For a long time cholesterol in totality was seen as a bad thing for your body although the truth was a little more complicated than that. Cholesterol primarily is divided into two types, one of which can be categorized as bad cholesterol and the other as good cholesterol. Let's have an in-depth look at both the categories.

Ldl or low density lipoprotein aka bad cholesterol: cholesterol is a wax like chemical which is found all over the body and it has important functions to perform. Cholesterol is carried all over the body by lipoproteins. The low density lipoproteins are denoted as bad cholesterol as they can accumulate on the walls of the blood vessels and cause blockages resulting in many ailments. Ldl levels of 190 and above are considered dangerous. 

Some of the risks associated with it are:
1. Heart disease
2. Stroke
3. Atherosclerosis
4. Peripheral artery disease among many others

Hdl or high density lipoprotein aka good cholesterol - this is a form of cholesterol which is usually desired in higher quantities as it removes ldl from the system by dislodging it from the arteries and then carrying it through the bloodstream into the liver. The liver then breaks it down and removes it from the body. Thus, higher number of hdl cholesterol is always desirable. Some of the ideal numbers for hdl cholesterol within the body are:

For women - ideal: 60 mg/dl, dangerous: 50 mg/dl or lower
For men - ideal: 60 mg/dl, dangerous: 50 mg/dl lower

The role of triglycerides
Good and bad cholesterol levels also depend on the levels of triglycerides within the body and not just ldl or hdl cholesterol. Triglycerides are another type of fat which are used to store energy within the body, but can also affect your health. It is most associated with atherosclerosis when the levels of triglycerides are high within the body. 

Some habits that contribute to high levels of it are
A. Lack of physical activity
B. Obesity or being overweight
C. Excesses in alcohol consumption
D. Smoking
E. Bad diet and others

Thus the good cholesterol vs bad cholesterol war also includes other factors, most of which can be easily changed by making subtle changes in lifestyle and incorporating healthier habits. This will increase the good cholesterol and the other relevant elements and reduce the bad.

Good Cholesterol Vs Bad Cholesterol

How Serious Are Seizures in Children

During a febrile seizure, the body of a child may convulse, shake and contract, the eyes may roll, and he or she may moan or become unconscious. This type of seizure is usually for a few minutes, but in rare cases can last up to 15 minutes.

Febrile seizures stop on their own while the fever persists until treated. While some children may feel sleepy afterwards, others do not have lasting effects.

Seizures in toddlers may be caused due to the following factors

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is defined categorically as two or more seizures without any acute cause. Epilepsy can occur at any age, but it is usually diagnosed in infants and young children.

Body temperature

Body temperature may indicate a crisis in small children. High body temperatures or low body temperature can cause seizures in a toddler. These types of seizures occur only once or twice in children two years or younger, often after an illness. This type of seizure due to the fortification of the body temperature is considered a febrile convulsion.

Dehydration

Febrile seizures can also occur due to dehydration. Dehydration is a direct result of a previous illness that included sweating and fever.

Physical condition

A child who is in poor physical condition can also be prone to seizures. Malnutrition or a body weakened by disease or illness makes small children more susceptible to crises.

Family History

Family history can play a role in toddlers or children with seizures. If a family member suffered from the tendency or had convulsions, particularly febrile seizures as a child, this trait can be inherited.

Treating febrile seizures

If your child has a febrile seizure, stay calm and:

Make sure your child is in a safe place and does not fall or hit something hard
Place your child on his side to prevent choking
Watch for signs of breathing difficulties, including any colour change in the face of your child
If the seizure lasts more than a few minutes or your child turns blue, it may be a more serious type of seizure; connect with doctors immediately

Febrile seizures can be frightening to witness, but remember they are fairly common and are not usually a symptom of a serious disease, and in most cases does not lead to other health problems.

How Serious Are Seizures in Children

There are many food items which would become stale after a few hours, but there are certain foods which may last forever without the need to can them or freeze or dehydrate. If an individual is new to the field of food storage, these staples can be an excellent way to begin.

