Group items tagged

I stumbled on one of the growing number of local media stories on the power of vitamin D. \nIn one story, a purported "expert" was talking about the benefits of "high-dose" vitamin D, meaning up to 1000, even 2000 units per day. \nI regard this as high-dose---for an infant. \nJudging by my experiences, now numbering well over 1000 patients over three years time, I'd regard this dose range not as "high dose," nor moderate dose, perhaps not even low dose. I'd regard it as barely adequate.

Extended-release niacin or ezetimibe and carotid intima-media thickness. Taylor AJ, Villines TC, Stanek EJ, Devine PJ, Griffen L, Miller M, Weissman NJ, Turco M. N Engl J Med. 2009 Nov 26;361(22):2113-22. Epub 2009 Nov 15. PMID: 19915217 Conclusions This comparative-effectiveness trial shows that the use of extended-release niacin causes a significant regression of carotid intima-media thickness when combined with a statin and that niacin is superior to ezetimibe. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00397657 [ClinicalTrials.gov] .

Beneficial effects of virgin coconut oil on lipid parameters and in vitro LDL oxidation. Nevin KG, Rajamohan T. Clin Biochem. 2004 Sep;37(9):830-5. PMID: 15329324 doi:10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2004.04.010 Conclusion: The results demonstrated the potential beneficiary effect of virgin coconut oil in lowering lipid levels in serum and tissues and LDL oxidation by physiological oxidants. This property of VCO may be attributed to the biologically active polyphenol components present in the oil

Acute Ingestion of Long-Chain (n-3) Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Decreases Fibrinolysis in Men with Metabolic Syndrome. Montegaard C, Tulk HM, Lauritzen L, Tholstrup T, Robinson LE. J Nutr. 2009 Nov 4. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 19889809 doi:10.3945/jn.109.111427 Individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS) often have elevated plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), contributing to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. PAI-1 and t-PA may be affected by chronic (n-3) long-chain PUFA [(n-3)LCPUFA] supplementation; however, the acute impact of fat ingestion on these risk factors has not been established. Our objective was to investigate the acute effect of (n-3)LCPUFA on plasma PAI-1, t-PA, and platelet aggregation. We conducted a randomized crossover study in which men (n = 8, ≥45 y) with MetS consumed water or a high-saturated fat beverage (1 g fat/kg body weight) with either a high or low content of (n-3)LCPUFA. Blood samples were collected over 8 h to measure triacylglycerol (TAG), PAI-1, t-PA, and platelet aggregation. Both fat loads resulted in a significant increase in whole blood TAG concentration, plasma PAI-1 and t-PA concentrations, and PAI-1 activity, as well as a significant decrease in t-PA activity during the postprandial period. Interestingly, PAI-1 concentration and activity increased more following the high (n-3)LCPUFA compared with the low (n-3)LCPUFA beverage (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the high (n-3)LCPUFA beverage resulted in a lower t-PA activity (P < 0.05), whereas the effects of the 2 fat loads on the plasma t-PA concentration and platelet aggregation did not differ. Overall, acute intake of a high (n-3)LCPUFA beverage shifted the balance between plasma PAI-1 and t-PA, which might indicate a lower capacity for fibrinolysis

Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine. Zhang Y, Li X, Zou D, Liu W, Yang J, Zhu N, Huo L, Wang M, Hong J, Wu P, Ren G, Ning G. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Jul;93(7):2559-65. Epub 2008 Apr 8. PMID: 18397984 doi:10.1210/jc.2007-2404 Conclusions: Berberine is effective and safe in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia.

n-3 Fatty acids and cardiovascular disease: evidence explained and mechanisms explored. Calder PC. Clin Sci (Lond). 2004 Jul;107(1):1-11. Review. PMID: 15132735 DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INTAKE OF LONG-CHAIN n-3 PUFAS It is clear from the forgoing discussion that long-chain n-3 fatty acids have been proven to be effective in secondary prevention of MI, with a particularly marked effect on sudden death. Thus it would be prudent to advise post-MI patients to increase long-chain n-3 PUFA consumption. Epidemiological studies, studies investigating effects on classic and emerging risk factors and mechanistic studies indicate that long-chain n-3 fatty acids also play a key role in primary prevention. This is supported by studies in animal models, including monkeys. Thus long-chain n-3 fatty acid consumption should be promoted for all individuals especially those at risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This is the reason why a number of organizations have now made recommendations relating to the intake of fatty fish (for example [3]) and of long-chain n-3 PUFAs (Table 6). It is clear that there is a wide gap between current intakes of long-chain n-3 PUFAs and many of these recommendations (Table 6). To meet these recommendations strategies other than increased consumption of fatty fish may be required.

Opposing effects of cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid on blood lipids in healthy humans. Tricon S, Burdge GC, Kew S, Banerjee T, Russell JJ, Jones EL, Grimble RF, Williams CM, Yaqoob P, Calder PC. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Sep;80(3):614-20. PMID: 15321800 Conclusion: Divergent effects of cis-9,trans-11 CLA and trans-10,cis-12 CLA appear on the blood lipid profile in healthy humans: trans-10,cis-12 CLA increases LDL:HDL cholesterol and total:HDL cholesterol, whereas cis-9,trans-11 CLA decreases them.

Effects of dairy products naturally enriched with cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid on the blood lipid profile in healthy middle-aged men. Tricon S, Burdge GC, Jones EL, Russell JJ, El-Khazen S, Moretti E, Hall WL, Gerry AB, Leake DS, Grimble RF, Williams CM, Calder PC, Yaqoob P. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Apr;83(4):744-53. PMID: 16600923 CONCLUSION: Dairy products naturally enriched with cis-9,trans-11 CLA and trans-11 18:1 do not appear to have a significant effect on the blood lipid profile

Separate effects of reduced carbohydrate intake and weight loss on atherogenic dyslipidemia -- Krauss et al. 83 (5): 1025 -- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Changes in peak LDL diameter (Table 2) and mass concentrations of LDL subfractions (Table 3) induced by each of the diets were reflected by changes in the proportions of subjects exhibiting LDL subclass pattern B (Figure 2). There were linear reductions in the prevalence of pattern B as a function of reduced carbohydrate intake after both the stable-weight and weight-loss periods. However, the slopes of these relations differed (P = 0.04) such that the magnitude of the reduction in expression of pattern B induced by weight loss increased in association with the percentage of carbohydrate intake. Conclusions: Moderate carbohydrate restriction and weight loss provide equivalent but nonadditive approaches to improving atherogenic dyslipidemia. Moreover, beneficial lipid changes resulting from a reduced carbohydrate intake were not significant after weight loss. Separate effects of reduced carbohydrate intake and weight loss on atherogenic dyslipidemia. Krauss RM, Blanche PJ, Rawlings RS, Fernstrom HS, Williams PT. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 May;83(5):1025-31; quiz 1205. Erratum in: Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Sep;84(3):668. PMID: 16685042