You’re not alone so do about 100 million other Americans. High cholesterol comes from a variety of sources, including your family history and what you eat. Here is a visual journey through the most common causes.
http://cholesterol.emedtv.com/high-cholesterol-video/high-cholesterol-presentation-summary-video.html

Some natural supplements along with the right diet really help. Think twice before taking Lipitor.

Isotonix OPC-3® is an isotonic-capable food supplement that is made from a combination of bilberry, grape seed, red wine and pine bark extracts, and citrus extract bioflavonoids, all found to be powerful antioxidants. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) are bioflavonoids (complex organic plant compounds) found in fruits, vegetables and certain tree barks that provide exceptional nutritional benefits to the human body. Studies have shown OPCs to be up to 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than vitamin E in neutralizing free radicals. nutraMetrix Isotonix OPC-3 contains the only isotonic form of Pycnogenol® in the world. Pycnogenol is a natural plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree and the most clinically researched and potent bioflavonoid.*

Vitamin K may reduce cancer risk: EPIC study
By Stephen Daniells, 30-Mar-2010
 
Consuming foods rich in vitamin K2 may reduce the risk of cancer, says a new study supporting the potential anti-cancer benefits of this emerging nutrient.
 
Results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study found that the highest intakes of vitamin K2, but not vitamin K1, were associated with a reduced risk of both overall cancer and cancer mortality, with the latter reduced by about 30 per cent.
 
There are two main forms of vitamin K: phylloquinone, also known as phytonadione, (vitamin K1) and menaquinones (vitamins K2). K1 is found in green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli and spinach, and makes up about 90 per cent of the vitamin K in a typical Western diet; while K2, which makes up about 10 per cent of Western vitamin K consumption and can be synthesised in the gut by microflora.
 
There are various forms of menaquinones, and these can also be found in the diet: Menaquinone-4, for example, can be found in animal meat, while menaquinones-7, -8, and-9 are found in fermented food products like cheese, and natto is a rich source of menaquinone-7.
 
Maintaining intakes
The new study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, appear to support the anti-cancer benefits of vitamin K2, with the majority of the nutrient being consumed from cheese.
 
The study adds to an ever-growing body of science supporting the benefits of vitamin K2, most well established for bone and cardiovascular health. Emerging evidence also supports a potential role for reducing the risk of prostate cancer.
 
Interestingly, Joyce McCann, PhD, and Bruce Ames, PhD, from the Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute reported last year that current recommendations for vitamin K are not being met, placing people at increased risk of age-related diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
Current recommendations are based on levels to ensure adequate blood coagulation, but failing to ensure long-term optimal levels of the vitamin may accelerate bone fragility, arterial and kidney calcification, cardiovascular disease, and possibly cancer, wrote the researchers in the October 2009 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
New data
The new study, led by Jakob Linseisen from the German Research Centre for Environmental Health, analysed data from 24,340 participants aged between 35 and 64 participating in the EPIC-Heidelberg cohort study.
The participants were following for over 10 years, during which 1,755 cases of cancer were documented. Of these 458 turned out to be fatal cases. Results showed that people with the highest average intakes of vitamin K2 were 14 per cent less likely to develop cancer, compared to people with the lowest average intakes.
 
Furthermore, a 28 per cent reduction in cancer mortality was observed for people with the highest average intakes.
 
Dr Linseisen and his co-workers also report that significant associations with prostate cancer, as observed in previous studies, meant that the cancer risk reduction was more pronounced in men.
 
Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Published online ahead of print, doi:10.3945/ajcn.2009.28691
“Dietary vitamin K intake in relation to cancer incidence and mortality: results from the Heidelberg cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC-Heidelberg)”
Authors: K. Nimptsch, S. Rohrmann, R. Kaaks, J. Linseisen
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Is Isotonix Vitamin D with K2 safe for people on anti-coagulant medications?
Some studies have concluded that vitamin K2 does not interfere with anticoagulant medications. However, most products containing vitamin K (including K1 and/or K2) warn users taking anticoagulants not to take the product. If you are currently taking warfarin or another anticoagulant medication, you should consult your physician before taking any product containing vitamin K1 or K2.

Seasonal Influenza (Flu)

On February 24, 2010 vaccine experts voted that everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine next season. CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted for “universal” flu vaccination in the U.S. to expand protection against the flu to more people. Next season’s vaccine will protect against the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus and 2 other flu viruses.

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Diet Dos for Glowing Skin
By Tamar Nordenberg

Discovery health.
Long for smooth, supple skin to go along with that slimmer waistline? Then step up to the plate — of salmon and asparagus, that is — to get a double shot of good effect. Living on some more typical low-fat meals, on the other hand, will ravage your body and your brain, leaving you wrinkled as well as fat and fatigued, according to dermatologist Nicholas Perricone, M.D.
Eating right can improve our looks “to a tremendous extent,” says Perricone, an expert on eating your way to superb skin. On his anti-inflammation diet, his patients start to look younger — and what’s more, their acne clears up and their eczema improves. If you long to look better, too, know the elements of Perricone’s “wrinkle-free diet.”

