Cholesterol Expert Melanie Thomassian shares Cholesterol management news and commentary at CholesterolNetwork.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/822 http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/822/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/822 http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/822/65268/cholesterol-work Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:58:00 -0400 Melanie Thomassian Are you worried about your cholesterol levels?   Perhaps you've already started exercising and eating healthier foods, but are wondering if adding a cholesterol-lowering supplement to your diet would be helpful.   It is true that very few natural products have actually been proven to reduce cholesterol, however some may be helpful.   Let's take a closer look at a few of them:   #1 Pomegranate juice Preliminary... http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/822/65268/cholesterol-work http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/822/64887/lose-cholesterol Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:21:00 -0400 Melanie Thomassian If you are carrying excess weight it tends to increase your risk of having high LDL cholesterol levels.   However, the good news is that losing weight can improve your cholesterol levels. This includes lowering your LDL and triglyceride levels, and increasing your HDL cholesterol levels.   If you're unsure whether you need to lose weight, you can use the BMI calculation as a helpful guideline. To check your individual BMI score try... http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/822/64887/lose-cholesterol http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/822/63949/good-cholesterol Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:43:00 -0400 Melanie Thomassian You may have been told that you need to lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, and increase your HDL (good) cholesterol levels. While this may sound like a mixed message, in fact it's an excellent way to help lower your risk of heart disease.   Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in all of the body's cells. It has several healthy functions, including helping to build the cells of your body, and playing a role in the production of sex... http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/822/63949/good-cholesterol http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/822/62425/food-cholesterol Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:39:00 -0400 Melanie Thomassian The information below is organized according to the various food groups as a handy reference guide. Use this guide to help you choose food in the correct proportions as you try to follow a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol.   The table lists the number of servings recommended for each day, and also gives examples of typical serving sizes.   What Counts as a Serving? How Many Servings Per... http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/822/62425/food-cholesterol http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/822/62002/diet-cholesterol Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:16:00 -0500 Melanie Thomassian High blood cholesterol can affect anyone. It's a serious condition that increases your risk for heart disease, and the higher your cholesterol level, the greater your risk.   If you've just been diagnosed with high cholesterol it can be a daunting experience, but thankfully there are steps you can take to help protect your health.   The National Cholesterol Education Program set out guidelines to help you lower your cholesterol... http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/822/62002/diet-cholesterol http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/822/60925/improve-peanuts Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:50:00 -0500 Melanie Thomassian While many people know that nuts are beneficial for their health, some are wary of eating too many because of the high fat content.   However, research confirms that eating a portion of peanuts, or peanut butter, per day may help reduce the risk of heart disease, type II diabetes and gallbladder disease, without the risk of weight gain.   It appears there really is a lot more to the humble peanut than simply ‘good fats' in... http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/822/60925/improve-peanuts http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/822/58975/chocolaty-prunes Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:26:00 -0500 Melanie Thomassian Prep time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 15 minutes Serves: 4   Ingredients: ½ oz cocoa powder, plus a little extra for dusting 3 large eggs 1 level tablespoon granulated sweetener Flavourless oil for greasing    For the filling: 12 ready-to-eat prunes 1½ fl oz Marsala 2 rounded tablespoons low fat fromage frais 1 teaspoon granulated sweetener 1 teaspoon chocolate extract   You will also need... http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/822/58975/chocolaty-prunes http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/822/52848/healthy-holiday Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:10:00 -0500 Melanie Thomassian Are you concerned about maintaining a healthy eating plan throughout the holidays?   While the holiday season can be a bit of a challenge, with the right choices, and a little portion control, Christmas dinner itself can be a pretty healthy meal.   To keep your dinner plate portions healthy, follow this general rule of thumb for a well-balanced meal: 50% of your plate filled with vegetables 25% of your plate filled... http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/822/52848/healthy-holiday http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/822/52399/control-holidays Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:21:00 -0500 Melanie Thomassian Have you been tracking your weight and exercising now for weeks on end? But, now the very thought of Christmas sends a shiver down your spine - food, drinks, and lack of exercise - how will you survive?   If you've been working hard on creating a new healthy lifestyle for yourself, now is not the time to throw in the towel!   Unlike other food-centred occasions, such as birthdays or valentines, the winter holiday season lasts for... http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/822/52399/control-holidays http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/822/51982/reduce-fructose Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:18:00 -0500 Melanie Thomassian Do you know high-fructose corn syrup can be found in breakfast cereals, sauces, and even bread?   Food manufacturers have been using high-fructose corn syrup since the 1970s, and over the years consumption has increased at a ridiculous rate, with uptake far exceeding changes in any other food, or food group.   So, why is high-fructose corn syrup so common? Well, it is cheaper than regular sugar, and it helps to extend shelf life of... http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/c/822/51982/reduce-fructose