We have all heard how saturated and trans fats such as butter, animal fats, partially hydrogenated oils, as well as tropical oils can increase your risk for various heart diseases. The reason for this is how it increases your total cholesterol, including LDL cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol can’t dissolve in the blood. It has to be transported to and from the cells by carriers called lipoproteins. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is known as “bad” cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is known as “good” cholesterol. These two types of lipids, along with triglycerides and Lp(a) cholesterol, make up your total cholesterol count, which can be determined through a blood test.

Trans fat is the worst type you can consume. It’s mostly manufactured in a process forcing hydrogen into polyunsaturated fats. This hydrogenation process creates a solid fat product, such as margarine. It also gives foods containing trans fats a longer shelf life and stabilizes flavors.

Saturated fat is an unhealthy choice as the body turns it into LDL cholesterol. This type of fat clogs arteries and is harmful for your heart. Saturated fat is most commonly found in animal products, such as the white fat along the edge of a piece of meat. It can also be found in the skin of poultry, and hidden in whole milk, tropical oils and products made containing these products.

Polyunsaturated fat is moderately healthy. It can lower LDL levels, but is also known for reducing the levels of “good” cholesterol or HDL. This fat is usually liquid at room temperature. Popular variations are soybean, safflower, corn and several other vegetable oils.

Monounsaturated fat such as olive oil is by far a healthier choice. This type can lower your risk of heart disease by reducing the total and LDL cholesterol levels in your blood.

Have you had a massage lately? If you haven’t, then think about aromatherapy. Like the name suggests, the room will be filled with the scent of oils used to heal the body of a number of ailments.

That said, aromatherapy itself uses extracts created from various plants, flowers and herbs. Absorbing these smells through the nose can ease the symptoms of the complaint. Aromatherapy massage takes that one step further and allows the extracts to seep into the skin to affect changes in the body as well.

Here is how it works. If you went to an aromatherapist for a massage, he or she would ask you to fill out paperwork so they can get a profile of you and any complaints you have (stress-related conditions, headaches, digestive system and such). Depending on what you say, the choice of oils used will be different for each massage.

In Aromatherapy Massage the plant extracts need a carrier to deliver them to the skin. Mild oils like almond are used to deliver the healing herbs to your body. These are not fragrant oils like you would put on your skin as perfume. It is the oil that smells of the extract with no other chemicals added.

The oils are blended with the appropriate extracts for your condition. The smell fills the room to relax you and also enters your skin through the skilled hands of the massage therapist. Aromatherapy has the advantage of providing relief for stress-related conditions and digestive complaints without adding chemicals to your body.

There are a few additional things to know before having an aromatherapy massage. Tell the massage therapist if you have any allergies to medicines and plants. Do not eat before going as lying down on a full stomach can be unpleasant. If you are pregnant, consult a doctor before engaging in an aromatherapy massage. Anyone with blood clotting issues should abstain from massage because the pressure could dislodge a forming clot and cause serious if not fatal complications.

Aromatherapy massages mingle the healing touch of massage with the powers of natural plants and herbs.