Lower Your Cholesterol

Cordaptive™ Cholesterol Drug - Merck & Co

2007-10-08T10:41:00.000-04:00

Merck & Company announced that the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) had accepted it's New Drug Application for Cordaptive™ for a standard review. Cordaptive™, in earlier Phase I and II trials, has been shown to be effective in raising HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and lowering LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels.

Cordaptive™ is a combination of extended release Niacin and laropiprant (to help with a known side-effect of Niacin called "flushing").

In early September, Merck also reported that Phase III trials of Cordaptive™ had reduced LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, increased HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and reduced triglyceride levels compared to placebo.

During the trial, Cordaptive™ was given both as a monotherapy and also added to patients currently using statin therapy. Patients given Cordaptive™ showed significantly less flushing than those receiving only the extended release Niacin.

Technorati Tags: Cholesterol LDL HDL laropiprant cordaptive

Merck's Investigational CETP-Inhibitor, MK-0859 - anacetrapib

2007-10-05T14:33:00.000-04:00

Merck and Co. announced yesterday that in Phase IIb study results, anacetrapib significantly reduced LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and increased HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) both alone and in combination with atorvastatin 20 mg compared to placebo in patients with dyslipidemia.

Several dosages were tested during the eight week study, from 10 to 300 mg. LDL-C levels were reduced from 16% to 40% and HDL-C levels were increased from 44% to 139%.

Dosages were also tested in combination with atorvastatin and produced significant incremental reductions in LDL-C and increases in HDL-C when compared to atorvastatin alone.

Another bright spot - there was no significant indication of raised blood pressure during the test.

Technorati Tags: Cholesterol LDL HDL anacetrapib atorvastatin

September is National Cholesterol Education Month

2006-09-04T07:55:00.000-04:00

New Consumer Booklet Has Lifestyle Tips to Reduce Heart Disease Risk

A Little TLC Goes a Long Way toward Reducing High Cholesterol

If you're one of the nearly 65 million Americans with high blood cholesterol, National Cholesterol Education Month (September) is a perfect time to read a new publication designed to help you make the lifestyle changes needed to reduce cholesterol and, with it, your risk for heart disease.

Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol with TLC (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes) from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health details a three-part program of diet, physical activity, and weight management designed to bring cholesterol levels down.

Read the rest of the article at Lower Your Cholesterol

Simvastatin Enters the Marketplace

2006-06-24T16:14:00.000-04:00

On Friday, June 23, the FDA approved Simvastatin, a generic form of the cholesterol drug Zocor®, which just had it's patent expire. Zocor was the number 2 cholesterol drug on the market, behind Lipitor. Users can expect lower prices for those who can use the generic version, and after the 180 day exclusive received by IVAX and Ranbaxy Pharmacueticals, lower prices still.

In an interesting play to keep their marketshare, theStreet.com is reporting that Merck signed a deal with UnitedHealthCare that would allow it's patients to receive Zocor® at a price lower than that of Simvastatin, the generic.

Simvastatin

Technorati Tags: Cholesterol Lower Cholesterol Generic Zocor Simvastatin

New Trial to Test Increasing Good Cholesterol (HDL)

2006-06-04T10:40:00.000-04:00

The BBC is reporting a new international trial that will test the relationship between increasing HDL cholesterol levels and lowering risk of heart attack and stroke.

It's been shown previously that using statins or other cholesterol lowering durgs could reduce the risk of vascular disease in those at risk.

The proposed trial will be looking to see if increasing HDL levels could lower the risk to those who already have vascular disease. About 20,000 people will take part in the trial. The main ingredients being tested is niacin in combination with another drug which has been shown to reduce the side effects of the niacin.

Read more at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5029616.stm

Technorati Tags: Cholesterol Lower Cholesterol HDL niacin Vascular Disease

2006-02-13T22:37:00.000-05:00

Recent Studies Support Almonds' Role in Heart Health and Weight Maintenance

MODESTO, Calif., Feb. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Several studies published and
presented during the past year add to the evidence that almonds are the
healthiest nut around. A one-ounce handful of almonds offers heart-healthy
monounsaturated fat, the antioxidant vitamin E, protein, fiber, magnesium,
potassium, calcium, phosphorous and iron, all in 160 calories. In addition to
their nutrition, almonds can play a role in heart health and weight
maintenance.

