For years we have heard dramatically negative comments regarding cholesterol and unfortunately, cholesterol is still controversial these days depending on which research you are investigating. To take some of the evil out of cholesterol, it is important to understand that cholesterol is imperative to maintaining optimal function of many biochemical processes in the body. Although, as with anything in life, too much and or little of anything is not ideal. We need to achieve balance.

Cholesterol is a steroid hormone and is a precursor to other hormone production such as cortisol, sex hormones including, testosterone and estrogen and aldosterone which helps regulate electrolyte balance and blood pressure. These hormones can become imbalanced as a result of too little cholesterol.

Cholesterol also provides structural integrity to every cell in our body, as it helps make up the lipid soluble membrane and mitochondria that are important in proper sugar regulation, proper cell to cell communication, energy production and many other biochemical processes. Without adequate cell membranes, our cells are not able to receive and send messages that are imperative to proper hormone balance including receiving insulin and preventing inflammatory signaling.

Some other functions of cholesterol include making bile acids, which in turn helps support our immune system by facilitating proper absorption of fat soluble vitamins, A, D, E and K.   Cholesterol is also needed for proper function of serotonin to help with mood regulation, nerve impulse transmission and memory.
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Now that you know how important cholesterol is, it is important to address the fact that too much of a good thing may also cause harm. A few ways to achieve and maintain optimal cholesterol levels include: Eating a nutrient dense, low-glycemic or Mediterranean food plan that avoids processed foods. This does not mean unlimited pasta, cheese and wine. This means a colorful diet full of vegetables, fruits, responsibly raised meats (free range, organic, grass fed), healthy fats , nuts/seeds, and whole grains). 
Managing stress, and incorporating regular exercise, plus appropriate supplementation, including fish oil, Vitamin D3, and a MultiVitamin are all helpful tools to optimize your cholesterol.

© http://ausfp.com/taking-the-evil-out-of-cholesterol/​

​No calories, more risk
No sugar… no calories… MORE risk. Try building a diet soda campaign around that! Of course, you’re not going to see that taste of truth-in-advertising on your TV anytime soon — but that’s the ugly reality as new research confirms these drinks will make you more likely to get one of the very diseases they’re supposed to help you avoid: diabetes.

And it doesn’t take much to raise that risk.
Just three diet sodas a week — 50 lousy (and I do mean lousy) ounces — will cause your disease risk to shoot up by 59 percent when compared to drinking regular sugar-sweetened soda. Think you’re safe because you drink even less than that? Think again!

Just a single diet soda a week will boost your odds of a diabetes diagnosis by 15 percent, according to the study of roughly 66,000 middle-aged French women tracked for nearly 15 years. Now, if you like to blame everything on sugar, this might not make sense. But there’s something in diet sodas that’s worse than sugar and even worse than high-fructose corn syrup.

It’s aspartame, the chemical sweetener linked to everything from headaches to cancer — and I’m convinced it’s the reason diet soda drinkers are actually more likely to GAIN weight, not lose it. But if you think the message here is to slurp sugary sodas instead of diet, you’re missing the point — because soda in any form can increase your risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
In the new study, just 20 ounces a week of any type of soda — diet or regular — doubled the risk of diabetes when compared to no soda at all.

So make THAT your real goal: no soda at all.

© Jack Harrison, DAILY DOSE,  http://jacksdailydose.com/2013/03/06/diet-soda-increases-risk/

Serves 4 

• 1-½ pounds pork tenderloin cut into strips
• 2 packets Ideal Protein Pancake Mix prepared
• 4 cups green peppers cut ½” thick
• 2 cups zucchini
• 2 cups watercress
• 2 tablespoons Ideal Protein Italian Dressing
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 ounce taco seasoning mix
• Sea salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

 
1. Season pork with taco seasoning.
2. Heat olive oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add pork. Stir-fry for 2 minutes.
3. Add green peppers. After 2 minutes, add zucchini, ½ cup water and remaining seasoning mix. Mix well and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cover.
4. Simmer for 5 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes.
 
Spoon meat into Pancakes and wrap. Place on greased baking pan and bake in a 375 degree oven for 5 minutes until very hot.
 
Serve with watercress or any other green salad.
 
NOTE: A Mexican flavoured dish that will please the whole family.

Did you know June was National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable month? (No fruit if you are on Phase 1 or 2) As a kid, you were told, “ eat your vegetables” because “they’re good for you!”.  As adults, we understand the nutritional value and its importance to our health. The critical thing to understand, however, is that the most important aspect of human nutrition is the notion of VARIETY.

Most of us settle on our 3 to 5 “go-to” vegetables”. I call them the “usual suspects”: broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, cucumbers, etc. If you only have 5 vegetables in your veggie arsenal, you will not only be missing many vital nutrients, you will be missing the incredible flavor and fun of exploring the edible plant kingdom! In the spirit of celebration, let’s explore four “B” vegetables that provide incredible nutrition and valuable health benefits.

Bamboo Shoots. Ranked among the five most popular healthy foods in the world, bamboo shoots have been around for almost 2,500 years, originating in China.

With a crunchy texture, bamboo shoots are delicious and rich in nutrients. The benefits of bamboo shoots include healthy weight loss, control of bad cholesterol, strengthening of the immune system and anti-inflammatory properties. Heart friendly, they contain protein, a sufficient supply of vitamins and minerals, fiber and are low in fat. Add to your salad or stir-fry.

Bean Sprouts. Low in calories, bean sprouts contain vitamins B and K and used in salads are an easy way to boost the nutrients in your diet. They are also a great source of potassium which supports blood pressure regulation.

Bell Pepper. With a tangy taste, bell peppers can add flavor, crunch, and color to your meal.   An excellent source of carotenoids that includes alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and lycopene, bell peppers also contain vitamin C that increases with ripening. Bell peppers are also a valuable source of supportive sulfur compounds which studies show have anti-cancer benefits. Heating or steaming bell peppers can reduce the nutritional value, so consider eating them raw for the best benefit.

Bok Choy. A deep green leafy vegetable that resembles Romaine lettuce on top and a large celery on the bottom, bok choy is more closely related to cabbage. The entire vegetable can be used, and is often added raw to salads for a satisfying crunch. In soups, the leaves and stalks should be chopped and added separately, since the stalks take longer to cook. Containing a wealth of vitamins C, A, and K, and excellent sources of calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese, and iron, bok choy deserves its reputation as a powerhouse among vegetables. Vitamin A, for instance, is essential for a properly functioning immune system, while vitamin C is an antioxidant that shields the body from free radicals.

So try this! Let’s use these four “B’s” and make dinner.

• 8 oz. thinly sliced chicken breast
• 2 cups of the 4 Bs
• 2 oz. chicken broth
• 1 tsp. soy sauce
• minced garlic
• fresh ginger
• pinch of red pepper flakes

In a nonstick pan, quickly stir fry the chicken until done. Add garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes and continue cooking for 30 seconds. Add chicken broth, soy sauce and your “B” veggies. Cook for another minute. Done. All this nutritiousness and deliciousness in one meal. Let’s eat.

If you want to learn more about the Ideal Protein diet and its life-changing benefits, visit us today!

​Thanks to DrZumbado.com for this article!