HEALTHY DIETS AND SCIENCE

High consumption of cholesterol and saturated fat is associated with a decreased risk of Parkinson's Disease

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Mon, 20 May 2013 05:43:00 +0000

2009 Jan;15(1):47-52

Study title and authors:
Dietary fats, cholesterol and iron as risk factors for Parkinson's disease.

Powers KM, Smith-Weller T, Franklin GM, Longstreth WT Jr, Swanson PD, Checkoway H.
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7234, USA.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18424169

This study evaluated the risk between diet and Parkinson's Disease. The dietary habits of 420 patients with Parkinson's were compared with 560 control subjects.

The study found:
(a) Those who consumed the most cholesterol (more than 312 mg per day per 2000 calories) had a 25% reduced risk of Parkinson's compared to those who consumed the least cholesterol (less than 192 mg per day per 2000 calories).
(b) Those who consumed the most saturated fat (more than 27.5 g per day per 2000 calories) had a 19% reduced risk of Parkinson's compared to those who consumed the least saturated fat (less than 19.9 g per day per 2000 calories).
(c) Those who consumed the most total fat (more than 77.9 g per day per 2000 calories) had an 11% reduced risk of Parkinson's compared to those who consumed the least total fat (less than 60.8 g per day per 2000 calories).
(d) Those who consumed the most polyunsaturated fat (more than 15.1 g per day per 2000 calories) had a 28% INCREASED risk of Parkinson's compared to those who consumed the least polyunsaturated fat (less than 9.8 g per day per 2000 calories).

A high consumption of cholesterol and saturated fat is associated with a decreased risk of Parkinson's Disease.

Statins block the ability of exercise to improve fitness levels

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:07:00 +0000

2013 Apr 10. pii: S0735-1097(13)01403-4

Study title and authors:

Simvastatin impairs exercise training adaptations.

Mikus CR, Boyle LJ, Borengasser SJ, Oberlin DJ, Naples SP, Fletcher J, Meers GM, Ruebel M, Laughlin MH, Dellsperger KC, Fadel PJ, Thyfault JP.

Division of Cardiology at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23583255

This study sought to determine if simvastatin hindered the positive effects of exercise for obese and overweight adults. The study, which lasted for 12 weeks, included 37 sedentary overweight or obese adults (aged 25-59) with at least two metabolic syndrome risk factors, who completed either:
(i) 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training.
(ii) 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training in combination with simvastatin (40 mg per day).

The study found:
(a) Cardiorespiratory fitness increased by 10% in response to exercise training alone, but was blunted by the addition of simvastatin resulting in only a 1.5% increase.
(b) Skeletal muscle mitochondrial content (the cells' energy production sites) increased by 13% in the exercise only group (a normal response following exercise training) but decreased by 4.5% in the simvastatin plus exercise group.

One of the study authors, John Thyfault, an associate professor of nutrition and exercise physiology at the University of Missouri School of Medicine, concluded: “Daily physical activity is needed to maintain or improve fitness, and thus improve health outcomes. However, if patients start exercising and taking statins at the same time, it seems that statins block the ability of exercise to improve their fitness levels.”

Regular aspirin use is associated with an increased risk of neovascular age-related macular degeneration

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Mon, 13 May 2013 07:41:00 +0000

2013 Feb 25;173(4):258-64

Study title and authors:
The association of aspirin use with age-related macular degeneration.

Liew G, Mitchell P, Wong TY, Rochtchina E, Wang JJ.
Centre for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23337937

Macular degeneration is diagnosed as either dry (non-neovascular) or wet (neovascular). Neovascular refers to growth of new blood vessels in an area, such as the macula, where they are not supposed to be. Dry age-related macular degeneration is an early stage of the disease and may result from the aging and thinning of macular tissues, depositing of pigment in the macula or a combination of the two processes.The wet form of the disease usually leads to more serious vision loss.

The objective of the study was to determine whether regular aspirin use is associated with a higher risk for developing age-related macular degeneration. The study included 2,389 participants who were followed for 15 years.

The study found:
(a) Aspirin use was not associated with the incidence of dry age-related macular degeneration.
(b) Regular aspirin users had a 146% higher risk of developing wet age-related macular degeneration.
(c) The higher the aspirin dose, the higher the risk of developing the disease.

