Thick Ain’t It

I understand that I’m the last person that should knock a woman’s quest for thickness and curves but I’m going to do it ANYWAY. I’m not here to preach the common '”love yourself” and “black beauty” and all that good stuff. Who needs to say what has been said, I’m just here to say that you cannot have it all. Period.
We all know that as black women, the media (movies, rap music, magazines, etc.) teaches us that black men want women who look like

And if you’re dark skinned well damn you better look like

Now that we’ve stated the obvious, lets get down to what’s real; women come in a variety of shapes and sizes, hair textures, eye colors, and whatever it is that you don’t like about yourselves. Because body types was the easiest thing to search for, that’s what I’ll focus on.

Anyone Seen My Kangaroo??

 

Sometimes curvy isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.  Sometimes I just want to trade in a little booty and/or boobage to get rid of what I call the kangaroo pouch.

It will always be a trouble spot of mine. I had gotten it together with diet and exercise but every since I’ve moved I haven’t been working out regularly and my diet is terrible. I literally have to start over from SCRATCH! I’ve joined a gym but I’ve done a little research on some lower stomach exercises.

One Year Natural (LOTS OF PICS)

 

I waited until January to post this because I cannot remember when I actually did my big chop. I know it was in December but I don’t remember the actual date. With that being said:

I loved my perm. I really did. I got a really bad perm one day, got chemical burns, some hair fell out and the rest was history.

I transitioned with braids and a sew in for 12 months. I remember trying to play with the natural hair that would slip out of the braids just to see how it was LOL!!

I remember taking out my last set of braids before my big chop and I was looking in the mirror like what am I supposed to do with this?? The perm was literally dead hair and it looked STOOPID!! Sooooo…

“I KNOW You Didn’t Call Me a HOE!!”

 

Hoes. Yes HOES. The word that won’t die even if you poisoned it and shot it repeatedly in the face. Lets look at the word hoe/whore:

A whore/hoe is a word that is specifically meant for a prostitute where prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment.  What they MEAN to call women are SLUTS where a “Slut is a term meaning an individual who is sexually promiscuous. The term is generally applied to women and used as an insult or offensive term of disparagement, meaning "dirty”.

The term SLUT, in the sense of a sexually promiscuous woman, dates to at least 1450. Since 1450, the New World was discovered, Africans were enslaved, a couple wars, a lot of people died, black people got free…kinda, the Great Depression,  Jim Crow enslaved blacks again, a lot of people died, black got free…kinda, women burned bras,…I was going to keep going but there’s a lot of important shit between the birth of slut and today. So why are sluts still hanging around like roaches?

The Aftermath…

 

Hi everyone! Remember this post I put up about my sew in and this one about the effects of the flat iron and my hair? Well here’s the aftermath…

I’m kinda blown because the coil was my go to style and it’s looking like I can’t go to it but hey. What can you do….

I Gotta Itch I Can’t Scratch!! UGH!!

 

In a continuation from my post for altering my regimen for the winter, I’m going to talk about skin care today. Xanthia has DRY skin but I’ve NEVER experienced dry skin like this. I am CONSTANTLY itching and I’m getting white blotches on my face due to dryness.

Something has got to change quickly. I’m always uncomfortable because I’m always itching everywhere; my scalp included. After asking around and talking to my best friend Google, I’ve found some things that I am going to try.

To CHI or not to CHI…

 

I’ve never been good at using a flat iron but all I’ve ever heard of using is a CHI iron. Best thing since sliced bread. NOT!! 

I purchased the Glacier Ice CHI iron from Overstock and I thought it was all good but little did I know…

One of the “advantages” of this flat iron is that it heats up to a fixed temperature of 302-356°F. WHO NEEDS THAT?! The worst part is that I don’t even know what to do now. I mean, what temperature is best for my hair? Now that the hair around my edges is straight, will it ever curl again?? DO I HAVE TO CUT MY HAIR ALL OVER AGAIN?!?!?! I went searching to one of my fav blogs Mop Top Maven and went searching for heat information and here’s her take on it:

My Stock is Like the DOW Jones…

Men are visual creatures and I get that; they’re shallow.  With that being said, I didn’t realize JUST how shallow visual they were.  I use myself as the example:

