Cholesterol - The 'C' Word

What is cholesterol?  Cholesterol is composed of vitamin D, nerve coatings, cell membranes, and steroid hormones.  Cholesterol is a fatty substance.  Cholesterol travels throughout the body within the bloodstream and is transported by lipoproteins.  The two types of lipoproteins we hear of are: LDL (low density lipoprotein) adn HDL (high density lipoprotein).  LDL isn't used by tissues and settles into the blood vessels.  This causes sediment and arterial diseases.  HDL is the 'good guy'.  HDL picks up and delivers unused cholesterol and brings it back to the liver, where it is recycled.  A HDL number is a good thing..more good guys, less chance of arterial disease; hence overall healthier body.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  aerobic activity increases levels of HDL in the body.  Help keep your 'good' cholesterol up and your 'bad' cholesterol down...workout today and make an appointment for acupuncture to help you lose weight, increase your metabolic rate and improve your general health.

The New Coconut Oil

I found this piece of information useful and interesting as an amateur chef...  a spokesperson from the American Dietetic Association has stated that unrefined virgin coconut oil (available in many health food stores) is not chemically treated and is trans-fat free.  The primary saturated fat in unrefined virgin coconut oil is lauric acid.  Lauric acid is a medium-chain fatty acid that can help increase levels of HDL (the good cholesterol).

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you've been savvy to unrefined virgin coconut oil and would like to share your thoughts and/or recipes with the rest of us, please do share!  I'd like to know how to prepare a delicious and nutritious dish with this oil....Fancy Nancy...are you out there???  I KNOW you must be savvy on this one!