Regular aspirin use is associated with an increased risk of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Statin therapy causes memory complaints and mood changes

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Fri, 10 May 2013 05:17:00 +0000

This paper was published in Pharmacotherapy 2010;30(6):236e–240e

Study title and authors:

Changes in Memory Function and Neuronal Activation Associated with Atorvastatin Therapy
Beth A. Parker, Ph.D., Donna M. Polk, M.D., Vimal Rabdiya, M.D., Shashwath A. Meda, M.S., Karen Anderson, R.N., Keith A. Hawkins, Psy.D., Godfrey D. Pearlson, M.D., and Paul D. Thompson, M.D.

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.pharmacotherapy.org/Case_Reports/Pharm3006e_Parker-CR.pdf

This paper, headed by Dr Beth Parker from the Hartford Hospital, describes a 65-year-old man who reported cognitive complaints (memory complaints and mood changes) after taking atorvastatin 10 mg/day for one year. He had no history of alcohol consumption, major head trauma, psychiatric problems, or memory impairment.

(i) After one year of taking the statin the patient described his complaints as “fuzzy thinking” and “brain fog.” His wife also noted that the patient demonstrated a progressive decline in cognitive function and memory accompanied by increasing mood changes.

(ii) Cognitive testing and assessment of neuronal activation using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) (procedure that measures brain activity) were performed during a working memory task while he was receiving atorvastatin therapy.
(iii) The patient demonstrated altered neuronal activation and reduced performance on the cognitive tests, which was consistent with his cognitive symptoms.
(iv) He stopped taking atorvastatin. The cognitive tests were repeated two months after discontinuation of the drug and the patient exhibited improved cognitive test performance and fMRI patterns similar to those expected in a healthy individual.
(v) The patient also reported subjective improvement of his cognitive complaints within days of cessation of atorvastatin.

Dr Parker concludes that a: "growing number of reports suggest that statins evoke adverse cognitive effects".

High saturated fat consumption and high cholesterol levels are associated with a reduced risk of osteoporotic fractures

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Mon, 06 May 2013 06:10:00 +0000

2007 Sep;61(9):1114-20

Study title and authors:
Dietary fat intake and the risk of osteoporotic fractures in the elderly.

Martínez-Ramírez MJ, Palma S, Martínez-González MA, Delgado-Martínez AD, de la Fuente C, Delgado-Rodríguez M.
Service of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital of Jaén & Division of Medicine, University of Jaén, Navarra, Spain. mamartinez@unav.es

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17299494

The aim of this study was to explore the association between fat intake, cholesterol levels and the risk of osteoporotic fractures in the elderly. (Osteoporotic fractures are defined as fractures associated with low bone mineral density and include clinical spine, forearm, hip and shoulder fractures). The study was a hospital-based case-control study and included 167 patients (aged 65 years or more) with a low-energy fracture and 167 patients without fractures.

The study found:
(a) Those who consumed the most saturated fat (more than 34 grams per day) had a 20% reduced risk of osteoporotic fractures compared with those who consumed the least saturated fat (less than 23 grams per day).
(b) Those who consumed the most polysaturated fat (more than 18 grams per day) had a 488% increased risk of osteoporotic fractures compared with those who consumed the least polysaturated fat (less than 11 grams per day).
(c) Those with the highest cholesterol levels (more than 241 mg/dL or 6.2 mmol/L) had a 6% reduced risk of osteoporotic fractures compared with those with the lowest cholesterol levels (less than 191 mg/dL or 4.9 mmol/L).
(d) Those with the highest levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (more than 62 mg/dL or 1.6 mmol/L) had a 71% reduced risk of osteoporotic fractures compared with those with the lowest levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (less than 45 mg/dL or 1.1 mmol/L).

High saturated fat consumption and high cholesterol levels are associated with a reduced risk of osteoporotic fractures, whereas a high consumption of polysaturated fat was associated with an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures.

Low cholesterol levels associated with an earlier death in the elderly

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Fri, 03 May 2013 04:05:00 +0000

2013 Apr 8

Study title and authors:
Prognosis in the hospitalized very elderly: The PROTEGER study.

