Saturday, December 28, 2019

RIGHT TO HEALTH CARE UNDER INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 8 Words: 2371 Downloads: 10 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Law Essay Did you like this example? RIGHT TO HEALTH CARE UNDER INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS The international community faces a daunting task of assuring and providing adequate health care to its ever growing population. The concomitant aspect of health i.e. health care has been internationally recognized and provides for a fundamental basic human right. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "RIGHT TO HEALTH CARE UNDER INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS" essay for you Create order It is a matter of fulfilment and satisfaction that the international community has quite a few significant achievements to its credit in the field of health. The conquest of small-pox, a deadly disease, the dramatic increase in the life expectancy and the global increase in the public expenditure for health care have been some of the outstanding achievements of the present century.[1] However, these achievements pale into insignificance when appreciated in the context of the formidable problems and obstacles which the states have to encounter and surmount in their efforts to survive for the attainment of the international goals. The most formidable problems that confront the members of the international community, both the developed and the developing, are the challenges posed by the newly emerging infectious diseases like AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, cholera, etc. and non- communicable chronic diseases such as cancer, circulatory diseases, metabolic and hormonal imbalances and menta l disorders. It may be appreciated that while the developed world has been able to rid itself of most of the infectious diseases, the developing world is fighting, with its back to the wall, the double burden of these infectious as well as chronic diseases. The concerted global action to improve the quality of life of the worldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s people by improved system of health care is an imperative international necessity. The international community has tom fight on a global scale the twin enemies of infectious as well as chronic diseases. This can be done only by providing effective and comprehensive health care programmes in the national jurisdiction of the member countries. These programmes must address not only the problem of providing health or medical care for the individual but also the problem of providing healthy living conditions such as clean water, clean air, nutritious food, adequate housing, hygienic sanitation facilities, immunisation and firmly established h ealth services. This is really a formidable international obligation and a testing challenge to the developing countries especially which cannot be met without the cooperation and help of the developed countries. So the developing countries, particularly African and South Asian countries, should take this task seriously and should pull up their sleeves to take their health care commitment critically. These countries should strive to translate the international human right to health care into an enforceable basic human need in their national jurisdictions by appropriate constitutional and legislative measures so that the right may not remain a distant mirage. The right to health care, as an international human right, is founded on the edifice of the prescriptions of the United Nations Charter, the International Bill of Rights, the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, 1979, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989, etc. There fore the members of the international community are expected to build their health care strategies on this edifice. United Nations Charter The United Nations Charter does not expressly provides for the provisions for health care. The Charter declares that the promotion of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinctions based on race, sex, language or religion is one of its fundamental purposes of the establishment of the United Nations Organization.[2] To achieve this purpose, the United Nations is charged with the responsibility to promote, interalia, higher standards of living, full employment, conditions of economic and social progress and development, and solutions of international economic, social, health and related problems.[3] In similar vein, the member states are obliged to pledge themselves to take joint and separate action in cooperation with the United Nations Organization for the achievement of the declared purposes.[4] Thus, the Un ited Nations which is charged with the promotion of respect for human rights has to function through the General Assembly which is entrusted with this function.[5] It is an accepted fact that the resolutions of the General Assembly are not at all legally binding on the member countries. Consequently, many member states have not thought it appropriate and necessary to respect and observe human rights in their national jurisdictions. Nevertheless, the international legal obligation to promote respect for, and observance of, human rights, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter is significant in one sense, for, it serves to remove the subject of human rights from the exclusive domestic domain and to transform it into a subject of international concern.