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Tarun Gupta asked:


Ways to monitor & reduce blood cholesterol levels…

Cholesterol testing helps a lot in understanding the on-set cascades of several cardiovascular & degenerative diseases. There are several techniques to monitor & regulate cholesterol levels in serum. These include various non-invasive methods, like Laser cholesterol testing in which a laser is reflected upon patient’s eyes to determine the cholesterol levels, as well techniques like digital panel testing which are widely preferred across the globe.

Cholesterol Panel testing involves assessing of cholesterol levels directly from the blood samples taken from the patients and are analyzed on specialized strips, especially designed for the purpose. These strips, with blood samples on them, can either be checked directly on machines or can be sent to labs with proper specifications and credentials.

One can opt for dietary therapies and/or various medications in order to lower the cholesterol levels in the blood:

• Dietary therapy: In this therapy, diet and lifestyles are modified in order to reduce the intake of cholesterol. These modifications are promoted as a prudent, an inexpensive, and a safe way to reduce the risk of cardiovascular, degenerative & other cholesterol associated diseases.

Dietary therapy has multi-facet advantages. A DASH (Dietary Alternatives to Stop Hypertension) study has shown that additional servings of vegetables, fruit, and low-fat dairy products produce belittled but significant reductions in blood pressure. Various reports suggest limiting daily calories from saturated fats to the 7-10% of the total calorific intake. Cholesterol intake should be limited to 200 to 300 mg per day.

Dietary therapy has been the primary treatment for hypercholesterolemia because of low risk of side effects, high benefits.

• Medication/Drug therapy: Various medicines or counter-drugs are available in the market which can be used for reducing the blood cholesterol levels. One such drug is Statin, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl, a laboratory synthesized chemical, which dissembles the coenzymeA reductase class of cholesterol reducing compounds. These drugs are quite in vogue but they do have some side effects.

Drug therapies are reported to have more profound effects than to dietary therapy. A 24% reduction in LDL has been observed by drug therapies where as only a 6% reduction has been reported in case of dietary therapies.

Evidently, periodic testing helps in timely detection of diseases & helps us to take appropriate measures to nab the bud in the root. So, even if you believe that you don’t have any disease, keep yourself monitored, for just in case…



Jurgen

Abhishek Agarwal asked:


More and more people are adapting their lifestyles to strict fitness regimes. While some do it to acquire a sexy new body, some do it as they are embarrassed with their present self, and some others do it just to remain healthy and fit. There are plenty of fitness routines available on the internet, in spas and gyms. Some of these programs are very expensive and heavy on the pocket. One may lose weight by simply trying to manipulate the necessary finance to adopt these fitness routines.

One need not visit the gym and the spa and spend hours working out and performing strenuous exercises in order to obtain that beautiful, sexy body. Several books available at bookstores offer effective and convenient weight reduction programs for free, although the books don’t come for free. These programs are gaining a lot of popularity through much hype, publicity and reviews which often confuse the person as to which one he must follow. Before you choose a weight loss program, go through these summaries about popular diet programs.

The first book is Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution. This program endorses high protein and low carbohydrate foods. One may thrive on meat and vegetables but must completely avoid pasta and bread. There are no restrictions on fat, so you can indulge on the salad dressing, while spreading the butter freely. However, this diet lacks fibre and calcium content and limited composition of grain and fruits, while it is high in fat.

The next review is Dr. Heller’s Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet. This diet program incorporates low carbohydrate foods in the diet. It allows consumption of vegetables, fruits, meat, grains and dairy products. It advocates consumption of fewer carbohydrates. The “Reward” meal is very high in fats.

Dr. Goor’s Choose to Lose imposes restriction on consuming fatty foods. The person is provided with a “fat” budget and is allowed to spend it. There is no pressure on carbohydrate intake. It allows consumption of meat, poultry and low-fat dairy products. It advocates intake of fruits, vegetables, bread, pasta and grains. This program is reasonably healthy as it supplies sufficient amount of fruits, veggies and saturated fat. However, one must monitor triglyceride levels. If it is high, cut down on carbohydrate and indulge on unsaturated fats.

The next summary is the DASH Diet. It encourages intake of moderate quantities of unsaturated fat and protein and high carbohydrate foods. It is basically aimed at lowering blood pressure, and it follows the pyramid guide. Hence, it advocates high intake of grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat foods. However, some people feel that it involves excessive eating to produce a significant loss in weight.

The following summary is about Dr. Ornish’s Eat More, Weigh Less. It advocates vegetarian and low-fat foods. It restricts “glow” foods and recommends a watch over egg whites and non-fat dairy. But this diet is deficient in calcium and restrains intake of poultry and seafood.

Eat Right for your Type. This is interesting because it recommends the diet based on the dieter’s blood group. It encourages plenty of meat intakes for people with O type blood. But the diet plans for certain other blood types are not balanced and are very low in calories. Besides, there is no recorded proof that blood group varies the dietary requirements.

The Pritkin Principle.

It focuses on cutting down the calories by eating watery foods that tend to satisfy hunger. Intake of fruits, vegetables, pasta, oatmeal, salads, low-fat dairy and soups are allowed. It limits protein rich foods to seafood and poultry. Though it is healthy as it provides less saturated fat, it is low in calcium and lean protein content.

Volumetrics

Advises low calorie food intake. Its recommendations are similar to Pitkin but it asks the dieter to refrain from eating dry foods like crackers, pretzels and popcorn. It is reasonably healthy as it has high supplies in fruits, vegetables and also in low calorie, unsaturated fats.

The Zone

It has moderately low carbohydrate content and high protein content. This advocates low-fat and protein rich foods like fish, chicken, veggies, grains and fruits. Though it is healthy, it lacks in calcium.

Weight Watchers.

It is high in carbohydrate content, and moderate on proteins and fats. It is a very healthy plan and is extremely flexible. It gives the dieter the liberty to follow his own diet plan than restrict him to a pre-packaged routine.



William