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Changes in Cholesterol & triglyceride may affect dementia.

Changes in Cholesterol & triglyceride may affect dementia.

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Researchers looked into the impact of varying triglyceride and cholesterol levels on dementia risk.

They discovered that varying amounts of triglycerides and cholesterol raise the incidence of dementia by 19% and 23%, respectively. To comprehend how these results might influence patient treatment, more investigation is required.

Globally, dementia affects around 55 million individuals. This number is anticipated to nearly quadruple to 152 million by 2050 as the world’s population ages.

Strategies for dementia prevention are essential for maintaining health. Finding techniques to mitigate potential risk factors that raise the likelihood of dementia is one way to develop these solutions.

Regular medical care includes tests for triglyceride and cholesterol levels. In order to create hormones and cells, the liver produces a form of fat called cholesterol. A form of fat used for energy is triglycerides.

Clinicians may be able to screen patients for dementia risk and maybe stop or delay the start of the disease by looking at the relationship between blood lipids and dementia risk.

Some evidence suggests a connection between cholesterol fluctuation and dementia. Despite conflicting findings in studies on whether high cholesterol levels increase dementia risk.

Future dementia screening methods and treatments may benefit from a deeper understanding of which lipid components raise dementia risk.

To evaluate whether there is a connection between cholesterol levels and the risk of dementia, researchers recently examined medical records.

“While not necessarily altering practice, this study highlights the need to pay close attention to people with fluctuating cholesterol levels. It will need more research to ascertain if this variance is a real factor in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease or only a side effect of dementia,” said Dr. Dmitriy Nevelev, associate director of cardiology at Staten Island University Hospital and a non-participant in the study.

High risk of dementia associated with fluctuating cholesterol

The average age of the 11, 571 participants the researchers gathered for the study was 71. 54% of the participants were female, and none had ever been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia.

All of the individuals had their blood lipid levels checked for several factors at least three times in the five years before to the study. These comprised:

  • cholesterol overall
  • triglycerides
  • LDL, short for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
  • HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Following the participants lasted an average of 12.9 years. 2,473 people experienced the onset of dementia during this time.

Based on how much the individuals’ blood lipid measurements changed, the researchers divided the people into five groups.

In the end, they discovered that those with total cholesterol variability in the highest 20% band had a 19% increased risk of dementia compared to those in the lowest 20%.

Those with triglycerides in the top 20% of the range had a 23% higher risk of dementia than those in the bottom 20%.

The findings persisted after taking into account potential confounding variables like education, initial cholesterol levels, and adherence to lipid-lowering therapies, according to the researchers. They also discovered that changes in HDL and LDL did not correspond to a higher risk of dementia.

Why are changes in lipid levels important?

We discussed how varying triglyceride and cholesterol levels may raise the risk of dementia with Dr. James Giordano, Pellegrino Centre professor of neurology and biochemistry at Georgetown University Medical Centre who was not involved in the study.

He stated that it is unclear whether or how varying cholesterol levels affect the risk of dementia. Nevertheless, he talked about plausible mechanisms from his own study.

According to Dr. Giordano’s research, “a number of blood-borne factors may cause changes in inflammatory mediators that affect cerebral blood vessels, nerve, and glial cells of the brain cells that remove waste from the brain and deliver nutrients to neurons.”

“This shift to a pro-inflammatory phenotype might interact with existing genetic predispositions in certain individuals. This may increase the risk of several neurodegenerative diseases, including some types of dementia,” he said.

Dr. Nevelev concurred that there is currently no conclusive explanation for why cholesterol fluctuation may raise the risk of dementia.

The functioning of our blood vessel lining is impaired by endothelial dysfunction, which is caused by cholesterol variability. This impairment contributes to irregular blood flow. According to Dr. Nevelev, “Cholesterol variability is also associated with [the] instability of blood vessel plaque, which can likewise obstruct blood flow and harm brain tissue.

He continued, “This study seeks to account for another possibility, which is the effect of sporadic adherence with cholesterol-lowering medicine.

The study did not take into consideration every factor.

We requested an explanation of the study’s main shortcomings from Dr. Howard Pratt, a board-certified psychiatrist and medical director of Community Health of South Florida who was not engaged in the investigation.