[6] This has paved the way for the adoption of not only the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly but also the conclusion of various international multilateral human rights instruments by the U.N. as well its specialised agencies and various regional inter-governmental organizations. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights Ever since the adoption by the world community of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948. Public disclosures relating to health have been conducted in the language of rights on the assumption that the State has definite obligations in the maintenance of public health, that is, conditions in which people can live healthy. The adoption of the UDHR by the U.N. General Assembly revolutionized the human rights in the world, thereby marking the ushering in of a new era in the mankindà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s struggle for freedom and human dignity. The Declaration proclaims that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights[7] and that they are entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms are set forth in this Declaration can be fully realised.[8] A significant feature of the UDHR is that it proclaims a nd recognizes the importance of not only civil and political rights but also economic, social and cultural rights. Of these, individual rights to social security, to work, to protection against unemployment, to rest and leisure and to protection against torture and cruel and inhuman treatment are some of the important rights the enjoyment of which depends on the efficacy of the right to health and health care. Coming to the crucial provision of the Declaration which expressly recognises the right to health, Article 25 reads: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and wellbeing of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. 2. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All child ren, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  The rights proclaimed by the Declaration are not absolute as they are subject to the authority of the member states to enact laws limiting the exercise of these solely for the purpose of securing à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ [9] It may be appreciated that while the Declaration proclaims that all members of the society are entitles to the realisation of the economic, social and cultural rights which are indispensable for enjoyment of manà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s dignity and development of his personality, their actual realisation has been made dependent on the availability of resources at the disposal of the member states. And the right to heal th is no exception to this basic premise. The International Bill of Human Rights Ever since the adoption by the world community of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948, public disclosures relating to health have been conducted in the language of rights on the assumption that the State has definite obligations in the maintenance of public health, that is, conditions in which people can live healthy. In 1996, the international community articulated the right in Article 12 of the International Covenant on Cultural, Economic and Social Rights in the following terms: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“1. The Stateà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. 2. The steps to be taken by the Stateà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s parties to the present Covenant to achieve the full realisation of this right shall include those necessary for: (a) The provision for the reduction o f the still birth rate and of infant mortality and for the healthy development of then child; (b) The improvement of all aspects of environmental and industrial hygiene; (c) The prevention, treatment and control of epidemic, endemic, occupational and other diseases; (d) The creation of conditions which would assure to all medical service and medical attention in the event of sickness.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Article 12 of the ICESCR forms a base of right to health. The article recognizes the right of everyone to enjoy the highest standard of physical and mental health. It enumerates four steps to be followed by the State so that everyone can realize the right to health. It states that States must act to enhance the welfare of children in general, such as reduction in still birth rate and infant mortality and health development of the child. States must take measures to improve environment and industrial hygiene, must prevent and treat epidemic, endemic, occupational and other dis eases. States must also strive to optimize health service. Here also the multi-form nature of heath carves a coherent whole in the text of the covenant. Right to health is a means of attaining full development of the right to life and integrity of human person, a means of recognizing right of each individual to what the community owes him, and a means of creating duties under State responsibility to contribute to the satisfaction of the individual aspirations of citizens. A close scrutiny of the measure that the State has to undertake reveals several areas. However, the criticism is often overcome by a counter argument that since human rights treaties are of a law-making character as opposed to contracting treaty, they purport to give fuller effectiveness to their guarantee and hence it is essential that wide ranging and socially evolving, matters affecting health be economic passed within article 12.