Lifestyle Choices

I do encourage you to use complementary techniques to optimise your condition and augment your healing. But always consult your doctor first, and even if he or she does not believe in the therapy, just make sure that no harm can be done. These therapies may give you support, comfort or may aid your healing. You may choose to learn meditation, practise guided imagery, relaxation techniques, acupuncture, reflexology Ayurvedic or Chinese medicine or follow a sound nutritional plan. Steer clear of any practitioner who tells you there is only one way to heal from cancer and that is with his/her therapy, or anyone who advises you to forego the treatment advised by your doctor. This is extremely dangerous.

You can choose to become empowered and active in your cancer therapy. Ensure that you receive optimal medical therapy first, with excellent emotional support including a good doctor-patient relationship (if possible). Implementing mind-body techniques and living with a sense of faith have also been shown to support the healing process.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is one of a large and important class of molecules called lipids, which is the scientific jargon for fats. This fatty substance, present normally in the bloodstream and in all your tissues and cells, is absolutely necessary for human life. Lipids and cholesterol form an important function as part of the architecture of cell wall and cellular structures. Cholesterol is manufactured in your liver as well as consumed in your diet. The popular view that cholesterol is the root cause of all heart disease is overly simplistic.You need to understand the role of fats as well as the many risk factors for heart disease.

Take charge, take care, take action

Check out your baseline cholesterol and if it is normal, you only need to test it every five years. A cholesterol check involves a simple blood test at your local clinic, hospital and at many pharmacies, often at no cost. This approximate testing may suggest a problem but is frequently inaccurate, so a follow-up full cholesterol or what is called a lipogram may need to be performed. There are 4.5 million South Africans with raised cholesterol levels. A high blood cholesterol is a known risk factor for heart disease, so lowering your cholesterol can save your life.

The good news is that often just altering your diet can do the trick. Switch from high-fat foods (eggs, fatty red meats, palm or coconut oil, dairy products made with whole milk) to fresh fruits and vegetables, wholegrain breads and cereals and low-fat dairy products. If diet alone does not lower your levels sufficiently, you may need to be on cholesterol-lowering medication to reduce your risk of heart and other vascular disease. Exercise can also help lower your risk for the disease.

Atherosclerosis, also known as arteriosclerosis or ‘hardening of the arteries’, is a disease process that causes narrowing of the arteries and thickening of the artery walls. It occurs to some extent as people get older, but more rapidly in some individuals for reasons which are largely preventable. It is caused by build-up of deposits such as cholesterol in the blood. This can result in serious medical problems such as a heart attack or stroke. There is no cure for atherosclerosis though surgery and related procedures can relieve blockages in specific places. The major treatment goal is to reduce progression and complications when atherosclerosis has already presented clinically. However, it is better to prevent the development of significant disease in the first place.

Understanding the cholesterol numbers

Once your cholesterol has been tested, your doctor will also look at other lipid (fat) levels from your blood profile to decide what is the best approach.

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