It often feels like pharmaceutical companies often get wrapped up in dollar signs and forget the bottom-line reason for manufacturing the medication – improving your health. A study compared the effectiveness of Niacin versus Zetia.

The study

The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine this past November 2009. Researchers analyzed the effect of extended-release niacin and ezetimibe (Zetia) on LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels.

Continue reading ‘Lower Cholesterol Effectively – Zetia Versus Niacin’ »

Let me state right up front that I do not recommend following a low carb diet. That being said I want to share some of the latest research with you.

A study published on January 25, 2010 in the Archives of Internal Medicine compared a low carb diet versus a low fat plus orlistat diet. Researchers analyzed the effect of these two diets on weight loss and blood pressure.

Just in case you don’t know, orlistat is also known by the names Xenical and Alli.

Researchers studied 146 participants from the Department of Veterans Affairs primary care clinics in Durham, North Carolina. Participants were randomly assigned to either the low carb of the low fat plus orlistat diet, received instructions, and were monitored for 48 weeks. Some factors analyzed included body weight, blood pressure, fasting serum lipid, and glycemic parameters.

Results of the study found weight loss to be similar between the two groups at ~9% body weight. The low carbohydrate diet resulted in a lower blood pressure for participants when compared to the low fat diet with orlistat. The low carb diet lowered systolic (top number) blood pressure on average 5.9 mm Hg and diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure 4.5 mm Hg.

HDL Cholesterol and triglyceride levels improved for individuals on each diet, while LDL cholesterol improved only for those on the low fat plus orlistat diet. Glycemic parameters, such as glucose, insulin, and hemoglobin A1C only improved for low carbohydrate diet participants. Although it’s worth noting that the difference between groups was not statistically significant.

Like I said at the beginning I do not recommend a low carb diet. My first choice to promote a lower blood pressure would be the DASH diet. A study on the DASH diet was actually published in this same journal issue.

The DASH Diet alone was compared to the DASH diet in combination with a weight management and exercise plan. The DASH Diet when combined with an exercise/weight management plan resulted in an 11.2 mm Hg drop of systolic blood pressure and an average weight loss of 19 pounds over a 4 month period.

The main thing to remember is that you need to pick a plan you can stick with for the long term. Steady, consistent action is what will lead to results. If you haven’t already I encourage you to sign-up for the e-course 7 Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure at http://www.lowerbloodpressurewithlisa.com.

What do you think about using a low carb diet to lower blood pressure? Share your thoughts below.

All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD

You’d think the stress of raising children would cause blood pressure to boil; however, a study has actually found a link between parenthood and lower blood pressure, particularly in women. The Brigham Young Study monitored 198 adults for 24 hours. Seventy percent of participants had children, participants were married and in overall good health.

The study measured blood pressure using portable devices at random times throughout the day and night. Researchers found participants with children had an average blood pressure of 116/71 mm Hg. After factoring in other issues that impact blood pressure (i.e. age, gender, body mass index, and smoking, etc.) parents had a systolic (top number) blood pressure reading 4.5 points lower and a diastolic (bottom number) reading 3 points lower than participants without children. A greater difference was seen in women. Motherhood corresponded with a 12 point difference in systolic blood pressure and 7 point difference in diastolic blood pressure.

Interesting look at how not only dietary factors influence blood pressure. What do you think? Has being a parent had a positive impact on your blood pressure? Share your thoughts below!

Be sure to sign up for the free e-course 7 Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure at http://www.lowerbloodpressurewithlisa.com.

All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD

The latest research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that saturated fat is not linked to heart disease as we’ve always be told. This latest study was a meta-analysis and did not find significant evidence linking dietary saturated fat with increased risk of heart disease.

A meta-analysis combines the results of several studies completed with similar theories. In this particular analysis, 21 studies were compared in regards to dietary fat and heart disease risk. I do like meta-analysis results, because they can provide a big picture look at the overall findings. However, there are weaknesses.

Here are three known weaknesses:

1. Reliance on published studies – Studies that do not show significant results have difficulty getting published. If a meta-analysis only includes studies showing a positive or negative association there could be many unpublished studies finding no link.
2. Studies included are not controlled – A meta-analysis may include studies with a poor design which can skew results inaccurately. The studies included in a meta-analysis is a subjective design made by the researchers – they get to decide.
3. Simpson’s Paradox – This deals with statistics and how study results are interpreted. There are different ways to measure results and there is no one agreed upon measurement method – with is of particular importance in the field of medicine.

Why am I sharing this information with you?

Because the results of this latest meta-analysis are interesting, but I do not recommend you throw out your olive oil and replace it with lard. It’s likely saturated fat does not deserve the “bad rap” it has received; however, that doesn’t mean excess amounts are good. Everything comes back to moderation.

Please let me know what you think by adding a comment below.

All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Heart Healthy Tips
http://www.hearthealthmadeeasy.com

If you strive for optimal health, consider adding a whole food supplement to your daily regimen. However, you must be a savvy shopper to make sure you select a supplement that lives up to its claims. . .many are a waste of money! Things to look for:

1. Independent research – This means the company selling the product did not conduct the research.

2. Double blind, placebo controlled studies – This means neither the “patient” nor the doctor knew if they were taking the supplement or a sugar pill. Provides more reliable results.

3. Research that shows results – If the product claims to raise antioxidant levels and reduce high blood pressure then research studies need to back this up.

4. Publication in peer reviewed journals, such as The Journal of the American College of Cardiology or the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.

All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Juice Plus