“The study’s participants had higher levels of comorbidity than the non-study control group, which did not. Therefore, there can be confounding factors that are harder to identify. Another drawback of the study is that it only included participants from one area, so it’s still not clear whether the conclusions apply to the entire community, the author pointed out.

The apolipoprotein-E (Apo-E) gene, which may have impacted the results of the study, is one genetic risk factor for dementia that was not taken into consideration, according to Dr. Giordano.

Dr. Nevelev was questioned about the study’s constraints as well. He pointed out that it is vital to know whether triglyceride levels were evaluated in samples that were fasting or samples that were not, as triglyceride levels change while a person is fasting.

He continued by saying that variations in body weight are associated with poor health outcomes and that triglyceride and cholesterol levels are related to body weight.

The researcher said, “It is possible that the observation in this study is reversed perhaps those in the early stages of dementia have changes in behaviour or changes in body weight that lead to significant variation in triglyceride levels.”

What effects does this have on preventing dementia?

UTHealth Houston’s McGovern Medical School professor of neurology and director of the Neurocognitive Disorders Centre, Dr. Paul E. Schulz, who was not engaged in the study, said the following to us:

How to apply the findings of this study to the real world is one important question. There are numerous drugs available that lower triglycerides or cholesterol, but I am not aware of any that do the same for fluctuations. Conversely, nutrition has a huge role in managing diabetes. I also wonder if dietary adjustments could also assist lower triglyceride or cholesterol fluctuations, which would lower the risk of dementia.

But given the overwhelming evidence that lower cholesterol is linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease, he added, “I would still advise people at risk for Alzheimer’s disease to think about taking their statin if their doctor prescribes it to lower their risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.”

REFERENCES:

For Cholesterol medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=47

Important food tips to consider for lower cholesterol.

Important food tips to consider for lower cholesterol.

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What is cholesterol?

To function effectively, your body requires some cholesterol. But, if there is too much in your blood, it can adhere to the artery walls and constrict or even block them. You run the risk of developing coronary artery disease and other heart disorders as a result.

On a class of proteins known as lipoproteins, cholesterol moves through the blood. LDL, one type, is referred to as the “bad” cholesterol. The accumulation of cholesterol in your arteries is caused by a high LDL level. The “good” cholesterol is frequently referred to as another type, HDL. It transports cholesterol back to your liver from other places of your body. The cholesterol is then eliminated from your body by your liver.

You can take actions to increase your HDL (good cholesterol) and decrease your LDL (bad cholesterol). You can reduce your chance of developing heart illnesses by maintaining normal cholesterol levels.

Food tips to lower your cholesterol

These ten methods include foods that lower cholesterol, suggestions for modest exercise, and more. These can all be used to lower cholesterol without the need of medicine.

To prevent trans fats, read the nutrition labels.

Reading nutrition labels is one of the simplest things you can do to help control your diet, so you’ve definitely heard this advice repeated time and time again. You can use nutrition labels to identify the healthy elements you consume and to steer clear of trans fats, which are among the worst ingredients for your cholesterol levels.

Trans fats, commonly referred to as “hydrogenated oils” or “partially hydrogenated vegetable oil,” are cunning substances that may benefit food producers but are bad for you.

Trans fats make things more durable, which makes them simpler to ship and store. They can be found in a lot of processed foods and many baked items made with margarine or shortening. Sadly, they also increase levels of dangerous LDL cholesterol while lowering levels of good HDL cholesterol.

Thus, read labels and make an effort to avoid trans fats whenever you can if you genuinely want to lower your cholesterol. Cutting them out of your diet can have a significant impact because they are among of the worst culprits when it comes to high cholesterol.

Choose fish or chicken or other meats that contain lower saturated fats.

Lookin’ a little bit more bare in the fridge than usual? When you leave to restock, take a moment to go through your shopping list to see if there are any simple protein substitutions you can make.

Start by cutting back on the red meat. Saturated fats, which are prevalent in a lot of red meats, can cause unhealthy LDL cholesterol levels to rise. Choose skinless chicken or skinless turkey more frequently and stay away from processed meats for healthier choices. Adding additional seafood to your diet is another option.