[10] Although the International Covenants on Human Rights were adopted in 1966, they came into force only in 1976. The instruments were designed to transform the principles proclaimed in the Declaration into binding treaty obligations. Not all states are parties to these Covenants. While the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights incorporate mainly the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“first generationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  classical human rights which are negative in nature, imposing only negative obligations on the stateà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s parties, the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which is more relevant in the context of present discussion embodies the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“second generationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  human rights which are positive in scope and character, imposing positive and affirmative obligations on the stateà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s parties.[11] The Covenant also enumerates several other rights which have a bearing on the right to health and health care. The theoretical division between civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights has defi nitely an impact on the nature of right to health. At the outset in contrast to ICCPR, the ICESCR is not immediately binding but subordinated to the principle of progressive realization. This means that treaty provisions are intended to acquire full realization of right only progressively to the maximum of its available resources. From the perspective of right to health this means that realization of the same depends upon resources of the State. So the main drawback of this type of language is that it may be used as a shield by the State to evade responsibilities in ensuring right to health. However, it has been cautioned by the committee on economic, social and cultural rights that the fact that realization overtime or in other words progressively should not be misinterpreted as depriving the obligation of all meaningful content. It is just a flexible tone reflecting realities of the real world and the cultural rights. But as a matter of fact the caution has always been ignored by the States.[12] Another weakness inherent in ICESCR is the nature of language. While ICCPR provisions are formulated in an affirmative and unconditional way such as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Everyone shall have the rightà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ . ICESCR provisions state only that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“State parties recognize or undertake to ensureà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ . The terms like à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"recognizeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"undertake to ensureà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ were chosen deliberately to lessen the operative force of the provisions and to entrust to States a broader ambit of discretion. Again another important deficiency of ICESCR is that as compared to general clause in Article 2 of ICCPR there is no explicit reference to judicial or other forms of remedy.[13] There is no individual or inter State complaint mechanism as with the operative clause under the ICCPR and its first optional protocol. The State parties to the ICESCR are only required to submit reports to the committee on economic, s ocial and cultural rights on any national legislative and other measures taken to give fuller effect to the right guaranteed in ICESCR. While the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights creates immediate negative legal obligations on the state parties, the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights only requires a progressive implementation of positive obligations by the state parties within the scope of their available resources. The Covenant requires each state party to take positive steps to the maximum of its available resources, with a view to achieving progressively the full realization of the rights by all appropriate means, including particularly the adoption of legislative measures. [1] Dr. B. Errabbi, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The Right to Health Care: Need for its Conversion into a Statutorily Enforceable Basic Human Need à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" An Indian Perspectiveà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ , Delhi Law Review, Vol. 20, 1998, p. 51. [2] United Nations Charter, Article 1(3). [3] Id.. Article 55. [4] Id.. Article 56. [5] Id.. Article 13 (b). [6] Supra note 1. [7] Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948, Article 1. [8] Id. Article 28. [9] Id. Article 29 (2). [10] Bismi Gopalakrishnan, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Right to Health and Resultant Obligationsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ , The Academy Law Review, Vol. 29, 2005, p. 208-209. [11] Dr. B. Errabbi, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The Right to Health Care: Need for its Conversion into a Statutorily Enforceable Basic Human Need à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" An Indian Perspectiveà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ , Delhi Law Review, Vol. 20, 1998, p. 55. [12] Supra note 10. [13] Ibid.

