What Is the Meaning of Homocysteine in Patients on Dialysis? – Corrected Proof
Objective: To evaluate the determinants of total plasma homocysteine levels and their relations with nutritional parameters, inflammatory status, and traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease in renal failure patients on dialysis treatment.Design: The study was conducted on 70 clinically stable patients, 50 of them on hemodialysis (70% men; 55.3 ± 14.5 years) and 20 on peritoneal dialysis (50% men; 62 ± 13.7 years). Patients were analyzed in terms of biochemical parameters (serum lipids, creatinine, homocysteine [Hcy], creatine-kinase [Ck], folic acid, and vitamin B12), anthropometric data, markers of inflammatory status (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6), and adapted subjective global assessment.Results: The total prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia (15 μmol/L) was 85.7%. Plasma folic acid and plasma vitamin B12 were within the normal range. Multiple regression analysis (r2 = 0.20) revealed that the determinants of total Hcy were type of dialysis, creatinine, Ck, folic acid, and total cholesterol. Hcy was positively correlated with albumin and creatinine and negatively correlated with total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, folic acid, and vitamin B12.Conclusions: The determinants of total Hcy in the study sample were type of dialysis, creatinine, Ck, folic acid, and total cholesterol. Evidently, the small sample size might have had an effect on the statistical analyses and further studies are needed. However, Hcy in patients on dialysis treatment may not have the same effect as observed in the general population. In this respect, the association between malnutrition and inflammation may be a confounding factor in the determination of the true relationship between Hcy, nutritional status, and cardiovascular risk factors in this group.
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Moderate alcohol consumption linked to healthy hearts
Calgary, Canada (AHN) – Two reports came out this week linking moderate alcohol consumption with significantly lower risks of developing heart disease.
The two reports from the University of Calgary, both published in the British Medical Journal, concluded that people who drink in moderation are 14 to 25 percent less likely to develop heart disease than those who don’t drink at all.
One of the studies says the reason is likely because alcohol raises a person’s high density lipoprotein cholesterol, or so-called “good cholesterol.” This has a protective effect on the heart.
The researchers acknowledged that previous research linked moderate drinking with reduced heart disease risk, but they said in a statement that those studies were out-of-date and needed updating.
The researchers also stressed moderation. This means about one glass of wine, beer or other alcoholic beverage a day for women and about two for men.
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High levels of ‘good’ cholesterol may be associated with lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease
High levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), also known as “good” cholesterol, appear to be associated with a reduced risk for Alzheimer’s disease in older adults, according to a report in the December issue of Archives of Neurology.
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Study Suggests Women And Their Children May Benefit From Metabolic Screening Prior To Conception
Cardio-metabolic risk factors such as high blood sugar and insulin, and low high density lipoprotein cholesterol that are present before pregnancy, predict whether a woman will develop diabetes during a future pregnancy, according to a Kaiser Permanente study in the current issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology…
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Metabolic status before pregnancy predicts subsequent gestational diabetes
OAKLAND, Calif. — Cardio-metabolic risk factors such as high blood sugar and insulin, and low high density lipoprotein cholesterol that are present before pregnancy, predict whether a woman will…
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Drastic lifestyle changes are best treatment for diabetes, obesity
(NaturalNews) A new study published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine has found that making considerable lifestyle and dietary changes are highly effective at improving the health of diabetes patients, as well as preventing of cardiovascular illness. Getting regular exercise and eating better, say researchers, are once again the best routes to take when combating disease, rather than simply take medication. Researchers compared the effects of two different treatment approaches on over 5,000 obese patients with type-2 diabetes. One group participated in an “intensive lifestyle intervention” program that involved dietary changes and fitness regimens, while the other group took medication and met three times a year for group education and support sessions. After four years, the lifestyle intervention group lost an average of more than six percent of their body weight, while the education and support group lost less than one percent. The lifestyle intervention group also experienced lower blood pressure levels, improved hemoglobin A1c levels (a measure of blood glucose) and elevated levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), also known as “good” cholesterol. “[T]he differences between the groups averaged across the four years were substantial and indicate that the intensive lifestyle intervention group spent a considerable time at lower cardiovascular disease risk,” explained the study authors. Medication alone does little to improve the long-term health of diabetes patients. This study and others prove that lifestyle and dietary changes are absolutely necessary to improve overall health, which starts with maintaining a healthy weight, eating foods that support good health and staying physically fit. Avoiding highly-refined foods like white sugar, white rice and pasta are a given for most diabetics. But eating foods like organic, raw vegetables and nuts for instance, can help not only to improve symptoms but even reverse the disease. To find out how to stop diabetes in 25, check out the book How to Halt Diabetes in 25 Days by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger. Sources for this story include: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-09/jaaj-lif092410.php
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Guide To Good And Bad Cholesterol
Cholesterol have both good and bad, and hence this is why it is so very vital to learn what cholesterol is, and how it affects your health, as well as what you can do to lower it if the needed. There are basically two different types of cholesterol, the LDL and the HDL.