Fish is low in saturated fats and contains a variety of omega-3 fatty acids that are beneficial for your heart and can raise your levels of the good HDL cholesterol. You can try including the following fish varieties in your diet:

  • oily fish such as tilapia, Atlantic mackerel, or salmon from the Atlantic or Pacific
  • Shellfish include crab and shrimp
  • Lake herring and trout are examples of freshwater fish.
  • Whitefish from the sea, such as cod and grouper
  • Light tuna steaks or fillets in a can

Despite this, it can be difficult to resist eating hamburger and steak. Choose thinner meat pieces when grilling outside. Like anything else, it’s acceptable to consume certain saturated fats. Just remember to consume them in moderation.

Kidney beans, quinoa, whole grain bread, and other foods are good sources of soluble fibre.

You undoubtedly already know that fibre can improve your intestinal health. But, if you believed that fibre was only useful for digestion, reconsider; it can also improve your cardiovascular health.

Soluble fibre is abundant on a list of foods low in cholesterol (fiber that can dissolve into water). To lower levels of harmful LDL cholesterol, soluble fibre absorbs cholesterol in the gut before it enters the bloodstream.

Among the foods high in soluble fibre are:

  • Oats
  • Barley
  • Quinoa
  • granola bread
  • mung beans
  • Lentils
  • Chickpeas

Adding more of these food categories to your diet is simple. For lunch, try curried lentils, and for dinner, try turkey chilli with kidney beans. For morning, try oats and whole grain toast.

But, it’s crucial to keep in mind that not all “healthy” foods are made equal. In general, the more processed a grain or bean is, the less likely it is to be nutritious and provide health advantages. Try to stock up on fresh ingredients whenever you can.

Snacking on fruits, veggies, and nuts will increase your intake of unsaturated fats and fibre.

Having a snack between meals to increase energy or calm an upset stomach is perfectly acceptable. Yet, frequent snacks like crackers, cookies, pastries, microwave popcorn, chips, and other baked goods are high in trans and saturated fats.

On the other hand, snacking on fruits, veggies, and nuts helps you receive both good fats and fibre in addition to helping you avoid toxic fats.

Unsaturated fats, the healthiest sort of fats, are abundant in raw nuts. Due to their ability to increase levels of the beneficial HDL cholesterol and decrease levels of the harmful LDL cholesterol, nuts are a fantastic addition to a heart-healthy diet. Olives and avocados are two further examples of foods high in unsaturated fat.

In addition to numerous fruits and vegetables, nuts can be a fantastic source of soluble fibre. A double dosage of cholesterol-lowering effects may result from including as many of these foods in your diet as you can.

Uncertain about where to begin? Here are a few ideas:

  • Avocados
  • Apples
  • Strawberries
  • Blueberries
  • Oranges
  • Grapes
  • Olives
  • Peas
  • Broccoli
  • Carrots
  • Okra
  • Eggplant
  • Walnuts
  • Peanuts
  • Almonds
  • Cashews
  • Pistachios

Keep in mind that more processing equals less benefit, much like with meats and whole grains. For instance, eating an apple whole will provide more benefits than eating applesauce. Hence, try to obtain raw fruits, vegetables, and nuts if you can (unsalted if you can).

Take advantage of low-fat milk, cheese, and yoghurts.

Making better choices is all it takes to lower your cholesterol; you don’t have to give up everything you love in order to accomplish it. Choosing a healthier alternative when it comes to dairy is a significant area where success can be achieved quickly.

Choose low-fat dairy products rather than the standard varieties for foods like cheese, milk, cream, and yoghurt. Try soy milk as well if you’re up for some experimentation. Exactly what? That can develop into your upcoming craving.

Because full-fat dairy products contain saturated fat as well as cholesterol, making these changes is beneficial. By choosing a low-fat (or non-fat) option, you’re boosting your blood’s cholesterol levels.

Try preparing your food in a new way.

Not only what you eat matters, but also how you eat. The same way you may alter what you purchase at the grocery store, you can also decide on healthier cooking methods that naturally lower your cholesterol. For instance:

While preparing meat or fish, take into account reducing the fat and removing the skin (either before cooking or before eating). This enables you to consume less fat while still getting the protein.

