Cholesterol News and Research

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Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made in the liver, and found in the blood and in all cells of the body. Cholesterol is important for good health and is needed for making cell walls, tissues, hormones, vitamin D, and bile acid.

Research roundup: Access to care in Mass.; Mental health spending; Gender and medical debt: How much do Americans know about health law?

Health Affairs: Lack Of Access Due To Costs Remains A Problem For Some In Massachusetts Despite The State's Health Reforms - Based on an analysis of state data, the authors found that the percentage of people without insurance fell "to twelve-year lows in Massachusetts, from 11.5 percent (SE 0.91) in 1996 to 3.5 percent (SE 0.33) in 2008.

11 Feb 2011

New perspectives challenge long-held beliefs about impact of saturated fatty acids on risk of cardiovascular disease

For generations, the consumption of dairy products has been positively associated with the health and wellness of families and communities. Nevertheless, the recent shift in dietary trends has focused on "what not to eat" instead of emphasizing "what to eat," resulting in demonizing the naturally occurring fats in dairy, while overlooking its many essential nutrients.

11 Feb 2011

Valeant Pharmaceuticals subsidiary acquires Canadian rights to Cholestagel

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. today announced that its subsidiary, Biovail Laboratories International SRL, has acquired the Canadian rights to Cholestagel (colesevelam), an oral bile acid sequestrant for hypercholesterolemia, from Genzyme Corporation.

10 Feb 2011

Rhabdomyolysis episode at University of Iowa signals a public health crisis

On January 26, 2011, it was reported that 13 University of Iowa football players were affected so severely by rhabdomyolysis that they were hospitalized. Occurrences of rhabdomyolysis—muscle breakdown—are so rare that it suggests an additional causal factor, such as a drug.

10 Feb 2011

Lakewood Regional Medical Center supports 'Focus on the Heart' campaign

With approximately one death occurring every 36 seconds from cardiovascular disease, Americans need to find a way to beat the odds. That premise is the impetus behind Lakewood Regional Medical Center's new campaign, which encourages the community to "Focus on the Heart" by undergoing regular screenings and adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle.

10 Feb 2011

Afinitor plus BSC doubles progression-free survival in patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) published a study today that shows Afinitor® (everolimus) tablets plus best supportive care (BSC) more than doubled progression-free survival (PFS), or time without tumor growth, versus placebo plus BSC in patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NET).

10 Feb 2011

World Bank report documents rise of noncommunicable diseases in S. Asia

"South Asia is facing a health crisis, with rising rates of heart disease, diabetes and obesity, and patients facing impoverishment as they pay for treatment out of their own pockets," according to a report released Wednesday by the World Bank, Reuters reports (Lyn, 2/9).

10 Feb 2011

Chief medical officer offers tips to women for better heart health

With Valentine's Day on the horizon, most people's thoughts turn to matters of the heart. Although it's great fun to play Cupid this time of year, February is also American Heart Month — an important time for women in particular to understand their health risks.

9 Feb 2011

Five tips to lower cholesterol

An estimated 102 million Americans have cholesterol levels that are considered borderline high-risk. This staggering fact makes lowering cholesterol one of the most imperative things to do to promote overall heart health. Unfortunately, too few people understand the essential steps in reaching this goal.

9 Feb 2011

Prolonged sleep deprivation can lead to long-term, serious health implications

New research from Warwick Medical School published today in the European Heart Journal shows that prolonged sleep deprivation and disrupted sleep patterns can have long-term, serious health implications. Leading academics from the University have linked lack of sleep to strokes, heart attacks and cardiovascular disorders which often result in early death.

9 Feb 2011

Physician offers tips to kick-off heart disease and its risk factors

The health statistics are heart-stopping for Hispanic communities: the leading cause of death among both Hispanic men and women is cardiovascular disease.

9 Feb 2011

New study shows eggs are 14% lower in cholesterol

According to new nutrition data from the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, eggs are lower in cholesterol than previously thought.

8 Feb 2011

Reducing the cardiovascular disease gender gap

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) is working with the National Cardiac Societies of its 53 member countries on a project to raise awareness of the disturbing gender gap in cardiovascular disease (CVD). In partnership with the European Heart Network (EHN) and the World Heart Federation (WHF), the ESC has developed the Women@Heart contest in which national societies submit ideas for public awareness campaigns aimed at informing both health professionals and women of the dangers of complacency about CVD.

8 Feb 2011

New DGA urge Americans to reduce sodium intake, consume walnuts for 'good' fat

The 2010 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans urge Americans to reduce their sodium intake, replace saturated and trans fats with the "good" fats and to lower cholesterol consumption.

8 Feb 2011

How cocoa in chocolate reduces risk of heart disease

In time for the chocolate-giving and chocolate-noshing fest on Valentine's Day, scientists are reporting discovery of how this treat boosts the body's production of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) - the "good" form of cholesterol that protects against heart disease.

8 Feb 2011

Lifestyle, rather than hereditary factors, plays major role in life expectancy

How long your parents lived does not affect how long you will live. Instead it is how you live your life that determines how old you will get, reveals research from the University of Gothenburg recently published in the Journal of Internal Medicine.

8 Feb 2011

Researchers identify enzyme that protects against inflammation, joint destruction

A team of researchers at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, has identified an enzyme that protects against inflammation and joint destruction. Made when the researchers blocked production of the enzyme GGTase-I in transgenic mice, this unexpected discovery could lead to the identification of new mechanisms that control the development of inflammatory disorders, as well as new medicines.

8 Feb 2011

Obesity rates double worldwide

The latest research has shown that obesity is on the rise worldwide and has actually doubled since 1980. On the other hand people in the developed countries have also managed to reduce their blood pressure and cholesterol levels. This comes from three new studies published online Feb. 3 in The Lancet.

7 Feb 2011

Gastric bypass surgery good for the heart in obese: Study

A new study has found that gastric bypass surgery, besides enabling severely obese people to lose weight, may also help their overly stressed hearts return to more normal function and appearance. The study appeared in the Feb. 8 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

7 Feb 2011

AvMed Health Plans joins community leaders to raise awareness about heart disease among women

AvMed Health Plans united with more than 100 community leaders this morning at the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women annual breakfast. As the main sponsor of the event, AvMed joined NBC 6 Anchor Jackie Nespral, South Miami Cardiologist Dr. Abbe Rosenbaum, National Go Red For Women Spokeswoman Gloria Boisvert, PRIMP Salon & Hair Extension Boutique's Jonathan Babicka and Palmetto General Hospital's Ana Mederos to raise awareness about heart disease among women.

5 Feb 2011