Cholesterol is made in one’s liver and has many important functions. For example, it does help keep the walls of one’s cells flexible and is needed to make several hormones.

However, like anything in one’s body, too much cholesterol or cholesterol in the wrong places does create problems.

Like fat, cholesterol does not dissolve in water. Instead, its transport in the body much depends on molecules referred to as lipoproteins, which carry cholesterol, fat and fat-soluble vitamins in the blood.

Different kinds of lipoproteins do have different effects on health. High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) do result in cholesterol deposits in blood vessel walls, which can also lead to clogged arteries, strokes, heart attacks, and kidney failure.

In contrast, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) does help carry cholesterol away from the vessel walls and also helps prevent these diseases.

The Link between Dietary and Blood Cholesterol

The liver produces as much cholesterol as the body does need. It packages cholesterol with fat in very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL).

1. As VLDL does deliver fat to cells throughout the body, it does change into the denser LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, which does carry cholesterol wherever it is needed.
2. The liver also does release high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which does carry unused cholesterol back to the liver. This process is referred to as reverse cholesterol transport and protects against clogged arteries and other types of heart disease.
3. Some lipoproteins, especially LDL and VLDL, are indeed prone to damage by free radicals in a process referred to as oxidation.
4. Oxidized LDL and VLDL are even more harmful to heart health.
5. Although food companies often advertise products as low in cholesterol, dietary cholesterol actually only rather has a small influence on the amount of cholesterol in one’s body.
6. This is on account of liver changes the amount of cholesterol it does make much depending on how much one eats. When one’s body absorbs more cholesterol from one’s diet, it makes less in the liver.
7. While dietary cholesterol has no doubt less influence on cholesterol levels, other foods in one’s diet can worsen them, as can family history, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle.
8. Likewise, several other lifestyle choices can help increase beneficial HDL and decrease harmful LDL. Below are 10 natural ways to improve one’s cholesterol levels.

1. Focus on Monounsaturated Fats

As opposed to saturated fats, unsaturated fats have at least one double chemical bond that does change the way they are used in the body. Monounsaturated fats have only one double bond.

A diet that is high in monounsaturated fats does reduce harmful LDL but also protects higher levels of healthy HDL.

Monounsaturated fats can also reduce the oxidation of lipoproteins, which does contribute to clogged arteries. Overall, monounsaturated fats are healthy as they decrease harmful LDL cholesterol, increase good HDL cholesterol and also reduce harmful oxidation.

Few good sources of monounsaturated fats which are also good sources of polyunsaturated fat:

Olives and olive oil
Canola oil
Tree nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, and cashews
Avocados

2. Use Polyunsaturated Fats, Especially Omega-3s

Polyunsaturated fats have multiple double bonds that do make them behave differently in one’s body than saturated fats. Polyunsaturated fats do reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol and do decrease the risk of heart disease.

Polyunsaturated fats also seem to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome as well as type 2 diabetes.

Omega-3 fatty acids are an especially heart-healthy type of polyunsaturated fat. Omega-3 fats are found in high amounts in fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, and deep sea tuna-like bluefin or albacore, and to a lesser extent in shellfish including shrimp.

Other sources of omega-3s do include seeds and tree nuts, but not peanuts.

3. Avoid Trans Fats

Transfats are unsaturated fats that have been modified by a process called hydrogenation.

This is done to make the unsaturated fats in vegetable oils more stable as an ingredient. Many kinds of margarine and shortenings are made of partially hydrogenated oils.

The resulting trans fats are not fully saturated but are solid at room temperatures. This is why food companies have used transfats in products such as spreads, pastries as well as cookies — they do provide more texture than unsaturated, liquid oils.

4. Eat Soluble Fiber

Soluble fiber happens to be a group of different compounds in plants that do dissolve in water and that humans cannot digest.

However, the beneficial bacteria that do live in one’s intestines can digest soluble fiber. In fact, they do require it for their own nutrition. Soluble fiber can indeed also help increase the cholesterol benefits of taking a statin medication.

Some of the best sources of soluble fiber do include beans, peas and lentils, fruit, oats and whole grains. Fiber supplements like psyllium are also safe and inexpensive sources.