Put your attention on boiling, broiling, baking, poaching, or grilling. These preparation techniques are superior to deep-frying and breading, which might increase fat content.

Consider eating one vegetarian meal a week.

Don’t be alarmed by the phrase “vegetarian.” By selecting a carefully prepared vegetarian dinner, you can simultaneously lower your cholesterol by increasing your intake of soluble fibre and consuming healthy fats. Also, a lot of vegetarian dishes are just as tasty and filling as their meat-based counterparts.

Here is one concept for a recipe with reduced cholesterol: Consider a freshly made salad with grilled, seasoned tofu and a sesame vinaigrette. For dessert, mix low-fat vanilla yoghurt with some fresh blueberries, strawberries, and oats.

Establishing a routine is crucial in this situation; for example, make every Tuesday night vegetarian night. As that becomes customary, consider adding more nights or include a weekly vegetarian lunch as well. You can also be a “flexitarian” by just consuming less meat. These adjustments could truly pay off in the long run.

Add additional movement to your daily activities.

By keeping your body active, you’re assisting it in doing what it was designed to do, which can have benefits for your general health. This includes increasing the heart-healthy HDL cholesterol, controlling blood pressure, and many other advantages.

Do I have to start going for runs every day? Do I need to purchase a lot of home exercise equipment or join a gym? You can if you want to! There are, however, a variety of alternative options, and it’s crucial to establish a schedule that works for you. The workout you will stay with is ultimately the one that is best for your heart.

REFERENCES:

  • https://www.healthline.com/health/ways-lower-cholesterol
  • https://medlineplus.gov/howtolowercholesterol.html
  • https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/how-to-lower-cholesterol-naturally/

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Consequences of low cholesterol level and its treatment.

Consequences of low cholesterol level and its treatment.

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High cholesterol is typically linked to cholesterol issues. This is because having high cholesterol increases your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. A fatty substance called cholesterol can block your arteries and possibly result in a heart attack or stroke by impeding blood flow through the afflicted artery.

Too little cholesterol is a possibility. This is less often than high cholesterol, though. While low cholesterol may contribute to other illnesses including cancer, depression, and anxiety, high cholesterol is firmly linked to heart disease.

What exactly is cholesterol?

Despite being linked to health issues, the body need cholesterol. Some hormones can only be produced with cholesterol. It contributes to the production of vitamin D, which aids in calcium absorption. Additionally, several of the chemicals necessary for food digestion are made in part by cholesterol.

Lipoproteins, which are small fat molecules encased in protein, are the carriers of cholesterol in the blood. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are the two main categories of cholesterol (HDL).

Some people refer to LDL as “bad” cholesterol. This is so that your arteries won’t become blocked by the particular type of cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is transported to the liver by HDL, or the “good” cholesterol. The extra LDL cholesterol is eliminated from the body via liver.

Another important factor in cholesterol is the liver. Your liver produces the majority of your cholesterol. What you eat provides the remaining energy. Only foods derived from animals, such as eggs, meat, and poultry, contain dietary cholesterol. Plants don’t contain it.

Dangers of low cholesterol

Medication, like as statins, frequent exercise, and a nutritious diet can all help lower high LDL levels. There typically isn’t a concern when your cholesterol decreases for these causes. In fact, most of the time, having lower cholesterol is preferable to having high cholesterol. When your cholesterol drops for no apparent cause, you should pay attention and talk to your doctor about it.

Researchers are concerned about how low cholesterol looks to have a harmful impact on mental health, even if the precise consequences of low cholesterol on health are still being explored.

In a 1999 Duke University research of young, healthy women, it was discovered that those with low cholesterol were more prone to have anxiety and depressive symptoms. According to research, low levels of cholesterol may have an impact on your brain’s health because they are necessary for the production of hormones and vitamin D. Cell development requires vitamin D. Anxiety or despair could be a sign that your brain cells aren’t functioning properly. Research is being done to better understand the relationship between low cholesterol and mental wellness.

A 2012 study revealed a potential link between low cholesterol and cancer risk during the American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions. Cancer may be impacted by the process that modifies cholesterol levels, but further research is required.

