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Cholesterol - Guggul Lipids I want to share a simple exercise with you before I go into anything else in this issue. Get yourself 2 sheets of paper. It doesn't matter what color. Find yourself a heavy marker, a crayon, or anything of that sort and draw a smiley face on one piece of the paper and on the other piece draw a face with a frown on it. Once you have done this, find a member of your family or a friend and try this test on them. First ask them to clear their mind. Tell them to pay particular attention to the reaction they have. When you are ready, hold the drawing of the frowning face up so they can see it. After they have seen it, ask them what their reaction was. When you have heard their reaction, ask them to clear their mind again and when ready, do the same thing with the smiley face and again let them know to notice their reaction. You'll be surprised at how different their reactions will be. It will also impress on you just how healing a smile can be. I see people using the little frowning faces all the time in chat rooms and discussion groups and it always amazes me that they probably don't even realize the effect that that frown has on people. I hope that you are all well and in good spirits. In this issue, we will look at what, at least in America, is one of the leading causes of heart attacks and strokes (Cholesterol), as well as an herb that has been referred to as "probably the most powerful cholesterol-lowering herb known." This herb is used extensively in India and is known as Guggul Lipid. I am not a doctor. I am an Alternative medicine practitioner. I am certified in the use and preparation of herbs (Herbalist). I use Iridology as a tool to help determine where weaknesses exist in the body as well as informational profiles from my clients. The information provided herein is for educational purposes and is not meant to replace proper medical attention. If for some reason you chose to use this information for self-treatment, my recommendation would be to check with your physician as well as doing some research on your own. Be an informed patient. If you know of someone that would be interested in this newsletter, please feel free to copy it or distribute it. The only thing I ask is that you leave it in its original form and do not alter it.
CONTENTS
CHOLESTEROL CHOLESTEROL - One of today's most talked about but least understood medical concerns. WHAT EXACTLY IS CHOLESTEROL? - Cholesterol is a substance found in animal fats and oils, egg yolk, and the human body. It is most common in the blood, brain tissue, liver, kidneys, adrenal glands, and fatty covers around nerve fibers. It helps to absorb and move fatty acids. Cholesterol is necessary for the making of vitamin D on the surface of the skin. It is also needed for the making of certain hormones, including the sex hormones. It sometimes hardens in the gallbladder to form gallstones. Cholesterol is found almost only in foods from animals and is constantly made in the body, mainly in the liver and kidneys. High amounts of cholesterol in the blood may be linked to the development of cholesterol deposits in the blood vessels (atherosclerosis). WHAT ARE ACCEPTABLE CHOLESTEROL LEVELS? - The ideal cholesterol levels are probably in the range of 140-200 milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) or less. Your total cholesterol level should not be over 200 (which is HIGH NORMAL) and if balanced will not contribute to chronic arterial depositing. While some doctors say that levels as low as 130 are okay, it is believed by some that practice Natural medicine that levels lower than 170 can indicate a weakened or diseased liver. Total cholesterol levels are less important as a risk factor for heart disease or strokes than the total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio or the HDL to LDL ratio. The risk of heart attack goes up dramatically as the Cholesterol levels approach 300 mg/dL. In fact the risk more than doubles. I once read that 90% of the dry weight of the brain and mylein sheathing (protective covering) of your nervous system is composed of fatty acids and cholesterol. Chronically low levels of cholesterol can contribute to poor brain function, memory loss and nerve disorders. Your HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN (HDL), or good cholesterol should be above 40 mg/dL. This level should account for more than 25% of your total cholesterol. HDL or good cholesterol collects cholesterol and transports it to the liver (where it can be processed and emptied into the intestine.) Your LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN (LDL) or bad cholesterol should ideally be 130 mg/dL or under. LDL or bad cholesterol takes cholesterol from the liver to cells and is the cholesterol that contributes to arterial