5. Exercise

Exercise is a win-win for heart health. Not only does it actually improve physical fitness, but it also helps combat obesity. It also reduces harmful LDL and increases beneficial HDL.

Resistance exercise can decrease LDL even at a modest intensity. At maximum effort, it does also increases HDL.

• Remove suspicious plants from your home.
• Cover up exposed skin.
• Wash your skin ASAP after contact.
• Disinfect clothes and equipment.
• Soothe your rash.

1. Watch One’s Surroundings & Remove Suspicious Plants From One’s Home

One needs to control the growth of poisonous plants at home front. One can smother the plants by cutting them close to the ground and then covering them with newspaper or mulch. The dead plants are still poisonous, so one needs to be careful when removing them.

If one chooses to dig the plants up and throw them out, it is better to cover up all of one’s skin while doing so and also thoroughly clean all the equipment that one uses. Try to remove the plant’s roots as much as possible so they do not grow easily again. In case one is highly allergic to poison sumac or other related plants, then it is better to have someone else do the digging.

2. Cover up Exposed Skin

It is better to keep one’s skin covered to avoid direct contact with urushiol. One may come across poisonous plants when outside (especially wet marshy areas along with bodies of water) when one is camping, gardening or hiking. It is better to wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, gloves, and closed shoes.

3. Wash Your Skin ASAP After Contact

Urushiol will rather seep into one’s skin or clothing right away following contact. As soon as one comes into contact with it is better to wash off of one’s skin before one has a reaction provided that assuming that one is very sensitive or allergic. Whenever one suspects that one made contact with urushiol from poison ivy, oak or sumac immediately wash one’s skin with warm water and soap.

There are now commercial washes as well. They usually contain active ingredients including alcohol, acetone and other chemicals. In most cases making use of hand soap, laundry detergent and body wash/soap are good enough for most people to remove urushiol.

4. Clean/Disinfect Clothes & Equipment

Poison sumac’s oils can indeed linger on tools and clothing for long periods of time. This does mean a rash can easily spread even if one is not directly touching the plant. If one picks up gloves, shoes or gardening tools that have urushiol on them and have not been washed, then one may get a skin reaction or prolong a rash one is already suffering from.

One needs to wash anything right away that may have been rather exposed to poison sumac, including gardening gloves, shovels or other gardening equipment, a hose, handles of a wheel barrel or bucket/pail, socks, shoes, hats, etc. One can make use of some kitchen or bathroom cleaner on doorknobs that one may have touched, or other surfaces in your home just to be on the safe side.

5. Soothe Your Rash & Then Leave It Alone

It is rather tempting to pick or scratch a poison sumac rash, but this can actually make the rash worse and also increase one’s risk of scarring or developing an infection. One needs to try to keep one’s skin clean, dry and cool. Avoid scratching one’s skin as much as possible. Also, consider wearing gloves to bed if one finds oneself scratching in one’s sleep.

Many people do suffer from chronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, leaky gut and other issues with the digestive system. The colon does help in eliminating waste, and therefore must be in smooth condition.

One can go in for homemade colon cleanse. A homemade colon cleanses can indeed help flush out some of the toxins in one’s body that could be contributing to one’s discomfort and also offer natural relief from constipation. Just plan a day when one does need to leave home so that one is able to adjust to the colon cleansing changes in one’s body and the elimination of waste as one begins the detox and internal cleansing process.

Apple, Sea Salt, Ginger, and Lemon Colon Cleanse

How to make homemade colon cleanse?

One requires a tall glass and a spoon. To start, place 3.5 ounces of purified water in a pan. One needs warm water, not boiled so that one can drink the water at a safe temperature.

Once it is warm, pour it into one’s glass. Then add the sea salt, often part of a salt water flush, and stir. The sea salt will indeed help release toxins, pushing waste through one’s body and ultimately improving one’s digestion.

Then one does need to add the apple juice, ginger juice, and fresh lemon juice. Good health and a healthy colon definitely yield good health. Ginger reduces bloating while stimulating the colon, keeping it free from wastes as well as harmful toxins. Lemon juice aids digestion, detoxification and is high in vitamin C, thus making it a great antioxidant.