White rice: There are numerous researchers who have found that polished or white rice keeps up their nutrient content and flavour for almost 30 years if it can be stored in oxygen-free containers in temperatures that range below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Brown rice, on the other hand, doesn t last more than six months owing to the availability of natural oils in the bran layer.
Honey: Honey is preferably the only food that would last forever due to the perfect chemistry and the handiwork of the bees. The nectar extracted from the flower gets mixed with the enzymes present in the bees  bodies which alter the composition of the nectar. The nectar is further broken down into simple sugars and is accumulated in the honeycombs. The processing, as well as sealing of the honey, is primarily responsible for the incredible shelf life.
Salt: Since sodium chloride is a mineral which is taken from the natural components of the earth, its shelf-life should come as a natural consequence. It is used for centuries as a means of preserving other food products as it can extract out all the moisture. But this doesn t indicate that the table salt would last forever. Experts say that the addition of the iodine to the table salt reduces the shelf life of the salt which means that if the label says that it is an iodized salt, it will not last over five years.
Soy sauce: When left unopened, a container filled with soya sauce would last for a significantly long period. But it is also dependent on the type of soy sauce and the additives used. Even if the soy sauce has been opened, this salty condiment will last for many years if stored in the refrigerator.
Sugar: Quite similar to many items, the storage process of the sugar determines whether the sugar is going to last for long or not. Granulated and powdered sugar must be kept under an airtight condition to steer clear of moisture. Although retailers are needed to provide the manufacturing dates of the sugar, manufacturers say that the sugar remains edible even if it has hardened and become brown.
Pure maple syrup: Pure maple syrup, as well as commercial sugars such as granular sugars and honey, has an irresistible life owing to its shield against any kinds of microbial growth. Unopened maple syrup shall last forever, and in case there is the formation of mould, boiling it to a certain degree and skimming the surface and ultimately pouring it to a clean and air-tight container would eliminate all the problems.
Clarified butter: This kind of butter is boiled unless the total moisture is extracted which is the reason that it doesn t go bad. As long as the clarified butter or ghee is stored in sealed container under cool temperature, it would last for about 100 years.

7 Foods That Never Expire!

PMS or premenstrual syndrome affects women exactly prior to their menstrual cycle. This syndrome may have affects manifold, impacting a woman s physical health, behavior and emotions. The condition is very common and affects more than 80% of the women before their monthly cycles begin.

Causes-

The exact cause of PMS is not yet ascertained. It is believed that changes in hormones in the body can lead to PMS. Before the menses start, progesterone and estrogen levels tend to dip in the body. This hormonal dip results in anxiety, anger and irritability issues. Levels of serotonin, a chemical in the brain which affects your moods and thoughts, in the body also decrease at this time. Here are certain factors which make you prone to PMS  

Family history of PMS
Being subject to domestic violence
Emotional and physical trauma
Substance abuse
Past history of mood disorders
Symptoms-

The menstrual cycle lasts for 28 days. On the 14th day, egg is released from the ovaries; this is known as ovulation. The bleeding or menstruation occurs on the 28th day of the cycle. Symptoms of PMS start to show up from around the 14th day of the cycle.

PMS includes signs such as abdominal cramps, bloating, acne and sudden craving for sweet foods. Stomach disorders such as constipation and diarrhea are also common. Mental disorders such as anxiety and mild depression have also been observed.

Managing PMS Symptoms-

With PMS, one can take these steps to deal with the various signs of discomfort. Here are some remedies to deal with PMS symptoms:

Eat a balanced diet consisting of fruits and vegetables to get Vitamins and minerals in the required amounts.
Keep yourself hydrated to ease symptoms of bloating.
Consuming supplements of folic acid, Vitamin D and calcium can help easing the symptoms.
Sleep for 6-8 hours on a regular basis.
Exercise regularly to beat stress and avoid bloating.
Try relaxation techniques to get rid of stress or at least limit stress levels.
Some pain killers can help combat the pain resulting from muscle aches.