Zhang Y, Protogerou AD, Iaria P, Safar ME, Xu Y, Blacher J.
Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23578896

The study investigated the association of various cardiac related factors with death rates in the elderly. The study included 331 hospitalised elderly patients, (average age 87years) who were followed for 378 days.

Regarding cholesterol levels, the study found:
(a) Patients who died had 12% lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol than patients who survived.
(b) Patients who died had 7% lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol than patients who survived.

In this study, elderly patients who died had lower cholesterol levels than patients who survived.

Men taking statins have an 11% increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:46:00 +0000

2013 Apr 9

Study title and authors:
Statin use and risk of prostate cancer and high-grade prostate cancer: results from the REDUCE study.

Freedland SJ, Hamilton RJ, Gerber L, Banez LL, Moreira DM, Andriole GL, Rittmaster RS.
Surgery Section, Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23567655

This study examined the association between statins and prostate cancer and low-grade and high-grade prostate cancer. The study included 6,729 men, aged 50-75 years, who were followed for four years. (low-grade cancer is likely to develop more slowly than high-grade cancer).

The study found:
(a) Men taking statins had a 5% increased risk of prostate cancer compared to men not taking statins.
(b) Men taking statins had a 3% increased risk of low-grade prostate cancer compared to men not taking statins.
(c) Men taking statins had an 11% increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer compared to men not taking statins.

Men taking statins developed prostate cancer more frequently than men not taking statins.

L-carnitine reduces the risk of death by 27% in heart attack victims

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 04:48:00 +0000

2013 Apr 15. pii: S0025-6196(13)00127-4

Study title and authors:

L-Carnitine in the Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Dinicolantonio JJ, Lavie CJ, Fares H, Menezes AR, O'Keefe JH.

Wegmans Pharmacy, Ithaca, NY. Electronic address: jjdinicol@gmail.com.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23597877

This paper evaluated the effects of L-carnitine compared with placebo or control subjects on heart health and death rates in patients who had had a heart attack. The paper was a meta-analysis of 13 controlled trials which included 3,629 subjects.

The analysis found:
(a) Compared with placebo or control subjects, L-carnitine was associated with a 27% reduction in all-cause death rates.
(b) Compared with placebo or control subjects, L-carnitine was associated with a 65% reduction in ventricular arrhythmias (life threatening abnormal rapid heart rhythms).
(c) Compared with placebo or control subjects, L-carnitine was associated with a 40% reduction in the development of angina.
(d) Compared with placebo or control subjects, L-carnitine was associated with a 15% reduction in heart failure.
(e) Compared with placebo or control subjects, L-carnitine was associated with a 22% reduction in myocardial reinfarction (recurrence of heart attack).

This study reveals that L-carnitine is associated with a reduction in death rates in heart attack victims.

The richest food sources of L-carnitine are beef, lamb and pork (beef contains 81 mg per serving). Foods of plant origin have little or no L-carnitine, (avocados are one of the highest at 2 mg per serving).

Long-term statin users have a 21% increased risk of bladder cancer compared to non-users

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 04:12:00 +0000

2013 Apr;24(4):769-76

Study title and authors:

Statin use and risk of bladder cancer: a meta-analysis.

Zhang XL, Geng J, Zhang XP, Peng B, Che JP, Yan Y, Wang GC, Xia SQ, Wu Y, Zheng JH.

Department of Urology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, 301 Yanchang Road, Shanghai, 200072, People's Republic of China.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23361339

This paper analysed the scientific data between January 1966 and October 2012 to quantify the association between statin use and risk of bladder cancer. A total of 13 studies contributed to the analysis.

The paper found:
(a) Statin users had a 7% increased risk of bladder cancer compared to non-users.
(b) Long-term statin users had a 21% increased risk of bladder cancer compared to non-users.

The data from the analysis shows that statins users have more bladder cancer than non-users.

A carnivorous diet can help to suppress aging

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 08:57:00 +0000

2006 May;1067:369-74

Study title and authors:

Would carnosine or a carnivorous diet help suppress aging and associated pathologies?

Hipkiss AR.

