How to Naturally Lower Triglycerides [Infographic]

How to Naturally Lower Triglycerides
Infographic from Dr. Josh Axe

Triglycerides

It is currently estimated that one in three Americans have higher than what is considered healthy triglyceride levels.  Triglycerides are a type of lipid (fat) found in the blood.  When extra calories are eaten that cannot be used by the body right away, they are converted and stored as triglycerides in the fat cells for later use.

Higher than healthy levels of triglycerides are associated with overweight and obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Belly Fat

According to current understanding, where on the body fat is stored depends on several things. Certain hormones and heredity play a role.  Additionally, metabolic abnormalities can influence fat storage and are thought to be acquired as a result of certain lifestyle choices.

There appears to be an association between high triglyceride levels and abdominal or visceral fat, aka "belly fat".

According to Harvard Health, research suggests that abdominal fat cells are biologically active.  They produce certain hormones, immune system chemicals and other substances which can have a profound effect on our health.

Therefore, reducing excess abdominal fat and lowering triglyceride levels is something to seriously consider if you have high triglyceride levels, belly fat or both.

Know Your Number

Triglyceride concentration is measured in the blood and is almost always tested whenever you have a glucose fasting blood test.  You can readily ascertain your number by looking at your lab test.

"Normal" Ranges

There is a significant range of triglyceride levels results.  The generally accepted categorization is as follows:

Under 100 mg/dl is optimal
101-149 is normal
150-199 is borderline high
200-499 is high
500-999 is very high
Over 1000 is severe

However many holistic and functional health practitioners maintain that these so-called "normal" ranges are not normal at all and that, generally, a score above 100 should be more closely looked at.

Infographic

This infographic is from Dr. Josh Axe who has also written an excellent article on this topic.

The infographic and article cover the following:

🔶 What Are Triglycerides
🔶 Why Do Triglycerides Matter
🔶 Causes of High Triglycerides
🔶 Risk Factors for High Triglycerides
🔶 Conventional Treatment
🔶 How to Lower Triglycerides Naturally

You can see a large version of this infographic as well as read the article here:  What High Triglycerides Mean for Your Heart and How to Lower Triglycerides Naturally.

The World's Healthiest Diets [Infographic]

The World's Healthiest Diets and How They Can Help You
Live Longer - Infographic from Medigo

Health-Related Quality of Life

The average life expectancy in the world is about 72 years and in the United States about 77 years.

But these statistics don't tell us anything about the quality of life.

Unfortunately, in terms of health, the quality of life of many seniors in the U.S. and other so-called advanced or developed countries is considered to be poor.

This "poor" health-related quality of life is generally marked by loss of vitality, poor physical or mental health, or both, and impaired social functioning.  Measures includes factors such as activity limitation, pain, depression, anxiety and sleeplessness.

Chronic Disease

In the past decades, we have seen an increased predominance of chronic diseases in the general U.S. population. The majority of chronic diseases generally worsen the overall health of the individual and limit their potential or capacity to live well by limiting their physical, mental or social functioning status.

Unfortunately, chronic diseases and conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and renal disease, and a myriad of autoimmune conditions, are not only seen in the elderly but are increasingly seen in the younger U.S. population.

Diet and Lifestyle Factors

Several lines of evidence indicate that diet and lifestyle factors play an important role in the development and progression as well as the prevention, management and potential reversal of various chronic diseases and conditions.

To that end, researchers and scientists have examined the dietary and lifestyle habits of populations that enjoy a long life expectancy and a high quality of life.

Two groundbreaking, best-selling books on this topic are:

 The Blue Zones (9 Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest)

and

The Blue Zones Solution (Eating and Living Like the World's Healthiest People)

In these two books, the author, Dan Buettner reveals his research on the diets, eating habits and lifestyle practices of certain communities that have the longest-lived and healthiest people including Okinawa (Japan), Sardinia (Italy), Ikaria (Greece), Loma Linda (California, USA), the Nicoya Peninsula (Costa Rica).

Infographic

This infographic from Medigo illustrates and highlights the basics of the Mediterranean and Japanese diets which are considered by many health experts as being among the healthiest in the world.

To learn more about this infographic, please visit The World's Healthiest Diets - Medigo.