Do the Cleanse

One can drink this first thing in the morning on a rather empty stomach. Then have this mixture again just before a light lunch, preferably of steamed vegetables and baked salmon, and again mid-afternoon.

Have about 6–8 glasses of room temperature water throughout the day. It is also better to slow down the consumption of liquids after 5 p.m. so that one is not awakened in the night, with having to go to the bathroom.

Risks

Performing such type of colon cleanse need not present any problems; however, it is better to check with one’s doctor if one is pregnant, or has a disease, or suffers from allergies or are taking any prescriptions medications prior to any new activity.

Homemade Colon Cleanse with 3 Juices

Total Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 1 serving

Ingredients to prepare Homemade Colon Cleanse Juices:

• ½ cup 100 percent pure organic apple juice
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ginger juice
• ½ teaspoon of sea salt
• The ½ cup of warm purified water

Directions to prepare Homemade Colon Cleanse Juices:

• Start with a tall glass and a spoon.
• Place 3.5 ounces of purified water in a pan. One may want to warm the water, not boil it so that one can drink the water at a safe temperature.
• Once it is warm, pour it into one’s glass. Then add the sea salt and stir.
• Add the apple juice, ginger juice, and fresh lemon juice. Stir.
• Drink first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Then have this mixture again just before a light lunch, and then again mid-afternoon.

Urinary tract infection is considered to be the most frequent clinical bacterial infection in women, accounting for nearly about 25 percent of all infections. More than 50 percent of women will, in fact, develop a UTI and UTI symptoms in their lifetime, and antibiotics are the most common conventional treatment for UTIs.

The fact is bacteria have indeed become antibiotic-resistant and recurring infections are of major concern. For this reason, it is important to use home remedies for UTIs that do eliminate bacteria completely and reduce the risk of developing recurrent urinary tract infections.

Some of the best home remedies for UTI do include drinking plenty of fluids, staying clean and dry, and consuming items such as cranberries, probiotics, and vitamin C and making use of essential oils.

12 Home Remedies for UTI

1. Drink Plenty of Fluids

Drinking water or fluids throughout the day helps flush bacteria from one’s system. One must stay hydrated. Drink at least one glass of water for every meal and snack of the day in order to flush out bacteria that can lead to infection.

2. Urinate Often

Urinating often and when the urge arises to ensure that bacteria are not growing in urine that stays in one’s bladder. It is also important to urinate soon after sexual intercourse in order to flush out bacteria that may have entered the urethra. Studies have found that holding urine for a long time allows bacteria to multiply within the urinary tract, resulting in a urinary tract infection.

3. Stay Clean and Dry

Women should wipe from front to back, especially after a bowel movement. This ensures that a bacterium does not get into the urethra. It is also important to wear loose-fitting clothes and underwear, which allows air to keep the urethra dry. One must avoid wearing tight jeans or material such as nylon as it can be problematic because moisture can be trapped, allowing bacteria to grow.

4. Avoid Using Spermicides

Spermicides can rather increase irritation and also allow bacteria to grow. Using unlubricated condoms can also cause irritation, so choose lubricated condoms that do not contain spermicides. Among sexually active young women, the incidence of UTI is indeed high and the risk is strong and is also independently associated with recent sexual intercourse, along with recent use of a diaphragm with spermicide.

5. Probiotics

On account of the development of bacterial resistance, one of the most promising home remedies for UTI, especially recurring UTIs, is probiotics. Benign bacterial flora is rather crucial for preventing the overgrowth of microorganisms that do lead to illness. The use of antibiotics destroys beneficial bacterial flora, and pathogenic bacteria are selectively enabled to overgrow on internal and external surfaces.

Probiotics do help support the human body’s normal flora that serves as a line of defense. By eating fermented foods one can restore the body’s natural flora and re-colonize the bladder with helpful bacteria. Few of the healthiest fermented foods do include kefir, kimchi, probiotic yogurt, raw cheese, sauerkraut, and kombucha.

