Express Diagnostics

Triglyceride levels can be elevated for a number of reasons: excess sugar, alcohol, fat or calories or uncontrolled diabetes. In addition, some medical conditions and medications, or your genetic makeup, can cause elevated triglyceride levels.

Cholesterol and triglycerides travel throughout the body via the bloodstream, but only with the help of lipoproteins — LDL and HDL — which ferry these fat molecules to various destinations. LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, is known as the bad cholesterol because it sneaks through artery walls and unloads cholesterol there. This is how coronary artery disease, the most common type of atherosclerosis, begins and progresses. HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, clears cholesterol from the bloodstream and ferries it back to the liver for removal from the body. HDL can also help clear the cholesterol that LDL leaves embedded behind artery walls. That’s why it’s called the good cholesterol.

So, in general, optimal lipid levels are characterized by low levels of LDL and high levels of HDL.

Instead of:	Choose:
Butter	Trans-free tub or liquid margarine*
Regular cheese	Low-fat or nonfat cheese
Creamer or half-and-half	Nonfat creamer or nonfat half-and-half
Whole or 2% milk	1% or nonfat (skim) milk
Cream-based soups	Broth-based soups
Cream cheese	Low-fat or nonfat cream cheese
Ice cream	Nonfat or low-fat frozen yogurt or sorbet

Instead of:	Choose:
2 to 4% milk fat cottage cheese	1% or nonfat cottage cheese
Mayonnaise	Light or nonfat mayonnaise
Prime grades of beef	Choice or select grades of beef
Ground beef	Ground sirloin, ground round
Chicken with skin	Skinless chicken
The table below summarizes ways to cut back your intake of saturated fats.

*All margarine contains some hydrogenated oil, the main ingredient is water or liquid oil.

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Use of Yoga for Health

Many people who practice yoga do so to maintain their health and well-being, improve physical fitness, relieve stress, & enhance quality of life. In addition, they may be addressing specific health conditions, such as back pain, neck pain, arthritis, & anxiety.

The health benefits of yoga

The potential health benefits of yoga include:

Stress reduction A number of studies have shown that yoga can help reduce stress and anxiety. It can also enhance your mood and overall sense of well-being.

Improved fitness Practicing yoga can lead to improved balance, flexibility, range of motion and strength. And this means you're less likely to injure yourself in other physical endeavors or in your daily activities.

Management of chronic conditions Yoga can help reduce risk factors for chronic diseases, such as heart disease and high blood pressure. Yoga might also help alleviate chronic conditions, such as depression, pain, anxiety and insomnia.