Alzheimer's disease is a progressive form of dementia characterized by the loss of memory and cognitive function. The loss of neural cells associated with Alzheimer's disease is believed to be caused by the accumulation of beta amyloid plaques...
Cholesterol is a substance produced by the liver that aids in the absorption of vitamins and nutrients. It is also used in the manufacture of cell membranes and the regulation of reproductive hormones. Cholesterol is categorized as a lipid, like...
Heart disease is a multifactorial disease. Along with lifestyle choices such as smoking, exercise habits and diet, the risk of developing heart disease is strongly influenced by genetics. Many genes have been identified that are associated with...
Cholesterol is a necessary component of cell membranes and provides the structural backbone for the production of steroid hormones, and a minimal level is essential for good health. However, high levels of one type of cholesterol in the blood,...
Your body produces two types of cholesterol. High-density lipoproteins, called HDL, are the good guys. They carry the cholesterol away from your arteries and into your liver, thereby preventing heart disease. Low-density lipoproteins, or LDL,...
Lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase, LCAT, is an enzyme that helps convert low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL, the bad form of cholesterol, into high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL, the good form of cholesterol. Some people have a...
Cholesterol is a waxy substance created and used by the body; it is essential to your health. Some of the cholesterol you need is produced by your body, while some comes from the food you eat. Your cholesterol levels are a major factor in your...
The olive is classified as a fruit and is distinctive in that it contains oil in its fleshy outer part, as opposed to the seed, where most plants store their oil. Olive oil contains high concentrations of the monounsaturated fatty acid oleic acid...
A century-old Western diet, the E3 papain berry diet claims to burn body fat and reduce the appearance of cellulite through a supplement taken two to three times a day. The diet allows you to eat whatever you please without suggesting any type of...
Alzheimer's disease causes severe disruption in critical thinking, memory, judgment and social skills. The dementia of Alzheimer's occurs along with distinctive changes in the brain, including abnormal protein deposits of plaques and tangles. The...
A number of symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are labeled as "psychotic," hallucinations being one of them. Around 18 percent of people with Alzheimer’s disease experience hallucinations, and they are more often reported in people with a...
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that your body uses for a variety of purposes, including cell-wall maintenance and vitamin D and hormone production. While some of your cholesterol comes from the foods you eat, your body also secretes the...
The tomato is a highly nutritious food that contains large amounts of vitamins, minerals and antioxidant phytochemicals. Foods containing processed tomatoes, such as tomato soup, often have more highly concentrated levels of these beneficial...
The cholesterol count, or lipid profile, is a blood test that measures the different types of lipids in the blood. Lipids are molecules, like fat, that are non-polar, meaning they do not have a strongly positive or negatively charged side. Some...
Advanced technology led to the discovery of the vertical autoprofile test, or VAP, which breaks down the components of cholesterol and identifies people likely to develop coronary artery disease and diabetes. The VAP test, a brand name, directly...
Psyllium, the seed or husk of plants from the genus Plantago, is widely used as a dietary fiber supplement for a variety of health benefits, including its laxative and cholesterol-lowering effects. Several research studies have shown...
Cinnamon, which is a spice derived from the inner bark of trees belonging to the genus Cinnamomum, has been used as early as 2000 B.C. in Egypt. Cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka and the majority of the world's cinnamon is produced there. Recent...
Diabetes is a chronic condition marked by elevated blood sugar levels. This disease doubles your risk of having a heart attack or a stroke. Once diabetes has been diagnosed, immediate treatment is necessary. For people with diabetes, healthy diets...
Heart disease, an umbrella term for a number of diseases that affect the heart, is the leading cause of death in the United States. Heart disease develops when the heart is no longer able to efficiently pump blood throughout the body to oxygenate...
Fat is one of your body's main fuel sources, and provides more than double the energy, or calories, per gram than you can get from carbohydrates or proteins. However, fat molecules can't move on their own inside your bloodstream and require...
HDL refers to high density lipoprotein. Often called the "good" cholesterol, HDL cholesterol combats many heart disease risk factors, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Cod liver oil contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids...
Grapes are hardy, vine-growing fruiting plants with varieties that are well-adapted to a wide range of climates and environmental conditions. The characteristics that enable grapes to thrive in challenging environments give them impart...
Soda, usually a source of empty calories, becomes a heart-friendly drink if you make your own by combining grape juice and carbonated water. Antioxidants in grape juice may help reduce your low-density lipoprotein – LDL or “bad...
All people over age 20 or older should get their total cholesterol tested at least every 5 years, according to the American Heart Association. Although your body needs cholesterol to support vital functions, too much cholesterol can increase the...
Planning diabetic meals involves choosing nutritious foods low in fat and calories that can help you control your blood sugar. Foods with a low glycemic index, a score that measures how quickly sugar from foods increase blood sugar, may help you...
Understanding your cholesterol levels is an essential tool for managing your health. Cholesterol is a something like sludge that builds up on the walls of the arteries, but the mechanics of cholesterol development is much more complicated than...
Niacin, also called nicotinic acid and vitamin B3, serves a variety of functions including extracting energy from foods, utilizing calcium and repair of DNA. Scientists have studied niacin extensively for its cardiovascular benefits, in...
Soy is a legume, a plant-based food product, whereas meat is an animal product. Soy and meat both contain protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. Yet they differ in risk with cause and prevention of diseases. Consult your doctor or nutritionist about...
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by defective insulin action. If diabetes is not treated, complications can develop and lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, kidney failure and blindness. The good news is...
