LDL HDL Ratio

Posts Tagged ‘Fitness’

At times you have heard people say things like “I used to do that when I was younger. But I don’t think my body can take that now”.

This is proof enough that when the body doesn’t get reasonable doses of exercise on regular basis, things begin to go wrong. The body grows stiff, muscles lose their tone, the joints lose their suppleness, and fat starts to accumulate around the waist and along the spine.

When a lack of fitness is allowed to go on, very soon the body begins to suffer as we become less and less capable of dealing with the stress of everyday life, both physical and mental stress. We may even become susceptible to various illnesses. That is why regular exercise is very important for optimum health.

Exercise is the closest  thing yet to the fountain of youth, and truly the only way to change the appearance, shape and strength of your body. EXERCISE IS GOOD FOR YOU! Just to put a little more emphasis on the issue, you will be given a list of 20 reasons why you should find the time for exercise on a regular basis. If you can find even one benefit on this list, you will have enough reason to begin an exercise program and take steps to take care of yourself.

   Regular exercise can … Ø Help you lose weight, especially fat. Ø Improve your physical appearance. Ø Increase your level of muscular strength and endurance. Ø Maintain your resting metabolic rate to prevent weight gain. Ø Increase your stamina and ability to do continuous work. Ø Improve fitness levels, or your body’s ability to use oxygen. Ø Provide protection against injury. Ø Improve your balance and co-ordination. Ø Increase bone density to prevent osteoporosis. Ø Lower resting heart rate and blood pressure. Ø Lower Body Mass index (BMI) – your height-to-fat ratio. Ø Reduce triglycerides, bad cholesterol (LDL), and raise good cholesterol (HDL). Ø Enhance sexual desire and performance. Ø Reduce heart disease and stroke. Ø Reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Ø Increase insulin sensitivity, thereby preventing type 2 diabetes. Ø Reduce your level of anxiety and help you mange stress. Ø Improve function of the immune system. Ø Improve your self – esteem and restore confidence. Ø Help you sleep better, relax, and improve mood.

In addition, the tremendous health benefits associated with a well orchestrated strength, flexibility and cardiovascular training program can add quality years to your life. Everyone exercises for different reasons. But no matter your initial motivation, you’ll still get all the benefits.

At least half an hour of exercise (even brisk walking) three or four days a week can go a long way towards putting you on the path to physical fitness. It is recommended that you check with your doctor before beginning any workout program, particularly if you are out of shape, have cardiovascular problems or simply haven’t worked out in a long time.

After making the decision to start working out, it may be necessary for you to make some lifestyle changes, especially as it regards eating. So, cut down on processed and high-fat foods, reduce your intake of alcohol and quit smoking. Eat more of natural foods like whole grain, lean meat, fruits and vegetables, and above all, be consistent in your workout routine. A combination of proper diet, a good workout program and appropriate relaxation techniques will begin to effect a change in your body beyond belief.

The ratio is very simple but at the same time it is a serious matter of concern. You just can’t take it for granted. The figures show that in every five adult persons of the world, at least one suffers from high cholesterol problem. And all other associated troubles with the cholesterol rise also make shelter in your body with this troubleshooter. Thus no more can you put off the issue restricting it to older people or obese fellows who normally are the victims of the cholesterol problem.
Basic reasons of cholesterol rise
- Unhealthy food with rich fatty substances
- Excess of oil and butter in the diet
- Low activation of the body and no physical labor
- Excess tension and pressure in the regular life pattern
- Genetic reason inherited from parents by their children
The last reason that is the genetic factor can happen in one of the five hundred persons and that is scientifically termed as hypercholesterolemia. It is found in the familial block where the LDL cholesterol known to have ill effects on the body is transferred in the gene factor of the next generation. You might be one of the unlucky fellows suffering from this problem.
Effective use of Lipitor
In the United States, a decade before the drug Lipitor was first made into use. Nearly the figure shows a record of 18 million people in the country using the Lipitor to lower the cholesterol level and hence keep a check on the body weight.
Lipitor originates from Atorvastatin. The basic function of Lipitor is to prohibit the formation of bad or LDL cholesterol in the body. How is it mad possible by this medicine? This drug regulates the specific enzyme present in the liver that works behind the formation of cholesterol in the body. Once the level of the production of this enzyme is checked, automatically the level of LDL cholesterol is brought under control.
Further regulation
Hindering the cholesterol formation path is the first step. Next, once the production of the cholesterol is less, the bloodstream can easily absorb it. The arteries can carryout the normal flow of blood without ant blockades that cause heart attacks. On the other hand Lipitor also enhances the production of good cholesterol or lipoprotein that keeps your heart healthy.
If eighteen million people have relied upon Lipitor, you too can use it provided you are not suffering from liver problems. Lipitor will maintain your cholesterol level and thus make you slim and smart.