Eat generous portions of the right kinds of protein. Protein is necessary for cell repair and helps keep aging in check. On the best-choices list, fish ranks first, followed by these other protein-packed animal products: egg whites, skinless chicken and turkey breast.
Don’t fear fat — believe it or not, some is healthy — even essential. Fats and oils can provide anti-inflammatory protection and youth-preserving antioxidants. Fatty fish provides hefty helpings of anti-aging omega-3 fatty acids; salmon, mackerel and albacore tuna are among your best bets for staying beautiful. Also tops among anti-inflammatories: extra virgin olive oil. It’ll make you look lovely, and meanwhile could lower your bad cholesterol.
Steer clear of inflammation-inducing sugar and high-glycemic carbohydrates. This category of food includes potatoes, rice and pasta. These foods can cause blood sugar to spike and lead to dangerous chemical changes in your body. Their ability to fuel creation of age-accelerating free radicals and to break down collagen has earned them high rank among skin’s greatest foes. Your body needs carbohydrates, though, so get your fill from low-glycemic fruits and vegetables. Choice picks run from arugula to zucchini — they’re packed with youth-preserving antioxidants.
Know three more keys: Drink water, drink water, drink water. At the risk of repeating himself, the doctor himself drinks glass after glass — eight to 10 glasses of water each day, he reports, to help his own organs and cells function efficiently. Spring water’s better than the kind from the tap with all its chlorine and heavy metals.

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), America’s main law governing chemical safety, requires the government prove chemicals are harmful instead of requiring manufacturers to prove they’re safe. As a result, virtually every American is exposed to hundreds of toxic chemicals every day.

We recently had the opportunity to speak with two EDF scientists in this field: Richard Denison, EDF’s Senior Scientist specializing in policy, hazard and risk assessment and management for industrial chemicals and nanomaterials; and Caroline Baier-Anderson, EDF’s Health Scientist providing technical and scientific support on chemical regulatory policy, air toxics and nanotechnology.

Read more: http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=52312

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Magnesium in the body serves several important functions, including energy and enzymes:

* Muscle control, and relaxation
* Assisting DNA and other enzymes that act as genetic building blocks
* Distribution and creation of human energy
* The production of protein
* Magnesium is essential for calcium to work properly in the body

People have experience dramatic changes in their quality of life after correcting magnesium deficiencies. The best thing about magnesium rich foods is that it is virtually impossible to overdose on magnesium this way, as the body very efficiently processes magnesium from food sources. Most dietary magnesium comes from  dark green, leafy vegetables such as spinach and even broccoli

. Other foods that are good sources of magnesium:

* Fruits or vegetables (such as bananas, dried apricots, and avocados)

* Nuts (such as almonds and cashews)

* Peas and beans (legumes), seeds

* Soy products (such as soy flour and tofu)

* Whole grains (such as brown rice and millet)

From the USDA nutrient database comes the details:

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TUESDAY, Nov. 3 (HealthDay News) — A potentially deadly stomach infection is on the rise outside of hospital settings, especially among the elderly, researchers warn.The germ that causes the condition, known as Clostridium difficile, can create serious symptoms, including diarrhea and an inflammation of the colon, that can be fatal. The infection can be difficult to treat because the bacteria have become immune to some drugs.The bacteria have been found mostly in hospitals, nursing homes and similar facilities.“Recent reports have shown increasing incidence and severity of C. difficile infection, especially in the older population,” Dr. Darrell Pardi, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist and senior author of a study on the situation, said in a Mayo news release. “Our study examines why the cases are on the rise and who is getting the infection.”The findings were presented recently at the American College of Gastroenterology annual meeting, in San Diego.

“The growing incidence of C. difficile infection in both inpatient and outpatient settings could be linked to the increasing usage of antibiotics and to the possibility that C. difficile may be getting resistant to some of our newer antibiotics,” Pardi said.

Antioxidants found in Immune Maximum Defense Formula, such as elderberry, andrographis and potent mushroom compounds like Maitake Gold 404® and MycoFusions™, help support normal cellular defenses and promote a healthy immune function.*

From “Medical News Today”

Researchers at the University of Minnesota found that Vitamin D levels in the body at the start of a low-calorie diet predict weight loss success, suggesting a possible role for vitamin D in weight loss.

Data collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), USA found that 9% (7.6 million) of children across the USA, was vitamin D deficient (defined as less than 15 ng/mL of blood), while another 61 percent, or 50.8 million, was vitamin D insufficient (15 to 29 ng/mL) “We expected the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency would be high, but the magnitude of the problem nationwide was shocking,” says lead author Juhi Kumar, M.D., M.P.H., a fellow in pediatrics at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center, The University Hospital and Academic Medical Center for Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Vitamin D for humans is obtained from sun exposure, food and supplements. It is biologically inert and has to undergo two hydroxylation reactions to become active in the body. The active form of vitamin D in the body is called Calcitriol (1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol).

Winter is coming. You do need supplements! That is what we use.
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