In regard to heart health, for example:

* A study published in November in the Journal of the American Medical
Association (JAMA) adds to the evidence for almonds' role in helping
lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Researchers from Johns Hopkins
University and Harvard University studied the effect of changing the
amount of carbohydrates, protein and unsaturated fat in the diet on
blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Almonds were eaten as a snack in
a high-protein diet and an unsaturated fat diet, but not included in a
high-carbohydrate diet. The researchers discovered that the protein and
unsaturated fat diets improved blood pressure and LDL, or "bad,"
cholesterol and total cholesterol levels more than the carbohydrate
diet.

* A study published in July in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
showed that eating a certain eating plan of heart-healthy foods
including almonds not only lowered cholesterol levels, but also the
level of c-reactive protein. The dietary approach, called the Portfolio
Eating Plan, decreased these levels by 24 percent -- similar to the
reduction achieved in the study by taking a first-generation statin drug
(16 percent), without many of the pills' side effects.

* A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association
last March confirms that eating almonds significantly increases vitamin
E levels in the plasma and red blood cells and simultaneously lowers
cholesterol levels. The study, conducted at Loma Linda University, was
the first to demonstrate that eating almonds raises vitamin E levels in
the bloodstream -- up to 19 percent after four weeks, among those who
ate 20 percent of their calories as almonds. Participants in the study
also reduced their total cholesterol by 5 percent and lowered their LDL
or "bad" cholesterol by nearly 7 percent.

* A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition last
February showed that the same heart-healthy dietary approach including
almonds, the Portfolio Eating Plan, was just as effective as first-
generation statins in lowering LDL cholesterol below the recommended
range for heart disease prevention. The study directly compared statins
and the dietary approach for one month.

These heart-health studies add to the existing body of research,
particularly significant in 2002 and 2003, on almonds' ability to lower
cholesterol. The findings are also consistent with the recommendations of the
National Cholesterol Education Program, which recommends people eat up to 20
percent of calories from monounsaturated fat from foods such as almonds, olive
oil and avocados. (The program also recommends they choose no more than 10
percent of calories from polyunsaturated fats, particularly eating fish twice
a week to obtain the two forms of omega-3 fatty acids called EPA and DHA,
which are more beneficial than the form of omega-3s found in nuts, seeds, and
oils.)

In regard to almonds' role in weight maintenance and even weight loss:

* A study presented at last year's Experimental Biology conference in
April indicates one reason for almonds' healthful benefits may be the
way their nutrients are absorbed in the body. Researchers at Kings
College in London found that almonds appear to help block absorption of
carbohydrates, block their own fat from being absorbed, and improve
satiety, which may be key mechanisms behind their heart-healthy,
cholesterol-lowering and weight-maintenance capabilities.

* Another study presented at Experimental Biology last April showed that
adding nearly two servings of almonds to one's existing diet had no
effect on body weight or percentage of body fat. "We found it to be
remarkable that participants naturally compensated for the added
calories from almonds in their diet," said study author James Hollis,
PhD, from Purdue University. "Our early hypothesis is that the fiber and
protein found in almonds may contribute to greater satiety, which in
turn helps people maintain their body weight."

These new weight-related studies add to a 2003 study in the International
Journal of Obesity that showed adding a daily ration of almonds to a low-
calorie diet enhanced weight loss, as well as significantly improved risk
factors associated with heart disease, when compared to a low-fat, low-calorie
diet. Researchers cited almonds' heart-healthy monounsaturated fat as being
very satiating, helping satisfy the appetite and prevent patients from
overeating.
Consumers can visit http://www.AlmondsAreIn.com for more information about
almonds, or http://www.PortfolioEatingPlan.com for more information about the
Portfolio Eating Plan.

The Almond Board of California administers a grower-enacted Federal
Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of
Agriculture. Established in 1950, the Board's charge is to promote the best
quality almonds, California's largest tree nut crop.

SOURCE The Almond Board of California
Web Site: http://www.AlmondsAreIn.com
http://www.PortfolioEatingPlan.com

2006-02-13T21:49:00.000-05:00

New Health Corp. Introduces Lipidshield™ Liquid Formula, the First All-natural Liquid Dietary Supplement for Lowering Cholesterol

LipidShield’s™ Liquid Formula with Cholesterol-lowering Plant Sterols and Stanols is Better Absorbed and Faster Acting than Tablets or Capsules; Easier to Use for Those Who Don’t Like to Swallow Pills.