LDL is the bad form of cholesterol, when too much of it found in a person’s blood, it can slowly build up on the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain, and together with other substances it is able to shape plaque in the body, which is a thick, hard deposit that can block these arteries; a circumstance which is known as atherosclerosis.
Then there is HDL is the good form of cholesterol, and this is due to a high level of it seems to protect against heart attacks. A low level of HDL levels in a person’s body will in fact increase the risk of having a heart attack on a human body.
There is also another factor which must be raised in this discussion, and that is in regards to triglyceride, a form of fat that comes from food and it also made in your body. The reason that it is involved in this particular subject matter is because people with high triglycerides often found to have high total cholesterol, high LDL cholesterol and a low HDL cholesterol level.
Good Cholesterol (High Density Lipoprotein)
The cholesterol test you normally take actually measures lipoproteins. These lipoproteins are sorted by their density: the measure of fat versus protein in the combination. High density means that there is more protein ratio compared to fat. High density lipoproteins (HDL) are good cholesterol. They do the necessary work assigned to cholesterol, they help to un-clog your arteries and help flush excess fat from your body.
Bad Cholesterol (Low Density Lipoprotein)
Low density lipoproteins (LDL), very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and triglycerides (a type of fat carried by LDL and VLDL) are the main component of the bad cholesterol. If you have high number of these that they can clog your arteries thus, causing a heart attack or other heart related diseases. The normal level of bad cholesterol is 200mg/dL or less.
Bad and good cholesterol levels vary from person to person. Factors that affect cholesterol levels like being overweight, a diet with too much saturated fat and cholesterol, not enough exercise, heredity and certain medical conditions or medicines. Cholesterol tends to increase with age as well.
How you can Control and Lower Bad Cholesterol
If you have normal levels of good and bad cholesterol all you should to do is ensure that you stay that way and you can do that by taking the following steps: eating healthy and exercising. Eating healthy such as having food items that are low in saturated and trans fat as well as cholesterol.
Also, get in the habit of reading your food labels as they provide all the above mentioned data by law and hence it is easy for you to choose which food items are good and which are damaging for your health.
Some food items that contain high levels of cholesterol are: egg yolks, poultry, meat, shellfish, butter and cheese.
If you already have high levels of the bad cholesterol then the best thing to do is consult your doctor to prescribe you a drug that will help you lower it gradually. There are many cholesterol drugs that are available over the counter and many natural remedies as well. However, it is strongly suggested that you should not self medicate as some of the cholesterol drugs may have serious side effects, which only your doctor can point out as he is familiar with your medical history and conditions.
In general, you can always increase good cholesterol and decrease bad cholesterol by watching your food intake, exercising regularly and losing weight. You’ll also need your doctor’s help with the other factors. Don’t worry about having too little cholesterol. That’s un-likely to happen. Concentrate on building enough good cholesterol, less bad cholesterol and the rest will take care of itself.
Take a minute and learn about your good and bad cholesterol levels, watch closely your food intake and that of your family making them aware as well of the importance of staying below the limits of the bad cholesterol. Just a few minutes of self-education can save your life or one of your family member’s.
Author: Cindy Heller
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Kinds of Cholesterol – HDL
Not all cholesterol is created equal. Does this seem like a strange statement? While it may seem
strange, it is true. Not all types of cholesterol are the same. Your body creates some cholesterol;
you add some to your body by the foods you eat. Also, medical experts consider some cholesterol
bad while they think that you also have good cholesterol. What, good cholesterol? With all the
negative publicity we hear each day about cholesterol, how can you believe that any form of this
substance is good?
To understand how expert can call one cholesterol good, you must first understand the role of
cholesterol in the body. Since the body naturally produces this substance, it makes sense the body
needs this substance to survive. Cholesterol’s main role in the body is to preserve and build cell
wall membranes. Cholesterol also aids in digesting fat soluble vitamins and is important in
producing hormones.
So, as you see, cholesterol is a substance the body needs for it to be healthy. Cholesterol becomes
bad when there is a surplus of it in our systems either because our body produces too much of the
substance or when we take in too much cholesterol though the foods we eat. This excess
cholesterol can build up in the blood vessels, clogging arteries and causing heart disease and
heart attack.
This is the point where doctors begin to distinguish between good and bad cholesterol. Medical
researchers refer to good cholesterol as high density lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol, while they
term bad cholesterol as low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol. You can also call HDL
cholesterol good cholesterol, because the medical practitioners believe that your bodily processes
work to transport this cholesterol out of the body. This is good because it does not stick around to
plug up your arteries. Meanwhile, it is LDL cholesterol that builds up in the arteries and causes
heart disease.
Therefore, if you want to avoid heart disease, your goal should be to raise your good cholesterol
levels and lower the bad cholesterol levels. What, then, is the ideal good cholesterol level?
Doctors want your good cholesterol to be above 50 mg/DL. Any reading between 35 and 50
mg/DL they consider acceptable while they look at those below 35 mg/DL to be too low.
