Cholesterol is one of the leading causes of heart conditions across the world. But, not all cholesterol is bad. There are two types of cholesterol – LDL and HDL. When LDL cholesterol increases in the body, the individual needs to start taking medication and following certain dietary changes that help lower the level of LDL cholesterol in the body. So, here are some dietary tips for those who suffer from high cholesterol. Lead a healthy lifestyle Once diagnosed with high levels of LDL cholesterol, it is best to follow a lifestyle that benefits the overall health of the individual concerned. Leading a healthy lifestyle does not just mean following a clean and healthy diet, it also involves following a decent exercise routine, paying attention to foods with cholesterol, and limiting the intake of alcohol and tobacco consumption. Keep an eye on the cholesterol Of course, the first thing that comes to mind when aiding the process of limiting cholesterol in the body is paying attention to and limiting the foods that contain high levels of cholesterol. While HDL cholesterol is good for the body, LDL cholesterol is not. LDL cholesterol is found only in other animals. So, the quickest way to avoid it would be to avoid eating foods of animal origin.

Diabetes is a common condition that, unfortunately, cannot be cured completely. Maintaining the blood sugar level is the only way to manage the disease and its painful complications, including heart problems and specific types of cancer. Dietary choices help in this respect, as certain foods aid in controlling blood glucose and cholesterol levels. Meanwhile, a few types of foods have the opposite effect and might trigger problems in diabetes patients. Read on as we discuss both categories in detail. Foods to eat The following foods can be safely consumed by patients suffering from type 1, type 2, and a few other kinds of diabetes. Cinnamon Cinnamon, used as a food and medicine since ages, is known to lower blood sugar levels and the rate at which glucose enters the body. Studies also reveal that the spice improves insulin sensitivity and reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. It can be used as a sweetener in almost every meal of the day. Turmeric Turmeric is well-renowned for its incredible health benefits. The yellow spice contains bioactive compounds, the most important of which is called curcumin. The ingredient is the dominant factor in turmeric and helps reduce inflammation, blood sugar levels, and the risk of heart diseases.

Food choices are a direct way to predict a person’s mood. What one decides to eat can influence their mental state and wellbeing. Just like mood affects one’s food choices, food also affects the mood. This is to say, what one chooses to eat when they’re down can boost their mental health or leave them curled up. To avoid feeling worse when already low, here’s a list of foods to avoid for keeping depression at bay: Sugary foods Sugary foods are a favorite among many. The temptation of relishing cakes, cookies, colas, and candies is too hard to resist, but resist one must! Sugar is a known inflammatory agent and is also linked to negative effects on the neurons. Sugar, undoubtedly, provides an instant mood boost, but this is temporary. In fact, as soon as the blood glucose levels drop—or should we say plummet?—the mood hits a low too, resulting in an increased feeling of both physical and mental exhaustion. Sugar is one of the most common things on the list of foods to avoid for managing or preventing depression. Processed goods Another entrant in the list of the “foods to avoid for managing depression” is processed and packaged food.

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that causes symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, trouble concentrating. The rarity of the disease can be gauged from the fact that there is less than one percent of people in the country who suffer from schizophrenia. The mental disorder is usually treated by combining medications and lifestyle changes. Moreover, lifestyle changes can be in the form of dietary changes. Here are certain foods that should be eaten and avoided to manage schizophrenia efficiently. Avoid bread It is one of the top foods to avoid for schizophrenia. This is because doctors believe that increased sensitivity to wheat can result in schizophrenic symptoms. This happens due to the gluten present in the grains. Gluten is a type of protein that binds the grain together. Hence, it is recommended to avoid bread and switch to a gluten-free diet to efficiently manage schizophrenia symptoms. Opt for foods with natural sugars Natural sugars can be derived from fruits. Doctors and dieticians suggest that schizophrenic patients do not get enough natural sugars and fiber. So, fruits such as apples, pears, and raspberries can provide the same. These fruits also help in lowering bad cholesterol, which is usually associated with schizophrenia. Other health problems that are linked with this disease include diabetes, heart disease, and even obesity.

A keto diet while excruciating on your taste buds, is highly successful and helps you lose weight soon. Moreover, not only has keto proven beneficial for weight loss, but also is being incorporated in treatment plans for people afflicted with certain health conditions. Other benefits of a ketogenic diet include better moods, better skin, and better hair. So, if you are on a keto diet or considering getting on one, here is a list of foods to avoid on a keto diet. Grains Our body uses carbohydrates to produce energy and grains are the primary source of carbohydrates in our diet. However, if you are looking forward to switching to a keto diet, grains are one of the foods to be avoided on a keto diet. Any low-carb diet such as keto, calls for cutting foods that are high in carbohydrates. On a keto diet, you will be keeping away from all foods that are made of grains such as bread and pasta. Fruits and vegetables When dieting, you generally turn to vegetables and fruits for the required amount of daily nutrition. However, on a keto diet, most fruits and vegetables are eliminated, This is because similar to grains, fruits and veggies too are rich sources of carbohydrates, making them an unfit source of energy and nutrition.

