Thursday, June 18, 2009

Eat Fat for Low Cholesterol!

Hi everyone. Just got back from a fabulous vacation in Alaska. Funny thing happened. I hired a native guide to show me around Ketchikan, a beautiful seacoast town. I saw whales and eagles and all kinds of amazing things. However, most interestingly, I got into a discussion with my guide, Bernadette Raven Killer Whale. Up in the cold North country, the indigenous people eat large quantities of animal products containing very high percentages of fat. Additionally, many of these people are overweight or even obese. Notwithstanding all these purportedly negative health factors, their cholesterol levels are generally in the normal range! How come? Genetics, climate, and a very active and sometimes very rugged outdoor lifestyle are all factors. Sometimes our genetic inheritance trumps all else. Certainly an active lifestyle can help keep us healthy as well. Each person has their own unique set of both inherited and environmental factors. Also, certain diets contain heart protective foods and spices that can significantly lower cholesterol levels. One example is Red Yeast Rice, common in eastern cultures. Peking duck, a food certainly high in animal fat is traditionally seasoned with Red Yeast Rice. Now that's a pretty smart combination. It's almost like taking natural Lipitor with your meal. If you are interested in approaching health using diet and alternative techniques, speak with a holistic doctor or nutritionist who can guide you safely on this path.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great Blog. Alaska sounds like a great place to visit. How do you stay healthy on a cruise? There is so much food, and so much free time in which to eat it. Do you have any suggestions for staying healthy when traveling?

Anonymous said...

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