Now, what can you do if you find your good cholesterol level is too low? What are the best ways
to raise it? Here are a few things to try. First, lose some weight. If you are overweight, this
change can drastically help improve cholesterol levels. Join a weight loss program to help you
reduce your weight. Exercise can also help to raise your HDL level. If you smoke, quitting can
also help to raise levels of good cholesterol.
As you can see, all cholesterol is indeed not created equal. By increasing your good cholesterol,
you can cut your risk of heart disease and stroke. Several lifestyle changes, such as losing weight
and giving up smoking, can help improve your levels of this good cholesterol.
Author: Julia Carmichael
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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High Cholesterol – 6 Useful Natural Remedies And Herbal Treatment
Usually cholesterol is produced in the liver and it is one of the essential ingredients of our body. 20-30% of the cholesterol is obtained from the food we eat. The measurement of cholesterol is taken in milligrams per 100 millimeters of blood. The normal range of the cholesterol varies between 150-200 mg per 100 ml. It is also known as lipoproteins as in blood cholesterol occurs in combination with certain lipids or fats.
Cholesterol or lipoproteins are classified into two types –
1. Low density lipoprotein (LDL)
2. High density lipoprotein (HDL)
Low density lipoprotein is related with cholesterol deposits in blood vessels and it is also considered to be harmful. It may result into the problems like stroke, heart disease etc. whereas the high density lipoprotein helps to remove the cholesterol from the circulation and also reduces the risk of heart disease.
Some of the major symptoms of high blood cholesterol are excess fatigue and feel of uneasiness, pain and heaviness in the chest area, breathlessness and general fatigue.
Some of the major causes of high blood cholesterol –
1. Obesity
2. Genetic factors
3. Stress and over workload
4. Diseases like kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes mellitus and also due to hypothyroidism.
5. Intake of high fat diet can be a major cause of high BP.
It can be treated by natural home remedies. Some of the natural remedies to treat high cholesterol are given below –
1. Make a mixture by adding one tea spoon of lime juice and one teaspoon of honey in one cup of hot water. Drink this mixture daily in the morning if you want to lower your cholesterol naturally.
2. High serum cholesterol can also be controlled by intake of fenugreek seeds regularly. It is an effective natural remedy for the treatment of high cholesterol.
3. Take a glass of water and add 1 teaspoon of methi powder in it. Drink this solution for one month in an empty stomach. It is an effective natural remedy for the treatment of high cholesterol.
4. Increase the intake of foods rich in vitamin E like sunflower seeds, soyabean oils, butter, safflower and also the sprouted seeds and grains.
5. Take a glass of water and add two tablespoons of dry seeds of coriander and allow it to boil properly. Allow it to cool and strain the decoction. Take this decoction two times a day for lowering of the cholesterol. It is also an effective natural remedy for the treatment of high cholesterol.
6. Intake of onion juice is also very effective for the treatment of high cholesterol. It reduces the cholesterol, clean the blood and also regulate the heart.
About Author Read useful Home Remedies for High Blood Pressure. Also find effective Home Remedies for High Cholesterol. Read information on Terminalia Arjuna Benefits.
Truth About Cholesterol
People are always getting confused about the two types of cholesterol found in the blood stream. In this article, we will differentiate between HDL (high density lipoprotein), or the “good guys” and LDL (low density lipoprotein), or the “bad guys”. The levels of HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in the blood are measured to evaluate the risk of having a heart attack. Overweight people are more likely to have high cholesterol from eating too many fatty foods, but thin people should also have their cholesterol checked regularly. Often people who don’t gain weight easily are less aware of how much saturated fat they eat. Nobody can “eat anything they want” and stay heart healthy. Cholesterol should be checked regularly regardless of your weight, exercise habits and diet.
When too much LDL is circulating in the blood stream, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. Along with other substances it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. This process of arterial hardening is known as atherosclerosis “the ugly”. Most people who have this “hardening of arteries” are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke. If your levels of LDL are more than 130mg/dl and you have risk factors such as obesity, smoking, family history or decreased intake of dietary fiber, you are at risk for heart disease. LDL levels less than 100mg/dl and low risk factors such as thin builds, increased dietary fiber and increased exercise levels will decrease the risks of heart or arterial disease.
Approximately one-third of the blood stream carries the “good guys” or HDL cholesterol. HDL removes excess cholesterol from plaque in arteries, thus slowing the buildup. Medical experts think that HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it’s passed from the body. To increase HDL levels, one needs to quit smoking, lose weight and exercise regularly.
Unless your cholesterol is dangerously high, it’s best to try to reduce it by changing your diet. Drug therapy is usually prescribed for those who — despite adequate dietary changes, regular physical activity and weight loss — still have elevated levels of cholesterol. Making lifestyle changes along with taking medication is the best way to help prevent heart disease. By reducing the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet and getting at least 30–60 minutes of aerobic exercise every other day is recommended, even if you’re taking cholesterol-lowering medication. Nutritional supplements will also aid in the decrease of cholesterol levels, however it is very important, as I always recommend to my Chicago chiropractic patients, consult your doctor when beginning any vitamin or nutritional regimen.
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