Feeding your cat the right food is important for his/her well-being. With the right nutrition, your cat develops faster and is able to recover from common diseases without any problem. Junk food doesn’t provide the same protection, and increases the risk of certain health conditions. Healthy treats are, therefore, the way forward, and here are six brands that are perfect for your feline’s health and taste buds. Temptations Treats Considered one of the most budget-friendly cat food brands in the market, Temptations Treats provides a huge variety of products to choose from. They do not use artificial flavors, instead offering an intricate combination of nutrition and taste that your cat will surely love. The Classic Tasty Chicken is one of the most popular choices, costing under $5 at your nearby store. MixUps, JUMBO Stuff, and Shake Ups are three other categories of cat treats offered by the company. Purina Headquartered in Missouri, Purina has been in the industry for close to two decades. The company’s cat and dog treats are well-renowned, both for their taste and nutritional value. Purely Fancy Feast is one such offering that provides the goodness of chicken, meat and tuna in a healthier way. The treat is crunchy and considered as a whole meal in itself.

Cats are one of our favorite family members. So, it becomes necessary to make sure they get the best nutrition. But some people feed them human food presuming it is not only tasty but also nutritious, which can become problematic. Statistics suggest that most pets suffer from food poisoning due to eating such food. Here are five human foods that you should not feed your cat: Chocolate This is one of the top human foods that should not be fed to cats. Cocoa contains caffeine and theobromine, which can disrupt a cat’s digestive system. Ingestion of these compounds can result in symptoms like diarrhea, abnormal discomfort, irregular heartbeat, high body temperature, and even vomiting and seizures in severe cases. According to vets, darker the chocolate, more the toxic it is for cats. Artificial Sweeteners They are specifically made for humans, so you shouldn’t feed your cat foods with these artificial sweeteners. Candies, baked goods, chewable vitamins, certain kinds of toothpaste, and even cough drops contain such flavor enhancers. Ingestion of artificial sweeteners can cause a massive drop in blood sugar levels and even liver damage in cats. Dogs can also exhibit other symptoms such as vomiting, loss of coordination, and, in some cases, seizures.

Who does not love pampering their furry little friends with treats? Dogs’ digestive systems work differently than the human digestive system, which means foods that are nutritious for us could be poisonous to our pooches. So, here’s a list of foods that are dangerous for dogs and should be strictly kept out of their food bowls. Plus, you’re advised to consult a vet immediately if your dog starts feeling uneasy and exhibits symptoms of food poisoning. Macadamia nuts Steer clear of macadamia nuts while feeding your pooch as they can make a dog sick and lead to symptoms like weakness in the back legs, high temperature, muscle shakes, and even vomiting in some cases. Salty foods Salty foods like popcorn and chips can be dangerous for canines. Dogs can experience sodium ion poisoning, which can cause symptoms like high body temperature, vomiting, and diarrhea if they ingest salty foods. It can also result in life-threatening symptoms like seizures, so be mindful of the amount of salt in your dog’s food. Avocados This is one of the top foods that are dangerous for dogs. Avocados contain a compound called persin, a fungicidal toxin that is harmless to people who’re not allergic to avocados.

An allergy is simply a natural response of the immune system. It can be a visible indicator or may develop as an internal discomfort. It is a known fact that dogs cannot eat and digest most of the foods that we consume on a daily basis. A lot of them have the potential of causing an intolerance that may develop into an allergy. As a responsible pet owner, you should also be aware of the following commonly known symptoms of food allergies in dogs. Ear infections Persistent and recurring ear infections are clear indicators of symptoms of food allergies in dogs. Note that these ear infections should not be confused with the ones that are a result of ear mites or yeast infection. If you do happen to see your furry little friend scratching the ear more often than usual, check for the visible signs of the infection. These mainly include a buildup of black or brown substances that can stink up the ear canal. Inflammation is also one of the few symptoms that can become a chronic discomfort if left unchecked. Certain proteins in foods consumed by dogs can trigger these infections and immediate medical attention is advisable at this point.

The viral infection hepatitis C is a blood born condition that causes damage to the liver. It is a particularly problematic disease as a person can have the condition for many years without experiencing noticeable symptoms. The symptoms of hep C include bleeding easily, bruising, fatigue, yellowing of the skin, dark urine and swelling in the legs or abdomen. As this condition affects the liver diet can actually have an impact on symptom severity. Foods can significantly impact liver function for hep C patients, which is why certain foods should be avoided, such as: 1. Raw oysters or shellfish Consuming raw shellfish such as oysters always comes with some level of risk, not least the possibility that the product is not completely fresh. The main issue with raw shellfish for Hep C sufferers, however, is the risk of pollutants. Oysters, for example, when eaten raw could potentially transmit hepatitis A. This form of hepatitis also attacks the liver and in conjunction with hep C could compound the damage done to the liver. 2. Fatty foods The hepatitis C virus causes inflammation and damage in the liver so key to treatment is helping minimize these effects. Fat is important to the body for energy and to protect body tissues but excess bad fats can do damage to the liver.