When I started college I was 5’1”, 95 pounds soaking wet and by every definition I was skinny. I would post a picture but who REALLY wants to go back that far. Anywho…fast forward to Summer 2008 when I moved down to Atlanta. For the first 8 months I ate at any restaurant whose name sounded like “Big Mama’s ____ _____”, “Southern Fried ____”, etc.  I toped off at 131 lbs and by all definition I was thick…and proud of it!! Life was grand!! I didn’t have to pay for anything, do anything, hell I’ve never been so lazy. AND if I put in a 10” Remy, ninjas would buck a U turn JUST do I didn’t have to pump my own gas #truestory. But when I got PHAT in the back I also got…..

FAT in the front and that was a problem that needed to be handled.

Two things happened after that: I went natural and I lost weight due to exercise and nutrition (S/O Bleeding Onions). These days all I can get are opinions instead of compliments; suggestions instead of valentines and although my hair is different and I’m lost TWO (or three lol) inches in my hips I just don’t know what’s different. The person hasn’t changed a bit; I’m still the same ‘ol GEE but I guess life is just a hot or not contest.  Now I still believe that I am nothing short of amazing (O_o) but I just say this to let the ladies know that the “beauty is skin deep” is a bunch of bull shit because even though I’m currently shaped like this:

(32-25-36) they really want you to look like this.

 

Does it bother me that I apparently look like shit now; yes. But hey….you can’t please everyone.

Ten Ingredients to Keep Out of You Hair Care Cabinet!!

Hello all! I've been MIA (again) mainly because I've been obsessed with my hair but I'm going to try my best to me more regular with posting. I've been doing a lot of research about ingredients because as I've been become a [hair] product whore I've wondering what I'm actually buying! Here are ten products you will want to avoid:

10 INGREDIENTS TO AVOID PUTTING ON YOUR HAIR!

Most of the commercially available hair care products today use harmful, potentially carcinogenic ingredients. In the interest of good napptural health, I list below, what are in my opinion, the 10 worst commonly found product ingredients thngs you can put on your hair (and body). Check the list of ingredients on your hair products. The more of a particular ingredient you have in a product, the closer it is to the top of the list of ingredients on the bottle:


1. ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL: This is a solvent and denaturant (poisonous substance that changes another substances natural qualities). Isopropyl alcohol is found in hair color rinses, body rubs, hand lotions, after-shave lotions, fragrances and many other cosmetics. This petroleum-derived substance is also used in antifreeze and as a solvent in shellac. Napptural hair reacts very badly to isoalcohol and this ingredient should be avoided at ALL costs. It will dry your hair out and break it off. According to A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, inhalation or ingestion of the vapor may cause headaches, flushing, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, narcosis and even coma.

2. MINERAL OIL & PETROLATUM: The best baby oil is made from almonds. But the oil which being sold as baby oil is 100% mineral oil. Mineral oil is a derivative of crude oil (petroleum) that is used industrially as a cutting fluid and lubricating oil. This commonly used petroleum ingredient coats the skin and hair just like plastic wrap. The skin's natural barrier is disrupted as this plastic coating inhibits its ability to breathe and absorb the Natural Moisture Factor (moisture and nutrition). The skin's ability to release toxins and wastes is impossible through this "plastic wrap," which can promote acne and other disorders.

3. PEG: This is an abbreviation for polyethylene glycol that is used in making cleansers to dissolve oil and grease as well as thicken products. Because of their effectiveness, PEG's are often used in caustic spray on oven cleaners and yet are found in many personal care products. PEG's contribute to stripping the Natural Moisture Factor, leaving the immune system vulnerable. They are also potentially carcinogenic.

4. PROPYLENE GLYCOL (PG): As a "surfactant" or wetting agent and solvent, this ingredient is actually the active component in antifreeze. There is no difference between the PG used in industry and the PG used in personal care products. It is used in industry to break down protein and cellular structure (what the skin is made of) yet is found in most forms of make-up, hair products, lotions, after-shave, deodorants, mouthwashes and toothpaste. It is also used in food processing. Because of its ability to quickly penetrate the skin, the EPA requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles when working with this toxic substance.

