High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in every cell of the body, used in cell membranes and as a building block for some hormones. The body makes all the cholesterol it needs. Any cholesterol in the diet is extra.

In a July 23 article, Studies Fail to Quell Concerns over Gas Treatment of Meat, the Washington Post reports that the treatment of meat with carbon monoxide to
keep meat looking fresh long past its shelf life is deceptive to consumers who think the meat is fresher than it is. (This treatment is banned by the European Union.)

Men over 45 years of age who have osteoporosis should probably have their testosterone level checked. Hypogonadism (low testosterone level)
has been linked to both osteoporosis and depression.

Men with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides levels, and diabetes are more likely to have low testosterone.

If you insist on eating fast food but still want to make the healthiest choice possible, check out the calories, total fat, salt content, saturated fat, and fiber content in specific foods you might order at McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, and Wendy's.

"Government recommendations urge consumers to limit daily trans fat intake to no more than 1% of total calories. That comes to 2 grams per day for the average recommended 2,000-calorie daily diet... a KFC meal including three pieces of extra-crispy chicken contains 15 grams of trans fat, while a single pot pie contains 14 grams, charged the Center for Science in the Public Interest."

Of the 21 million Americans who have diabetes, The National Institute of Health has estimated that one third don't know it. In addition, half of all Americans will develop a condition known as insulin resistance, a type of "pre-diabetes" (fasting blood glucose levels between 100 and 125 mg/dL) that puts them at high risk of heart attacks.

According to an article in the Globe and Mail, "Trans fats are formed when oil is partially hydrogenated -- a process by which liquid oil is made into semi-solid fats like shortening and hard margarine. Partially hydrogenated oils are used in processed foods to increase shelf life and improve taste."

Everyone pays an $88.50 premium per month for Medicare Part B. In 2007, it is expected to rise to $99.50, and a new provision inserted as part of the prescription drug bill will start. This will be a surcharge to make up for budget deficits and the growing cost of health care.

Most heart attacks come as a result of prolonged hardening and narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) that direct blood into the heart. While blood flow to the heart is usually restricted by atherosclerosis, it can also be caused by blood clots and by spasms of the coronary arteries.

The term metabolic syndome is used to describe a group of symptoms that greatly increase a person's risk for developing certain diseases - heart disease, diabetes, and others.