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A new study was released which showed that women were up to 10% less likely to achieve adequate control of their cholesterol readings than men.

Researchers at the National Committee for Quality Assurance looked at several measures for cardiovascular disease and diabetes prevention, treatment and risk factors among patients in 46 different commercial managed care plans and 148 Medicare plans.

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The results of a European study recently published in the Annals of Internal Medicine showed that virgin olive oil contained more antioxidants that a more refined olive oil. What does this mean to you? More antixoidants may offer more protection against heart disease.

In this study those taking the virgin olive oil had higher levels of polyphenols (a certain class of antioxidants), higher levels of HDL (the good cholesterol that protects your heart) and higher levels of substances that help prevent the oxidantion of the LDL (bad cholesterol). All of this means you may be able to lower your risk of heart disease and strokes by using virgin olive oils over other types of oils in your diet.

How much olive oil? The participants, all men, ate about 1 tablespoon of virgin olive oil per day for three weeks. (Other particpants ate refined olive oil or a mixture of virgin and refined).

Remember when adding fats to your diet to look at your overall fat intake.

Your Cholesterol Numbers – What do they mean?
Barbara C. Phillips, NP

Today, many people understand that heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States for both men and women.

The good news is that we have a good amount of control over this. Why? Because several of the factors that contribute to heart disease can be modified by you and me. For example…diabetes, our cholesterol levels, exercise, obesity, dietary intake and smoking.

When you visit your health care provider and they get a donation of blood from you to test your cholesterol or lipid panel, do you understand those numbers? Many people don’t, and I’ll admit it took me a while to remember which numbers were good and bad. So, here is a break down of what they mean (with hints to help you remember) and what your “ideal” numbers should be. Continue Reading »

In Feb of 2006 a study was published showing the beneficial results that grapefruit – especially the red type – can have on one’s triglyceride level (part of your lipid panel). This study also showed that grapefruit has powerful antioxidant effects as well.

This is great news, especially for those with elevated cholesterol panels and atherosclerosis (plaque build up in the vessels). As with everything though…this does not mean you should run out and start eating tons of grapefruit.

The downside to grapefruit is that it interacts with a certain metabolic pathway (CYP3A4)…and that pathway plays a big part in the metabolism of many, many medications – including the ones you may take to reduce your cholesterol level.

What medications are involved? Think blood pressure medication, benzodiazepines (that’s the valium/xanax family), some seizure and allergy medication, many of the statins (used to lower cholesterol, think lipitor and family), anti-fungal medications, estrogens, caffeine, some antibiotics and some antidepressants. Coumadin or warfarin is also affected – as they are with most everything.

One study looked at how long grapefruit inhibits the CYP3A4 pathway and found effects even 7 days after the ingestion of grapefruit juice – in healthy individuals. This could be radically different in someone who is taking medication for a problem. They also found in order to avoid this interaction; one should take no have any grapefruit within 3 days of the medication.

If you are taking something daily…well, that means no grapefruit.

New information is coming out all the time as more and more medications are tested and as more is learned about the metabolic pathways of medication and food. If you are like me, and love grapefruit…please check with your health care provider or pharmacists regarding any potential interactions.

©2006 Barbara C. Phillips, MN, NP