5. SODIUM LAURYL SUFATE (SLS) & SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLES): SLS is used in testing labs as the standard ingredient to irritate skin. Used as detergents and surfactants, these closely related compounds are found in car wash soaps, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers. Yet both SLS and SLES are used more widely as one of the major ingredients in cosmetics, toothpaste, hair conditioner and about 90% of all shampoos and products that foam. They are used in personal-care products because they are cheap. A small amount generates a large amount of foam, and when salt is added it thicken to give the illusion of being thick and concentrated. (SOME OF THE NITROSATING AGENTS ARE: SLS, SLES, DEA, TEA, MEA). Shampooing the hair with a product contaminated with these substances can lead to its absorption into the body at levels much higher than eating nitrite-contaminated foods.

6. CHLORINE: According to Doris J. Rapp, M.D., author of Is This your Child's World? exposure to chlorine in tap water, Showers, pool, laundry products, cleaning agents, food processing, sewage systems and many others, can effect health by contributing to asthma, hay fever, anemia, bronchitis, circulatory collapse, confusion, delirium diabetes, dizziness, irritation of the eye, mouth, nose throat, lung, skin and stomach, heart disease, high blood pressure,
and nausea. It is also a possible cause of cancer. Even though you will not see Chlorine on personal care product labels, it is important for you to be aware of the need to protect your skin when bathing and washing your hair.

7. DEA (diethanolamine) MEA (momoethnanolamine) TEA (triethanolamine): DEA and MEA are usual listed on the ingredients label in conjunction with the compound being neutralized. Thus look for names like Cocamide DEA or MES, Lauramide DEA, etc. These are hormone disrupting chemicals and are known to form cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines. . These are commonly found in most personal care products that foam, including bubble baths, body washes, shampoos, soaps and facial cleansers.

8. FD & C Color PIGMENTS: Many color pigments cause skin sensitivity and irritation. Absorption of certain colors can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and even death according to A Consumer's dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients. Debra Lynn Dadd says in Home Safe Home: "Colors that can be used in foods, drug, and cosmetics are made from coal tar. There is a great deal of controversy about their use, because animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic."

9. FRAGRANCE: Fragrance is present in most deodorants shampoos, sunscreens, skin care, body care and baby products. Many of the compounds in fragrance are carcinogenic or otherwise toxic. "Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients. Most or all of them are synthetic. Symptoms reported to the FDA have included headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and allergic skin irritation. Clinical observation by medical doctors have shown that exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes," (Home Safe Home). For better health try purchasing unscented products and for fragrance, adding a natural essential oil.

10. IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA and DMDM HYDANTOIN: These are just two of the many preservatives that release formaldehyde (formaldehyde-donors). Exposure to formaldehyde may cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, Chronic fatigue, dizziness and loss of sleep. It can also aggravate coughs and colds and trigger asthma. Serious side effects include weakening of the immune system and cancer. Nearly all brands of skin, body and hair care, antiperspirants and nail polish found in stores contain formaldehyde-releasing ingredients. 

Co-Wash

Am I the only person that doesn't know what a co-wash is? If so, here's a really good explination:

If you wear your hair natural, you are probably familiar with co-washing, or washing the hair with conditioner only. Conditioner washing avoids harsh results from frequent washing with shampoos and helps to keep natural black hair soft and manageable. Co-washing can be done as often as you'd like, even several times a day (this is a plus for natural hair wearers in the hot days of summer).





Oftentimes the question of "How do I co-wash my hair?" comes up. The answer would seem simple, but there are some steps you can take to get the most benefit from this technique and do it with ease.


* First, find a conditioner that works for your hair type. Search online for keywords "hair types" and narrow your hair type down to one or two close categories. You may be a combo 3c and 4a. This will help you better understand which type of conditioner to purchase among the many available.


* Get to know your ingredients. The long, hard-to-pronounce ingredients on the label can be overwhelming. But with familiarity, you can learn to spot which ingredients you want to keep and which you want to avoid. Ingredients like propylene glycol, cetyl alcohol and panthenol are common. Search online for ingredients lists. One such list can be found HERE.

* Recommended: Purchase an extended shower head/hose. Handheld shower heads with variable sprays offer the best control for rinsing the hair and are often well worth the investment.