Cholesterol is an essential nutrient for human health that saves lives. It helps to protect against infectious disease and repairs damaged tissue. Cholesterol is naturally present in cell walls or membranes everywhere in the body, including the brain, nerves, muscles, skin, liver, intestines, and heart. Cholesterol is required in the membrane of mammalian cells for normal cellular function, and is either synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum, or derived from the diet, in which case it is delivered by the bloodstream in low-density lipoproteins. Cholesterol can also be converted to vitamin D in our body and used for the calcification of bones and teeth.

The precise causes of a high level of blood cholesterol are very complex, with many genetic factors playing important roles. The causes which are now seen as contributing to higher-than-normal cholesterol levels are: hereditary factors, which are the most important; then high blood pressure; followed by stress, smoking, obesity and dietary cholesterol. Unfortunately, some individuals have very high cholesterol levels, and the cause is hereditary; about 25 people in 10,000 carry this trait. Some drugs that are known to increase cholesterol levels include anabolic steroids, beta blockers, epinephrine, oral contraceptives, and vitamin D.

Some studies have shown that fish oil supplementation may increase the level of LDL-cholesterol (the “bad” kind), but that the ratio of HDL-cholesterol (the “good” kind) to LDL remains unchanged. Another study found an average reduction of 38% in triglyceride levels and an increase of HDL levels of 24% in both men and women consuming fish on a daily basis. Healthy lifestyle changes such as losing excess weight and exercising regularly can help lower triglyceride levels.

Physical fitness is to the human body what fine tuning is to an engine. Physical fitness is the capacity of the heart, blood vessels, lungs, and muscles to function at optimum efficiency. In previous years, fitness was defined as the capacity to carry out the day’s activities without undue fatigue. Physical fitness is now defined as the body’s ability to function efficiently and effectively in work and leisure activities, to be healthy, to resist hypokinetic diseases, and to meet emergency situations. Whether exercise is aerobic or anaerobic, exercise, health, and physical fitness go together for life. Aerobic fitness reduces brain tissue loss in aging humans.

The decision to carry out a physical fitness program cannot be taken lightly. Unless you are convinced of the benefits of fitness and the risks of unfitness, you will not succeed. As you undertake your fitness program, it’s important to remember that fitness is an individual quality that varies from person to person. Your goals, your present fitness level, age, health, skills, interest and convenience are among the factors you should consider. Exercise that doesn’t raise your heart rate to a certain level and keep it there for 20 minutes won’t contribute significantly to cardiovascular fitness. The best-laid plans of many a fitness program have been ruined by too much enthusiasm on the first day andsore muscles on the second.

An aerobic exercise program can burn fat and increase the metabolic rate. Popular aerobic conditioning activities include brisk walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, rope-jumping, rowing, cross-country skiing, and some continuous action games like racquetball and handball. It is generally recommended that aerobic exercises be done three to five days per week, from twenty to sixty minutes of continuous activity at a time, such that the heart rate increases from 50 to 90 percent, depending on the intensity of the workout. Heart rate is widely accepted as a good method for measuring intensity during running, swimming, cycling and other aerobic activities.

In a nation of couch potatoes, suggesting that people find whatever kind of exercise works for them is sound health advice. Weight training exercise is essential for enhancing muscular strength and endurance, helping to prevent the decline of muscle mass (and metabolic rate) that accompanies aging, and promoting bone health.