plaque (the substance that builds up on the inside of your blood vessels, restricting blood flow and contributing to arteriosclerosis. (Hardening of the arteries.) Also your triglycerides should be under 150. Some believe that elevated triglyceride levels can be more dangerous than high cholesterol levels. According to the Merck Manual of Medical Information, it is uncertain whether or not high triglycerides actually increase the risk of heart disease or stroke. If you think about that in a common sense sort of way, if triglyceride levels are elevated or out of balance, that one should consider it a problem and it should be looked into. It has been said that triglyceride levels above 800 mg/dL (which is extraordinarily high) may lead to the condition called pancreatitis. WHERE DOES CHOLESTEROL COME FROM? - Cholesterol is manufactured in the liver or absorbed from the diet. Although a sensible diet is important, it has been my experience that most people with chronic cholesterol problems are those who's troubles originate with the liver. The medical profession must also be aware of this, because the action of most cholesterol medicines work by slowing down the function of the liver. A problem with that is that the liver has at least 561 different functions and most of them are more than likely lowered along with its ability to produce cholesterol. Many in the natural health field believe that a toxic liver is the culprit that causes it to be stressed and producing too much cholesterol. If I didn't have liver disease and my cholesterol was high I would probably consider trying to cleanse the liver of the impurities that would be causing the problem. WHAT FOODS CONTAIN CHOLESTEROL? - Most dairy products; cream, and cheese. It is also found in most of our dietary protein, especially glandular and red meats. Another source is cooking fats, such as shortening, lard, bacon grease, etc. As a rule of thumb, if it is in solid form at room temperature, the cooking fat is probably a high cholesterol source. Cooking oils such as corn oil, which are liquid at room temperature, usually contain low or no cholesterol. SHOULD WE NEVER EAT FOODS WITH CHOLESTEROL AGAIN? - NO many of these foods contain important nutrients such as proteins, but the average American consumes entirely too much of these foods, and too much fat, for instance we should eat only 4-6 oz. of protein a day. Eggs have lecithin and Butter has butyric acid, which keeps cholesterol emulsified so that it does not attach to arterial wall. THINGS WE CAN DO TO REDUCE CHOLESTEROL LEVELS - Eating more of the right things helps counteract cholesterol problems, such as raw vegetables with beta-carotene (carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage etc. {Caution if liver is chronically weak}) Non-soluble fibers such as grain (especially oatmeal, old fashion rolled oats) beans, and raw fruits (especially apples.) a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fats will lower LDL levels. Having a small amount of alcohol daily can raise HDL levels, but having more than two drinks could produce the opposite effect. Keeping your bowel clean and moving is also a BIG plus in lowering cholesterol, because non-soluble fiber in your intestine inhibits the absorption and metabolism of cholesterol from food as it moves through the intestinal tract. Exercise can also help raise HDL levels and lower LDL levels in the blood, as well as helping to tone and strengthen the intestinal tract. This in turn will help keep the bowel moving. Generally speaking, in most cases of high cholesterol, losing weight (if you are overweight), quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and maintaining a diet that reduces the amount of fats and cholesterol in your diet should be the first steps to getting you cholesterol levels under control. If at this point, the response that you want is not obtained, the medical field in most cases will recommend a lipid-lowering drug. Some causes of High Cholesterol levels include a diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol, Cirrhosis, poorly controlled diabetes, under-active thyroid, overactive pituitary gland, kidney failure, porphyria, and heredity. Some causes of High Triglyceride levels include excessive calories in the diet, acute alcohol abuse, severe uncontrolled diabetes, kidney failure, certain drugs such as Estrogens, Oral Contraceptives, Corticosteroids, Thiazide diuretics (to some extent). ***Lowering your cholesterol by 1% could be expected to reduce the risk of heart disease by as much as 2%*** Supplemental Suggestions for getting cholesterol under control: Herbals:
Vitamins & Minerals:
Diet: Drink Black Cherry Juice; Research suggests that water plus soluble dietary fiber is most important in reducing cholesterol. Avoid red meat, dairy products, coffee, salt, and fried foods.