* Rinse the hair with warm water. Avoid water that is too hot (if it initially stings your back, it's too hot). Cleansing results from the action of water plus cleanser (shampoo and/or conditioner) and agitation (hand movements through the hair). Warm water will clean hair well while hot water can be damaging. While rinsing with water, gently comb your hair with your fingers.


* Apply your conditioner. This can be done in several ways.


(1) Pour a line of conditioner into your hand (as opposed to pouring a dollop) and apply each line onto parted hair sections. Work the conditioner from the roots to the tips. Continue until all the hair is covered.

(2) Squeeze your normal amount of conditioner into a large bowl, preferably plastic. With the shower head, add water to the bowl and mix the water and conditioner well with your hands. Bend your head over the bowl. With a cup or other small container, scoop up some of the mix and pour it onto your hair. You can then lean further over into the bowl and wash your hair with your hands directly over the bowl if you'd like. This allows for even coverage, but note that the conditioner will be more dilute.


(3) Squeeze your normal amount of conditioner into a large clean spray bottle and mix with water. Shake well and spray liberally onto the hair. Again, this mixture will be more dilute than a direct application. This method is great for those who only have minutes to spare in the mornings. Make a large batch of diluted conditioner, spray your hair and rinse out after bathing.


* Comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb with rounded-edge teeth. This step is optional, as there remains a debate as to whether combing while wet does more damage to hair than combing while dry. It has been said that combing while wet can stretch the hair past it's longest point, thereby causing breakage. However, many who wear their hair natural report that combing while the hair is fully conditioned is the best time for them, as the hair is soft and pliable, leading to less breakage. In either case, comb hair gently by grabbing one small section at a time. Comb from the TIPS first, ensuring there are no snags then work your way to the roots. It's ok if you cannot comb from root to tip in one stroke. The main idea is to ease tangles and distribute the conditioner evenly.


* Allow the conditioner to set on your hair for at least a few minutes if possible. Both steam from the shower and the conditioner itself will work on your hair during this time. Give yourself a nice salt or sugar scrub while your hair is being conditioned.


* Rinse your hair well, again with warm water. Ease your fingers through each section while the water flows through to remove any remaining conditioner.


* Optional: Apply your hair products at this step -- while your hair is dripping wet. Many naturals swear by this technique and believe the best absorption is gained at this time. At the least, your product(s) can be more evenly distributed throughout your hair while it is sopping wet.


* It's time to dry. Just as with the application, there are several ways to dry your hair.


(1) Dry with a towel. Avoid rubbing your scalp and hair with a towel at all costs! Instead, simply dab and pat your hair dry, or grab sections and squeeze excess water into the towel.


(2) Shake and go. Lay your towel across the back of your shoulders (lengthwise shoulder to shoulder). Grab the bottom corners of the towel and raise it up to your head, almost over your head. Think of Batman's cape raised up as he jumps off a tall building! With the towel raised, shake your head from side to side (ear to shoulder) and left to right (like saying no), shaking excess water into the towel. This is what I call the "no touch" method. Sometimes drying the hair directly with a towel can remove products you've just applied, even helping to separate your freshly-formed coils and spirals. You want your coils to group together to avoid the frizzies. This method is perfect for the warmer months when you possibly can afford to go longer periods with damp hair.


(3) Blow dry, but with care. When blow drying, the use of a diffuser is best. A diffuser will spread the heat from your dryer more evenly and minimize potential heat damage. You can find diffusers at most beauty supply stores at a minimal cost. If you do not have a diffuser, use the low heat or cool setting and blow dry from at least six inches from the furthest part of your hair. Remember, you are not trying to get the hair bone dry -- just dry enough to style and go out.


In summary, with the above methods you'll find shampooing your hair by co-washing is a great alternative to traditional shampooing which can strip your hair of much needed oils and moisture. With just a touch of practice, getting in and out of the shower with a clean head of hair will take less time than applying your makeup, and your hair will benefit greatly from it.




SOURCE

Brazilian Keratin Treatment

I have been trying to learn about this Brazilian Keratin Treatment! This all I keep hearing over and over again: "straight hair with no chemicals that last for months." I had to find out what it is because if it's true that's a sure ringer for a summer hairstyle! Oh how research can kill a sistah's dream...