Women who might get pregnant are another group who should be concerned about low cholesterol. You have an increased chance of having a premature delivery or a kid with a low birth weight if you’re pregnant and have low cholesterol. Discuss what to do in this situation with your doctor if you typically have low cholesterol.

What Causes Low Cholesterol?

You could have extremely low cholesterol as a result of:

  • an uncommon condition that runs in your family
  • Malnutrition (not eating enough, or not eating enough good foods) (not eating enough, or not eating enough healthy foods)
  • Malabsorption (insufficient fat absorption by your body)
  • Anemia (low red blood cell count) 
  • thyroid problems
  • liver illness
  • a few different infections (like hepatitis C)
  • severe damage or illness
  • Cancer

Low cholesterol symptoms

There are frequently no signs for persons with high LDL cholesterol until they have a heart attack or stroke. You could suffer chest pain if a coronary artery has a significant blockage because less blood is getting to the heart muscle.

When cholesterol levels are low, chest pain that indicates an arterial accumulation in fatty substances does not occur. Low cholesterol may be one of the many reasons of depression and anxiety. Depression and anxiety signs include:

Consult your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms listed above. If your doctor doesn’t suggest a blood test, ask whether you should have one.

Treating low cholesterol

The sort of low cholesterol a person has and what caused it will determine the course of treatment.

Changing one’s lifestyle to include things like:

  • giving up smoking
  • achieving a healthy weight
  • being more active physically

When low LDL cholesterol is present together with symptoms or a genetic disease, medication may be necessary. Taking vitamin E supplements and other fat-soluble vitamins may be used as treatment for the hereditary diseases that lower LDL cholesterol. A doctor could occasionally advise adding additional fat to the diet as a supplement.

Preventing low cholesterol

Individuals very rarely take action to prevent having a level of cholesterol that is too low because most people don’t worry about having it.

Get regular checks to keep your cholesterol levels in range. To avoid taking statins or blood pressure drugs, maintain a heart-healthy diet and an active lifestyle. Know whether there is a family history of high cholesterol. Finally, be aware of any signs of stress and anxiety, especially if they make you feel aggressive.

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Significance of high cholesterol level and its treatment.

Significance of high cholesterol level and its treatment.

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Diet, smoking, and genetics are some of the root causes of elevated cholesterol. If you are at risk, it is crucial to have regular cholesterol examinations because high cholesterol rarely manifests as symptoms.

In the United States, high cholesterol is a rather prevalent problem. In fact, approximately 94 million American individuals age 20 and older have what can be referred to as borderline high cholesterol, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

You might not even be aware that you have this ailment until you see your doctor, though, as it frequently manifests without any obvious symptoms.

What is cholesterol?

Lipids include cholesterol. Your liver makes this waxy, fat-like substance on its own. It is essential for the production of some hormones, vitamin D, and cell membranes. Since cholesterol does not dissolve in water, it cannot independently move through your blood. Your liver generates lipoproteins to aid in the transportation of cholesterol.

Particles called lipoproteins are comprised of protein and fat. They transport triglycerides, a different kind of lipid, and cholesterol through your bloodstream. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) are the two main types of lipoprotein.

Any cholesterol transported by low-density lipoproteins is referred to as LDL cholesterol. You might be given a high cholesterol diagnosis if your blood has an excessive amount of LDL cholesterol. High cholesterol can cause a number of health problems, such as heart attacks and strokes, if left untreated.

Cause of High cholesterol

Consuming an excessive amount of meals high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans fats may make you more likely to acquire high cholesterol. Additionally, your risk can go up if you are obese. Inactivity and smoking are two more lifestyle choices that might raise cholesterol.

Your likelihood of getting high cholesterol may also be influenced by your heredity. Parents pass on their genes to their offspring. Your body receives guidance from specific genes on how to digest lipids and cholesterol. You may be more likely to develop high cholesterol if your parents do.

Familial hypercholesterolemia is a rare cause of elevated cholesterol. Your body is unable to eliminate LDL due to this hereditary condition. The majority of persons with this illness have total cholesterol levels above 300 milligrammes per deciliter and LDL levels above 200 milligrammes per deciliter, according to the National Human Genome Research Institute.

