Gut Bacteria Influence Statin Action

As increased blood cholesterol levels are considered a huge risk for developing coronary heart disease, it is important to bring down the levels of cholesterol in susceptible people. This can be done through a combination of dietary manipulation and exercise. When these methods do not work out one has to seek the help of medicines. Statins are drugs commonly employed to reduce the blood cholesterol levels. Statins act by blocking the synthesis of cholesterol.
It has however been noticed that the effects of statins vary in different people. Some people respond better than others. It is now revealed that the gut bacteria can influence the effect of statins on human beings. It is already known that the gut bacteria are capable of producing large number of chemicals. Some of these chemicals are beneficial to the host. For example, the gut bacteria can produce vitamin K and vitamin B12 and supply them to the host. Studies have revealed that people in whom the gut bacteria produce three bile acids respond better to the administration of statins.

Cancer Risk in Diabetes

Diabetes is a metabolic disease with every organ in the body being affected. Diabetes also increases the risk for several other diseases including coronary heart disease, hypertension, metabolic syndrome and dementia. Recent information suggests that the diabetics also run the risk of acquiring colon cancer. The male diabetics also have increased risk for rectal cancer. Thus, it is important to keep diabetes under control.

Statins to Help in Head Injuries

Who has not heard of cholesterol? This compound puts fear into everyone’s heart. There is nothing new about this. Increased blood cholesterol levels have been associated with increased risk for coronary heart disease. It is this aspect which makes people going in for frequent blood tests involving various cholesterol fractions.

The pharmaceutical industry is happy with cholesterol because they are making a killing with drugs capable of reducing the blood cholesterol levels. The most important drugs are compounds called statins. These compounds decrease the synthesis of cholesterol in the body. Reducing the blood cholesterol using the statins has proved to be beneficial for many people. Recently, another use has come in for the statins. Recent studies have indicated that older persons who are on statins are 76% more likely to survive severe head injuries.

Fruits and Vegetables Protect the Heart

It has long been held that what is written on the genes are there for a lifetime and cannot be changed. Now a team of researchers have questioned this theory based on their observations. The gene 9p21 is a strong marker for heart disease. The researchers have shown that the effect of this gene is considerably weakened by the inclusion of more vegetables and fruits in the diet. This is one more proof to show that fruits and vegetables are cardioprotective.

Blood Test For Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is an incurable and irreversible neurodegenerative form of dementia. It is feared by everyone because of the way by which it attacks a person. A person affected by Alzheimer’s disease loses his entire past and does not know what his present is. The slow rotting away of an individual is a horrible experience for the close relatives. All persons affected by this disease are not affected in the same way. Some do not show any cognitive decline while others fade away rapidly. Although there is no known cure for this disease, it would be helpful for the people close to the patients if they know what to expect.

Scientists have discovered a blood test which may help predict the course of progression of Alzheimer’s disease. As the disease progresses, the blood level of ceramides increases while the level of plasma sphingomelins decrease. Thus, greater the blood ceramide levels greater would be the deterioration. Ceramides are formed from sphingomyelin by the action of an enzyme called sphingomyelinase. Thus, this enzyme could be the future target for inhibition so that the progression of the disease could be reduced.

New and Promising Treatment For Diabetes

Recent research with mice has suggested the possibility of a new line of treatment for diabetes. The treatment involves the use of a compound called nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). This is a compound which is produced naturally in the body. NMN is the precursor of NAD (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). NAD is an important coenzyme in the body and participates in many oxidative and reductive metabolic reactions. Two important factors which promote diabetes are ageing and the consumption of high-fat diet. When both these factors are involved, the NAD content in the body decreases.
One of the consequences of diabetes is reduced glucose tolerance. Mice which were administered NMN were able to exhibit better glucose tolerance. This happened with aged mice as well as mice which were made diabetic. Thus, the use of NMN to treat diabetes offers much promise.

Obesity Compromises the Immune System

Obesity has several deleterious consequences. Obesity can greatly undermine longevity as a result of the complications which accompany obesity. It has recently been shown that being overweight and obese can have another deleterious consequence. It compromises the immune system. For example, statistical evidence shows that a large number of the people affected by the swine flu infection were obese and were having a body mass index of over 40. This is indeed suggestive of poor immune response to infection. Obesity produces hormonal changes and these changes, in turn, produce inflammatory reactions which affect the functioning of the immune system.

Elevated Testosterone levels in Postmenopausal Women Increase the Risk For Heart attacks

Small amounts of androgens are always present in females, but the significance of this has never been fully understood. When women reach menopause, their estrogen levels start falling and most of the post menopausal discomfort experienced by many women can be correlated with this fall in the estrogen levels. Thus, at menopause, estrogen levels fall and there is a relative increase in the androgen concentrations, particularly testosterone. Recent studies indicate that increased testosterone levels as encountered during menopause may contribute to the incidence of insulin resistance. The risk for heart disease and metabolic syndrome is also elevated. In post menopausal women with lower testosterone, these risks are significantly lowered.