The Princess of Wales brings Awareness to Holistic Healthcare Upon Completion of Three Peaks Challenge

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The Princess of Wales completed the Three Peaks challenge over the weekend.  The challenge involves a blend of driving and trekking through three of the highest mountain peaks in England, Scotland and Wales--Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddfa. The challenge areas cover 23 miles of walking distance along with a 462 mile drive between each peak.   The challenge is open to the public and many aim to walk to the summit of the peaks within 24 hours.  However, the trek is so grueling and extensive that only 40% of the individuals attempting the challenge are able to complete it within this timeframe.  It is recommended that individuals desiring to complete the Three Peaks Challenge engage in strength training over a period of eight to twelve weeks. Whether Catherine engaged in strength training is unknown but she has always been quite athletic.  Not only did Catherine complete the challenge--she is part of the smaller percentage of people who were able to comp...
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7 Cholesterol Lowering Natural Supplements & Herbs

Red Yeast Rice


Red yeast rice is an ancient Chinese and Korean herbal medicine that has significant benefits for heart health.  It’s been viewed within Asian culture and civilization as a dietary staple.  Red yeast rice is a natural statin made from cultivating strains of yeast with rice. It contains Monacolin K, which is similar in property to the drug lovastatin.




Red Yeast rice has been clinically proven to reduce low-density lipoprotein (bad) cholesterol levels in humans.   The results of cholesterol reducing properties were seen in over 30 randomized clinical trials.  Red yeast rice was also proven to reduce the risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Some cardiologists have not heard of the natural supplement, red yeast rice.  Cardiologists like Drs. Becker & Gordon (AMA Journal of Ethics), once detailed their unfamiliarity with red yeast rice.  After starting a patient on statin therapy, his patient returned to the office informing him that he had stopped taking the statins prescribed to him.  The patient explained to the confused cardiologist that he had started taking red yeast rice.  Several other patients visited his medical office and told him that they too had began taking red yeast rice.  The cardiologist detailed that after seeing so many positive outcomes in patients that took red yeast rice, he began listening to his patients and confirmed the cholesterol and lipid lowering properties of the herb. 


Alliaceae Family (Garlic, Chives, Onion, Leek)




Garlic is a cholesterol-lowering plant that has a myriad of health benefits.  Taking garlic in food or supplement form can lower LDL or bad cholesterol by as much as 10%.  The bioactive compound in garlic, allicin works effectively to lower cholesterol in human beings.  Garlic possesses antioxidant and antibacterial properties which can also aid in blood pressure reduction and reduce arterial plaque.  Allicin is also present within foods in the alliaceae onion groups (chives, leeks, onions).  Allicin can greatly improve circulatory and heart health.  


Medicinal Mushrooms (Lion’s Mane, Turkeytail, Reishi) 




Lion’s mane, turkeytail and reishi are popular  medicinal mushrooms that can aid in lowering LDL cholesterol levels.  Lion’s mane is also nicknamed the bearded tooth mushroom.  Turkeytail, lion’s mane and reishi have been shown to lower bad LDL levels, lipids and fatty acids in the blood.  These super mushrooms can be beneficial in preventing adverse cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke. To read more about superfood medicinal mushrooms and their superior health benefits, view this previously written Green News Guide article.


Billberry




Billberry is also referred to as the European blueberry, dyeberry and whortleberry.  This bluish black berry regulates cholesterol levels and plaque that lead to atherosclerosis.  The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of billberry greatly reduces the chance of heart attack and stroke.


Holy Basil




Holy Basil also known as tulsi is an ayurveydic herb that is commonly cultivated for religious and medicinal use.  It’s leaves can be dried, chewed and used in teas. Tulsi or holy basil contains an array of vitamins and minerals that can help protect the heart from the effects of free radicalization.  Holy Basil works to lower LDL cholesterol levels and raise HDL cholesterol levels.  


Purslane  




Purslane is a type of weed that is usually seen growing in backyards and gardens.  Purslane can help to lower cholesterol due to its high pectin content.  The leaves can be juiced and consumed for the purposes of lowering LDL cholesterol levels.  Purslane leaves are edible raw or cooked.


Cinnamon




Cinnamon has powerful LDL cholesterol lowering properties.  When taken regularly over a period of 1 to 2 months, cinnamon can significantly lower triglycerides and cholesterol levels.  Taking between 1 – 6 grams of cinnamon can produce beneficial results where cholesterol is concerned.  Cinnamon can also aid in lowering sugar and insulin levels.  One study examined cinnamon’s effects on individuals living with metabolic syndrome (Jain, Puri & Misra, 2017).  Participants ingested 3g of cinnamon on a daily basis.  The study’s results confirmed that cinnamon reduced overall cholesterol, raised HDL levels of cholesterol and lowered LDL cholesterol levels.


Reference

Gupta Jain, S., Puri, S., Misra, A. et al. Effect of oral cinnamon intervention on metabolic profile and body composition of Asian Indians with metabolic syndrome: a randomized double -blind control trial. Lipids Health Dis 16, 113 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-017-0504-8

Shang, C., Lin, H., Fang, X., Wang, Y., Jiang, Z., Qu, Y., Xiang, M., Shen, Z., Xin, L., Lu, Y., Gao, J., & Cui, X. (2021). Beneficial effects of cinnamon and its extracts in the management of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Food & Function, 12(24), 12194–12220. https://doi.org/10.1039/d1fo01935j 

Virtual Mentor. 2011;13(6):365-368. doi: 10.1001/virtualmentor.2011.13.6.cprl1-1106.


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