Your chance of acquiring high cholesterol and associated consequences may also be increased by other medical diseases like diabetes and hypothyroidism.

How does high cholesterol affect my body?

High cholesterol causes plaque to accumulate inside of your blood vessels over time. Atherosclerosis is the medical term for this plaque development. Atherosclerosis increases the likelihood of developing a wide range of illnesses. This is due to the crucial role that your blood vessels perform throughout your entire body. There are therefore consequences when there is an issue with one of your blood vessels.

Your body’s blood arteries are like a sophisticated system of pipes that keep blood flowing through it. Plaque is similar to the crud that clogs your home’s plumbing and causes your shower drain to run slowly. Your blood vessels’ inner walls become adhered with plaque, which reduces the amount of blood that can pass through.

Plaque begins to build inside your blood vessels when your cholesterol level is high. The plaque enlarges the longer you continue without treatment. Your blood arteries narrow or obstruct as the plaque grows larger. Your blood arteries could continue to function for a very long period even if they are partially obstructed. However, they won’t function as effectively as they ought to.

Depending on which blood vessels are blocked, high cholesterol increases your risk of developing various medical disorders.

Risk factors for high cholesterol

You can be more vulnerable to getting high cholesterol if you:

  • are affected by obesity
  • eat a lot of trans and saturated fats, such as those found in fast food
  • have a minimal level of exercise
  • tobacco products are smoked
  • have a history of elevated cholesterol in your family
  • have kidney problems, diabetes, or hypothyroidism

High cholesterol can affect people of various ages, genders, and ethnicities.

Complications of high cholesterol

Without therapy, elevated cholesterol can lead to artery plaque buildup. This plaque might constrict your arteries over time. Atherosclerosis is the name given to this condition.

A dangerous condition is atherosclerosis. It may restrict how much blood can flow through your arteries. Additionally, it increases your risk of getting harmful blood clots.

Many potentially fatal consequences from atherosclerosis include:

  • stroke
  • chest pain
  • Chest pain, or angina
  • blood pressure is high.
  • disease of the peripheral vessels
  • long-term kidney disease

A biliary imbalance brought on by high cholesterol increases your risk of gallstones. See how your body may be affected by high cholesterol in various ways.

How to lower cholesterol?

Your doctor could suggest lifestyle modifications if you have high cholesterol to help lower it. For instance, they can advise making adjustments to your daily schedule, exercise routines, or food. If you smoke, they’ll probably tell you to stop.

To assist lower your cholesterol levels, your doctor may also recommend drugs or other treatments. They might suggest you get extra care from a specialist in specific circumstances.

Dietary cholesterol reduction

Your doctor could suggest dietary adjustments to help you reach and maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

For instance, they might suggest that you:

  • Limit the amount of cholesterol-, saturated-, and trans-fat-containing foods you eat.
  • Pick lean protein sources including chicken, fish, and lentils.
  • eat a variety of high-fiber foods, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
  • choose fried cuisine over baked, broiled, steaming, grilled, and roasted options.
  • When possible, stay away from fast meals and sugary, pre-packaged foods.

High-cholesterol, saturated-fat, or trans-fat foods include:

  • Red meat, organ meats, egg yolks, and dairy items with a high fat content
  • prepared foods made with palm oil or cocoa butter
  • meals that are deep-fried, including fried chicken, onion rings, and potato chips
  • a few baked products, such a few cookies and muffins

Consuming fish and other meals high in omega-3 fatty acids may also assist in reducing your LDL cholesterol levels. For instance, omega-3s are abundant in fish like salmon, mackerel, and herring. Omega-3s can also be found in walnuts, almonds, ground flaxseeds, and avocados.

cholesterol-lowering drugs

Your doctor may occasionally recommend drugs to assist lower your cholesterol levels. The most frequently given drugs for elevated cholesterol are statins. They prevent your liver from making additional cholesterol.