Learn More

To learn more about this subject, I highly recommend reading one or both of the above mentioned books by Dan Buettner as well as the following book from Michael Greger M.D.:

How Not to Die:  Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease

In this amazing book by Dr. Michael Greger who is an internationally renowned nutrition expert and physician examines the top 15 causes of premature death in America and explains how nutritional and lifestyle intervention can free us to live healthier lives.  The book contains over 130 pages of citations to scientific research and studies.

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15 Foods for a Vegetarian Diet to Meet Protein Needs [Infographic]

15 Foods for a Vegetarian Diet to Meet Protein Needs
Infographic from Penn Medicine

Vegetarian Diet 

It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that "appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases".

Health Benefits

An appropriately planned vegetarian diet is associated with lower body and fat weight, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and a lower risk for heart disease and certain other chronic diseases and conditions.

This may be because people eating a healthy vegetarian diet tend to consume less saturated fat and dietary cholesterol, while consuming more dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals (phytonutrients).

Protein

People considering vegetarian diets are often concerned about protein.

Fortunately, it is easy for vegetarians (and vegans) to meet the recommendations for protein.

Plant foods that are considered a good source of protein include beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, certain whole grains and pseudo-grains. Nearly all vegetables contain some protein.

Infographic

This infographic from Penn Medicine illustrates 15 foods that are considered to be good sources of protein for vegetarians.  The infographic also includes a chart showing the recommended daily intake of protein based on age and sex.  The DRI (Dietary Reference Intake) for protein is currently 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, or 0.36 grams of protein per pound.  However, how much protein each individual needs is based on many factors including age, sex, activity level and health status.




Protein Calculator

This free and easy protein calculator helps you to determine your daily protein intake.

Do Your Research and Consult with a Professional

Before modifying your diet, it is always recommended that you first do your own research and/or consult with a qualified healthcare professional.  This is particularly true if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, elderly, have a medical condition or other health risk.

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Essential Oils for Women's Health [Infographic]

Essential Oils for Women's Health
Infographic from Proverbial Homemaker

Essential Oils for Health and Healing

We have historical records and other evidence indicating that essentials oils have been used by various cultures in natural health and healing therapies and remedies for thousands of years.

More recently, the bioactive compounds of various essential oils have been the subject of numerous scientific studies.

Today, many holistic healing practitioners are using essential oils to help their clients address a wide range of acute and chronic medical conditions including hormone balance, respiratory system health, and intestinal or digestive system health.

Women's Health

Although many essential oils generally have a wide application, certain oils and essences are particularly associated with women's health and wellness.

Now, more than ever, with all the constant exposure to environmental toxins and the stress of daily life, women of all ages need to be mindful of their health.

Essential oils provide just one of many natural paths to maintaining or regaining health and vitality.

Essential Oils for Women

In this lovely infographic from the Proverbial Homemaker, 14 essential oils have been identified and illustrated as being associated with women's health.   For each essential oil listed, the infographic includes a brief description of how that particular oil is used as a natural remedy.


Infographic

To see a larger version of this infographic, read the article and for more information, advise and tips on essential oils please visit Essential Oils for Women's Health - Proverbial Homemaker.

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Skinny Diva Diet: Essential Oil Body Map The use of essential oils for health and healing is both an art and a science. Certain oils are associated with certain body organs and systems, as this infographic ... www.skinnydivadiet.com

Skinny Diva Beauty: Top 10 Essential Oils Here is another wonderful infographic illustrating the health and beauty benefits and uses of 10 essential oils that considered "must haves" in any aromatherapy ... www.skinnydivabeauty.com

Skinny Diva Beauty: The Zodiac Guide to Essential Oils  Aromatherapy is the ancient system of treating various physical, mental and emotional health issues using scent. Essential oils are at the heart of aromatherapy. www.skinnydivabeauty.com

Skinny Diva Beauty: Aromatherapy: Top 10 Essential Oils and Primary Benefits At the center of aromatherapy are essential oils extracted from various plants. Today, we are seeing more and more "natural" personal hygiene, self-care, pet ... www.skinnydivabeauty.com