Friday, December 20, 2019

Essay about Nelson Mandela Gave his Life to South Africa

Rolihlahla Mandela (renamed to Nelson) from the Madiba clan was born on July 19 1918 in Transkei South Africa. His father was Henry Mphakanyiswa from the Tembu Tribe he died when Nelson was 12 years old (1930). Nelson went to a University College of Forte Hare and the University of Witwatersand Mandela was a poor student and left the university in 1952 without graduating. In 1989 in his last years of imprisonment he got an LLB through the University of South Africa. Mandela joined the AFC (African National Congress) in 1944 and was in the resistance of the National Apartheid policies 1948. He went on trial in 1956-1961 and was found guilty in 1961. After the ban of the ANC in 1960 Nelson argued for the setting up of a military in ANC.†¦show more content†¦He received army training in Morocco and Ethiopia and returned to South Africa on July 1962. He was arrested in a police roadblock outside Howick on August 5 while returning from KwaZulu Natal where he told ANC President Chief Albert Luthuli about his trip. Nelson Mandela’s mother died in 1968 and his eldest son Thembi in 1969. Nelson was not allowed to attend their funerals. On 3/31/82 Nelson Mandela was transferred to Polsmoor Prison in Cape Town with Sisulu, Mhlaba and Mlangeni. Kaathrada joined them in October. When he returned to the prison in November 1985 after his surgery in his prostate Nelson Mandela was held alone. Minister Kobe Coetsee visited him in hospital. Late r Nelson Mandela decides to talk about his meeting between the apartheid government and the ANC.On 8/12/88 he was taken to hospital where he was discovered to have tuberculosis. After a little over three months in two hospitals he was transferred on 12/7/88 to a house at Victor Verster Prison near Parl where he spent the last 14 months of imprisonment. He was released from the prison on Sunday 2/11/90, nine days after the banning of the ANC and the PAC had been taken off and almost four months after the release of the rest of his Rivonia comrades. During the trial on 6/14/58 Nelson married a social worker, Winnie Madikizela. They ended up having two daughters, Zenani and Zindziswa. Nelson and Winnie had divorced in 1996. On 3/21/60 the police killed 69 unarmed civilians in aShow MoreRelatedThe Legacy Of Nelson Mandela1350 Words   |  6 Pagesone s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others† (Nelson Mandela. History). Nelson Mandela, a ant i-apartheid activist, became one of the world’s most significant freedom fighter. His numerous acts and protests flooded South Africa with immense pride and peace and therefore grew South Africa into a thriving, substantial economy with minimal racial boundaries. Nelson Mandela was a prominent political leader who brought a dynamic end to the apartheid struggle, foughtRead MoreGke 1 Task 21300 Words   |  6 PagesNelson Mandela was known as a world leader for his role in fighting apartheid and being the first multi-racial president of South Africa. His presidency created a significant change in the perception and building of a multiracial society in South Africa and around the world. Nelson Mandela was also known to be a leader of a civil rights organization known as the African National Congress. The purpose of the African National Congress was to demolish racial segregation and discrimination. The two mostRead MoreNelson Mandela And His Success1408 Words   |  6 Pages Nelson Mandela and His Success Introduction Nelson Mandela, the pursuit of freedom let him go out of the tribal sheikhs and take part in the movement for the emancipation of the underground. He had spent much time in the prison of a quarry, finally entered the presidential palace of the richest country in Africa. Nelson Mandela has strong character and he venerated national heroes. He is the eldest son in the family and is designated as the emirate. But he said he would never rule an oppressedRead MoreNelson Mandela Paper1054 Words   |  5 Pages5/17/13 South Africa’s Hero When most people think of a prominent figure in South Africa one name always comes to mind; Nelson Mandela. Imagine a time in South Africa when, similar to old America, whites held most of the power. Due to the previous conflicts of the European countries in South Africa, there were many Europeans who heavily discriminated against the original African people. This is exactly the type of place Mandela was born into. Born in 1918, his family was part of a common South AfricanRead MoreNelson Mandela My Role Model1211 Words   |  5 PagesNelson Mandela, full name Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, pet name