Statin examples include:

  • atorvastatin (Lipitor)
  • fluvastatin (Lescol)
  • rosuvastatin (Crestor)
  • simvastatin (Zocor)

Other drugs for high cholesterol that your doctor might recommend include:

  • niacin
  • Bile acid resins or sequestrants such cholestyramine(Prevalite), colestipol, or colesevalam (Welchol)
  • Inhibitors of cholesterol absorption, such as ezetimibe (Zetia)
  • PCSK9 inhibitors like evolocumab (Repatha) and alirocumab (Praluent) 

Some products comprise a mix of medications that work to lessen the amount of cholesterol your body absorbs from meals and the amount of cholesterol your liver produces. A combination of ezetimibe and simvastatin is one instance (Vytorin). Find out more about the prescription medications for high cholesterol.

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Atherosclerosis and Erectile Dysfunction: A Vulnerable Rush

Atherosclerosis and Erectile Dysfunction: A Vulnerable Rush

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An increasing number of men suffer from erectile dysfunction. Two-thirds of men over 70 have significant symptoms of erectile dysfunction, and up to 39% of men under 40 report some degree of erectile dysfunction.

There is no immediate threat to life from erectile dysfunction, but that does not mean it is not serious. The rate of depression and decreased enjoyment in life is higher among men with erectile dysfunction (ED).

There might be a misconception that ED (erectile dysfunction) has nothing to do with your heart. ED, however, could be an indication that your arteries are clogged.

There’s nothing more important than blood flow. It is essential that blood has no trouble getting to your penis for you to obtain and maintain an erection. In people with ED, it is possible that one or more of their blood vessels have narrowed or been blocked.

Your arteries can become clogged with plaque if they are not clean. The disease is known as atherosclerosis, which is characterized by hardening of the arteries due to plaque buildup.

Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is basically a disorder found in men which could be a sign of physical or psychological condition. The symptoms associated with this disorder is found in men’s reproductive organ i.e. inability to keep an erection firmer and longer enough during a sexual activity.

There are many men who experience erectile dysfunction occasionally because of stress, fatigue, alcohol, or emotional issues, but 25% of men have recurring episodes of the disorder. People dealing with erectile dysfunction will be:

  • Unable to achieve erection at anytime needed.
  • might achieve erection sometime but not when needed like during sexual activity.
  • might able to achieve erection when needed but not long enough

Atherosclerosis

Whenever plaque builds up on the interior walls of your arteries, the condition is known as atherosclerosis. Blood and oxygen are transported from the heart to the rest of the body through the arteries.

There are several substances that make up plaque, including fat, cholesterol, calcium, and others. Plaque builds up in your arteries, causing them to narrow and harden.

During heartbeats, blood flows through the arteries to reach different parts of the body. In order for blood to reach the penis, it passes through the belly arteries and then branches off. As a result of an erection, these arteries widen, or dilate to cause an erection. This makes the penis swell due to more blood flow.

Atherosclerosis and ED

Having erectile dysfunction can indicate that some of the blood vessels lining that path aren’t in good condition. Despite not having a blocked artery, you might have an issue with the lining of your blood vessels. Erectile dysfunction can occur for a variety of reasons, not just atherosclerosis. If you have this problem, you should see a doctor to figure out what’s causing it.

Blood supply blockage

It is necessary for the blood vessels in the penis to be robust, in order for blood flow to increase rapidly during an erection. There is usually a problem with blood vessels everywhere when someone suffers from erectile dysfunction. In the early stages of atherosclerosis, this can signal increased risk.

When sexually arousing, blood flow needs to be opened wide in the penis. When you exercise, your heart’s arteries need to be wide open so that blood can flow freely. For this purpose, the inside lining of blood vessels (endothelium) releases chemicals on demand.

It is possible for high blood pressure, diabetes, or smoking to damage the endothelium. In addition, they contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.

As soon as the endothelium is damaged, the arteries cannot expand as well, so blood flow is reduced. Erections are less firm when there is less blood flow into the penis

The Early Warning Sign

Additionally, the endothelium functions as a maintenance crew to stop the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Before atherosclerotic blockages are visible, the endothelium is damaged.

Erectile dysfunction has long been acknowledged by medical professionals as a “early warning symptom” of atherosclerosis. Erection problems are typically a sign that atherosclerosis is developing. In the arteries of the heart or brain, atherosclerosis may already be present if there is erectile dysfunction.