Centre for Experimental Therapeutics, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts' and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, UK. alanandjill@lineone.net

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16804013

The scientist Alan Hipkiss, from the William Harvey Research Institute in London, reviewed the scientific evidence regarding the question: "Would carnosine or a carnivorous diet help suppress aging and associated pathologies"?

Hipkiss found:
(a) Carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) is found exclusively in food of animal origin.
(b) Carnosine has the potential to inhibit glycation, generation of advanced glycosylation end-products (AGEs), and formation of protein carbonyl groups which play important roles in causing aging, diabetes, its secondary complications, and neurodegenerative conditions.
(c) Carnivorous diets could be beneficial because of their carnosine content, as carnosine has been shown to suppress some diabetic complications.
(d) Carnosine may help to prevent neurodegeneration.

This review finds that carnosine or a carnivorous diet can help to suppress aging and associated pathologies.

The best food sources of carnosine include beef, poultry and pork. Carnosine is not in any foods of plant origin.

Review finds that low cholesterol levels are linked to higher rates of early death, suicide, aggressive and violent behaviour, personality disorders, depression and dementia

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 08:34:00 +0000

2009 Mar 1-15;48(5):261-4

Study title and authors:

Relation between cholesterol levels and neuropsychiatric disorders

Martínez-Carpio PA, Barba J, Bedoya-Del Campillo A.

Centro Penitenciario de Jóvenes de Barcelona, Generalitat de Catalunya, Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, España. pmc@investilaser.com

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19263395

The researchers conducted a systematic study of the literature that addressed the relationship between low cholesterol levels and neuropsychiatric disorders.

They found that low cholesterol levels are associated and related to different neuropsychiatric disorders. Lowered cholesterol levels seem likely to be linked to higher rates of early death, suicide, aggressive and violent behaviour, personality disorders, and possibly depression, dementia and penal confinement among young males.

Statin use is associated with an 18% increased risk of diabetes

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 05:24:00 +0000

2013 Apr;75(4):1118-24

Study title and authors:

Statins and risk of treated incident diabetes in a primary care population.

Zaharan NL, Williams D, Bennett K.

Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22845189

The aims of this study were to:
(i) Examine the incidence of new onset diabetes in patients treated with different types of statins.
(ii) Examine the relationship between the duration and dose of statins and the subsequent development of new onset diabetes.

The study included 1,235,671 individuals who were followed for eight years.

The study found:
(a) Statin use was associated with an 18% increased risk of new onset diabetes.
(b) There was a statistically significant overall dose and duration effect increase in new onset diabetes for all statins, excepting fluvastatin, which only demonstrated a duration effect.

The researchers concluded: "An increased risk of new onset treated diabetes was found in those treated with statins showing significant duration and dose effect".

Walking is associated with a reduced risk of death from pneumonia

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 09:48:00 +0000

2007 Nov;17(6):194-202

Study title and authors:

Risk and protective factors related to mortality from pneumonia among middleaged and elderly community residents: the JACC Study.

Inoue Y, Koizumi A, Wada Y, Iso H, Watanabe Y, Date C, Yamamoto A, Kikuchi S, Inaba Y, Toyoshima H, Tamakoshi A.

Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18094518

The study investigated various factors related to the death rate from pneumonia. The study included 110,792 individuals (aged 40-79 years) who were followed for 15 years.

Regarding walking, the study found:
(a) Those who walked less than 1/2 hour per day had a 30% increased risk of death from pneumonia compared to those who walked 1/2 hour per day.
(b) Those who walked more than one hour per day had a 30% decreased risk of death from pneumonia compared to those who walked 1/2 hour per day.

The results from the study show that an increase in walking time is associated with a reduced risk of death from pneumonia.

Statins linked with mitochondrial dysfunction

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 09:28:00 +0000

1996 Sep;42(3):333-7

Study title and authors:
Lipid-lowering drugs and mitochondrial function: effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors on serum ubiquinone and blood lactate/pyruvate ratio.

De Pinieux G, Chariot P, Ammi-Saïd M, Louarn F, Lejonc JL, Astier A, Jacotot B, Gherardi R.
Groupe de Recherche en Pathologie Neuromusculaire (ER 269), Faculté de Médecine de Créteil, Hôpital Henri Mondor, France.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8877024

Coenzyme Q10 is a substance that is found in almost every cell in the body and helps convert food into energy by the mitochondrial respiratory chain. It may also help with heart-related conditions, because it can improve energy production in cells, prevent blood clot formation, and act as an antioxidant.

