 |
|
Fish oil and red yeast rice studied for lowering blood cholesterol
July 09, 2008ROCHESTER, Minn. -- A great deal of scientific evidence shows that cholesterol-reducing medications known as statins can help prevent coronary artery disease. Although the safety of these medications has been well documented, as many as 40 percent of patients who receive a prescription for statins take the drug for less than one year. Doctors believe that several factors -- including cost, adverse effects, poor understanding of statin benefits and patients' reluctance to take prescription medications long term -- may explain why some patients stop taking these medicines. In the July issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, a group of researchers from Pennsylvania examine whether an alternative approach to treating high blood cholesterol may provide an effective treatment option for patients who are unable or unwilling to take statins.
Study design
Researchers followed 74 patients with high blood cholesterol who met standard criteria for using statin therapy. Patients were randomly assigned to either the alternative treatment group or the statin group and followed for three months.
The alternative treatment group participants received daily fish oil and red yeast rice supplements, and they were enrolled in a 12-week multidisciplinary lifestyle program that involved weekly 3.5-hour educational meetings led by a cardiologist, dietitian, exercise physiologist and several alternative or relaxation practitioners. Red yeast rice is the product of yeast grown on rice. A dietary staple in some Asian countries, it contains several compounds known to inhibit cholesterol production.
The statin group participants received 40 milligrams (mg) of Zocor (simvastatin) daily, as well as printed materials about diet and exercise recommendations. At the end of the three-month period, participants from both groups underwent blood cholesterol testing to determine the percentage change in LDL cholesterol.
Results
The researchers noted that there was a reduction in LDL cholesterol levels in both groups. The alternative treatment group experienced a 42.4 percent reduction, and the statin group experienced a 39.6 percent reduction. Members of the alternative therapy group also had a substantial reduction in triglycerides, another form of fat found in the blood, and lost more weight.
"Our study was designed to test a comprehensive and holistic approach to lipid lowering," notes the study's lead author, David Becker, M.D., a Chestnut Hill Hospital and University of Pennsylvania Health System cardiologist. "These results are intriguing and show a potential benefit of an alternative, or naturopathic, approach to a common medical condition."
Dr. Becker acknowledges that a larger, multicenter trial with longer follow-up is necessary to determine long-term compliance with the alternative regimen, because previous studies involving diet and exercise have found a high rate of patients unable or unwilling to follow lifestyle recommendations.
"The excellent adherence in the alternative group was undoubtedly related to the intensive follow-up, education and support provided for this group," says Dr. Becker.
Mayo Clinic
The alternative treatment group participants received daily fish oil and red yeast rice supplements, and they were enrolled in a 12-week multidisciplinary lifestyle program that involved weekly 3.5-hour educational meetings led by a cardiologist, dietitian, exercise physiologist and several alternative or relaxation practitioners. Red yeast rice is the product of yeast grown on rice. A dietary staple in some Asian countries, it contains several compounds known to inhibit cholesterol production.
The statin group participants received 40 milligrams (mg) of Zocor (simvastatin) daily, as well as printed materials about diet and exercise recommendations. At the end of the three-month period, participants from both groups underwent blood cholesterol testing to determine the percentage change in LDL cholesterol.
Results
The researchers noted that there was a reduction in LDL cholesterol levels in both groups. The alternative treatment group experienced a 42.4 percent reduction, and the statin group experienced a 39.6 percent reduction. Members of the alternative therapy group also had a substantial reduction in triglycerides, another form of fat found in the blood, and lost more weight.
"Our study was designed to test a comprehensive and holistic approach to lipid lowering," notes the study's lead author, David Becker, M.D., a Chestnut Hill Hospital and University of Pennsylvania Health System cardiologist. "These results are intriguing and show a potential benefit of an alternative, or naturopathic, approach to a common medical condition."
Dr. Becker acknowledges that a larger, multicenter trial with longer follow-up is necessary to determine long-term compliance with the alternative regimen, because previous studies involving diet and exercise have found a high rate of patients unable or unwilling to follow lifestyle recommendations.
"The excellent adherence in the alternative group was undoubtedly related to the intensive follow-up, education and support provided for this group," says Dr. Becker.
Mayo Clinic
Blood Cholesterol News and Current Blood Cholesterol Events RSSLowering cholesterol early in life could save lives
With heart disease maintaining top billing as the leading cause of death in the United States, a team of University of California, San Diego School of Medicine physician-researchers is proposing that aggressive intervention to lower cholesterol levels as early as childhood is the best approach available today to reducing the incidence of coronary heart disease.
People with lower incomes, lower education levels have higher death rates
Researchers have long suspected that socioeconomic factors like education level and income also might affect survival rates following heart attack.
Unexpected finding of molecule's dual role in mice may open new avenue to cholesterol reduction
Researchers have discovered an unknown regulator of fat and cholesterol production in the liver of mice, a significant finding that could lead to new therapies for lowering unhealthy blood levels of cholesterol and fats.
Blood cholesterol levels predict risk of heart disease due to hormone therapy
A new analysis of a subgroup of participants in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) hormone therapy clinical trials suggests that healthy, postmenopausal women whose blood cholesterol levels are normal or lower are not at increased, short-term risk for heart attack when taking hormone therapy.
Study finds it pays to be heart smart if considering hormone therapy
A research study has found that a simple blood test may indicate whether post-menopausal hormone therapies present an elevated risk of a heart attack.