Skinny Diva Beauty: Infographic: Where to Apply Essential Oils on the Body This wonderfully informative infographic provides a reference and guidelines on where on the body to apply different essential oils and essential oil blends. www.skinnydivabeauty.com

Naturally Detoxify Your Liver - 30 Best Foods [Infographic]

Naturally Detoxify and Cleanse Your Liver
30 Amazing Liver Detox Foods
Infographic from Perfect Supplements

Functions of the Liver

The liver performs many critical functions.  Some of the key functions of the liver include producing bile, producing and regulating cholesterol, producing certain essential proteins, storing and releasing glucose, regulating the balance of certain hormones, regulating blood clotting, converting ammonia to urea, metabolizing drugs and alcohol, neutralizing and clearing harmful substances from the blood, producing immune factors to resist infection, regulating the supply of vitamins and minerals, and removing bacteria from the bloodstream.

Healthy Liver

Considering all of these critical functions of the liver, it is easy to see just how important having a healthy, well functioning liver really is.  Fortunately, there are many things we can do to avoid damaging the liver as well as improve liver function.   The general recommendations include eating a healthy diet, staying properly hydrated, getting enough exercise, sleep and rest, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, processed foods and environmental chemicals, judicially using drugs including over-the-counter medicines, and managing stress.

Read:  Why Dehydration Makes You Fat and Sick

Liver Detox Options

Currently much is written about detoxing and cleansing the whole body or parts thereof, such as the colon, kidneys, lymph and liver.  There is a large number of detoxification and cleanse programs, procedures and products on the market.  These include special diets, teas, juices, herbal extracts, minerals and various dietary supplements.  There are also certain procedures such as enemas, colonics, massage, infrared sauna and others. In addition, there many books, online courses and onsite detoxification programs.  Panchakarma, an intensive detoxification from the Ayurveda tradition is an example.

Extreme Detox

Although there may be times when an intense liver or other body system detox may be indicated, extreme detox programs should be approached and evaluated carefully and undertaken only after consulting with a qualified healthcare professional.

Natural Daily Liver Detox

The liver already detoxes itself continuously. We can help support the liver's own continuous detoxification and cleansing process on a daily basis and in a gentle manner by following the general liver health recommendations and consuming certain foods that have been shown in scientific studies or are thought to benefit liver health and function.

Liver Detox Foods

This infographic from Perfect Supplements illustrates 30 foods that help to detoxify the liver, thereby improving its health and function. Many of these foods are already in your refrigerator and pantry or are available at your local supermarket or health food store.  A few of the exotic superfood type herbs listed can be purchased in supplement form.  With such a variety, its easy to incorporate several of these foods into your daily diet.  These liver health promoting foods include the following fruits, vegetables, herbs and superfoods:

Lemon and Lemon Water
Grapefruit and Other Citrus Fruits
Apples
Avocados
Schisandra Berry
Tomatoes
Goji Berries
Carrots
Beets
Broccoli and Broccoli Sprouts
Spinach
Asparagus
Artichokes
Brussels Sprouts
Onions
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Watercress
Milk Thistle
Turmeric
Cilantro
Basil
Dandelion
Garlic
Ginger
Wheatgrass
Chorella
Lemon Grass
Walnuts
Green Tea


Infographic

To view a large version of this infographic, read the article and for other information on detoxification, nutrition, health and wellness, please visit 30 Amazing Foods You can Use to Naturally Detoxify Your Liver Today - Perfect Supplements.

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Walnuts - 9 Incredible Health Benefits [Infographic]

Walnuts - 9 Incredible Health Benefits
Infographic from Healthy Hubb

Eat More Walnuts

There are so many really good reasons to include a variety of nuts in your diet.

The walnut, in particular, is nutrient dense and a rich source of important vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals, omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, and other compounds essential to good health and healing as well as potentially preventing numerous chronic diseases and conditions.


Health Benefits

The various compounds contained in walnuts have been relatively well researched and studied in terms of health maintenance and disease prevention.

Some of the human health benefits associated with consumption of walnuts are illustrated and described in this infographic from Healthy Hubb.


Infographic

Infographic source and for more information on this topic as well as the latest health and wellness news, please visit 9 Incredible Health Benefits of Walnuts - Healthy Hubb.


Related

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