Low levels of coenzyme Q10 may lead to mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a mechanism behind many metabolic, age-related, neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases or health conditions such as: aging, age-related macular degeneration, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, atherosclerosis, autism, bipolar disorder, cancer, cataracts, chronic fatigue, endothelial dysfunction, diabetic nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy, endothelial dysfunction, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, hearing loss, heart failure, Huntington’s disease, hypertension, hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, major depressive disorder, male infertility, migraine, multiple sclerosis, myopathy (cardio and skeletal), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, panic disorder, Parkinson’s disease, psychosis, schizophrenia, sleep apnea, social phobia, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

Mitochondrial cytopathies represent a group of multisystem disorders which affect the muscle and nervous systems see here.

Mitochondrial myopathies are a group of neuromuscular diseases caused by damage to the mitochondria. Nerve cells in the brain and muscles require a great deal of energy, and are particularly damaged when mitochondrial dysfunction occurs. Some of the more common mitochondrial myopathies include Kearns-Sayre syndrome, myoclonus epilepsy with ragged-red fibers, and mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes. The symptoms of mitochondrial myopathies include muscle weakness or exercise intolerance, heart failure or rhythm disturbances, dementia, movement disorders, stroke-like episodes, deafness, blindness, droopy eyelids, limited mobility of the eyes, vomiting, and seizures.

Elevated lactate/pyruvate ratios are associated with mitochondrial cytopathies and mitochondrial myopathies.

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of cholesterol lowering drugs on coenzyme Q10 levels and on mitochondrial function assessed by the blood lactate/pyruvate ratio. This study included 80 patients, some of whom were treated with statins and 20 healthy control subjects.

The study found:
(a) Coenzyme Q10 levels were lower in statin-treated patients than in untreated patients.
(b) Lactate/pyruvate ratios were significantly higher in patients treated by statins than in untreated patients or healthy control subjects.

The results from the study show that statins are associated with low levels of coenzyme Q10 and a high blood blood lactate/pyruvate ratio which are linked with mitochondrial dysfunction.

High levels of HDL cholesterol associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 07:38:00 +0000

2013 Mar 16

Study title and authors:

Metabolic factors and breast cancer risk in Korean women.

Noh HM, Song YM, Park JH, Kim BK, Choi YH.

Department of Family Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Irwon-ro 81, Gangnamgu, Seoul, 135-710, South Korea.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23504150

This study evaluated the association between various factors and breast cancer. The study included 270 women with breast cancer and 540 women free from breast cancer.

Regarding high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, the study found that women with HDL cholesterol levels below 1.29 mmol/L (50 mg/dL) had a 10% increased risk of breast cancer compared to women with HDL cholesterol levels above 1.29 mmol/L (50 mg/dL).

The most effective dietary way to raise to raise HDL cholesterol is to consume a diet rich in saturated fat see here, here and here.

Statins increase the risk of diabetes

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 08:18:00 +0000

2010 Mar 23;55(12):1209-16

Study title and authors:

Atorvastatin causes insulin resistance and increases ambient glycemia in hypercholesterolemic patients.

Koh KK, Quon MJ, Han SH, Lee Y, Kim SJ, Shin EK.

Department of Cardiology, Gachon University, Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea. kwangk@gilhospital.com

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20298928

This study investigated the association between statins and diabetes risk. The study was a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled parallel study that was conducted in 44 patients taking placebo and in 42, 44, 43, and 40 patients given daily atorvastatin 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg, respectively, during a two-month treatment period.

The study found:
(a) Atorvastatin at 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg daily significantly increased fasting insulin levels by 25%, 42%, 31%, and 45%, respectively.
(b) Atorvastatin at 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg daily significantly increased glycated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c levels) by 2%, 5%, 5%, and 5%, respectively.
(c) Atorvastatin at 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg daily decreased insulin sensitivity by 1%, 3%, 3%, and 4%, respectively.

