Cholesterol plays a vital role in the normal functioning of the body. It is made in the liver and mainly helps in keeping the cell walls of the body flexible and also plays an important role in making several hormones. Then again just like too much of anything is bad, so is too much cholesterol in the body. Just like fat, cholesterol doesn’t dissolve in water, and instead, it floats in the blood with the help of lipoproteins. Now, different types of lipoproteins have different effects on a person’s health. It has been observed that high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cause cholesterol to deposit in the walls of the blood vessels. This can lead to strokes, clogged arteries, kidney failure, and heart attacks. On the other hand, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) helps carry cholesterol away from the walls of the blood vessels and it prevents various diseases. So, let’s take a look at a few of the natural methods to reduce cholesterol levels. Focus more on monounsaturated fats Unsaturated fats tend to have a double chemical bond, which changes the way they are processed by the body. Monounsaturated fats have only one double bond. Many experts recommend having a low-fat diet for weight loss, but the problem with this diet is that it also reduces the beneficial HDL cholesterol from the body. In contrast, a diet rich in monounsaturated fats has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels or the harmful LDL, but it maintained the healthy HDL level in the body. Monounsaturated fats are good for health as they tend to reduce the level of harmful LDL cholesterol, increase the levels of good HDL cholesterol and inhibit harmful oxidation. Following are some good sources of monounsaturated fats. Avocados Olives and olive oil Tree nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts, and cashews Canola oil Use polyunsaturated fats, such as Omega-3s Polyunsaturated fats tend to have several double bonds, which changes the way they are used by the body.

Everyone goes through an average level of stress and hardships every single day. After the day’s work is done, everyone needs an average sleep time of 7-8 hours in order to prepare the brain and body for the next day. Our brain has a massive influence on our day-to-day activities and hence training our brain to tolerate the high pressure and stress level is a must in order to succeed in what we do. But how do we train our brain? That must be the question for you right? Well, there are both natural and artificial products available in the market known as Nootropics that not only benefit our body but these supplements also enhance our thinking capability, focus and energy, and also have a positive effect on our mental performance. They help by restoring the support for memory and recalling pieces of information. So, take a look at the products that feature on the list of top 10 brain supplements that can boost our brain power. Resveratrol It is an antioxidant that is a rich source of red and purple fruits like grapes, raspberries, and blueberries and is considered to be one of the top 10 brain supplements. Consuming Resveratrol on a daily basis can slow down the deterioration of the ‘hippocampus’ of our brain which is related to memory functions. Taking an average of 200 mg of Resveratrol per day for 26 weeks can relatively increase your memory power. Caffeine It acts as a natural stimulant for your brain and is found mainly in tea, coffee, and dark chocolates. Caffeine is best known for stimulating your central nervous system as well as your brain to enhance your energy and alertness of your body. An average amount of 200-400 mg of consumption of caffeine daily can improve your memory, reaction times as well as your general brain function.

It is essential to hydrate yourself with enough water when you are working out. You tend to sweat a lot and not only lose water, but also electrolytes. Electrolytes are, essentially, minerals like sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and chloride. They are necessary for the body to function properly and to maintain overall health. You must take electrolyte drinks when working out to supplement your body with these minerals. Mentioned below are those that feature among the top 10 electrolyte drinks. There are a variety of options in the market ranging from sugar-free variants to convenient electrolyte powders. Choose what suits you best and buy the best electrolyte drink today! NOOMA Organic Electrolyte Drinks NOOMA Organic Electrolyte Drinks are among the top 10 electrolyte drinks available in the market today. They are low-calorie, sugar-free, organic electrolyte drinks. The best thing is that these drinks come in a variety of flavors. The taste is fantastic and its ingredients are clean. These drinks come in packs of twelve. Each drink is packed in a 16-oz bottle. You can choose from a range of flavors which include the likes of watermelon lime, mango, mint chocolate, and blueberry peach! The drink is formulated from sea salt and coconut water to provide a blend of potassium and sodium. NOOMA Organic Electrolyte Drinks are GMO project verified and USDA organic. They represent the perfect option for vegans as well. Unlike some electrolyte drinks, NOOMA does not have a strange aftertaste! If you are looking for a natural drink with minimal ingredients, look no further. Pediatric Electrolyte Oral Solution Pediatric Electrolyte Oral Solution is best suited for those looking for a pocket-friendly option. Parents choose to give this drink to their children when they are sick as well. It is specially marketed for children but is an effective product for adults as well.

