Omega-3 fatty acid effectively lowers high triglycerides

Omega-3 fatty acid medication reduces triglyceride levels by 20-30% among the majority of people who require treatment for high triglyceride levels, suggests a study.

From our review of the evidence from 17 randomised, controlled clinical trials on high triglyceride levels, we concluded that treatment with 4 gm daily of any of the available prescription choices is effective and can be used safely in conjunction with statin medicines that lower cholesterol, said an author of the study.

There are 2 prescription omega-3 fatty acid medications available. One combines 2 types of fatty acids, EPA ( eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA ( docosahexaenoic acid). The other medication provides EPA only. Since there have been no head-to-head comparisons of the 2 formulations at prescription dosing, the advisory does not recommend one over the other.

Triglycerides are fats that circulate in the blood. Some studies have shown that elevated levels of triglycerides ( above 200mg/dL) can lead to atherosclerosis ( narrowing of the arteries), which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. In addition to cardiovascular risk,  very high levels of triglycerides ( above 500mg.dL) can also cause pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas.

A researcher pointed out that people with high triglyceride levels should not try to treat the condition themselves with non-prescription, omega-3 fatty acid fish oil supplements.

Dietary supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids are not regulated by the FDA, They should not be used in place of prescription medication for the long-term management of high triglycerides, he said.

The effective dose for prescription omega-3 fatty acids is 4 gm per day taken with food. Currently, the FDA has approved prescription omega-3 fatty acid medications only for treating very high triglyceride levels above 500 mg/dL.

Fish is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and the American Heart Association recommends eating  fatty fish-such as salmon, mackerel, herring and albacore tuna- at least twice per week.

In the analysis of the current scientific data, the advisory panel found that most people with high triglycerides ( 200-490 mg/dL), prescription doses of omega-3 fatty acids using drugs with either EPA+DHA or EPA alone can reduce triglyceride by 20-30%.

Contrary to common perception, the formula that contains both EPA and DHA does not increase the " bad" form of cholesterol (LDL-C) among most people with high triglyceride levels (200-499 mg/dL). However, when the drug is given to people with very high triglyceride levels at 500 mg/dL or greater, LDL-C may increase.

The panel's review found that prescription omega-3 drugs are effective in reducing triglyceride levels regardless of whether people are on statin therapy.

In a recent large, randomized placebo-controlled study called REDUCE-IT, researchers found that the EPA-only medication combined with statin medication resulted in a 25 % reduction in major cardiovascular events ( heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death) among people with high triglycerides.

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Intestinal fungi increases risk in alcoholic liver disease sufferers' health

A team of researchers has found that intestinal fungi, chronic liver damage, increase risk of death for the people with alcohol-related liver disease.

The study also found that anti-fungal compounds like amphotericin B protect from the alcohol-related liver disease progression.Yet, apart from alcohol abstinence, there are no specific treatments to reduce the severity of alcohol-associated liver disease.

Senior author Bernd Schnabl from the University of California San Diego said that they might be able to slow the progression of alcoholic liver disease by manipulating the balance of fungal species living in a patient's intestine.

The team found that fungi flourished in the intestines of the mice with chronic alcohol exposure.Chronic inflammation kills liver cells and ultimately promotes alcoholic liver disease.The researchers were able to protect mice from alcohol-induced liver disease by treating them with the anti-fungal compound amphotericin B.

Compared to untreated mice, mice with alcohol-related liver disease that received amphotericin B had lower levels of liver injury and fat accumulation. These outcomes were determined by measuring plasma levels of a liver enzyme called alanine aminotransferase (reduced by approximately 55 percent) and levels of liver triglycerides (reduced by approximately 21 percent).

In this study, the mice received a type of oral amphotericin B that is not absorbed into the bloodstream.However, oral amphotericin B is not FDA-approved for human use.Intravenous amphotericin B is FDA approved for the treatment of serious fungal infections and it can cause side effects such as stomach, bone, muscle or joint pain and shortness of breath.

The team also compared fungi in the stool of eight healthy people and 20 people with chronic alcohol abuse and various stages of liver disease.They found that the healthy people had a richer diversity of fungi living in their intestines, as compared to alcohol-dependent patients.

In addition, the team also found a correlation between fungi and disease severity in a separate group of 27 patients with alcohol-related liver disease.After five years, 77 percent of the low-fungi group survived, compared to 36 percent of the high-fungi group.

Since it was so effective in mice, the researchers are interested in testing amphotericin B in patients with alcohol-related liver disease, Schnabl noted.The study is published in the journal of Clinical Investigation.

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Fenugreek seeds, good for Diabetes?

People have been using fenugreek seeds for diabetes for centuries. There's good evidence that it works. Studies show it can lower blood sugar after eating. Fenugreek may also raise "good" HDL cholesterol and lower unhealthy triglycerides.