A Brazilian Keratin hair treatment (BKT), also known as “escova progressiva”, is a considerably costly salon procedure that promises to transform frizzy, dull, dry hair into silky smooth, shiny strands that last for up to 4 months and runs from $250 to $600 depending on the length of the hair. . Sound too good to be true? It is. Unless you like wearing a gas mask at the salon.



Wildly popular in all the blogs and a hot topic in those social networking forums I love to hangout in, everyone seems to be thinking about getting one. Wait! I type. Before you call your stylist to book your salon appointment, make sure you have all the info you need to make your choice. Silky hair is good, but with a Brazilian Keratin Treatment you might be getting more than you planned.


What you and your stylist may not know is that the active ingredient in these BKT “wonder” treatments is formaldehyde, which is a dangerous chemical, especially if you breathe it in. Hence the protective equipment – face masks, gloves, ventilation fans – as a safety precaution when giving or getting a treatment. Is straight hair worth wearing a gas mask? Now THAT’S something to consider.


According to Allure Magazine (we love them!) “some of the most popular BKT treatments contain at least ten times more formaldehyde than the .2 percent considered safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. The FDA doesn’t currently regulate cosmetics, but they are investigating the safety of escova progressiva treatments.” Now, I’m no expert, and I have considered a BKT when I originally heard about them, but ten times more formaldehyde really sounds like a bad idea. Very bad. There’s no way that’s good for you.


The best, or I should say worst part about the Allure Magazine expose? I’ll loosely paraphrase here, but the gist is: “Keratin has nothing to do with straightening. Nada. There is nothing in Keratin that will change the structure of the hair, it’s the formaldehyde that makes the treatment work. Keratin is window dressing and provides a good marketing story.” Sounds like a sham to me. And really, who wants that kind of toxic treatment? BUT if you're still interested check them out at Brazilian Keratin Treatment.





SOURCE

A New Study That Cracks Me Up!!!

Study: Fellatio may significantly decrease the risk of breast cancer in women


[INSERT INAPPROPRIATE PICTURE HERE LOL]

 Thursday, October 2, 2003 Posted: 9:19 AM EDT (1319 GMT)


(AP) -- Women who perform the act of fellatio and swallow semen on a regular basis, one to two times a week, may reduce their risk of breast cancer by up to 40 percent, a North Carolina State University study found.


Doctors had never suspected a link between the act of fellatio and breast cancer, but new research being performed at North Carolina State University is starting to suggest that there could be an important link between the two.


In a study of over 15,000 women suspected of having performed regular fellatio and swallowed the ejaculatory fluid, over the past ten years, the researchers found that those actually having performed the act regularly, one to two times a week, had a lower occurrence of breast cancer than those who had not. There was no increased risk, however, for those who did not regularly perform.


"I think it removes the last shade of doubt that fellatio is actually a healthy act," said Dr. A.J. Kramer of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, who was not involved in the research. "I am surprised by these findings, but am also excited that the researchers may have discovered a relatively easy way to lower the occurrence of breast cancer in women."


The University researchers stressed that, though breast cancer is relatively uncommon, any steps taken to reduce the risk would be a wise decision.


"Only with regular occurrence will your chances be reduced, so I encourage all women out there to make fellatio an important part of their daily routine," said Dr. Helena Shifteer, one of the researchers at the University. "Since the emergence of the research, I try to fellate at least once every other night to reduce my chances."


The study is reported in Friday's Journal of Medical Research.


In 1991, 43,582 women died of breast cancer, as reported by the National Cancer Institute.


Dr. Len Lictepeen, deputy chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society, said women should not overlook or "play down" these findings.


"This will hopefully change women's practice and patterns, resulting in a severe drop in the future number of cases," Lictepeen said.


Sooner said the research shows no increase in the risk of breast cancer in those who are, for whatever reason, not able to fellate regularly.


"There's definitely fertile ground for more research. Many have stepped forward to volunteer for related research now in the planning stages," he said.


Almost every woman is, at some point, going to perform the act of fellatio, but it is the frequency at which this event occurs that makes the difference, say researchers. Also key seems to be the protein and enzyme count in the semen, but researchers are again waiting for more test data.