Melbourne, FL (PRWEB) January 11, 2006 -- New Health Corp. announced the availability of the liquid version of their popular cholesterol-lowering dietary supplement, LipidShield™ (www.lipidshield.com). The new liquid formula, which incorporates several plant-derived ingredients clinically shown to lower human cholesterol, was designed especially for those individuals who find capsules and tablets difficult to swallow.

"In addition to being easy to use, an even bigger benefit of the liquid formula is how quickly and efficiently it’s absorbed into the bloodstream,” said Dr. William Huggins, the director of product development for New Health Corp. “Because more of the supplement’s active ingredients are able to be absorbed, LipidShield’s™ liquid formula is ideal for individuals who need to safely lower their cholesterol levels in a relatively short period of time.” Dr. Huggins said that most individuals with high cholesterol who consume two tablespoons of LipidShield™ daily are likely to see a drop in their cholesterol count within fourteen days.

“We realized that taste is a very important issue for consumers, as a bitter-tasting supplement, regardless of its potential health benefit, will sit unused in the refrigerator,” said Dr. Huggins. “That’s why we spent so many hours in the lab formulating LipidShield’s™ delicious vanilla flavor.”

LipidShield’s™ liquid formula is the first and only all-natural cholesterol-lowering dietary supplement available in liquid form. LipidShield’s formula includes the proven cholesterol lowering components Guggulipid, Red Yeast Rice, Policosanol, phytosterols, and stanols. The supplement contains no artificial dyes or artificial sweeteners.

"We have developed LipidShield™ using nutrients scientifically shown to enhance heart health,” said New Health Corp. president Gary Stanton. “This dietary supplement is for anyone concerned about high cholesterol but not comfortable with the side effects sometimes accompanying prescription statin medications.”

Stanton said LipidShield™ will undergo a double-blind clinical trial early in 2006.

To ensure product purity and potency, LipidShield’s™ liquid formula is manufactured in an FDA inspected and registered pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. A 30-ounce bottle of LipidShield (30 day supply) has a suggested retail price of $39.95.

More information about LipidShield™ is available from New Health Corp. at 877-263-3555 or at their Web site, www.lipidshield.com.

Cholesterol Lowering Drugs Not Associated with Reduced Colorectal Cancer Risk

2006-01-08T09:24:00.000-05:00

jncimedia@oxfordjournals.org
301-841-1287
Journal of the National Cancer Institute

The Journal of the National Cancer Institute is published by Oxford University Press and is not affiliated with the National Cancer Institute.

Use of cholesterol reducing drugs is not associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, according to a study in the January 4 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Previous studies have investigated the association between statins, the most commonly used type of cholesterol lowering drug, and colorectal cancer incidence, but these studies have produced mixed results. Several randomized trials, generally considered the most reliable type of study, found no clear association between statin use and colorectal cancer, but these trials were relatively small and did not examine long-term statin use. In contrast, a recent large study, the Molecular Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer (MECC) study, which included almost 4000 people, showed that statin use for a period of more than 5 years was associated with a 47% reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer.

Eric J. Jacobs, Ph.D., of the American Cancer Society in Atlanta, and colleagues investigated the association between use of cholesterol-lowering drugs and colorectal cancer risk in the 132,136 men and women enrolled in the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort.

Researchers identified 815 cases of colorectal cancer in cohort participants during the period from 1997 to 2001. They found that use of cholesterol-lowering drugs, even use for 5 or more years, was not associated with colorectal cancer incidence.

This study measured use of cholesterol lowering drugs in general rather than use of statins in particular. However, the authors note that if statins strongly reduced the risk of colorectal cancer, use of any cholesterol-lowering drugs would likely have been associated with some reduction in risk because most users of cholesterol lowering drugs use statins.

"Our results do not support the hypothesis that statins, as a class of drugs, strongly reduce risk of colorectal cancer," they write.

In an accompanying editorial, John McLaughlin, Ph.D., of Cancer Care Ontario and the Prosserman Centre for Health Research in Ontario, calls the study a "prompt and timely contribution to the literature, because it capitalized on the existence of a large and well-characterized cohort." He writes that the study results suggest that a clinical trial that evaluates statins as a chemopreventive agent would be premature and that the results show that large cohort studies provide an excellent resource for hypothesis testing.

Your Cholesterol Levels

2005-07-30T21:33:00.000-04:00

As part of your regular checkup, it is likely that the doctor will order bloodwork that among other things will measure your levels of total cholesterol and also High Density Lipoproteins (HDL). Should the numbers show outside of the normal range, the doctor may ask for a fasting cholesterol test. For this, you won't eat or drink other than water for twelve hours prior to the test. This test will show your Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride levels, in addition to the total cholesterol level and HDL.