Madiba, Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in Mvezo, South Africa and died on December 5, 2013, in Johannesburg. The black nationalist and the first black president of South Africa (1994–99). His agreement in the early 1990s with South African Pres. F.W. de Klerk helped end the country’s system of racial segregation and started in a peaceful transition to majority rule. Mandel a and de Klerk were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize for PeaceRead MoreThe Apartheid Of South Africa1750 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"Mandela did not merely oppose white domination; he opposed domination by any racial group, including Africans. By standing firm in his principles and enduring extraordinary sacrifices that robbed him of most of his adult life, he helped force change, while proving beyond any doubt that he was a leader who could be trusted to keep his word† (Kent). Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) was a human rights activist as well as the first black President of South Africa. Referred to as the living embodiment ofRead MoreEssay On Nelson Mandela1243 Words   |  5 Pagesdata The Honourable Nelson Mandela transitioned from being a criminal to a white racist government to becoming the president to that same government and being a great influence on the lives of South African. He was a man of great patience and generosity therefore, he was capable of ending the Apartheid period. Born on July 18, 1918, into a small tribe of Thembu. He was a civil rights leader, who fought against apartheid, or racial discrimination against blacks, in South Africa. His name was RolihlahlaRead MoreA Brief Biography of Nelson Mandela693 Words   |  3 Pagesfew words to describe one of our world’s most iconic people, Nelson Mandela. He fought for freedom and against racial discrimination in his country of South Africa. Not only did Nelson Mandela change the world, he also inspired people to change the world too. He was just an average boy living in a small town in South Africa who became one of the world’s most iconic figures. Through challenges and hard times, h e got through and today, Nelson Mandela’s story inspires people around the world to do somethingRead MoreNelson Mandelas Way to Freedom1188 Words   |  5 PagesNelson Mandela life was dedicated to the struggle to set his people free. Nelson Mandela was threatened with death and put in jail but when he came out he embraced grace and forgiveness. In the fight against the partied was in South Africa Mandela felt violence was justified, he was arrested on a charged with treason and sentenced to life in jail, for twenty seven years he was cut off from the world. In nineteen ninety he was set free, forgiving he appeasers Mandela led a new South Africa who wasRead MoreNelson Mandela1187 Words   |  5 Pagesicon is Nelson Mandela; an individual who took a stand against apartheid in South Africa and established great strides toward racial equality in that part of the world. Mandela is considered as cultural icon because he achieved widespread recognition for his accomplishments w ith racial equality, he established a world-wide organization that researches possible cures for AIDS, and July eighteenth has been designated as international Mandela day. In 1908, the white minority group of South Africa achieved

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Essay about The Human Body Example For Students

Essay about The Human Body Human BodyIn the BeginningWithin a month of conception, the cluster of cells that will, in the course oftime, become a human being begins throbbing, signaling the development ofa primitive heart. Scarcely four weeks more pass before an intricate networkof veins and arteries the size of a pea forms and subdivides into a tiny replicaof the four chambers that will one day make up the adult heart. As the fetusgrows, so does its vitally important circulatory system. Although most of thefunctions of the heart remain dependent upon the mother throughout theentire pregnancy, in the latter stages the organ becomes strong enough to beaton its own. Even so, until birth the baby is cared for and nourished throughthe mothers placenta. An umbilical cord provides a supply line that furnishesfood and oxygen for the baby, and also removes waste. When at last thebirthing moment arrives, the baby emerges a separate individual; almost assoon as its first cries are sounded, its pulmonary and circulatory systemsundergo a change that renders them self-sufficient. How it Works Technically speaking, the circulatory system is a masterpiece of organicactivity. Composed of a network of 60,000 miles of blood vessels and apintsized, powerhouse pump known as the heart, it services more than 2,000gallons of blood per day, feeding and replenishing other organs and makinglife possible. In an adult, the heart is normally an 11 ounce, fistsized organ that literallypushes blood through arteries, veins and capillaries. It does this by means ofmuscular contractions sparked by electrical impulses from the heartspacemaker (sinoatrial node). All of the cells within each of the chambersmagically work on cue. First, the right side sends blood to the lungs. There carbon dioxide is removed and oxygen is added, turning the blood abright red color. Then the blood is pumped to