Chocolate bar shown to lower cholesterol
The results of a University of Illinois study have demonstrated an effective way to lower cholesterol levels - by eating chocolate bars.
Cholesterol, blood pressure control may reverse atherosclerosis in adults with diabetes
Aggressively lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels below current targets in adults with type 2 diabetes may help to prevent - and possibly reverse - hardening of the arteries, according to new research supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health.
Genes that protect against atherosclerosis identified
One way of combating atherosclerosis is to reduce levels of "bad cholesterol" in the blood. Scientists at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet have now identified the genes that bring about this beneficial effect.
Heart and stroke death rates steadily decline; risks still too high
In an appropriate prelude to American Heart Month, which is just ahead in February, new mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that, since 1999, coronary heart disease and stroke age-adjusted death rates are down by 25.8 percent and 24.4 percent, respectively.
Study locates cholesterol genes; finds surprises about good, bad cholesterol
An international study of 20,000 people found seven new genes that influence blood cholesterol levels, a major factor in heart disease, and confirmed 11 other genes previously thought to influence cholesterol.
More Blood Cholesterol News Articles
 | The DASH Diet Action Plan: Based on the National Institutes of Health Research: Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension by Marla Heller The DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) has been proven in several research studies, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to lower blood pressure and cholesterol without medication. It is the diet recommended by the NIH for lowering blood pressure. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend this eating plan for everyone. And the DASH diet forms the basis... |
 | Controlling Cholesterol For Dummies (For Dummies (Health & Fitness)) by Carol Ann Rinzler Covers the latest treatments and drugs, plus side effects The fun and easy way to get your cholesterol under control and live a long, healthy life Need to get your cholesterol in check? This easy-to-follow guide gives you the latest on lowering your numbers and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. You'll see how to eat and exercise properly, use vitamins and supplements, and quit... |
 | Genocide: How Your Doctor's Dietary Ignorance Will Kill You!!!! by James Carlson Setting the record straight once and for all, Genocide: How Your Doctor's Dietary Ignorance Will Kill You!!!! by Dr. James E. Carlson breaks the chains of ignorance when it comes to dieting and staying healthy. Concern for his patients led this medical doctor to unveil common misconceptions regarding carbohydrates, fat, proteins, sugars and cholesterol that are perpetrated and perpetuated by the... |
 | Bring Your Triglycerides Down Naturally: A Drug-Free Solution to High Blood Lipids. Revised and Expanded 2nd Edition by Andrew Mierzejewski Expanded, revised and up-to-date second edition of this much sought-after book on high blood triglycerides. Some of the most important insights you can learn from this comprehensive source of practical information include: 1) health risks marked by high blood triglycerides; 2) right and wrong foods to lower (and prevent) elevated blood triglycerides; 3) effects of high-carbohydrate diet on the... |
 | The Great Physician's Rx for High Cholesterol (Great Physican's RX) by Jordan Rubin More and more often doctors are telling their patients their bad cholesterol levels are unacceptably high. Jordan Rubin, with Joseph Brasco, MD, believes people should regard that information as they view a red "Engine Warning" light on the dashboard of their cars. Signs of high cholesterol are a warning light for serious future health problems: gallstones, high blood pressure, impotence, heart... |
 | The DASH Diet Action Plan, Based on the National Institutes of Health Research: Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension by Marla Heller The DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) has been proven in several National Institutes of Health research studies to lower blood pressure and cholesterol without medication. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends this eating plan for everyone. This book shows you how to follow the DASH diet in your real life. How to eat in restaurants (even fast food), how to add... |
 | The 8-Week Cholesterol Cure: How to Lower Your Blood Cholesterol by Up to 40 Percent Without Drugs or Deprivation by Robert E. Kowalski Lower your blood cholesterol by up to 40 percent. Cut your risk of heart attack in half . Millions have seen dramatic results--you can too! In this revised paperback--with four new chapters not found in the hardcover edition--Robert E. Kowalski offers a safe, effective, and revolutionary new approach to lowering blood cholesterol without drugs or deprivation. With The 8-Week Cholesterol Cure,... |
 | It Must Be My Metabolism by Reza Yavari A comprehensive plan to help you combat metabolic syndrome, lose weight, and restore overall health First recognized by the World Health Organization in 1998, metabolic syndrome has become one of the hottest topics in health care. A collection of seemingly unrelated medical disorders, metabolic syndrome includes heart disease, excess abdominal fat, sleep problems, infertility, insulin resistance... |
 | Good Cholesterol, Bad Cholesterol: An Indispensable Guide to the Facts about Cholesterol by Anita Hirsch High cholesterol is an important risk factor for heart disease, heart attack, and strokes. And although cholesterol screening is one of the most widely administered and evaluated blood tests, many people don't realize that our bodies require some cholesterol to function normally and remain confused about which cholesterol is the "good" one and which is the "bad." Now, in Good Cholesterol, Bad... |
 | Hot and Cold Health by Richard Gary Heft Are you looking for all or some of the answers? Are you looking to cure or manage your disease? All the answers are contained within. The body builds up and breaks down. Too much or too little building up or breaking down, in the extreme, tends to create symptoms, diseases that OVERBUILT (high cholesterol, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, cirrhosis, insomnia, gout, warts, tumors, psoriasis,... |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |