Health on Your Terms
By Simon Homarus
By Simon HOMARUS
By Simon HOMARUS
By Simon HOMARUS
By Simon HOMARUS
By Simon HOMARUS
Understanding cholesterol can be confusing, especially with all the negative hype surrounding it. We all have come to dread cholesterol because of its purported role in heart disease, but is all this hype true? Cholesterol is an important molecule that performs important and even critical functions in your body. Did you know it is an important and structural component of your cell membranes?
There are two types of cholesterol: LDL or low-density lipoprotein and HDL or high-density lipoprotein. Unknown to many, neither LDL nor HDL are cholesterol but they are small particles that carry fats like cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
Going by the existing and accepted dogma, LDL is the villain of the story that contributes to cardiovascular disease. HDL, on the other hand, is a friendly guy that helps remove bad cholesterol and provides an array of health benefits.
Many experts have challenged this theory of "bad cholesterol-good cholesterol", labelling it as flawed and twisted.
Your body makes this soft waxy, fat like substance to carry out a number of functions. Cholesterol:
Cholesterol is not bad on its own. It becomes damaging when oxidised by free radicals and toxins present in the endothelium. Oxidized LDL triggers a cascade of inflammatory immune reactions that promote the formation of plaque and create an inflammatory environment, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease. And not all LDL is bad. A new stream of evidence suggests it is the smaller, denser LDL particles that are more likely to become oxidized and increase the risk of coronary heart disease.
A weak and damaged endothelium plays a huge role in this process. Factors such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, consumption of trans fats, cigarette smoking, obesity and even pathogenic microorganisms can damage the endothelium, increasing the risk of plaque build-up. A strong, resilient endothelium can prevent or minimize this damage.
It is time to accept that it is not the cholesterol but chronic inflammation that triggers heart disease and other chronic ailments. Chronic inflammation is caused by stress, poor eating habits, exposure to chemicals and toxins, persistent infections and long-term chronic health conditions.
For most people, how much cholesterol you make in the body is not at all dependent on how much cholesterol you ingest through food. Your body will still make this useful, protective molecule even when your food doesn’t contain any cholesterol. The amount of cholesterol your body can absorb from food is insignificant, so don’t feel guilty about eating eggs.
In healthy people, the liver can get rid of excess cholesterol but in some people with a rare genetic condition called familial hypercholesterolemia, the liver doesn’t do this job very well. People with this condition have high levels of cholesterol in their blood.
In other situations, conventional treatments (such as statins) aimed to reduce your LDL cholesterol levels will not work to reduce your risk of heart disease because there are other important risk factors (insulin resistance, higher triglyceride levels and excess consumption of trans fats, sugar and highly refined carbohydrates) that are at play here and need to be addressed.
By Simon HOMARUS
By Simon HOMARUS
By Simon HOMARUS
Many years ago, when I was in my early 20s and living in Brisbane, a cardiologist told me the palpitations that I experienced when surfing in certain conditions could only be controlled by some medicine that he wanted to prescribe for me. When I asked how long I would need to take the medicine, he smiled and said, ‘For life’. I politely declined and said I would work on maintaining a good level of fitness to ensure my heart rate stays below 140 beats per minute, which was the marker at which the palpitations tended to begin.
It is an under-statement to tell you that maintaining good health requires more focus and attention the older we get. I celebrated my 60th birthday recently with a 7km hike up and down a small mountain – more like a hill than a mountain - near where I live in Chiangmai. On the upward journey I certainly noticed I was walking more slowly compared to the pace I maintained when I went hiking 25 years ago. (I used to hike regularly when I lived in Japan – there were many great hiking tracks just a short train ride from where I lived.)
My pulse rate rises more quickly nowadays, and this morning was no exception. I find that it certainly helps to have a good night of sleep before a hike, and I like to have at least one egg before setting out. What I also am sure to take is a good dose of Liposomal CoQ10. And of course, regular sips of water along the way.
Of course, we can’t rely solely on supplements to maintain good health. We need regular exercise, time for relaxation and reflection on what we do with our time, and healthy food which – to state the obvious – is vital. But we can’t always get all of the nutrition that we need from the modern diet, and studies certainly show that most adults the world over are deficient in Vitamin D.
I also want to continue to celebrate the 5th year since launching our products (apologies for the self-indulgent story telling), and so we will continue to offer our Liposomal CoQ10 product at 50% off (limited time offer). It is Non-GMO, Non-Soy and Gluten-free with a unique technology that creates a stable and consistent liposome structure without using an ethanol base.
