Foods that can Lower Your Cholesterol

Hypertension and heart disease are prevalent in the United States today and much of this comes from high blood cholesterol. Current theories indicate that high cholesterol is largely due to your diet, in conjunction with activity levels among the general population. If you are looking for ways to decrease your cholesterol levels, a change in these areas may be necessary.

The Body Needs Cholesterol

Cholesterol plays many important roles in the human body, and while it has been identified as a major culprit with respect to heart disease, it is important to understand that cholesterol is a necessary component to many bodily functions and is essential to the body in many respects. For example, cholesterol has a significant effect in the role of hormones in the body, as well as the production of bile salts and the transformation of Vitamin D.

Not All Cholesterol Is the Same

While cholesterol plays some vital roles within the body, it is important to understand the difference between “good” cholesterol and “bad” cholesterol. Saturated fats and trans fatty acids are often found in processed foods such as potato chips and canned foods and this is where LDL cholesterol is normally found. LDL cholesterol is commonly referred to as “bad” cholesterol because high levels of LDL can cause plaque to form within your arteries. Over time this plaque can cause clogging and hardness of the arteries which makes it more difficult for the heart to work with efficiency. Ultimately, this plaque build-up and hardening leads to hypertension and coronary heart disease.

Foods for Good Cholesterol

Avoiding foods that are high in LDL is just one-step you need to take. The next step is to focus on foods that are high in HDL, or “good” cholesterol. HDL can help to lower the levels of LDL in your body. It does this by helping to transport LDL to the liver where it can be processed and eliminated.

If you want to shift your focus to HDL, there is a wide range of tasty foods that can help you to do this. Fish and nuts are a great place to start as they primarily contain HDL. You can also concentrate on filling your diet with more fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables contain very little cholesterol in general. Fruits and vegetables have the added benefit of fiber, which can help significantly to fight the effects of LDL.

Decreasing your LDL levels can also be accomplished by your activity level. If you remain active and strengthen your body, its ability to counteract the negative effects of LDL will be increased. You may also want to decrease the amount of sugar and carbohydrates that you consume. Both of these tactics can help your body in many other ways.

If you are concerned about the effects of high cholesterol, don’t hesitate to contact us at PCP For Life. We are committed to serving the greater Houston, TX area and your health is important to us. We can provide you with sound medical advice and diagnoses regarding you current cholesterol levels so call us today for a consultation

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Measles Outbreak Risks

Measles, mumps, rubella, polio, hepatitis B and varicella are all routine vaccinations and according to national data, most children in the United States have received vaccinations for these diseases. While economic disparities seem to show that those children on the lower scale are more likely to go without the proper vaccinations, signs are good that over the past 25 years fewer children are going without the appropriate vaccinations.

While vaccinations rates appear to be adequate, there are still outbreaks of measles across the United States. Trends in measles outbreaks have been identified and these trends can be a concern for many.

One of the first trends involves clustering of those who develop measles. Most of these clusters involve people who have not been vaccinated who have left the United States to travel abroad. These people travel to another country and contract the disease, returning to the U.S. with measles symptoms. Most of these people were verified as not vaccinated but a small number were not confirmed as unvaccinated.

Some people of certain religious faiths avoid vaccinations. In some cases, outbreaks occur among the participants of a certain group when one person travels to another country. If someone were to leave the country and contract measles, when they return they would quickly infect many of their fellow church members.

While religion may inhibit certain groups from obtaining the proper vaccinations, there are cultural reasons as well. People of similar cultural beliefs tend to stay together and when these cultural beliefs include an aversion to vaccinations, it is common for an outbreak to occur, especially for an illness such as measles.

When immunization rates are below 100%, the odds of an outbreak are much higher. Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children are increasing the risk of an outbreak in spite of the data that suggests that a fully vaccinated school population is simply less likely to contract measles.

Often, parents who refuse to have their children vaccinated will fail to heed warnings about the need for vaccinations and argue that since everyone else has a vaccination, why worry. The reality is that outbreaks can affect many people within a community causing increased health risks and unnecessary costs. The best approach is to aim for a 100% vaccination rate to ensure the safety of the community.

The measles vaccine is one of the most effective vaccines available today. Less than 5 percent of those who receive the vaccine fail to respond after the first dose, and after two doses, more than 99 percent of those receiving the vaccine develop a complete immunity to measles.

Today it is common for people to receive two doses of measles vaccine but it was not always this way. Prior to 1985, a single dose was administered to most people, and those who received only a single dose may be unaware of the benefits of a second dose. For these people the risk of exposure is higher.

While some of the population refuses to receive the proper vaccination for measles, and some are unaware of the need for vaccinations, particularly a second dose, others cannot receive vaccinations due to health restrictions. Some newborns are unable to receive measles vaccinations due to an interference with maternal antibodies. For these babies the risk of measles is an important concern.

Contact us at PCP For Life if you are seeking high quality, prompt and professional advice regarding measles and the vaccinations that can help you and your child. Our friendly staff will be happy to provide you with all of the facts regarding measles vaccinations and your potential risk.

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