The reasearch consisted of two groups, 6,246 women ages 25 to 45 who had performed fellatio and swallowed on a regular basis over the past five to ten years, and 9,728 women who had not or did not swallow. The group of women who had performed and swallowed had a breast cancer rate of 1.9 percent and the group who had not had a breast cancer rate of 10.4 percent.


"The findings do suggest that there are other causes for breast cancer besides the absence of regular fellatio," Shafteer said. "It's a cause, not THE cause."

SOURCE

UPDATE!!! If you read the Dr names it appear that the names are fake so I'm assuming the article is as well. It was hilarious though. Good job whoever wrote this!!

4 Tips for Lower Cholesterol Fast

High cholesterol isn't inevitable as we age. Fight back four ways -- and lower cholesterol fast.
By R. Morgan GriffinWebMD Feature
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD


Deepening smile lines and silver locks may be inevitable features of growing older, but rising cholesterol doesn't have to be.
And while higher cholesterol is often a consequence of aging, young people can have it too. But no matter your age, it poses a big health risk. That's because unhealthy cholesterol levels can boost your risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other problems.
Fortunately, you can do something about it.
"Unlike your age and your genes, cholesterol levels are risk factors that you can often change," says Jorge Plutzky MD, director of the Vascular Disease Prevention Program at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
Lower Cholesterol: 4 Ways to Fast Results
According to experts, there are four basic ways to get your cholesterol where you want it:
· Eating a healthy diet.
· Exercising
· Losing weight
· Taking medicine -- in some cases
While each of these works, some people have more success with one than another. Many need a combination of approaches.
No matter what your age or the state of your health, you can reduce your risks of serious problems by controlling your cholesterol -- and it's not as hard as you think.
Know Your Cholesterol Numbers
While Plutzky says that people are often alarmed when they find out they have high cholesterol, many are also confused.
"They don't understand what the numbers mean," he tells WebMD, "They don't know the difference between total cholesterol, LDL and HDL."
So let's start with some basics. Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that circulates in your blood. Some of it is made naturally by your body, and the rest comes from foods you eat. There are two main types: HDL and LDL.
· LDL is "bad cholesterol." It can clog your arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Optimal number: Less than 100mg/dL.
· HDL is "good cholesterol." What's good about it? HDL attaches to bad cholesterol and escorts it to the liver, which filters it out of the body. So HDL reduces the amount of bad cholesterol in your system. Desirable number: 60mg/dL or higher.
· Total cholesterol is the sum of all types of cholesterol in your blood. Although your doctor may still refer to this number, it's less significant than your HDL and LDL levels. Desirable number: Less than 200 mg/dL.
· Triglycerides , while not cholesterol, are another type of fat floating in your blood. Just as with bad cholesterol, having a high level of triglycerides increases your risk of cardiovascular problems. Healthy number: Less than 150 mg/dL.
Think you need to get a handle on your LDL, HDL, total cholesterol or triglycerides? Here's how to do it.
1. Lower Cholesterol by Eating Right
You've probably heard it before, but foods that are high in saturated fat and -- to a lesser extent -- high in cholesterol, boost your cholesterol levels. These include foods like egg yolks, fatty meats, and full-fat dairy products.


Know Your Cholesterol Numbers continued...
Plutzky recommends you also cut down on trans fatty acids as well, which are more often found in processed and fried foods.
But eating a heart healthy diet isn't just about deprivation. In fact, some foods -- eaten in moderation -- can actually improve your cholesterol levels. They include:
· Fatty fish, like tuna and salmon
· Nuts, especially walnuts and almonds
· Oatmeal and oat bran
· Foods fortified with stanols, like some margarines and orange juices
How much does diet help? It depends.
"The effect of diet has a varying effect on people's cholesterol," says Roger Blumenthal MD, director of the Preventive Cardiology Center at Johns Hopkins Medical School in Baltimore. "Some people get a lot more benefit than others."
Blumenthal says diet tends to help people lower triglycerides and raise good HDL cholesterol, but it's less likely to have a big impact on bad LDL cholesterol.