Stain treatment increased fasting insulin levels, increased glycated hemoglobin levels and decreased insulin sensitivity which all indicate an increased risk of diabetes.

High cholesterol levels decrease the risk of of a brain hemorrhage

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 07:53:00 +0000

2013 Mar 21

Study title and authors:

Risk of Rupture of an Intracranial Aneurysm Based on Patient Characteristics: A Case-Control Study.

Vlak MH, Rinkel GJ, Greebe P, Algra A.

From the Utrecht Stroke Center, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience and Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands; and Department of Neurology, Slotervaart Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23520239

This study investigated lifestyle and personal characteristics as risk factors for the rupture of brain aneurysms. (An aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel that's caused by a weakness in the blood vessel wall). The study included 250 patients with a rupured brain aneurysm and 206 patients with an unruptured brain aneurysm.

Regarding cholesterol levels, the study found that those with high cholesterol levels had a 60% decreased risk of of a ruptured brain aneurysm.

Statins can damage the lining of blood vessels

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 06:17:00 +0000

2013 Mar 18

Study title and authors:

Statin Therapy Influences Endothelial Cell Morphology and F-Actin Cytoskeleton Structure When Exposed to Static and Laminar Shear Stress Conditions.

Dick M, Jonak P, Leask RL.

Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Avenue, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2B2, Canada.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23517776

The aim of the study was to determine how statin drugs affect endothelial cell shape and F-actin cytoskeleton arrangement. (Endothelial cells are the thin layer of cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, and F-actin cytoskeleton is part of the cells scaffolding or skeleton). In the study, human endothelial cells were cultured in the laboratory and were then treated with statins.

The study found:
(a) After been treated with statins the endothelial cells became rounded, which is associated with unhealthy cells in arteries prone to developing a build up of plaque.
(b) After been treated with statins the F-actin cytoskeleton structure was disorganized and fragmented which can lead to cell death.

The significance of the results of the study is that endothelial cells and F-actin cytoskeleton arrangement are advesely impacted by statin treatment which may increase the risk of arterial plaque and cell death.

High LDL cholesterol levels reduce the risk of death

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 06:25:00 +0000

2010 Jun;267(6):576-87

Study title and authors:

Gender difference of association between LDL cholesterol concentrations and mortality from coronary heart disease amongst Japanese: the Ibaraki Prefectural Health Study.

Noda H, Iso H, Irie F, Sairenchi T, Ohtaka E, Ohta H.

Public Health, Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Shuita-shi, Osaka, Japan.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20141564

One of the aims of the study was to investigate the relationship between low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and total death rates. The study included 30,802 men and 60,417 women, aged 40 to 79 years with no history of stroke or coronary heart disease who were followed for ten years.

The study found:
(a) Men with the highest LDL cholesterol levels (over 140 mg/dL or 3.6 mmol/L) had a 29% reduced risk of death compared to men with the lowest LDL cholesterol levels (under 80 mg/dL or 2.0 mmol/L).
(b) Women with the highest LDL cholesterol levels (over 140 mg/dL or 3.6 mmol/L) had a 36% reduced risk of death compared to women with the lowest LDL cholesterol levels (under 80 mg/dL or 2.0 mmol/L).

This ten year study of 91,219 people reveals that men and women with the highest LDL cholesterol levels have around a 30% reduced risk of death compared to men and women with the lowest LDL cholesterol levels.

Statins can impair brain functioning

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 07:15:00 +0000

2012 Apr;27(4):458-9

Study title and authors:

Reversible dysphasia and statins.

Davies GR.

Department of Psychiatry, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. alienist@ihug.com.au

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22468114

Dysphasia is a partial or complete impairment of the ability to communicate resulting from brain injury.

This paper, authored by Dr Gordon Davies, presents a case of reversible dysphasia occurring in a patient prescribed atorvastatin.