The National Cholesterol Education Program has presented goal cholesterol levels, which are as follows:

Total Cholesterol Level (mg/dl)
Desirable: Below 200
Borderline: 200-239
Undesirable: 240 and above

LDL Cholesterol (mg/dl)
Desirable: Below 100
Above Average: 100-129
Borderline: 130-159
Undesirable: 160-189
Very Undesirable: 190 and above

HDL Cholesterol (mg/dl)
Desirable: Above 60
Borderline: 40-60
Undesirable: Below 40

Serum Triglycerides (mg/dl)
Normal: Below 150
Borderline: 150-199
Undesirable: 200-499
Very Undesirable: 500 or above

Some laboratories will calculate the cholesterol ratio (total/HDL), but it is far more important to get the individual numbers for the total cholesterol, hdl and ldl. NOtice that lower numbers are desirable for everything except HDL. The high density lipoproteins are known as good cholesterol. If your HDL levels are lower than 40 mg/dl, you can increase them by

Quitting smoking
Losing weight
Getting physically active for at least 30-60 minutes per day.

Your cholesterol levels, along with your other risk factors will determine the course of action that your physician will recommend. Some of these risk factors are

Obesity
Family history
Lack of physical activity
Age
Sex
Alcohol consumption
Stress
Body shape
Diabetes
Smoking

Some of these factors you have no control over, such as age, family history and sex. But you need to take care of business with the others. Quitting smoking is a given. Adding exercise to your daily schedule can help you with multiple factors, including reducing weight, reducing stress and lowering cholesterol levels. Watch your diet by eating less saturated fats and trans fats.

Another alternative treatment method is medication. There are many to choose from, both precription and non-prescription, be sure to check with your physician before trying any of these.

Also make sure to check with your physician before starting any new diet or exercise regimen.

Home Cholesterol Test Kits

2005-07-23T22:46:00.000-04:00

Hi all,

After your physical, your doctor said you need to lower your cholesterol. Being a good do-be, you start right in on quitting smoking, eating less saturated fats, eating more soy products and a half dozen other ideas from the good doctor.

Fast forward two months.....how do you tell if you've made any progress?

http://www.lower-your-cholesterol.net/home-cholesterol-tests.html

Reduce Cholesterol With Celery

2005-06-14T16:13:00.000-04:00

Hi all,

I just received the article below by Marilyn Pokorney and thought I would share it with you.

Eating raw celery is an excellent and healthy way to reduce high cholesterol blood levels. According to tests by researchers at the University of Chicago, celery reduces cholesterol levels by as much as 7 points with as little as 2 stalks a day.

Not all the cholesterol that causes problems comes from food. The liver manufactures up to 75 percent of the cholesterol in the body. It is in the liver that cholesterol is manufactured and broken down by special enzymes to be removed from the body. Celery aids this process by increasing bile acid secretion. Laboratory studies also indicate that butyl phthalide, a chemical in celery, may help reduce high cholesterol.

Medical experts say that celery is good for people with circulation problems because celery fights fat. Serious circulatory problems can be caused by too much cholesterol in the blood. Heart attacks and strokes are the two most common complications caused by hardening and blockage of the arteries. Celery contains chemicals that stimulate the elimination of fat throughout the body says a physician at the University of Italy in Milan.

Celery is high in calcium. High calcium intake invigorates the endocrine system which releases hormones that break down fatty buildup in cells. The adrenal and thyroid glands secrete the hormone adrenaline and thyroxine respectively,which help to burn accumulated fats in the body cells. The pituitary gland secretes at least nine known hormones which influence body weight gain and loss.

By aiding the body's processes in dissolving already accumulated cholesterol on the interior walls of the arteries, known as plaque, and helping the liver to metabolize and prevent additional formation of cholesterol, celery is an excellent food for cholesterol control.

For more information about celery and cholesterol and other health benefits visit: http://www.apluswriting.net/health/celerych.htm

*****************************************
Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
*****************************************

Welcome

2005-06-12T18:56:00.000-04:00

Hi, my name is Ken and I'd like to welcome to my Lower Your Cholesterol blog. I'll be bringing you hints on lowering your cholesterol, as well as keeping up with the latest news, articles and research about cholesterol.

If you come across any interesting items, please let me know so I can update the blog and present it to all.