2. Improving Cholesterol With Exercise
Exercise is another way to improve your cholesterol levels. Increased physical activity can have a modest effect on cholesterol, lowering triglycerides (and bad LDL cholesterol to a lesser extent), while boosting your good HDL cholesterol.
Of course, the type of exercise is up to you. Plotzky says just about any aerobic activity -- something that boosts your heart rate -- is good. Blumenthal says that walking is often the best way for people who are out of shape to get started.
"I encourage people to buy a $10 pedometer to count their steps," says Blumenthal. "It's a simple way to measure your progress, and it's easy to work in walking during the day."


3. Lose Weight: Lower Cholesterol
Being overweight tends to lead to unhealthy cholesterol levels. Losing weight can lower your bad LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. It also can raise your good HDL cholesterol.
Of course, weight loss is usually a product of a good diet and exercise. So what if you've already improved your diet and started exercising but still need to lose weight?
Then you need to make some further adjustments -- gradually. Once you've reduced your intake of saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol, you can focus on cutting out some calories. In the same way, once you've gotten into an exercise routine, you can step up the intensity to lose some pounds.


4. Controlling Cholesterol With Medication
So what happens if diet, exercise and weight loss aren't enough to bring your cholesterol under control? Your doctor might recommend medicine.
Medicine may also be a first choice for people who have other risk factors. "If you have high cholesterol and heart disease or diabetes," says Blumenthal, "the evidence is pretty clear that you should be on medication."
Several types of medication can help, including:
· Statins, like Crestor, Lescol, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol, and Zocor. Statins are usually the first choice for medicine. They block the effects of an enzyme that helps make cholesterol. They also lower bad cholesterol by a whopping 20-55%. They have a modest effect on triglycerides and give a mild boost to your good cholesterol.
· Ezetimibe (Zetia) is a newer cholesterol-reducing medication that decreases how much cholesterol the body absorbs. It can lower bad cholesterol by up to 25%. Ezetimibe may be combined with a statin to boost the cholesterol lowering effects. Vytorin is Zetia combined with the statin Zocor.
· Niacin, available as Niacor, Niaspan, and Nicolar (among others), lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and raises HDL cholesterol. LDL levels are usually cut by 5-15% and may be reduced up to 25%.
· Bile acid resins like Colestid, Lo-Cholest, Prevalite, Questran, and WelChol. They stick to cholesterol in the intestines and prevent it from being absorbed. They can lower LDL cholesterol by 15-30%.
· Fibrates like Atromid, Lopid, and Tricor. They mainly reduce your triglycerides and may also give a mild boost to your HDL. LDL is affected to a much lesser extent.
Like any medicines, drugs to lower your cholesterol can have side effects. Talk to your health care provider about the risks.
If you wind up needing a medicine, don't feel like your lifestyle changes have failed. Some people have high cholesterol that just doesn't respond as well to exercise and diet, but keeping up your lifestyle changes may allow you to take lower doses of medicine.

Fast Food = Cholesterol

I'm going to start showing the nutritional facts of some of my FAVORITE meals from my fav fast food spots. First up: Bojangles: (the % are the daily values)

Cajun Chicken Leg (I usually eat two so double this)

Calories 264 (1104 kJ)
Total Fat: 16g 25%
Cholesterol: 96mg 32%
Sodium: 530mg 22%
Total Carbs.: 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber: 0.5g 2%
Protein: 10g

Biscuit

Calories 243 (1016 kJ)
Total Fat: 12g 18%
Sat. Fat: 3g 15%
Cholesterol: 2mg 1%
Sodium: 663mg 28%
Total Carbs.: 29g 10%
Dietary Fiber: 2g 8%
Protein: 4g

Dirty Rice

Calories 166 (694 kJ)
Total Fat: 6g 9%
Sat. Fat: 2g 10%
Cholesterol: 10mg 3%
Sodium: 762mg 32%
Total Carbs.: 24g 8%
Dietary Fiber: 1g 4%
Protein:5g

Green Beans

Calories 25 (105 kJ)
Total Fat: 0g 0%
Sat. Fat: 0g 0%
Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg 0%
Sodium: 710mg 30%
Total Carbs.: 5g 2%
Dietary Fiber: 2g 8%
Protein: 0g

As you can see, this meal will kill you. L0L!!!