(i) A 58-year-old woman was presented for medicolegal examination with regard to a compensation claim involving allegations of harassment at work producing anxiety and depression. At the time of her initial presentation for treatment her general practitioner had noted that her blood pressure was higher than usual and had prescribed the statin Lipitor (atorvastatin) 10 mg per day together with indapamide 2.5 mg per day.
(ii) A few days later the patient reported that she had developed problems in "word finding" in that her speech would be interrupted because she would be unable to find a word to describe an object.
(iii) The patient ceased the Lipitor and said that her symptoms had resolved quite quickly.
(iv) The patient then commenced on Crestor (rosuvastatin) 5 mg daily while continuing on indapamide and four weeks later at her medico-legal assessment she was noted to have clear but intermittent difficulty in word finding. She was also tense and tearful at times.
(v) She was reviewed two weeks later. At this point she had stopped the rosuvastatin and her speech was fluent and clear. She was continuing to take indapamide 2.5 mg per day.

This case highlights the possibility that statins can impair brain functioning. Dr Davies concludes: "The immediate inference from the above observations is that the patient had developed dysphasia as a direct side effect of the use of simvastatin. That this is likely to have been a generic statin effect is supported by the recurrence of milder symptoms on rosuvastatin and their remission on its cessation. Using the method of attribution recommended by Naranjo and colleagues, see here, it would rate at 9 (definite adverse reaction)".

High cholesterol levels are associated with a reduced risk of cancer

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 07:09:00 +0000

2013;8(1):e54242

Study title and authors:

Total serum cholesterol and cancer incidence in the metabolic syndrome and cancer project (me-can).

Strohmaier S, Edlinger M, Manjer J, Stocks T, Bjørge T, Borena W, Häggström C, Engeland A, Nagel G, Almquist M, Selmer R, Tretli S, Concin H, Hallmans G, Jonsson H, Stattin P, Ulmer H.

Department of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Health Economics, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23372693

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between cholesterol levels and cancer incidence. The study included 289,273 male and 288,057 female participants who were followed for 11.7 years.

The study found:
(a) Men with the highest cholesterol levels had a 6% reduced risk of cancer compared with men with the lowest cholesterol levels.
(b) Men with the highest cholesterol levels had a 86% reduced risk of cancer of the liver/intrahepatic bile duct compared with men with the lowest cholesterol levels.
(c) Men with the highest cholesterol levels had a 48% reduced risk of pancreas cancer compared with men with the lowest cholesterol levels.
(d) Men with the highest cholesterol levels had a 33% reduced risk of non-melanoma skin cancer compared with men with the lowest cholesterol levels.
(e) Men with the highest cholesterol levels had a 32% reduced risk of cancers of the lymph-/hematopoietic tissue compared with men with the lowest cholesterol levels.
(f) Women with the highest cholesterol levels had a 14% reduced risk of cancer compared with women with the lowest cholesterol levels.
(g) Women with the highest cholesterol levels had a 77% reduced risk of gallbladder cancer compared with women with the lowest cholesterol levels.
(h) Women with the highest cholesterol levels had a 30% reduced risk of breast cancer compared with women with the lowest cholesterol levels.
(i) Women with the highest cholesterol levels had a 39% reduced risk of melanoma of skin cancer compared with women with the lowest cholesterol levels.
(j) Women with the highest cholesterol levels had a 39% reduced risk of cancers of the lymph-/hematopoietic tissue compared with women with the lowest cholesterol levels.

The data from the study shows that high cholesterol levels are associated with a reduced risk of cancer.

Statins are associated with impaired health status in patients fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 06:52:00 +0000

2013 Jan 26

Study title and authors:

Relation of Statin Therapy to Psychological Functioning in Patients With an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator.

Hoogwegt MT, Theuns DA, Kupper N, Jordaens L, Pedersen SS.

CoRPS-Center of Research on Psychology in Somatic diseases, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands; Department of Cardiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23360769

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a battery-powered device placed under the skin that keeps track of your heart rate. Thin wires connect the ICD to your heart. Abnormal heart rhythms (or arrhythmias) can cause your heart to beat too quickly, too slowly or in an irregular pattern. These heart rhythms can happen suddenly and unexpectedly and sometimes people die as a result. If an abnormal heart rhythm is detected the device will deliver an electric shock to restore a normal heartbeat.

This study investigated the influence of statin therapy on the well-being and health status of patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. The study included 409 patients who completed a health survey before implantation and three, six, and 12 months after implantation of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Of the 409 patients, 60% were prescribed statins.

The study found:
(a) Statin use was associated with poorer physical functioning.
(b) Statin use was associated with poorer social functioning.
(c) Statin use was associated with worse depression.

