, adding a little garlic and lemon juice.

For her
Full-fat dairy. A fertility study by Harvard University found women who eat at least one serving of full-fat dairy a day reduce their risk of infertility by more than a quarter. It’s thought that the fat in dairy helps improve ovarian function.

* Eat: Consider changing low-fat dairy foods for full-fat while you are in the process of trying for a baby. A glass of milk a day is plenty.

Water. If you don’t drink enough water the reproductive system will lose out as the body ensures that the most vital organs receive the water that they need first.Water is needed for plump egg follicles and a strong blood supply to the womb lining. If you’re dehydrated, your cervical fluid (the stuff that helps the sperm find the egg) also becomes sluggish.

* Drink: Aim to have about eight glasses per day. Try mixing water with fruit juice or a squirt of lemon to liven it up.

Orange fruit and vegetables. Peaches, apricots, carrots and mangoes all contain beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A and which helps to produce the female sex hormones important for ovulation.

* Eat: Start the day with a mango and peach smoothie, and have a bag of chopped carrots to snack on at work.

Chicken.Getting enough protein is vital for egg production. Meat is the best source of protein but go for chicken rather than red meat – as it is much lower in fat.

* Eat: Women need about 45g of protein a day but don’t have more than this. As Zita West warns: “High-protein diets aren’t good in the lead-up to pregnancy, as there’s evidence that ammonia, a by-product of excessive protein, may interfere with embryo implantation.”

Oily fish, nuts and seeds.These are all extremely rich in essential fatty acids, which are crucial for healthy ovulation. According to Zita, eight out of 10 women are currently deficient in EFAs.

* Eat: You need to eat about 30g of nuts and seeds a day – enjoy them as a snack, sprinkle them on your cereal or mix into a healthy salad. Also try to eat about 300g – or roughly two portions – of oily fish a week.

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Antioxidant levels key to prostate cancer risk

Monday 23rd November 2009


Antioxidant levels key to prostate cancer risk in some men?

Greater levels of selenium, vitamin E and the tomato carotenoid lycopene have been shown to reduce prostate cancer in one out of every four Caucasian males, or those who inherit a specific genetic variation that is particularly sensitive to oxidative stress, say US researchers.

Conversely, if carriers of this genetic variant have low levels of these vitamins and minerals, their risk of aggressive prostate increases substantially, as great as 10-fold, over those who maintain higher levels of these nutrients, they write in today’s issue of Cancer Research.

"This large prospective study provides further evidence that oxidative stress may be one of the important mechanisms for prostate cancer development and progression, and adequate intake of antioxidants, such as selenium, lycopene and vitamin E, may help prevent prostate cancer," said Dr Haojie Li, a researcher at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

The new findings are based on an analysis of 567 men diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1982 and 1995, and 764 cancer-free men from the Physicians Health Study.

The initial goal of this study was to assess the effect of aspirin and beta-carotene on men's health. Li’s team decided to check for variants of the gene that codes for manganese superoxide dismutatase (MnSOD), an important enzyme that works as an antioxidant in human cells to defend against disease.

The MnSOD gene is passed from parents to offspring in one of three forms: VV, VA or AA.

"Compared with men with the MnSOD VV or VA genotype, people with the AA genotype seem to be more sensitive to the antioxidant status," said Li. "Men with the AA genotype are more susceptible to prostate cancer if their antioxidant levels are low."

The study's results found that a quarter of the men in the study carried the MnSOD AA genotype, half carried the VA genotype, and the remaining quarter carried the VV genotype.

The results indicated that the VA and VV men were at equivalent risk for developing prostate cancer across all levels of antioxidants in their blood.

But compared to MnSOD VV or VA carriers in the lowest quartile of selenium levels, MnSOD AA males had an 89 per cent greater risk for developing aggressive prostate cancer if they had low blood levels of the mineral.

On the other hand, MnSOD AA carriers with high selenium – those men in the highest quartile – had a 65 per cent lower risk than the MnSOD VV or VA males who maintained low levels of selenium.

"The levels of selenium in the highest quartile of these men are not abnormally high," Li said. "Our range is neither extremely high nor extremely low."

While similar trends were observed for lycopene and vitamin E when tested independently, the contrast in relative risk was most pronounced for the men who had high blood levels for all three antioxidants combined, said the researchers.

"Among men with the MnSOD AA genotype, we observed a 10-fold difference in risk for aggressive prostate cancer, when comparing men with high versus low levels of antioxidants combined,"said Li. "In contrast, among men with the VV or VA genotype, the prostate cancer risk was only weakly altered by these antioxidant levels."

"Our study, as well as many other epidemiological studies, encourages dietary intake of nutrients such as lycopene from tomato products, or supplements for vitamin E and selenium to reduce risk of prostate cancer," said Li.

Prostate cancer is one of the biggest cancer killers in industrial countries and affects more than 500,000 men worldwide every year. This number is expected to increase with the ageing population.

Similar interactions between dietary antioxidants and the variations in the MnSOD gene have previously been linked to risk for breast cancer.

For more information visit: http://www.prostacet.com

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Something For The Weekend 10

Friday 20th November 2009


Is it just me, or is it really difficult to buy gifts for a man?

If you are tired of buying the same thing ie; socks, aftershave, ties or undies, for the men in your life, then why not try this excellent bundle of Refinery toiletries, fit for any self respecting man.

Now, I can already sense that you think it looks expensive, but considering the amount of products you get, this has to be the bargain of the century. For just 39.15, that's pound sterling, you get six products:

• Refinery Body Wash 30ml
• Refinery Face Mask 20ml
• Refinery Face Scrub 20ml
• Refinery Face Wash 20ml
• Refinery Moisturiser 20ml
• Refinery Post Shave Balm 20ml

And they smell divine which has to be the biggest advantage for those who live with a man, be that your parent, your partner or even a room mate.

You can buy this product from Beautique by clicking here...trust me, this really is money well spent.


Website Of The Week

www.beautyfactor.net/savvysaver

I have been working on an idea that we, as in all of us, really need to save money. What with the credit crunch and Christmas just around the corner we are all worried about the future and trying to save wherever we can.

So, I am in the process of developing my very own coupons and freebies website. Please feel free to pay it a visit, but be aware that it is still in the early stages and only the home page is the finished article.

You also have the chance to follow me on Twitter too!

Okay everybody, that's all from me this week.

Thanks to you all for stopping by and have a good weekend!

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