No need for a coupon or gift code of any sort. Just add the product to your order as the discount has already been applied. If your order value is over EUR 149.00 the shipping is FREE in UK and Europe. We also offer FREE shipping to all other countries, but at a slightly higher value.
By Simon HOMARUS
It has been estimated that nearly half of the global population is suffering from Vitamin D insufficiency and one billion people are deficient in this nutrient. Research has shown that hypovitaminosis D, or Vitamin D deficiency, is a predictor of mortality in the general population. Conversely, supplementing with Vitamin D appears to be a protective factor against death.
The ingestion of vitamin D can boost calcium and phosphorus levels by up to 40% and 80%, respectively, but it has much more impact than just increasing mineral absorption and balance. Vitamin D can impact up to 200 gene expressions in organ systems such as muscles, intestines, pancreas, and nervous system, which underscores its powerful and far-reaching influence.
Cell division and differentiation are regulated by Vitamin D, which also induces apoptosis to avoid cancer. As an endocrine factor, it inhibits renin and encourages insulin secretion. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and immune-boosting properties to stop invading pathogens and inhibit tumour growth.
The vitamin D receptor complex has an impact on around 10% of human genes and around 3% of human genomes. Its presence has an impact on a wide range of human cells, including bone, blood vessels, brain, breast, colon, immune, muscle, prostate, and skin cells. 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1 alpha-hydroxylase, which is produced by a multitude of human cells, including bone, blood vessels, brain, breast, colon, immune, muscle, prostate, and skin, is responsible for converting calcifediol into calcitriol, the metabolically active form of vitamin D that has an influence on a cellular level.
Adequate amounts of vitamin D depend on getting enough ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation. When using a sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30, which is often suggested by the medical community, it can reduce the production of vitamin D by more than 95%. The process of synthesizing vitamin D starts when cholesterol in the skin is transformed into cholecalciferol due to sun exposure. This inactive form then goes through changes in the liver and kidneys to form the metabolically active version of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 - 1,25(OH)2D3 - which is the most commonly found form of vitamin D in the body.
Practices of many traditional cultures, which revere the sun as the source of life, may be the result of the numerous advantages of adequate vitamin D. In contrast, popular media, conventional medicine, and the common attitude today is to shelter from the sun, apply sunscreen, and stay away from the direct sunlight in the middle of the day.
A 15-year prospective study of 38,000 Swedish women found that prolonged sun exposure had a significant impact on reducing overall mortality and cardiovascular mortality. Surprisingly, there was a 60% higher risk of melanoma associated with intermittent sun exposure, yet chronic sun exposure had a protective effect against this deadly form of skin cancer. It is important to note that burning should always be avoided, yet staying away from the sun altogether is also harmful.
A broad range of diseases and illnesses have been associated with a lack of vitamin D; including hypertension, infections, diabetes, depression, cancer, fractures, and falls. Notably, vitamin D - a substance necessary for proper immune function - has been found to be in short supply in those suffering from autoimmune diseases, like MS, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune thyroiditis. Furthermore, research has revealed that autoimmune disorders tend to be more common in areas further from the equator, where vitamin D levels are lower.
The process of self-tolerance, or the lack of an immune response against self-antigens present in the body, is regulated by Vitamin D. It also has an influence on both innate and adaptive immune responses in the event of an infection. Homeostasis, proliferation, and apoptosis are all related to Vitamin D and its effects on the immune system.
Vitiligo is a condition that has an effect on 1% of the global population, usually before the age of 20. It is split into two varieties, the most common being generalized vitiligo which is thought to be an autoimmune disorder targeting the pigment cells called melanocytes. The other, less common type is segmental vitiligo, which affects only one side of the body.
In contrast to other skin conditions, Psoriasis is a widespread inflammatory illness that affects around two to four percent of the global population. The cause of the disorder is still being discussed, with some suggesting it is an autoimmune issue, and others claiming it is an irregular reaction to the bacteria on the skin. Many people who suffer from Psoriasis state that the condition has a major influence on their life, even if the visible signs of the disorder aren't extensive. Around 20 percent of those with Psoriasis are not satisfied with the treatment they receive.
To keep your immune system in check and stave off potential pathogens, incorporating Vitamin D into your daily routine is key. In particular, taking a liposomal form of Vitamin D will promote the production of anti-microbial peptides like beta defensins and cathelicidin, which can rebalance your microflora composition and help guard against autoimmune responses. The seasonality of influenza is believed to be in part due to Vitamin D deficiency in the winter months, so it is important to be proactive and stay on top of your health throughout the year!