The label given to LDL cholesterol of “bad” and HDL “good” cholesterol tends to be misunderstood.

“Good” and “Bad” Cholesterol

LDL cholesterols potential for oxidation which leads to the development of arterial plaque has given it the rap of being “bad”. While HDL cholesterol contains more protein and tends to pick up cholesterol dropped throughout your arteries and returns it to the liver giving it the role of being “good”.

However, I think it’s very important for you to realize that there are “good” and “bad” forms of LDL cholesterol and “good” and “bad” forms of HDL cholesterol.

Continue reading ‘Cholesterol – Good versus Bad’ »

For some background info on this issue review “Agent Orange and Heart Disease”.

New Coverage for Vets

On March 25, 2010, the Department of Veterans Affairs published a proposed regulation to establish ischemic heart disease as linked to Agent Orange exposure.

This meant until regulation becomes final, eligible Vietnam Veterans may receive disability compensation for these disease.

Controversy

Continue reading ‘Veteran Coverage for Agent Orange Exposure with Link to Heart Disease’ »

A study conducted in the Netherlands found some obese individuals to not be at increased risk for heart disease due to their weight. I’m going to share what they learned because I don’t want you to start seeing headlines saying you can be fat and still be fit and start thinking it’s okay to remain a couch potato.

The Study

Dutch researchers identified a subset of 1,325 obese individuals, between the ages of 28 to 75 years-old, from the 8,356 participants in the Dutch Prevention of Renal and Vascular Endstage Disease study. Out of the 1,325 obese individuals only 90 were determined to be “metabolically healthy”.

Metabolically healthy means the participants did not have risk factors for diabetes and heart disease, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, or the use of cholesterol lowering medication. The Dutch study found only 6.8 percent of obese individuals in a larger population are metabolically healthy.

The Results

Continue reading ‘Can You Be Fat and Fit?’ »

Here are a few steps to promote weight loss:

1. Increase physical activity throughout your daily routine (i.e. park further from your office door, take the stairs instead of the elevator)
2. Cut back on dining out (i.e. pack a lunch for work)
3. Keep fresh fruits and vegetables within reach
4. Clean out your cupboards and eliminate foods that don’t support heart health
5. Cut back on TV time (just how many hours do you log each day in front of the tv?)

The list of steps you can take to promote weight loss and reduce heart disease risk goes on and on. Take it one step and a time!

Receive 1-A-Week Weight Loss Tips at http://www.weightlosswithlisa.com.

All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
http://www.lisanelsonrd.com

The second Nurses Health Study has identified six dietary habits that reduce high blood pressure in women by almost 80%.

The Nurses Health Study includes 83,882 adult women between the ages of 27 to 44 years-old. Researchers analyzed data to determine if there was a connection between a healthy lifestyle and high blood pressure prevention.

Here are the six diet and lifestyle factors researchers identified to decrease high blood pressure risk in women.

Continue reading ‘6 Habits to Lower High Blood Pressure’ »

What is Agent Orange?

Agent Orange was used in Vietnam between 1961 and 1971. It is a specific blend of herbicides used to remove leaves from trees in the thick jungle canopy which may hide enemy forces.. Many Vietnam veterans were exposed to the Agent Orange herbicides.

How is Agent Orange Linked to Heart Disease

The Agent Orange Act of 1991 was passed by Congress due to uncertainty surrounding the health effects of Agent Orange exposure on Vietnam veterans. This act led the Institute of Medicine to review scientific and medical information connecting Agent Orange exposure to health effects.

Continue reading ‘Heart Disease and Agent Orange’ »

I think it’s fairly well known that walnuts provide some heart health benefits, but were you aware pistachio’s can be a good choice as well?

Pistachios are a good source of many nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.

A 1 ounce (28 grams) serving of pistachios provides:

170 calories
6 grams protein
2.9 grams fiber
73.4 mg omega 3 fatty acids
59.9 mg phytosterols

Pistachios are also a good source of copper, manganese, vitamin B6, thiamin, magnesium, and phosphorous. They also provide lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoids associated with a lower risk of age-related macular degeneration.

But, how do pistachios positively impact cholesterol and heart health?

Continue reading ‘Lower LDL Cholesterol with Pistachios’ »

Dr. Ryan Bentley, president of The Wellness Prescription, is one of the featured experts for the teleseries intensive Conversations with the Masters of Healing starting next week!

Dr. Ryan Bentley will be sharing:

• Why cholesterol may NOT be the culprit of heart disease as previously thought,
• The reason statins are being implicated for a number of serious side effects,
• What’s the connection between sexual dysfunction and low cholesterol, and
• Using functional medicine to diagnose heart disease and treat the whole person versus just a symptom.

Register for this call with Dr. Bentley HERE
Continue reading ‘Sex, Lies, and Cholesterol’ »

The 4th of July is just around the corner, which for many of us means BBQ time!

Here are some healthy barbeque ideas so you avoid sabotaging your heart healthy diet:

1. Talk more than you chew.

You don’t have to have a loaded plate to enjoy yourself. Take the time to catch up with a friend. Enjoy watching the kids play. When it’s meal time let others serve themselves first. Select a smaller plate and fill it with the healthiest options limiting foods slathered in mayo, fried, and breaded. Sit down to enjoy the food versus mindlessly eating while standing around the buffet table.

2. Sip smart.

Continue reading ‘How to Have a Heart Healthy 4th of July’ »

All right, this is the final series of questions and answers from my interview with Dr. Mark Houston in February 2010.

Lisa Nelson RD: Does grape seed really help lower blood pressure?

Dr. Houston: Yes, systolic blood pressure is reduced about 8 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure 5 mm Hg. It is in the formulas mentioned above.

Lisa Nelson RD: What causes of an enlarged heart and are there ways to reverse an enlarged heart?

Continue reading ‘Dr. Houston Answers Your Top Heart Health Questions – Part 4’ »