the left side of the heart andsent via the aorta to the rest of the body. To survive, each of the bodys approximately 1 billion cells must benourished. This is the job of the blood, with the heart and vessels acting asfacilitators. After depositing the necessary nutrients with each of the cells, theblood returns to the heart, carrying with it waste products it has picked upalong the way. These are eliminated through a filtering process in the lungsand kidneys. By now the supply of oxygen within the blood i s nearly exhausted, and it istime to restock its supplies and begin the journey again. Incredibly, the wholeprocess has taken just 20 seconds. During the course of an average life, the heart pumps tens of millions ofgallons of blood. It is estimated that the amount would easily fill a24-foot-wide cylinder to a height greater than the Empire StateBuilding. Perhaps more impressively, the circulatory system has the computer-likeability to direct greater and lesser amounts of blood to various areas of thebody according to their immediate needs. This explains why athletes oftenforego eating just prior to a match. During the process of digestion, thegastric organs require more blood to complete their work. As if that werentenough, the heart is also wired through the nervous system to respond to alarge variety of physical and emotional stimuli. Witness the quickening of theheart at the touch of a loved one. What Can Go Wrong Most circulatory problems are caused by a blockage in an artery, which isknown as atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. No one knows for surewhy this happens, but the prevailing theory states that something causes theprotective inner lining of an artery wall to be injured. Once impaired, thecollagen in the lining is exposed. That, in turn, attracts platelets and toxicsubstances from the bloodstream, which enter the artery wall. Eventually, theprocess leads to a buildup of debris, narrowing of the artery and finally,blockage. Interestingly enough, although the heart has a continual flow of bloodstreaming in and out of its chambers, it is unable to take the nourishment itneeds from this source. Rather, it must rely on its own miniature circulatorysystem, which branches off from the aorta or main channel. Here tiny butextremely important vessels called coronary arteries provide the means tofeed the heart. Like other arteries, they are also subject to blockage. Andherein lies a potential and fairly common tragedy, because when coronaryarteries cease to function as they should, the heart is deprived of the oxygenand nutrients it needs. Starved, it becomes damaged and, at worst, dies. There are several factors that contribute to circulatory problems, includinghigh blood pressure (hypertension), high levels of cholesterol in thebloodstream, smoking, obesity, heredity, lack of exercise and emotionalstress. Blood pressure refers to the force at which blood courses through arteries andveins as it journeys to the various parts of the body. It is determined by thetotal amount of blood in the body (which may vary from individual toindividual and even time to time), the intensity at which the heart has towork, and the resistance to flow offered by the artery walls. When bloodpressure is elevated above a safe level, it can speed up the process ofdamaging the blood vessels. It can also lead to personality changes and mayaffect the heart, brain and kidneys. Cholesterol Management Cholesterol is a type of animal fat that is either manufactured by the liver orabsorbed through the diet. Although most often it is described in villainousterms, it is actually necessary in some forms for good health. Cholesterolhelps the body metabolize carbohydrates and manufacture its own vitamin D. It also is a prime supplier of certain essential hormones. However, problemsoccur when cholesterol and other fats start lining the insides of arteries,narrowing them and making them susceptible to deposits of plaque. Thishampers the flow of blood, and consequently, the supply of life-givingnutrients and oxygen. Do you know what your cholesterol level is? When was the last time you hadit checked? Or have you ever had it checked? How are you doing with yourcholesterol management? And do you need to be concerned about it? Lets look at some statistics The average American eats 165 pounds of meat, 276 eggs, 17 pounds ofbutter or margarine and 18 pounds of ice cream annually. Daily, the averageAmerican consumes the equivalent of a full stick of butter in fat andcholesterol. This diet contributes to a 1-2% increase in the cholesterolaccumulating in the arteries each year. Remember, high cholesterol levels arenot something you can feel. To determine if your blood cholesterol level iscontribu ting to your risk of heart disease, have it tested by a qualified healthprofessional through laboratory analysis. Cholesterol is manufactured in theliver and is absorbed from the diet. S nce the major lipids or fats are notsoluble in blood, they are carried in the bloodstream by protein carriers calledlipoproteins. These lipoproteins vary in size and are termed highdensitylipoprotein (HDL), low- density lipoprotein (LDL) and a very low-densitylipoprotein (VLDL). In The Shooting An Elephant, George Orwell Describes An Internal EssayDespite the boom in fitness