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The tradition of St. Patrick's Day began hundreds of years ago when a boy in Roman England was captured and taken to Ireland as a captive where he found God. It is said that St. Patrick could hear from the angels, and that he had raised people from the dead. He was a very active missionary throughout Ireland for 30 years, and that is why he is called the patron saint of Ireland. There have been many legends attached to this saint, and they have lasted throughout the centuries. This holiday began as a Holy Day in the Catholic Church, but over the years this religious Catholic saint's day has turned into a more secular celebration of the upcoming new spring.
Here are a few facts for St. Patrick's Day:
- March 17th, the day of celebration, is the day of Patrick's death.
- St. Patrick, the patron saint of the Irish, was not from Ireland.
- Patrick was an old time missionary in Ireland during the 4th century.
- He brought many people to conversion and into the Christian religion.
- The Shamrock, symbol of St. Patrick's Day, was a plant with three leaves that Patrick used to demonstrate to the pagans the trinity of God – Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
- Maewyn is the name St. Patrick was born with. His name was changed by the Bishop in a monastery in France, after he escaped his captivity. He was not religious at all when he was a child.
- The first St. Paddy's day parade in America was in 1737, 40 years before the Revolutionary War.
- The first day of spring is March 21st and this could be the reason St. Patrick's Day celebrations have caught on so big.
- Everyone turns Irish for a day – just wear green, the sign of life.
- Irish dishes include Corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew, Irish cream pie, Irish soda bread, scones, Irish cheese bread, and all of these would be a good choice on St. Patrick's Day.
There are many traditions and legends that have been passed down through the generations, so even the barest of facts have gotten confused. It is not even certain exactly when Patrick was born, the actual date varies about 30 years in early 300 AD but the day of his death is certain, March 17, and that is the important day.
So whether you are celebrating the life of a glorified Catholic saint or the oncoming spring and all the new growth and new life possibilities that a new life can encompass, it really doesn't matter. Wear something Green, grab a green hat, give someone a shamrock and join in the parade. Good luck and Blessings are meant for all!
So what is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a soft, fatty substance that is found in the bloodstream and in the body's cells. Your body and food are the two main places that cholesterol comes from. About 75 percent of blood cholesterol comes from the liver and other cells in the body. 25 percent comes from the food that you eat.
It is important to know that not all cholesterol is bad though. There is good and bad cholesterol. Too much bad cholesterol will circulate in the blood, which can clog the arteries and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. Not enough good cholesterol can do the same.
Have you ever been concerned about your cholesterol levels? Some people have been told by their doctors that they have high cholesterol, and need to start watching what they eat, while others have a family history of high cholesterol and may be concerned that it may be affecting them too. High cholesterol can cause many severe health problems such as heart disease, heart attack or stroke.
Let's talk about the bad cholesterol. There are many things that factor into having high cholesterol levels. It can be inherited from your mother, father or even grandparents if their bodies tend to produce too much cholesterol naturally. Food is one of the top causes to high cholesterol levels. LDL cholesterol is considered “bad” cholesterol. Hypercholesterolemia is the medical term for high cholesterol. Healthy eating habits as well as working with your doctor can help to keep high cholesterol levels under control.
Types of Cholesterol
So let's talk about other types of cholesterol. There is LDL, or Low-density lipoprotein, is the “bad” cholesterol, and can be very dangerous if there is too much in your system. Combined with other substances, it can be carried through the system and form a hard, plaque-like material that can attach itself to arteries and cause pulmonary heart conditions.
HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, is “good” cholesterol. High levels of HDL seem to protect against heart disease and stroke because they help to carry harmful cholesterol through the system. Low levels of HDL also can increase the chance of heart disease and stroke. Some experts believe your “good” cholesterol tends to help carry the bad cholesterol back to the liver where it can pass through the body.
Triglycerides are a form of fat made in the human body. Being overweight, physical inactivity, smoking, alcohol and carbohydrates can all lead to high levels of triglycerides. High triglyceride levels in people can cause high cholesterol levels. People with diabetes and or/heart disease also tend to have high triglyceride levels as well.
Lp(a) is a genetic variation of LDL (bad) cholesterol. It is not fully understood by professionals yet, bur it is known that it may interact with matter found in the arteries and contributes to the build-up of fatty deposits.
Cholesterol can not dissolve in the blood stream. It is carried through the cells by lipoprotein, and it either filters out of the body through the liver or builds up in the arteries and bloodstream. There are many things that you can do to keep your cholesterol levels under control. You can eat foods low in cholesterol, saturated fat and trans fat, maintain a healthy weight, be physically active and follow the advice of your professional healthcare provider. Alternative Health Supplements offers a variety of all-natural, safe products to help lower cholesterol as well.