Lower CholesterolNiacin–Statin Study Didn't Give Desired Results: Stopped Early
The National Institutes of Health stopped a clinical trial studying a blood lipid treatment 18 months early. The study found that adding high dose, extended release niacin to statin treatment for patients with heart disease did not reduce cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes.
Study Participants
This study was referred to as AIM-HIGH (Atherothrombosis Intervention in Metabolic Syndrome with Low HDL/High Triglycerides: Impact on Global Health) and the 3414 participants were selected because they were at risk for cardiovascular events despite having a well controlled LDL cholesterol level. They were at increased risk due to a history of heart disease combined with low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides. Low HDL levels and high triglycerides are both linked to increased risk of cardiovascular events.
Study participants were divided into two groups.
Heart HealthSkinny Doesn't Always Equal Healthy
There are many factors that play a role in your risk for heart disease and diabetes. These factors include diet, physical activity, smoking, weight, age, sex, ethnicity, and so on. Genetics is a factor that plays a role.
Researchers from Britain’s Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit have identifies a ‘lean gene’ that is linked to reduced body fat, but increased risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Heart disease and type II diabetes are typically associated with being overweight, so finding a gene that links leanness to heart disease and diabetes is of interest. This may help explain why some individuals that are a healthy weight still struggle with high cholesterol and elevated glucose levels.
Heart HealthCan Chocolate Be the Answer to a Healthy Heart?
The following guest post is from Jessica Johnson, a member of Long Island Heart Associates of New York and contributor to their blog.
Can Chocolate Be the Answer to a Healthy Heart?
In recent studies from the last several years, top cardiologists have seen that chocolate can actually help reduce and lower blood cholesterol thanks to the power of flavonols. This particular class of flavonoids has natural antioxidants that benefit your body as well as help lower blood cholesterol. It also will help improve the blood flow through the body, causing blood platelets to become less sticky, which lowers their ability to clot, while also lowering cholesterol.
These flavonoids are found naturally in cocoa giving it that slightly bitter or more pungent taste in its natural form. Even after cocoa beans have been baked and refined to create commercial chocolate bars, the flavonols still remain intact.
Heart HealthPrevent Vascular Disease with Tomatoes
Tomatoes have been linked to several different health benefits, including cancer prevention, lower cholesterol levels, reduced blood pressure, and decreased heart disease risk.
Nutritional Value of Tomatoes
The carotenoid lycopene has been extensively studied to determine antioxidant and cancer preventing properties.
Tomatoes are also rich in many nutrients, such as vitamin C and vitamin A. In addition, they provide a good source of fiber, which is know to lower high cholesterol levels, stabilize blood sugar, and prevent colon cancer.
Tomatoes and Heart Disease
Lower Blood PressureExercise Safety with High Blood Pressure
If you have high blood pressure you need to exercise wisely.
Weight Training & High Blood Pressure
You want to use caution when lifting weights. There is potential for weight lifting to cause a drastic rise in blood pressure. However, there are many benefits linked to strength training, including a lower blood pressure.
I’ll refer you to this article to learn more:
How does strength training affect blood pressure?
Stay Safe
Heart HealthHealthy Eating for Cancer Prevention
The following is a guest post provided by Kate Flaherty. Kate is an outreach and awareness coordinator for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. She has a passion for sharing her knowledge about complementary therapies for cancer care.
Healthy Eating for Cancer Prevention
Maintaining fitness and eating a proper diet can go a long way in the prevention of various diseases such as diabetes, high-blood pressure and even cancer. Any form of cancer, such as pancreatic or mesothelioma, is a serious condition that can often turn fatal if people do not treat it in its beginning stages. When people receive a cancer prognosis, it can be extremely scary; however, the development of many of these diseases can often be prevented with regular exercise and proper eating habits.
Vegetables for Cancer Prevention
Healthy, nutritious food should be an essential part of anyone’s diet. Cruciferous vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale and cabbage are all terrific sources of essential vitamins, fiber and minerals. Tomatoes, which are an excellent source of vitamin C, should also be consumed regularly. Carrots are fantastic as they contain beta carotene, which has antioxidant properties known to prevent the replication of cancerous cells.