6. Cranberry

Cranberry juice may rather decrease the number of UTIs a person can develop over a 12-month period, particularly for women with recurrent UTIs. Although there is limited or mixed evidence concerning cranberry’s ability to manage UTI symptoms, there is also evidence that cranberries can be made use of as a preventive strategy. Animal studies do show that cranberry products do appear to work by inhibiting the growth and colonization of bacteria that do cause infection, including E. coli, the most common bacteria seen in urinary tract infections.

7. Garlic

Allicin, which is one of the active principles of freshly crushed raw garlic, has a variety of antimicrobial activities. In its purest form, allicin has indeed been found to exhibit antibacterial activity against a wide range of bacteria, including multi-drug-resistant strains of E. coli. Garlic also has antifungal properties, particularly against Candida albicans, which does cause yeast infections.

8. D-Mannose

D-mannose happens to be a kind of sugar that is related to glucose. It is on this list of home remedies for UTI because it can also prevent certain bacteria from sticking to the walls of one’s urinary tract.

9. Vitamin C

Vitamin C does make one’s urine more acidic and inhibits the growth of E. coli and also enhances immune function. A 2007 study did evaluate the role that a daily intake of 100 milligrams of vitamin C does play in urinary infection treatment during pregnancy. Researchers have found that vitamin C treatment for a three-month period was indeed able to reduce urinary infections, improving the health level of the gestating women.

10. Clove Oil

Clove oil has antimicrobial, antifungal as well as antiviral activity. It possesses anti-inflammatory properties and is used to relieve pain and promote healing. Clove can, in fact, be taken internally for two weeks at a time, but it is better to do it under the care of a health care provider or a nutritionist.

11. Myrrh Oil

Several human, as well as animal studies, do show that myrrh oil has antibacterial, antifungal and anti-parasitic properties. It has been in use for a very long time for treating wounds and preventing infections. It can also be applied topically with a warm or cool compress or rubbed into one’s skin. Use caution when making use of myrrh internally; make sure to use a pure, high-quality product and do it under the care of one’s health care provider.

12. Oregano Oil

The antibacterial activity of oregano oil is very useful. Researchers do believe that oregano essential oil can, in fact, be used as an alternative antibacterial remedy for enhancing the healing process in bacterial infections and it is an effective means for the prevention of antibiotic-resistant strain development. In fact, oregano oil benefits may be rather superior to prescription antibiotics because oregano does not cause antibiotic resistance and it has no harmful side effects.

When taking oregano oil internally, one can mix it with water or coconut oil.

UTI Causes and Symptoms

A UTI, or urinary tract infection, is in fact caused by organisms that are too small to be seen without a microscope, including fungi, viruses as well as bacteria. Despite the body’s several natural defenses, certain bacteria have the ability to attach themselves to the lining of the urinary tract and also inhabit the urethra, bladder as well as kidneys. The majority of UTI cases are caused by E. coli bacterium that can indeed live in the bowel and vaginal cavities, around the urethral opening, and in the urinary tract.

Other significant pathogens that can cause UTIs do include Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Klebsiella pneumonia. In diabetic patients, Klebsiella and group B streptococcus infections are in fact more common. Pseudomonas infections are more common in chronically catheterized patients.

Urinary tract infections are of course extremely common, especially among sexually active women ages 18 to 24. Although a UTI is not typically complicated or life-threatening, it does cause pain and also suffering and has a negative impact on one’s quality of life.

Usually, symptoms of a UTI in adults may include:

• pain when urinating
• a burning sensation in the bladder or urethra when urinating
• a strong, frequent urge to urinate, but only passing small amounts
• muscle aches
• abdominal pain
• feeling tired and weak
• confusion or delirium (in elderly patients)
• urine that appears cloudy
• urine that appears red or bright pink (a sign of blood in the urine)
• strong-smelling urine
• pelvic pain in women

Normally, a UTI is uncomplicated and does clear up within two to three days of treatment. More serious causes that are sometimes seen in the elderly, people with suppressed immune systems or even pregnant women do require antibiotics and will not be cured for seven to 14 days.

Risk factors:

• spermicide use
• diaphragm use
• catheter use
• people with diabetes
• women who are pregnant
• women who are postmenopausal
• people with the suppressed immune system