spass, a government survey shows that onlyabout 8 percent of adults get adequate exercise. It seems we are a generationof couch potatoes and over a period of time, our sedentary habits can exact aheavy price. Aerobic exercise such as walking, running or cycling helps tosupply increased amounts of oxygen to the circulatory system. It alsostrengthens heart muscle tone and improves mass. Theres even evidence thatit helps keep cholesterol at a healthy level. Research indicates that emotional stress can cause the body to releasebiochemicals that may contribute to the injury of arterial tissues. This, inturn, invites the formation of plaque. Preventive MaintenanceThe late, eminent heart specialist Paul Dudley White, M.D., once stated thatheart disease before 80 is our own fault, not Gods or Natures will. Of all the factors that contribute to circulatory problems, all but one heredity can be largely controlled by the way we live and the food we eat. Highblood pressure, for example, can be lowered significantly in some people bysimply limiting the intake of sodium. Common table salt, or sodium, causesthe blood to retain fluids. This swells the volume of blood that must bepumped throughout the body and, accordingly, adds to the workload of theheart. Salt also seems to encourage the smooth muscles in the smallestarteries to constrict, which increases the resistance to flow. Unfortunately, salt is a staple of the modern diet, and an ingredient in mostprocessed foods. That means that most of us probably consume way toomuch. Whats more, when sugar is added to salt, as it very often is, the threatis compounded. Researchers have found that symptoms of high bloodpressure are significantly worsened in test animals fed a diet that is high inboth salt and sugar. They concluded that the synergist ic effect of thiscommon dietary duo is disquieting at the very least. So, limit your sodium intake as much as possible. Avoid salty snacks andmake a deliberate change from seemingly convenient, prepackaged and fastfoods to their more natural counterparts. When you come to the frozen andcanned food sections in your local grocery store, put on mental blinders andquicken your pace. Then head straight for the fresh produce . . . and lingerthere. Avoid fats as much as possible, especially those that are highly saturated, likecoconut oil. Better choices are avocado, almond, canola and peanut oils. Thebest choice is high-grade olive oil. Also, cut down on your intake of meatsand other substances that contain animal fats, while you concentrate onincluding more fish, whole grains and beans in your diet. Whole milk, because it contains animal fat, is a potentially heavycontributor of dietary cholesterol. Consider substituting Natures Sunshine delicious-tasting, dairy-free,cholesterol-free and lactose-free . It is also naturally low in calories andsodium. Its white like milk and is made from tofu, which means its easier todigest than soy milk and doesnt have that bean taste. If you need some additional information on the health implications of dairyproducts for reasons other than the circulatory system, read more at the site. Lately, a lot of publicity has surrounded oat bran as a cholesterol fighter. Itsgood, but other findings indicate that rice bran may even be better. Psyllium, too, looks promising. Doctors at the University of Minnesotarecently released the findings of a study in which psyllium was used tosuccessfully lower patients cholesterol levels. Regular aerobic exercise (at least 20 minutes, three times a week) can be areal boon to a healthier circulatory system. In addition to its many physicalbenefits, aerobic exercise helps people deal with the normal stresses ofeveryday living. If you follow these tips consistently, chances are obesity, another contributorto high blood pressure, wont be much of a problem. If it is, we recommendseeking the services of a qualified health practitioner. Finally, remember that the circulatory system like any other system in thehuman machine-doesnt come with a manufacturers warranty. For thatreason, owners should be advised that a certain amount of timely upkeep isnecessary to keep it in tip-top condition. Failure to do so may result in costlyrepairs, a major overhaul or even a trade-in. As in all matters relating to health, preventive maintenance is the key toadding both years to your life, and life to your years. Read a Success Story on Natural Solutions for Circulatory Problems Circulation, cholesterol, most successful choice for high blood pressure Body deodorizer and cleanser, gum disease, chronic anemia, builds bloodfast, soothing and healing to the digestive and intestinal tracts-1200 mg. of Chinese garlic per tablet, coated with chlorophyll to controlodor without altering garlic properties and enteric coated so you dont burp it blood pressure, cholesterol, infections, colds, yeast A yellowish gummy substance derived from India. Used to improve thecirculatory system and improve cholesterol ratios. A combination of hawthorn berries, capsicum and garlic to strengthen theheart and aid in improving the circulatory system. Oral chelation formula designed to remove plaque from arterial walls;circulation; heart tonic; great preventative aid for heart disease Antioxidant, healing, anti-aging, heart disease, skin healerScience Essays