Dealing With Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Hair health is not isolated from your overall health. If you are not very healthy overall, it will show on your hair as well. However, there are many lifestyle mistakes that also result in the damage of hair. If you are losing hair very fast and don t know why it is happening, watch out for the following mistakes you might be unknowingly doing-

1) Hot Water Shower:  Hot water damages your hair. It strips your scalp of the natural oils and dehydrates your hair, making them brittle. Use mildly warm or regular water for head showers.

2) Combing Wet Hair: Your hair is highly prone to breakage when it is wet. Combing or brushing wet hair weakens the roots and causes hair fall. To maintain healthy texture, it is safe to leave the hair to dry naturally. Also, don't brush your hair harshly.

3) Tight Tie-ups: Tightly fastened hair braids or ponytails cause tension to the roots and follicles. Pulling the hair too tight causes damage and must  be avoided, esp. at night.

4) Heat Treatment: Every time you blow dry your hair or use other heated styling tools, the scalp is subjected to undue heat. Such intense heat weakens the roots instantly. Switch to cool drying or stick to natural drying.

5) Using Styling Products: Hair styling gels and sprays make your hair stiff and sticky. A prolonged use of such products may cause major damage to the hair because the moisture has been drained out and there is friction every time you comb or brush the hair.

6) Not Oiling: Oiling your hair might be very unglamorous to look at but oils of coconut, mustard, olive, amla or sesame deeply nourish the hair follicles. Massaging your scalp with oil twice a week helps improve circulation thus contributing to overall hair health.

7) Bad Eating Habits: Skipping meals or taking improper nutrition has a direct impact on hair health. Healthy hair demand good consumption of proteins and other vitamins. Make salads, fish, lentils, beans, eggs, etc. a part of your daily diet.

Have any further questions on hair loss or hair care? Click on consult privately to ask me.

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Stop Making These 7 Mistakes To Prevent Hair Loss

Cheese vs butter- what should be a part of your daily breakfast?

Both cheese and butter taste great, but when it comes to making them a part of your daily diet, you must keep their nutritional content in mind. Check how they rate nutritionally.

1. Calorie content

Butter is much higher in calorie content than cheese. While 100 grams of cheese have 349 calories, the same amount of butter comprises 717 calories. Moreover, 306 of the calories present in cheese are in the form of fat, while 713 calories come from fat in butter.

2. Fat content

Cheese and butter are both made from milk, but their fat content differs due to their different methods of preparation. 100 grams cheese contains 32 grams of fat, with 18 grams of saturated fats and 1.1 grams of trans fats. On the other hand, the fat content of butter is 81 grams per 100 grams butter, with 51 grams of saturated fats, and 3.3 grams of trans fats. This is the reason why butter is mostly avoided by people who aim at maintaining optimum weight.

3. Vitamin and protein content

There is only 0.8 gram of protein in butter, in comparison to 18 grams in the same quantity of cheese.

However, both cheese and butter are rich in vitamin a and choline, containing about 945 ius and 2499 ius vitamin a per 100 grams respectively. Vitamin a is known for improving your vision, boosting immunity and promoting cell growth. Also, vitamins e and k, and folate are present in small amounts in cheese and butter. They ensure good health of your red blood cells, help in blood coagulation and in maintaining bone metabolism (the process of forming new bone tissues). Additionally, cheese also contains vitamin b6, b12 and betaine.

4. Mineral content

Ample amount of minerals like calcium, phosphorus and potassium are present in both cheese and butter, which help in strengthening your muscles, minimising the chances of osteoporosis, maintaining acid-base balance in your body and diminishing the chances of heart diseases. Moreover, cheese also contains iron, selenium and zinc in smaller amounts, whereas butter has traces of fluoride, zinc, selenium and magnesium, which enhance your immunity and promote fertility among both men and women.

5. Energy giving capacity

Butter being rich in fat can boost up your energy level instantly. While cheese also provides your body with energy, it does not have an instant action like butter.

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Cheese vs Butter- What should be your daily breakfast preference?

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