Healthy Living

Think you know everything about cholesterol?
If you are like most Americans, you may be confused about what leads to a high level of this fatty substance.

Some myths and facts

Myth
I am slim. I do not need to be concerned about high cholesterol.

Fact
Many people with high cholesterol are not overweight. There for slim folks may not be sufficiently careful about limiting dietary fat. In some people high cholesterol is partly a matter of inherited health.

Myth
You can eat all you want of foods labeled "cholesterol free" or "low cholesterol".

Fact
Foods that advertise "cholesterol free" can still be laden with fat.

Myth
If you take medication for high cholesterol you do not have to watch what you eat.

Fact
Medications are not "all powerful".
You will have to reduce the fat and cholesterol in your diet.

Myth
You do not need to have your cholesterol tested until you reach middle age.

Fact
The lifestyle in this country makes even younger people vulnerable to high cholesterol. Everyone should get a simple lipid blood test at the age of 20 and beyond.

To learn more about cholesterol visit: American Heart

Helpful Hints

Sting Zapper
Been stung or bit by an insect?
Scrape out the stingers with a credit card. Do not pull it out. Pulling it out squeezes even more venom from the venom sac located in the stinger.
Apply meat tenderizer. The tenderizer contains enzymes that help break down the venom. Mix baking soda with water or milk and make a paste for a soothing balm.

Allergy Relief - Pollen problems
Shampoo your hair at night. When you are outside pollen gets stuck in your hair and falls on your pillow at night. That means you introduce it directly into your nose while sleeping.
Use a clothes dryer to dry your clothing. Hanging the clothes outside allows the pollens to gather and stick to them.

Close windows
Keep bedroom windows closed day and night. Use the air conditioner. Open windows bring in pollens.

Weight Matters
There is no getting around it. The national waistline has expanded in recent years. The percentage of obese adults has doubled in the last two decades and overweight children and adolescents have tripled.

Researchers believe there are a number of reasons why.

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