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.

Concerted effort yields significant progress in reducing depression, HIV/AIDS, and osteoporosis in women

A concerted effort to boost research on women's health over the last two decades has lessened the burden of disease and reduced deaths among women due to cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and cervical cancer, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine. The effort has yielded less but still significant progress in reducing the effects of depression, HIV/AIDS, and osteoporosis on women, added the committee that wrote the report.

24 Sep 2010

Malnutrition, inflammation complicate blood cholesterol readings in CKD patients

To understand the health effects of high cholesterol levels, doctors first need to assess malnutrition and inflammation status in their chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN).

24 Sep 2010

FDA grants clearance for HPβCD treatment for Niemann Pick Type C disease

Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted clearance of an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to introduce Trappsol Cyclo (Hydroxypropyl Beta Cyclodextrin or HPβCD) into the brains of six year old identical twin girls dying of a rare brain-destroying cholesterol disease called Niemann Pick Type C (NPC).

24 Sep 2010

Pet dog decreases risk of obesity in kids: Study

According to the latest research in England, children who have a dog for a pet are less likely to be obese. Children who are obese in childhood are at increased risk of developing a range of chronic health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, bone and joint problems, asthma, disrupted sleep patterns, liver and gall bladder disease, early physical maturity and depression.

23 Sep 2010

Vascular Disease Foundation honors UCSD professor with President's Award for Vision

The Vascular Disease Foundation has awarded Michael Criqui, MD, MPH, professor and chief of the Division of Preventive Medicine in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at the University of California, San Diego, one of its highest honors, the President's Award for Vision. The award was presented at the VDF's annual meeting in Alexandria, Virginia on September 20.

22 Sep 2010

Novartis' SOM230 reduces cortisol levels in Cushing's disease patients

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced today that the results of a Phase III study of SOM230 (pasireotide) showed a reduction in cortisol levels in patients with Cushing's disease, a condition in which a benign (non-cancerous) pituitary tumor causes the adrenal glands to produce excess cortisol and can be fatal. Results will be presented at the 14th Congress of the European Neuroendocrine Association (ENEA).

22 Sep 2010

Few insurers provide coverage for weight loss treatment

Reporting for Kaiser Health News, in collaboration with The Washington Post, Sandra G. Boodman writes: "After her weight hit the obese range, her cholesterol level nudged the danger zone and her doctor urged her to lose weight, Melissa Moss, veteran of a decade of failed diets, decided she needed intensive help.

22 Sep 2010

Celera receives patent on KIF6 gene variant

Celera Corporation today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued United States Patent 7,799,530 relating to methods of determining heart attack risk by detecting the KIF6 gene variant and reduction of such increased risk by statin therapy.

21 Sep 2010

First Edition: September 21, 2010

In today's headlines, news about major insurers' plans to stop offering child-only health policies in advance of new rules.

21 Sep 2010

Tips to protect physical health

Fifteen years ago, the non-profit Educational Television Network created Healthy Aging Month to focus attention on the positive aspects of getting older and to encourage people to learn how to increase longevity and avoid preventable declines in physical, mental and emotional health. Healthy aging is of particular interest as life expectancy in the United States continues to rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2007 the life expectancy was 75.4 for men and 80.4 for women .

21 Sep 2010

Crestor suppressed human cancer cells transplanted to mice

A drug commonly prescribed for people with high cholesterol may also be effective in treating prostate cancer, according to new research by Dr. Xiao-Yan Wen at St. Michael's Hospital.

20 Sep 2010

Abbott to commercialize Celera's CE-marked KIF6 genotyping assay outside U.S.

Celera Corporation and Abbott today announced that they have signed an exclusive distribution agreement to market Celera's CE-marked KIF6 diagnostic test for use on Abbott's CE-marked m2000™ instrument system. The KIF6 genotyping assay detects a genetic marker that may be used in conjunction with clinical evaluation and patient assessment for the identification of individuals at risk for coronary heart disease (CHD), and in patients for whom statin treatment is being considered.

20 Sep 2010

Atherotech Diagnostics publishes article on advantages of cholesterol testing

Detailed cholesterol testing for Type 2 diabetes patients is the focus of a newly published article by Atherotech Diagnostics Lab Chief Medical Officer Michael E. Cobble, M.D. The article discusses the clinical advantages of advanced cholesterol testing in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in patients with Type 2 diabetes and details several currently available advanced lipid tests, including the VAP® Cholesterol Test from Atherotech.

18 Sep 2010

Society for Vascular Nursing partners with local hospitals to create P.A.D awareness

Approximately 9 million Americans have peripheral arterial disease (P.A.D.), a common and dangerous vascular disease that can lead to heart attack, stroke, amputation and death. Unfortunately, many with the disease do not even know they have it. September is P.A.D. Awareness Month, and the P.A.D. Coalition and the Society for Vascular Nursing are joining forces with local hospitals to inform Americans about the risk factors, warning signs and consequences of P.A.D.

17 Sep 2010

Researchers find bariatric surgery reduces cardiovascular disease risk

Significant weight loss not only improves daily life of morbidly obese woman but also decreases the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, many people can not lose weight or can not maintain weight loss without help. Bariatric surgery is emerging as a valuable procedure to help morbidly obese individuals lose weight, as studies have shown; it can improve many health profiles and lower mortality. Now, researchers have found another positive impact of significant weight loss after bariatric surgery, it can significantly improve the lipoprotein profiles of women within a year following surgery.

17 Sep 2010

Metabolism imbalance increases asthma risk in children: Research

Even children of a healthy weight who have an imbalanced metabolism due to poor diet or exercise may be at increased risk of asthma, according to new research, which challenges the widespread assumption that obesity itself is a risk factor for asthma.

17 Sep 2010

NHLBI selects NuGEN to provide automated reagent solutions for expression profiling

NuGEN Technologies, the provider of innovative RNA and DNA amplification and sample preparation technologies for genomic analysis, today announced it has been selected by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to provide automated reagent solutions for expression profiling of approximately 6,000 blood samples from the Framingham Heart Study.

16 Sep 2010

Gene network behind hardening of arteries, coronary heart disease identified

A gene network behind hardening of the arteries and coronary heart disease has been identified by a team of scientists from Australia, Europe and the United Kingdom. Their findings expose potential targets for the treatment of heart disease.

16 Sep 2010

ABCB4 gene causes bad cholesterol to accumulate in blood: Research

Scientists at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research (SFBR) in San Antonio have found a gene that causes high levels of bad cholesterol to accumulate in the blood as a result of a high-cholesterol diet.

16 Sep 2010

Eggland's Best supports Susan G. Komen for the Cure's breast cancer advocacy efforts

Eggland's Best, Inc. (EB) is proud to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the world's largest breast cancer advocacy organization. For the first time in the brand's history, Eggland's Best will display the Komen for the Cure's running ribbon logo along with a pink version of their iconic "EB" stamp on their egg varieties during the autumn of 2010.

15 Sep 2010