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What’s the link between ED and high cholesterol?

What’s the link between ED and high cholesterol?

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High Cholesterol

The waxy substance found in your blood is cholesterol. Cholesterol is essential for building healthy cells, but high cholesterol levels can lead to heart disease.

Blood vessels can develop fatty deposits when you have high cholesterol. Eventually, these deposits increase, causing your arteries to be unable to carry enough blood. Sometimes, those deposits can break suddenly, forming clots that can cause heart attacks or strokes.

There is a possibility that high cholesterol can be inherited, but it is usually caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices, which makes it preventable and treatable. In addition to a healthy diet and regular exercise, medication has also proven to be effective at reducing high cholesterol levels.

High cholesterol is expected to be the cause of many underlying health conditions. This includes erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is basically a disorder found in men which could be a sign of physical or psychological condition. The symptoms associated with this disorder is found in men’s reproductive organ i.e. inability to keep an erection firmer and longer enough during a sexual activity.

There are many men who experience erectile dysfunction occasionally because of stress, fatigue, alcohol, or emotional issues, but 25% of men have recurring episodes of the disorder. People dealing with erectile dysfunction will be:

  • Unable to achieve erection at anytime needed.
  • might achieve erection sometime but not when needed like during sexual activity.
  • might able to achieve erection when needed but not long enough

What’s the link?

The majority of the time, ED is a symptom of another underlying medical problem. Generally speaking, ED is usually a symptom of another underlying health condition. There are many cases in which an underlying condition affects the blood flow around the body, which causes ED. In addition to being associated with many of these conditions, high cholesterol has also been linked to ED.

The blood is filled with cholesterol, which is a waxy substance. This essential chemical plays an important role in the formation of new tissues, as well as bile production and the production of sexual hormones.

Despite cholesterol’s importance, too much of it can cause a number of health problems. A lipoprotein with a high density is called high density lipoprotein (HDL); a lipoprotein with a low density is called low density lipoprotein (LDL).

Cholesterol of the LDL type is the type that causes problems. If atheroma builds up inside the arteries, blood can’t flow as freely as it should, due to the narrowing of the arteries and the difficulty of passing through them. Atherosclerosis is the accumulation of this substance, which can cause serious health complications, such as ED.

Statins and erectile dysfunction

Statins are drugs that lower cholesterol levels. Researchers found improved erectile function following atorvastatin (Lipitor) treatment of rats with high cholesterol. There was no change in lipid levels.

The researchers concluded that better erectile function was not the result of a decrease in cholesterol levels, but rather an improvement in the endothelium. In blood vessels, the endothelium covers the interior surface.

On the other hand, a 2009 study found evidence suggesting that lipid-lowering medications may cause or aggravate ED. It was found that men who stopped taking statins recovered from ED in more than half of the cases.

Diet, cholesterol, and ED

The consumption of foods high in cholesterol won’t necessarily alter your blood cholesterol levels. It should be noted, however, that your diet can still influence your ED. In recent studies, it has been demonstrated that eating a healthy diet, especially the Mediterranean diet, can have a positive impact on symptoms. Some of such Mediterranean diet includes:

  • fish and other seafood, such as shrimp and oysters
  • fruits, such as apples, grapes, strawberries, and avocados
  • vegetables, such as tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, and onions
  • whole grains, such as barley and oats
  • healthy fats, such as olives and extra-virgin olive oil
  • nuts, such as almonds and walnuts

Some of the food one must avoid includes:

  • foods high in trans fats, such as margarine, frozen pizza, and fast food
  • foods made with added sugar
  • certain vegetable oils, including canola oil
  • processed meats and other foods

What the research says

Atherosclerosis, which is a narrowing of the blood vessels, causes ED most commonly.

There are many factors that contribute to atherosclerosis, including high cholesterol. The reason for this is that high cholesterol levels in the blood can lead to a build-up of cholesterol in the arteries. In turn, this can narrow the blood vessels.

ED and hypercholesterolemia, otherwise known as high cholesterol, have also been linked by researchers. Research has examined cholesterol-lowering drugs for the treatment of ED in part due to this link, which isn’t fully understood yet.

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