Kidneys are bean-shaped organs present behind the abdominal cavity in the human body. These play a vital role in the filtration and excretory functions of the body. In humans, the left kidney lies at vertebral level T12 and L3 and the right kidney sits below the diaphragm, slightly lower than the left due to asymmetry caused by the position of the liver. Kidneys are complex waste removal systems which sort waste from the body while purifying the blood. Every day, kidneys process around 200 liters of blood and make urine from surplus fluid and unwanted chemicals in the blood. This urine passes out of the body through a narrow tube called urethra. How to maintain healthy kidneys Kidneys are important organs that filter blood and keep the body chemically balanced. Hence, taking good care and eating a balanced diet to keep kidneys healthy is of utmost importance. The human body requires various vitamins for kidneys to help them perform their functions. Vitamin D helps in the renal reabsorption, which is the removal of water and solutes from pre-urine, and returning them to circulating blood. Another one of the important vitamins for kidneys is B complex, which are water-soluble vitamins and good for renal health. Drinking plenty of water is the easiest way to keep kidneys healthy, as this helps them perform the most important function of removing toxins. Exercising, limited intake of alcohol and no smoking is also recommended for further care of kidneys. Kidney conditions Due to the various crucial functions the kidneys perform and the toxins they encounter, kidneys are prone to various conditions or ailments. In most of these conditions, kidneys are unable to remove or filter waste. These conditions include Kidney stones Chronic kidney disease Kidney failure Acute nephritis Polycystic kidney diseases Under such circumstances, it becomes important to supplement your daily diet with certain beneficial vitamins for kidneys.

For thousands of years, apple cider vinegar (ACV) has been used by many people throughout the world as a health tonic. Studies have shown that ACV has many benefits like lowering the levels of blood sugar. This post will explore research behind the apple cider vinegar weight loss abilities and also offer tips on how to include ACV in your diet. What’s ACV? Apple cider vinegar is created via a two-step fermentation procedure. To start with, apples are crushed or chopped then combined with yeast in order to convert the sugar in them into alcohol. Then, bacteria are added; this ferments the alcohol into acetic acid. Initially, the production of ACV took about 30 days, but now manufacturers have accelerated the process. ACV can now be manufactured in a day. Acetic acid, also called ethanoic acid, is the active component of ACV. This organic compound has a strong odor and a sour taste. About 6% of ACV consists of acetic acid, though it also contains traces of other acids like malic acid and water. A tablespoon (15ml) of ACV has about 3 calories and no carbs. Benefits of acetic acid for fat loss: This fatty acid dissolves into hydrogen and acetate in your body. According to animal studies, the acetic acid in ACV promotes weight loss in various ways. This includes: Lowering blood sugar levels Decreasing levels of insulin Improving metabolism Minimizing fat storage Burning fat Suppressing appetite Even though the studies conducted on animals look very promising, more research is required in humans to confirm these effects. Apple cider vinegar diet is also gaining popularity among the masses. How ACV increases fullness and reduces calorie intake? Wondering why apple cider vinegar weight loss plans are becoming common nowadays? Well, apple cider vinegar is believed to promote fullness, and this can decrease your calorie intake.

As a parent, feeding your newborn baby can be one of the most challenging tasks—no matter if it’s breast or formula feeding. If you are looking forward to formula feeding or want to get some from the store in case of an emergency, it can be sometimes confusing to choose the best product for your baby. All baby formulas are certified and are closely engineered to resemble breast milk, supplying your baby the required amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and other necessary nutrients. Before you jump to any conclusion, you should be aware of its different forms available in the market. Baby formulas come in three different forms, which we will discuss herein. So, read on to know the best baby formula product among the many available in the market and their dos and don’ts! Different Forms of Baby Formula Ready-to-feed Formula It is the most convenient and expensive form of baby formula which does not require any type of mixing and measurements. Most hospitals use these baby formulas to feed the newborn babies. It is a safe and hygienic form of baby formula not requiring any consideration about water safety while feeding your baby. The only disadvantage of this formula is that it has a lifespan of about 48 hours and requires refrigeration once you open this pack. Liquid Concentrate Formula This formula is less expensive and requires proper mixing of the liquid concentrate with equal amounts of distilled water. You have to consider the proper safety of the water you use to mix this formula, and it is advisable to read the instructions carefully before proceeding. The only disadvantage about this liquid concentrate baby formula is that it requires proper refrigeration and is needed to be consumed within 48 hours. Powdered Formula This formula is the least expensive among the three and is required to mix with an appropriate amount of distilled water before you can feed it to your newborn baby.

