Ordinary, we know cholesterol mostly in negative aspect. In fact, we actually need cholesterol to make bile salts, hormones and vitamin D. Cholesterol is generally created by liver. Cholesterol will stick to the artery walls if you have too high level of cholesterol in the blood. Mainly, there are 2 types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

HDL or good Cholesterol

In our blood, there are allow one-fourth to one-third of high-density lipoprotein (HDL).High levels of HDL cholesterol seem to protect against heart attack. On other hand, low levels of HDL cholesterol (less than 40 mg/dL) increase the risk of heart disease. There is some proof that the HDL cholesterol molecules clean up the blood vessels walls, and cleans out excess cholesterol and is being transported back to the liver for further processing.

LDL or bad Cholesterol

High amounts of the bad LDL cholesterol will deposit cholesterol on the blood vessels walls forming plaques. More and more plaques will narrow the blood vessels and may finally block blood flow. As a result LDL cholesterol is considered the bad cholesterol. Importantly, saturated fats and trans fatty acids are factors that raise blood cholesterol. Unsaturated fats which found in nuts and fish can lower the LDL cholesterol level. In addition, soluble fiber found in fruits, oats, barley and legumes can also lower LDL cholesterol.

Increasing the GOOD cholesterol

Regular aerobic exercise such as walking, jogging or bike riding, which boost up your heart rate for 20 to 30 minutes at a time, may be the most useful way to enhance HDL levels. The duration of exercise, evidently, is rather important than the intensity of exercise increasing HDL cholesterol. Obesity also consequences in increased LDL cholesterol and also reduces HDL cholesterol. If you have excess weight, you should reduce your weight to increase your HDL levels.

If you smoke, giving up tobacco will cause in an increase in HDL levels. Drink alcohol, other factor, can significantly increase HDL levels. More than one or two drinks per day can speed up health problems including heart failure and there are individuals who will, probably develop such problems even when limiting their alcohol intake to one or two drinks per day.

Trans fatty acids are currently present in many foods which label partially hydrogenated vegetable oils so cutting trans fat from the diet is not easy. Trans fatty acids not only increase LDL cholesterol levels, but also reduce HDL cholesterol levels. Removing them from your food will significantly in increasing HDL level. On other hand, increase the monounsaturated fats such as canola oil, avocado oil, or olive oil and in the fats found in peanut butter in your diet can increase HDL cholesterol levels without increasing the total cholesterol.

You should eat more soluble fiber because it both reduce LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol. Soluble fibers are found in oats, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Other dietary means to increasing HDL is cranberry juice which has been shown to increase HDL levels. Fish and other foods containing omega-3 fatty acids can also increase HDL levels.

The hazards of pesticides and other chemicals found in a variety of household products have been linked to numerous illnesses such as cancer, allergies, respiratory diseases, fatigue, skin conditions such as eczema, depression and much more. These toxins can be found in products we use for bathing, laundry, personal care, cleaning products, and more. More people are adopting a healthy life style that includes using organic products. Products that are certified organic are all natural and do not contain any harmful chemicals and additives. One such product that is proving to be beneficial to the skin is organic body wash products.

Chemicals found in manufactured body wash products remove moisture from our skin and the synthetic chemicals are absorbed and inhaled into our bodies. Over time, we build up a toxic overload which can be very unhealthy. The majority of chemical filled body care products on the market today can cause such health problems as: allergies, skin rashes, redness, psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, acne, and itchy, flaky, dry skin patches. Synthetics are much cheaper and contain such harmful ingredients as Lauryl/Laureth Sulfates (SLS) and Parabens. Organic body washes contain ingredients that are all natural. They are full of vitamins and minerals that nourish our skin helping to revitalize and rejuvenate while leaving it soft and smooth, with a natural glow.

