cholesterol

Gut Bacteria Break Down Cholesterol

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It has been established that the human gut microbiome affects cholesterol levels, and previous research has pointed to microbial enzymes that might be involved. A 2020 study2 identified a bacterial enzyme called ismA that can convert cholesterol into coprostanol, a lipid that is excreted instead of absorbed by the body. People whose gut bacteria made this enzyme had lower cholesterol levels in their blood than did those who did not. This study was published by the same research group — led by gastroenterologist and microbiologist Ramnik Xavier at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston — that is responsible for the new finding. Until now, it was not clear which bacteria produced enzymes that metabolize cholesterol.

For the current study, the researchers analysed microbial genomes in stool samples from 1,429 participants in a long-term study of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The team found many gut-bacteria species, including those in the genus Oscillibacter, that were correlated with lower cholesterol levels. The researchers confirmed their results in participants in two independent studies.

Gut bacteria break down cholesterol — hinting at probiotic treatments – https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00955-3

Not confirmed in animal models or clinical trials.

But an OTC supplement will arrive on store shelves before any scientific confirmation is achieved.

Greetings From NYC

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While it is true I don’t get out much, I do get out now and then.  The MUD meeting was awesome.  If you get the opportunity to attend this underwriting meeting, don’t pass it up.

But do take a pass on room service.

I stayed in a midtown hotel of reasonably good quality.  The room service breakfast menu had a Build Your Own Omelete for $24.95.  Thankfully, coffee was included.  Juice? Add another $7.00.  Once you add an 18% service charge, tax, and delivery fee it starts looking real expensive.

I’ve never had a omelete, coffee, and juice that cost over $40.00.

I’m going back to Oklahoma.

Red Yeast Rice – Some Promising News

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Red Yeast Rice to Treat Cholesterol Problems in Patients Who Cannot Tolerate Statin Therapy Because of Muscle Pain — 150 (12): I-28 — Annals of Internal Medicine

This is a very small study involving just 62 patients with elevated cholesterol levels.  The results however, are promising with an average decrease in LDL levels of 35mg/dl versus patients receiving a placebo.

Click here to read the Mayo Clinic article explaining Red Yeast Rice.

Yes, I Would Like Some Statins with my Double Cheeseburger

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I am admittedly less antagonistic about more widespread use of statins in adults due to the the results of the Jupiter Study than about feeding statins to kids. Check out this NT Times article. And in case the link doesn’t work, here is the full permalink address.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/10/health/10heart.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

I’ll continue following the medical community reaction to this study.

Would You Like Some Statins With That Double Cheeseburger?

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I’ve been thinking about this for a few days, pondering what to write. It’s simple really.

This is just so wrong…

So would you rate an 8 year old on statins?

AAP ISSUES NEW GUIDELINES ON CHOLESTEROL SCREENING

Below is a policy on a clinical report appearing in the July issue of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

For Release: July 7, 2008, 12:01 am (ET)

The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued new cholesterol screening and treatment recommendations for children. The policy statement, “Lipid Screening and Cardiovascular Health in Childhood,” recommends cholesterol screening of children and adolescents with a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease. It also recommends screening patients whose family history is unknown or those who have other factors for heart disease including obesity, high blood pressure or diabetes. Screening should take place after age two, but no later than age 10. The best method for testing is a fasting lipid profile. If a child has values within the normal range, testing should be repeated in three to five years. For children who are more than eight years old and who have high LDL concentrations, cholesterol-reducing medications should be considered. Younger patients with elevated cholesterol readings should focus on weight reduction and increased activity while receiving nutritional counseling. The statement also recommends the use of reduced-fat dairy products, such as two percent milk, for children as young as one year of age for whom overweight or obesity is a concern.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.

© COPYRIGHT AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED