Cholesterol - News & Information

Researchers find gene that reduces bad cholesterol

2008-03-18T21:16:00.000-07:00

Swedish scientists from the Karolinksa Institute have now identified a gene that reduces levels of bad cholesterol and combats atherosclerosis - a condition brought about by thickening of inner walls of arteries carrying blood to the heart.

Research conducted on mice has found that the build up of the plaque that causes myocardial infarction and stroke can be prevented if the levels of the "bad" LDL cholesterol are reduced before atherosclerotic plaque has progressed beyond a certain point.

Johan Bjorkegren, the leader of the study stated: "Previously, much atherosclerosis research was focussed on identifying ways to stabilise the most dangerous plaques in order to prevent them rupturing and causing myocardial infarction or stroke"

But now, they have also been able to identify a network of 37 genes that actually lowers levels of blood cholesterol and brings about beneficial effect.

Please Explain Cholesterol!

2008-02-24T22:01:00.000-08:00

To better control your high cholesterol, you really should understand what cholesterol is and how it works. Here is a start:

"Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance produced in the liver and used by the body to make cell membranes, hormones, bile acids, vitamin D and other substances. Cholesterol is carried throughout the body in packages called lipoproteins, which have lipids (fat) on the inside and protein on the outside.

The body makes all the cholesterol it needs but takes in extra, mostly from fatty foods....." For more info see main article: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/health/stories/2007/09/17/1A_CHOLESTEROL.ART_ART_09-17-07_D1_EO7TEHP.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=101

For more similar information and self help suggestions, check out the directories under the links at the side of the page.

Difference between cholesterol, triglycerides

2008-01-30T21:21:00.000-08:00

Here is another interesting question I found whilst researching cholesterol this week. Things get so complicated, its nice to have an explanation in real lingo! For similar questions, answers and latest research, see the "Cholesterol Directory" under 'My Favorite Links'.

"Q. I just had my blood work done. My cholesterol is fine but my triglycerides are high.

Can you explain what the difference is and what could make the one be high and the other not?

A. Cholesterol and triglycerides are two forms of fat. Both of them are necessary for life itself. One of the functions of cholesterol is to build cell membranes and several essential hormones.

Triglycerides are the chemical form in which most fat exists in food as well as in the body. They are also present in blood plasma and, in association with cholesterol, form the plasma lipids.

In "my" language: triglycerides are a form of fat carried through the blood stream. When you eat, your body converts any calories it does not need at that moment and stores it as triglycerides."

For more info and article source see: http://www.salisburypost.com/lifestyle/344415385622066.php

So you want to control cholesterol levels without medication? Read on.

2008-01-24T21:24:00.000-08:00

Doctors and patients look for a quick fix to lower cholesterol. Powerful cholesterol-lowering drugs are popular because they work.

But, popping a pill isn't the only option.

Watching your diet has still proven scientifically effective. Some foods are known to lower cholesterol, but alone, they only lower it by about five-percent. There are other things that can help too, such as exercise and controlling stress levels. For more information on news and research regarding this, check out the 'Health Directory' under "My Favourite Links".

Oatmeal cholesterol claims stronger

2008-01-08T18:39:00.000-08:00

Well, I must have read it on the box a million times, but here's the proof! Read it for yourself.

Source: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/170935.html
"The link between oatmeal and cholesterol reduction is stronger than initially believed, a U.S. review found.

Study co-author Dr. James W. Anderson of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine analyzed studies conducted during the past 15 years on oatmeal and cholesterol and found without exception total cholesterol levels were lower after oat consumption. In addition, low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, the "bad" cholesterol is reduced without adverse effects on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or HDL, the "good" cholesterol, or triglyceride concentrations.

"Whole-grain products like oatmeal are among some of the best foods one can eat to improve cholesterol levels, in addition to other lifestyle choices," Anderson said in a statement. "Lifestyle choices, such as diet, should be the first line of therapy for most patients with moderate cholesterol risk given the expense, safety concerns, and intolerance related to cholesterol lowering drugs."

Anderson co-authored the comprehensive research review with Mark Andon, a researcher and nutrition director for Quaker-Tropicana."

High triglycerides, other cholesterol raise risk of stroke

2008-01-02T19:26:00.000-08:00

Bad cholesterol (LDL) is, according to new research, not the only type of cholesterol that contributes to high risk of stroke. Read this article and see your doctor if you want to get yourself checked out.

Article source: http://www.news-medical.net/?id=33795

"People with high triglycerides and another type of cholesterol tested but not usually evaluated as part of a person's risk assessment have an increased risk of a certain type of stroke, according to research published in the December 26, 2007, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

"LDL or 'bad' cholesterol has been the primary target for reducing the risk of stroke, but these results show that other types of cholesterol may be more strongly linked with stroke risk," said study author Bruce Ovbiagele, MD, of UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA, and member of the American Academy of Neurology.

The researchers analyzed the records of 1,049 people admitted to a university hospital with a stroke or mini-stroke over four years."

New strategy to cut heart attack risk is effective in initial test

2007-12-18T02:30:00.000-08:00

Id you are taking statins to control your cholesterol levels, you should read this article that I found released this week. They are trialling a different type of drug to help drop levels of LDL and it could be great for those who are not tolerating the statins very well. Here is part of the article. Check out the link for more information or click on the "Health Directory", one of my favourite links for similar articles.