Organic body washes contain ingredients that not only cleanse, but maintain PH balance, and gently moisturizes. To reduce the amount of chemicals from being absorbed into the skin and entering the body, organic body washes contain plant-derived ingredients plants that come from sources where there have been no pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers used during cultivation. Organic body washes contain such natural ingredients as botanical oils like palm, coconut, jojoba, and olive oil. They can also contain purified water, sea salt, seaweed extract, Tea Tree Oil, Rose Hip Seed Oil, herbal extracts, Lavender, Chamomile, natural oils of Avocado, Apricot oils of Mango, Papaya, rich natural oils of Sunflower, Vitamin E and much more, depending on the particular body wash that you purchase.

Since people have realized the health benefits of natural products, organic body wash products have become very popular. You can easily find these products in health stores and online. Quality organic body washes are made without animal products and are cruelty-free.

As our largest organ, the skin absorbs everything including the many carcinogens found in almost all body care products for women, men, and babies. Organic body care products such as body washes eliminate such substances as cancer causing carcinogens from entering the body. It revitalizes, nourishes, renews and invigorates the skin.
The more natural your lifestyle, the more you lower your risk of overloading your body with toxins. Take the time to read the ingredient label of any body care product to ensure you are getting the healthiest all-natural ingredients.

Developed without harsh surfactants, synthetic fragrances and preservatives, these organic body washes gently cleanse skin while also moisturizing with pure plant ingredients.

Obesity â?? the condition of weighing more than is deemed medically healthy â?? is a health crisis in Nebraska. In fact, 63% of adults in Nebraska — seven out of every ten Nebraskan men and more than half of Nebraskan women – are overweight or obese. The state’s adult obesity rate increased in 2008 for the third year in a row. Rates of type 2 diabetes, a disease typically associated with obesity, increased in Nebraska again, as well.

We also have the undesirable distinction of being the least active people in the country, ranking 50th among the 50 states in fitness. And, our kids are suffering, too: 12 percent of Nebraskaâ??s children age 10-17 are overweight, according to a 2005 survey by the Data Resource Center on Child and Adolescent Health. As if that werenâ??t enough, obesity is even hitting our pocketbooks. The cost to our taxpayers for dealing with obesity-related illnesses is a staggering $454 million per year!

The facts are clear. Obesity is killing our state â?? physically and financially. Obviously, something has to be done.  But what?

Facing the Crisis

Healthy weight is calculated not in terms of poundage, but in terms of individual body mass index (BMI). BMI is calculated as weight in pounds x 703 / (height in inches)2

A person whose BMI is at least 25 is considered overweight; someone with a BMI of 30+ is medically obese.

There is no easy road to beating obesity. For some of us, willpower is enough to maintain a healthy diet and activity level. Others try losing weight via drugstore-paperback-type diets or so-called weight-loss pills. Neither is a realistic long-term solution to the problem. For most obese people, the best option is a medically-supervised program of gradual weight loss my means of dietary and lifestyle modification. Sadly, however, some obesity cases are too far advanced for this to work.

Fortunately, another option exists: weight loss surgery (also known as bariatric surgery).

Losing It

Surgical weight loss is a proven remedy for severe obesity and obesity-related health problems for individuals with a BMI of 35 or higher. By physically altering a patientâ??s stomach so that they can eat only small amounts of food at any given time, these surgeries enable the patient to lower their daily caloric intake and lose weight.

The surgery itself is only the beginning, however. Patients who fail to follow postoperative instructions may regain the weight they lost or reach a weight-loss plateau over time.

Weight loss surgery is a serious medical procedure that exposes the patient to low but significant risks. There is always the possibility of major postoperative complications, including anemia, ulcers, internal hernias, calcium deficiencies and gallstone. And, the decision to undergo most types of weight loss surgery is generally irrevocable. Those considering surgery for the management of obesity should consult with their physician before making a decision.

Letâ??s Do It!

Nebraskans can face this crisis, but only as a team. By keeping the goal of a healthier Cornhusker State in mind, we can overcome the problems caused by widespread obesity. Letâ??s do it!