By Richard Heft

The following is based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the questioning and counseling of 10,000+ people. TCM is based on the theory, observation that everything, including the body is an ongoing balance of opposites, many of which we control through diet, herbs, exercise, thought, etc.

Learn the whole body, all the parts (not that many, five major organ systems control all structure and function) first, before attempting to diagnose and or treat the part (structure, function) as all the parts work together and many times share similar symptoms, diseases but not necessarily causes. Misdiagnosis and mistreatment are common in many medicines.

Cholesterol (fatty substance) is an essential part of every cell, tissue, including the brain and nervous system. It is manufactured in the liver and transported via the bloodstream to every cell in the body. Too much cholesterol and or too many low to very-low density lipoproteins (LDL, VLDL) increase plaque buildup within the arteries, stagnating blood, reducing its circulation, while increasing pressure. Poor diet (long-term high protein, fat and starch, and low vegetables, fruits) tends to cause liver congestion, which in turn, causes high cholesterol, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, tumors, psoriasis, cancer, etc.

The liver makes cholesterol, from food, nutrients: protein and fat. Dietary cholesterol (red meat, chicken, turkey, eggs, cheese, etc.) increases blood, serum cholesterol (attached to lipoproteins, as it travels the bloodstream). Low (LDL) and very-low density lipoproteins (VLDL) transport cholesterol but are thick, heavy and tend to stick, form plaque on the arterial walls. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) transport excess cholesterol from the cells back to the liver to be broken down, cleansed and excreted from the body.

Red meat, chicken, turkey, fish (red), eggs, cheese, etc are high in saturated fat, LDL, and VLDL Beans, nuts, seeds and certain vegetables are high in HDL and unsaturated fat. HDL and unsaturated fat helps control, digest and break down LDL and VLD. All excess sugar (starch, alcohol, etc.) is converted into fat that is stored throughout the body.

All blood passes through the liver. The liver receives, cleanses (removes excess protein, fat, cholesterol, etc.) and releases the blood. High protein and high fat diets in excess tend to clog, congest and weaken the liver, reducing its functions, removing, cleansing less protein, fat, thus increasing blood cholesterol, fat, and in the extreme, tends to cause high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, tumors, psoriasis, gallstones, kidney stones and cancer.

Liver congestion, high cholesterol and hardening of the arteries also stagnate and reduce blood, circulation. Reduced circulation and or thinner blood (low protein, low fat), in the extreme, tends to cause blood deficiency symptoms, diseases, especially in the extremities: head, arms and legs: insomnia, mental impairment, pain in the joints, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) and impotence. Pain in the arms and legs when resting is a general symptom of poor circulation via reduced, anemic blood and energy and or high cholesterol, liver congestion and hardening of the arteries.

High cholesterol is only a problem when it starts to collect. Once it has collected, it is difficult, but not impossible to remove. Blood pressure lowering medications and or thinning agents may lower pressure and prevent new build up, but not necessarily eliminate old build up. It is the old build up you have to eliminate to truly, not temporarily cure liver congestion, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, RLS, Rheumatoid Arthritis, insomnia, etc.

The middle diet, meal plan is recommended, Reduce animal foods. You will never lower your cholestrol, blood pressure if you eat animal food, red meat daily. Eat eggs, chicken or turkey instead, nor more than once per day. Eat more cheese, beans, nuts and seeds. Eat more more vegetables (3- 5 per meal, 1/2 raw (celery, cabbage) and 1/2 cooked (carrots, onions, kale, collard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, parsnips, etc.) and fruit. The more fruit and vegetables you eat, the lower your cholesterol and blood pressure. Don'’t overeat, space the meals (two per day). eat a vegetarian meal, or fruit for dinner. Snack on fruit, not cookies candy, ice cream, alcohol, etc.

About The Author

Web: http://www.wordpress.com/richardheft, Acupuncture Physician (FL 1992- 2002), owner, operator, Food and Thought health food store, Hollywood, FL (1984- 2001), Questioned and counseled 10,000+, author, Hot and Cold Health (c) 2003, revised 2009 (available on Amazon)

By William Drapcho

Your well being should be a priority in your life, yet so many of us place our health on the back burner, leaving it unattended until it boils over on us.

Health seems to be something that’’s largely taken for granted. We feel invincible until it fails us. This is clearly the wrong attitude. If you take preventative action, you'’ll not only feel better, but your body will thank you by adding years onto your life!

Improve your Health for the Right Reasons

Nowadays many Americans are overweight. As a result, more people than ever are trying to slim down. The problem is a lot of us aren'’t trying to lose weight for the right reasons. If you need to lose weight, be sure to do it for yourself, not for anybody else.

Losing weight goes far beyond the superficial. Don'’t lose weight only in order to look good, but for your overall health and wellness.

When you try to improve yourself for other people, you can lose sight of your motivation if your relationship changes. The motivation needs to be within you, not someone else. The deeper your commitment to your health, the more difficult it is to cheat on a diet or forego exercise.

It’’s also important to realize that you must love yourself first before anyone else will. People are drawn to others who have self-confidence and self-respect. When you care about your well being, not only will you take better care of yourself, but others will be more likely to do the same.

Here are some ways you can put yourself first and take better care of your health:

1. See your doctor. If you haven'’t been to see a doctor in a while or are in need of an annual checkup, start by making an appointment to get your health evaluated. This will give you a good foundation for what improvements you need to make.

2. Find an exercise routine you can incorporate regularly into your lifestyle. It can be as easy as going for a walk. Just put on your shoes and get outdoors. The fresh air and the walk will do wonders for your health.

3. Make changes in your diet. Try reducing red meat, refined sugars and alcohol for starters. Increase your fresh fruit and vegetable intake. Be sure to start off each day with a healthy breakfast and don'’t skip meals. Drink plenty of water throughout the day as well.

* When you eat poorly, you'’re doing a huge disservice to your body. You are what you eat, after all. If you eat unhealthy foods, you'’ll likely end up unhealthy with chronic health issues like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, just to name a few.

* The healthier foods you eat, the better you'’ll feel and the stronger you'’ll become. Whether you believe it or not, it’’s the truth!

4. Find time to relax. It’’s imperative to take care of your mental health, also, by incorporating relaxation techniques into your lifestyle. Regular relaxation helps reduce stress and anxiety and recharges you so you can bring more energy and passion to all areas of your life.

* Consider taking up yoga or meditation.

* Find time to pursue hobbies you enjoy to help bring you contentment and happiness.

If you take good care of yourself, you'’ll be able to enjoy your life to the fullest. Use these tips every day to improve your health and put yourself first. Following a good wellness plan will help keep you fit and boost your energy!

About The Author

Will Drapcho writes on many topics on home based business ideas. You may also visit http://TopMLMBuilder.com for one of the most sought after home based business ideas available today.