Not all bacteria are bad for you, no matter how strange that sounds! Probiotics are essential and beneficial bacteria that help control the growth of bad bacteria that harms the gut. They replenish the body’s microbiome with healthy cultures and are strongly recommended for women aged 50 and above. While there are several food items like kefir, kombucha, cheese, and yogurt that contain probiotics naturally, there are several women who do not get enough of these foods in their diet, making it absolutely essential for them to take supplements. Women who are above 50 should ideally focus on their health and receiving probiotics is an essential part of that process. There are several probiotic supplements available in the market, and we have made the process of choosing the best one easier for you. Here are a few of the best probiotics for women! Ultimate Flora Probiotic by Renew Life Ultimate Flora Probiotic by Renew Life is one of the best probiotics for women. It provides immense support for vaginal, urinary, immune, and digestive health. To best keep the cultures alive, refrigerate the substance right after it is opened. This vegetable capsule supplement contains 25 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) Bifidobacterium strains and Lactobacilli. Higher CFU supplements are available as well. It is best to purchase a supplement of theirs with a CFU of at least 1 billion. It will not serve the purpose otherwise. Women’s Daily Care Probiotics by Garden of Life Women’s Daily Care Probiotics by Garden of Life is a vegetable capsule probiotic supplement. It is to be taken once daily and it aims at restoring and maintaining immune, vaginal and digestive health. It comes with 40 billion CFUs and was carefully designed using L. fermentum and L. reuteri strains. What makes this supplement stand out is the fact that it is resistant to stomach acid and bile.

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for the body as it promotes the growth of bones by absorbing calcium. Majority of the world’s population suffers from a lack of vitamin D in the body. We get this vitamin from the exposure to the Sun. Many people do not get enough exposure to the sun’s rays owing to residing in cold climates, etc. The vitamin cannot be synthesized naturally in such people, and taking supplements is a smart option. Low levels of vitamin D in the body can result in children having soft bones and misshapen bones in adults. Vitamin D deficiency has also been linked to prostate cancer, colon cancer, heart disease, depression, weight gain, and breast cancer. Studies show that people with higher levels of the vitamin are at a lower risk of contracting these diseases. While this is not definitive, it sure is indicative! Here are a few of the best vitamin D supplement options available in the market. Nordic Naturals Vitamin D3™ Nordic Naturals Vitamin D3 is a great option to explore. It is one of the best vitamin D supplement options available today. It provides for a concentrated source of vitamin D along with some healthy oils. The capsule is made of gelatin and comes with 5000 IU of vitamin D3 dissolved in omega-9 fatty acid and olive oil. These have great heart benefits. The soft gels are flavored with a natural orange extract and preserved with rosemary extract. This keeps the supplement fresh. All in all, this product is fantastic and worth considering. DailyD® Vegan Vitamin D3 Supplement This vitamin comes after being tested for sports certification. It has a dosage of 2500 IU per capsule and uses a lichen source for its vitamin component. It is derived from plant sources and is perfect for vegetarians and vegans as well (unlike the previous supplement).

Crohn’s disease has been known since 1932 when Dr. Burrill B. Crohn and his colleagues described this inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is estimated that over 750,000 citizens are living with this condition. Crohn’s disease information continues to be uncovered, though gastroenterologists are yet to pinpoint what exactly causes this disease or come up with a cure. For people living with Crohn’s disease knowing as much as possible about the disease and its management is the best option for relief. What is Crohn’s disease? This is a type of IBD that usually affects the small intestines and the colon, but can occur in any part of the digestive system. Common symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and blood in the stool. This is why some people mistakenly referred to it as the ‘bathroom disease. There are several types of Crohn’s disease: Crohn’s colitis This occurs in the large intestines and is the lesser common type, occurring in about 30% of people with Crohn’s disease. Ileocolonic Crohn’s This occurs in the small intestines and the top of the large intestines. It is observed in about 70% of Crohn’s sufferers. What causes it? Researchers are yet to discover the exact causes of the Crohn’s disease. But the Crohn’s disease information has linked some factors to the disease, including: Body immunity robustness Environment Genetics – It is observed that about 20% of people with Crohn’s disease have a history of the disease in the family. What are the symptoms of Crohn’s disease? Many people take longer to get the disease diagnosed. This is because its early symptoms are also indicators of other digestive system problems including food poisoning and severe stomach upsets. Some of these early symptoms include: Loss of appetite Diarrhea Abdominal pain Frequent urge to move bowels Blood in the stool Weight loss Constant fatigue Fever Unattended Crohn’s disease can lead to the elevated severity of symptoms including: