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.

TV ads for drugs high on the emotions but low on facts

According to a new study television commercials for prescription drugs are heavily loaded on the emotional side but offer scant information on the disease itself and do little to promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

30 Jan 2007

Alternative to artery-clogging trans fats

Alejandro's research group found a way to mix oil, water, monoglycerides and fatty acids to form a gel substance that provides the same structural and functional benefits as trans and saturated fats.

28 Jan 2007

Favorable decision for Ranbaxy on Atorvastatin patent in Canada

Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited announced that the Federal Court of Canada has handed down a favorable decision in the company's case against Pfizer by finding invalid Pfizer's Canadian atorvastatin patent CA 2,021,546.

28 Jan 2007

Linemen more than twice as likely as other players to have metabolic syndrome

After retirement, National Football League (NFL) linemen - generally the heaviest players - are more than twice as likely as other players to have a syndrome that puts them at risk for heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases

28 Jan 2007

Major variations in Medicare drug costs

Soon, Congress may vote on whether to require the Medicare system to negotiate lower prices for medicines taken by millions of seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.

10 Jan 2007

Herpes appears to play a role in bringing about Alzheimer's disease

A gene known to be a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease puts out the welcome mat for the virus that causes cold sores, allowing the virus to be more active in the brain compared to other forms of the gene.

3 Jan 2007

Forget about being fat and just get fit!

Researchers in Britain say that obese people can become healthier without losing weight.

6 Dec 2006

New diabetes drug Rimonabant again proves to be a good option

A new study has found that a new diabetic drug helped improve blood sugar control and also promoted weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes.

6 Dec 2006

The Big Apple bans bad fat!

The municipal board of health for New York city has banned the use of artificial trans fats at all restaurants and food outlets in the city.

5 Dec 2006

Researchers discover protein interaction that may explain how Huntington's disease affects the brain

The findings, published in and featured on the cover of the current issue of Human Molecular Genetics, show how the mutated Huntington's protein interacts with another protein to cause dramatic accumulation of cholesterol in the brain.

2 Dec 2006

Target to expand discounted generic drug program to all pharmacies

The Minneapolis-based company said all of its 1,287 pharmacies now will offer a 30-day supply of certain generic drugs for $4. The company previously offered the program only in states where Wal-Mart was offering generic drugs at the same price (Reuters/New York Times, 11/21).

23 Nov 2006

Combination of depression, anxiety, hostility and anger increases risk for heart disease

Frequent bouts of depression, anxiety, hostility and anger are known to increase a person's risk for developing coronary heart disease, but a combination of these "negative" personality traits may put people at especially serious risk, according to a study by researchers at Duke University Medical Center.

20 Nov 2006

A good wife, a good grip, a good education and no ciggies and you'll live to 85!!

According to a long-term study which was conducted over a 40 year period, among the most significant factors influencing longevity in men were a strong grip, a wife, not smoking and a good education.

15 Nov 2006

Food can have an impact in preventing cancer

With cancer, researchers don't believe "you are what you eat"; that disease is always a direct result of what is, or what isn't, on your dinner plate.

14 Nov 2006

Pharmacy care programs for elderly improve health outcomes

A pharmacy care program for elderly patients increases medication adherence, which results in improved health outcomes, according to a study posted online by JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association.

13 Nov 2006

Pioglitazone may help slow progression of artery wall thickening

A medication given to diabetics to improve their body's sensitivity to insulin also appears to slow the thickening of their artery walls, according to a study posted online by JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association.

13 Nov 2006

Thiazolidinediones may reduce cardiovascular risks

A drug commonly used to increase the body's sensitivity to insulin may slow the progression of cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a study at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine.

13 Nov 2006

Children being set up for heart disease later on in life

A new study by Canadian researchers says that clogged arteries show up in children, and fatty diets and a lack of exercise are setting children up for heart problems later on in life.

13 Nov 2006

Diets and heart health - no difference between low carb and low fat

A new study has shown that when it comes to diet programs and heart health, there is little to choose between low carbohydrate diets such as the popular Atkins plan and typical low-fat diets.

8 Nov 2006

Cost-effectiveness of lipid screening in Hodgkin's disease survivors

Hodgkin's lymphoma survivors who have lipid screening every five years to detect high cholesterol will live a half year longer than patients who don't have the screening and the intervention is cost-effective, according to a study presented November 8, 2006, at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology's 48th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.

8 Nov 2006