A couple of Mini-Programs: Mini-Program #1 Loclo - 3 tsp. daily - a high fiber supplement which contains psyllium hulls, apple fiber, oat bran, guar gum, and acacia gum with additional cruciferous vegetables, turmeric, and bioflavenoids. Garlic - up to 6 capsules daily - lowers blood sugar and cholesterol. Improves blood LDL/HDL ratio. Tofu
Moo - drink mix comes from tofu, a
soybean product that originated in the Orient. Soybeans Mini-Program#2 Guggul Lipids - clears cholesterol from the arteries and veins, lowers triglycerides and breaks up hardening and stagnation. It is a circulation stimulant and it also thins the blood. (IF ON BLOOD THINNERS, YOU SHOULD CHECK WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE USING THIS HERB) Flax Seed Oil - this is a vegetable source of the Omega 3 essential fatty acids. It is twice as dense in omega 3 oils as fish oil capsules without the fishy aftertaste. Fat Grabbers - dissolves and absorbs dietary fat for elimination. It contains fat emulsifiers to dissolve fat as well as fiber to absorb fat to carry it out in your bowel movements. Mini-Program #3 Lecithin and Flax seed oil - 1 capsule of each every hour that you are awake for 10 days. Sources:
NOTES OF INTEREST
GUGGUL LIPIDS Guggul is derived from the resin of a small thorny tree called the Commiphora mukul and has been used in traditional Asiatic Indian plant medicine for centuries to treat arthritis, water retention, rheumatism, and obesity. This herb also possesses effective purifying and rejuvenating abilities, which have been used in Ayurvedic medicine. Guggul is used today to increase the white blood cell count and to disinfect bodily secretions such as mucus, sweat, and urine. Use of this herb clears the lungs, helps to regulate menstruation and is highly recommended for arthritic conditions. Further, this resin works to reduce fat, toxins, and tumors and helps in healing skin and mucous membranes. Guggul is known as one of the most powerful cholesterol-lowering herbs known to man. In fact, a total reduction in blood cholesterol by over 20% has been reached by people who simply use this herb without making any dietary modifications whatsoever. In addition to lowering blood cholesterol, guggul lowers blood triglycerides and blood LDL (known as the "bad" cholesterol) while raising blood HDL (the good cholesterol). Studies have demonstrated that this thorny plant is capable in producing a decline in serum cholesterol by 34% to 40% in addition to producing a lowering of serum triglycerides by 26% to 30%. Taking guggul produces no side effects and has no correlation to a person's age, sex, or weight. Studies have indicated that there is a well documented connection between cholesterol and heart disease. If there is a high level of cholesterol in the blood vessels, excessive lipids will build up in the blood. Consequently, narrowing of the arteries can occur, which will lead to heart disease. The American Heart Association has estimated that more than sixty percent of Americans have excessive amounts of cholesterol in their blood. Guggul can provide an important function by lowering cholesterol and consequently, lowering the risk of heart disease. Other studies have shown that guggul increases the blood's fibrin-breaking activity while decreasing platelet adhesiveness. Guggul decreases the stickiness of blood platelets so they don't clot abnormally, while at the same time assisting the body in breaking up existing clots which have already formed. These actions are beneficial to the body in protecting against both heart attacks and strokes. Clinical tests were performed on over twenty patients who has hypercholesterolemia associated with obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Guggul was administered orally to the patients for fifteen days to one month. In every case a decline in total serum cholesterol and serum lipid-phosphorus was observed after using guggul for the allotted time period. Beneficial effects were also observed in ten of the patients of obesity. Each displayed a significant decline in body weight after using guggul. Recent studies indicate that guggul stimulates weight loss at an ideal pace of about one pound per week. In addition, it acts as a mild thyroid tonic by improving the glands ability to absorb iodine. Further, guggul is non-toxic, and only about one percent of its users experience a mild allergic skin reaction. General usage is one to two tablets with meals three times daily.
Sources: For Educational Purposes Only |
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