Article Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-12/uoc--nst121407.php

"The first clinical trial of a new kind of drug to cut the risk of cardiovascular disease has been found safe and effective at dropping levels of (bad) low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by as much as 40 percent. High LDL levels increase the risk for heart attack and stroke.

The drug mimics the action of thyroid hormone and safely accelerates the hormone's natural ability to rid the body of LDL. It is unrelated in structure or action to statins, the widely used class of drugs to lower cholesterol, and may offer an alternative for patients who cannot tolerate statins, according to the research team. It might also complement the use of statins to further decrease cholesterol levels, the researchers report in "The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" (PNAS).

Someone suffers a heart attack about every 30 seconds in the U.S., yet the best drug trials using statins show that the drugs reduce the incidence of new heart attacks and other coronary events by only about 35 percent, highlighting the need for new therapies, the scientists say."

Smart Balance: Are cholesterol-lowering products safe for everyone?

2007-12-09T15:10:00.000-08:00

Have you heard about cholesterol lowering products, such as margarine, milk, etc.? Have you given them a try? Really, it's time to stop looking for the easy way out and just stick to a healthy diet, full of whole grains, fruit and vegetables. Try to cut down on saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet. Learn about trans fats - what are they and how can you cut down on them. Cholesterol lowering products are another great marketing initiative, but not the real key to your health. Check out this link for more information on the latest research on cholesterol lowering products.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/smart-balance/AN01736

And check out the 'Health Directory' under my 'favourite links' for more news and information on cholesterol.

Knowing Heart Risk Keeps Patients on Cholesterol Drugs

2007-12-02T17:45:00.000-08:00

Motivation is certainly needed when it comes to keeping a low cholesterol diet. We have bad foods surrounding us! A longer life is certainly a good motivation. I thought this article was really good.

Article source: http://www.kold.com/global/story.asp?s=7429023
Letting patients know how cholesterol boosts their heart risks helps them stick to cholesterol-lowering treatment, Canadian researchers report.

Researchers at McGill University in Montreal enrolled more than 3,000 patients (2,687 completed the study) with cholesterol problems who were instructed to change their lifestyle and then prescribed cholesterol-lowering statin medications when necessary.

Of those patients, more than 1,500 were given a one-page computer printout of their probability for developing heart disease at the start of the study, and at follow-up visits three, six, nine and 12 months later.

At the end of the 12-month study, patients who'd received the heart disease risk profiles had small but significantly greater reductions in "bad" low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and their ratio of total cholesterol to "good" high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, the researchers said.

Cholesterol test for toddlers

2007-11-20T19:16:00.000-08:00

TODDLERS should be tested for high levels of cholesterol to identify whether they are at risk of premature heart disease, researchers say.

An interesting article regarding a possible screening program to identify high cholesterol in children - would be great to be able to know, so as to be able to manage food, stress levels etc early on, and reduce the effects of this problem. Hopefully the research into this screening continues.

Source: http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22775764-5006007,00.html?from=public_rss

"A national screening program, which would involve a prick of the child's finger, could help to cut the increasing number of people with hereditary high cholesterol.

About one in 500 people are affected by familial hypercholesterolaemia, which is passed on in the genes and carries a much greater risk of premature death in young adults.

The study found that screening would have a double benefit because it would identify that at least one of the baby's parents was also at risk.

Dr Edwin Kirk, of the Sydney Children's Hospital at Randwick, said theoretically the strategy made sense, but a pilot study would establish its likely success."

Preclinical Studies of the Mechanism for defective cholesterol transport in Diabetes patients

2007-11-16T19:53:00.000-08:00

Great news here re: cholesterol control for patients with diabetes. Good on you guys at Synvista Therapeutics Inc. for some great research.

Article source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/87758.php

"Synvista Collaboration Demonstrates In Preclinical Studies The Mechanism For Defective Cholesterol Transport In ...

Synvista Therapeutics, Inc. (Amex: SYI) announced results of a series of preclinical studies designed to explain the mechanism underlying dysfunctional high density lipoprotein (HDL), that creates a defect in reverse cholesterol transport in patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM). The studies reveal that a common blood protein, Haptoglobin, binds to the core of HDL and that a defective Haptoglobin variant (Hp2-2), found in 40% of the population, may induce dysfunctionality in HDL. Further, the studies report that exposure to Vitamin E can restore HDL functionality and the process of reverse cholesterol transport. The study is being presented today at the American Heart Association's (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2007 in Orlando, Florida.

"We are very pleased with the outcome of these studies, as we believe they provide scientific rationale for our current development platform, including our work developing a diagnostic test for Haptoglobin type, to determine cardiovascular risk and a therapeutic product to decrease HDL oxidation and restore reverse cholesterol transport function," said Noah Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Synvista."

Charity warns of cholesterol 'time bomb'

2007-11-12T17:13:00.000-08:00

URGENT action is needed to tackle high cholesterol levels in Scotland, a report warns.

The charity Heart UK said that high cholesterol was a major risk-factor for stroke and heart disease, which cost the Scottish economy more than £1.8 billion a year - a burden that is set to worsen as the population ages.

The charity's report calls for a review of NHS cholesterol-lowering targets, which it said only drove the NHS to achieve a minimum standard of care.

Michael Livingston, the Heart UK director, said: "If Scotland and the rest of the UK are to avoid a demographic time bomb and maintain the welfare state, we need to tackle the issue of high cholesterol levels."

Shona Robison, the public health minister, is speaking at the launch of the report in the Scottish Parliament today.

Source: http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1767322007