In conclusion, statin therapy was associated with impaired health status in patients fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

Low LDL cholesterol levels are associated with an elevated risk of death from liver cancer

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 06:44:00 +0000

2013;229(3):203-11

Study title and authors:

Low Serum LDL Cholesterol Levels Are Associated with Elevated Mortality from Liver Cancer in Japan: the Ibaraki Prefectural Health Study.

Saito N, Sairenchi T, Irie F, Iso H, Iimura K, Watanabe H, Muto T, Ota H.

Department of Public Health, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23445767

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and liver cancer death rates. The study included a total of 16,217 persons (5,551 men and 10,666 women), aged 40-79 years, who were followed for 15 years. The participants were divided into four categories of LDL cholesterol levels.
(i) Less than 80 mg/dL (2.06 mmol/L).
(ii) 80-99 mg/dL (2.06-2.56 mmol/L).
(iii) 100-119 mg/dL (2.57-3.07 mmol/L).
(iv) More than 120 mg/dL (3.1 mmol/L).

The study found:
(a) Those with LDL cholesterol levels below 80 mg/dL (2.06 mmol/L) had a 333% increased risk of death from liver cancer compared to those with LDL cholesterol levels of 100-119 mg/dL (2.57-3.07 mmol/L).
(b) Those with LDL cholesterol levels of 80-99 mg/dL (2.06-2.56 mmol/L) had a 3% increased risk of death from liver cancer compared to those with LDL cholesterol levels of 100-119 mg/dL (2.57-3.07 mmol/L).
(c) Those with LDL cholesterol levels above 120 mg/dL (3.1 mmol/L) had a 57% REDUCED risk of death from liver cancer compared to those with LDL cholesterol levels of 100-119 mg/dL (2.57-3.07 mmol/L).

The researchers conclude: "Low LDL cholesterol levels are associated with elevated risk of liver cancer mortality".

Analysis of data from randomised statin trials finds that statin users have a 6% increased risk of diabetes

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 05:57:00 +0000

2009 Oct;32(10):1924-9

Study title and authors:

Statin therapy and risk of developing type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis.

Rajpathak SN, Kumbhani DJ, Crandall J, Barzilai N, Alderman M, Ridker PM.

Department of Epidemiology and Population Health and Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York. srajpath@aecom.yu.edu

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19794004/

This paper is a meta-analysis of randomised statin trials that evaluated the effect of statin therapy on diabetes risk. The researchers conducted a systematic literature search for randomised statin trials that reported data on diabetes. They found six trials which included 57,593 patients with an average follow-up of 3.9 years during which 2,082 diabetes cases accrued.

This analysis of six randomised statin trials found that statin use was associated with a 6% increase in the incidence of diabetes.

Diets containing gluten cause gastrointestinal symptoms in non-celiacs

noreply@blogger.com (David Evans) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 07:54:00 +0000

2011 Mar;106(3):508-14; quiz 515

Study title and authors:
Gluten causes gastrointestinal symptoms in subjects without celiac disease: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Biesiekierski JR, Newnham ED, Irving PM, Barrett JS, Haines M, Doecke JD, Shepherd SJ, Muir JG, Gibson PR.
Monash University Department of Medicine and Gastroenterology, Box Hill Hospital, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21224837

The aim of this study was to determine whether gluten ingestion can induce gastrointestinal symptoms in non-celiac individuals. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled rechallenge trial was undertaken in patients with irritable bowel syndrome in whom celiac disease was excluded and who were symptomatically controlled on a gluten-free diet. The study included 34 patients (aged 29-59 years) who received either (i) gluten or (ii) placebo in the form of two bread slices plus one muffin per day with a gluten-free diet for up to 6 weeks.

The study found:
(a) 28% more of the patients in the gluten group reported that their symptoms were not adequately controlled compared to the placebo group.
(b) Patients in the gluten group were significantly worse within one week for the following:
(i) Overall symptoms.
(ii) Pain.
(iii) Bloating.
(iv) Less satisfaction with stool consistency.
(v) Tiredness.

The results from the study suggests that a diet containing gluten causes gastrointestinal symptoms in non-celiacs.