Some small studies have found that fenugreek can help with acid reflux. Because it's high in giber  fenugreek may help treat or prevent constipation.

People use fenugreek for other conditions. They range from improving appetite to helping nursing women produce more breast milk. As a skin treatment, people use it for swelling, rashes, and wounds. There's no good evidence about whether these uses of fenugreek help.

Because fenugreek is an unproven treatment, there's no established dose. Some people take 10 to 15 grams daily for diabetes. Fenugreek is available in teas marketed to women who are breastfeeding, although it's not clear that they have any benefit, One study did find it increased milk production in breastfeeding women. Ask your doctor for advice.

Risks of taking Fenugreek

Tell your doctor about any supplements you’re taking, even if they’re natural. That way, your doctor can check on any potential side effects or interactions with medications.

• Side effects. Fenugreek as a food is safe. High doses can cause upset stomach and gas.
• Risks. Women who are pregnant or nursing, children, and people with liver or kidney disease should not use fenugreek supplements unless a doctor says it's safe.
• Interactions. If you take any medicines regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using fenugreek supplements. They could interact with insulin or other diabetes drugs.

ONIONS FOR BETTER HEALTH ?

Does the thought of vegetables make you cry? Don’t worry – if you’re thinking about onions then you’re not alone. The sulphur compounds in onions irritate most people’s eyes and nasal passages when they slice onions. Thankfully, onions are a versatile plant that have a variety of culinary uses, and have properties that can be quite beneficial to our health.

What is it?

The onion is a member of the allium family, which also includes shallots, leeks, garlic, scallions and chives. Onions are the most popular of all the allium plants, and have been eaten and used for other purposes for thousands of years.

Health Benefits

Onions have a number of different health benefits. They are thought to provide protection against osteoporosis to women going through menopause by destroying the substances that can contribute to the destruction of bone tissue. White onions seem to provide the greatest beneficial effect, although additional study is necessary.

There is some evidence to indicate that the sulphur compounds in onions (the same compounds that are responsible for irritating our eyes when we cut them, and giving us bad breath when we eat them) can help to lower the level of bad cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.

Onions are also a source of numerous vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate, and manganese. Of course, the chances are good that you won’t eat onions in large quantities to add up to a significant source of nutrients (after all, how often will you eat a cup of onions).

WHY STATINS ARE NECESSARY TO TAKE DAILY

Can Exercise and Diet Lower Your Cholesterol Enough?

There’s no doubt that a healthy lifestyle helps lower cholesterol. The question is whether it can lower your levels enough – and that depends on how high your levels are and what your doctor has set as your goal.

Eating a heart-healthy diet can lower LDL cholesterol at least 10%.

If you lose 5% to 10% of your body weight, you can cut LDL cholesterol 15%, and reduce triglycerides 20%.

If you exercise at a moderate intensity -- meaning you have enough breath to talk but not sing -- for at least 2 ½ hours a week, you can further cut triglycerides 20% to 30%. (Exercise can also increase your HDL, the “good” cholesterol.)

That’s a great start. Lifestyle changes certainly are the cornerstone of cholesterol reduction.

To get your cholesterol down to the level your doctor recommends, though, you may still need a statin. These powerful cholesterol-lowering medicines include Lipitor (atorvastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin), and Zocor (simvastatin), among others.

What a Statin Can Do

Statins are very simple: You take them once a day, and their effects are quite profound.

Statins quickly reduce LDL, the "bad," cholesterol by 50% or more.

Statins boost HDL, the "good" cholesterol, by up to 15%.

You should see major changes in your cholesterol levels within two to four weeks after starting treatment.

When you take a statin, you do more than improve your cholesterol levels. They also reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other heart problems. 

So does taking a statin mean you can sit on the couch and eat bacon all day? Of course not. Doctors say the best way to protect your heart is to make healthy lifestyle changes while taking a statin.  

Potential Side Effects

Like any medicine, statins can interact with other medicines you take, and they can have side effects:

More common: Headache, GI problems, muscle and joint aches, or rash

Less common: Memory loss, mental confusion, high blood sugar, and type 2 diabetes

Very rarely: Muscle or liver damage

Research shows that some people with muscle aches from statins feel better when they take extra CoQ10, a substance your body makes to help cells produce energy.  Don’t take CoQ10 supplments on your own, however. Work with your doctor when you take any supplement.

Overall, the risks of taking statins are very low -- lower than the risks from taking two aspirin a day, McBride says. "The benefits are well-established, with hundreds of thousands of people studied in clinical trials.”

Other Options

Some people take supplements along with statins, or -- if their cholesterol isn't too high -- instead of them. There's good evidence that some supplements can help with cholesterol levels.

Fish oil can lower triglycerides by up to 50% and improve HDL levels, the “good” cholesterol. People in most studies showing a benefit have taken 1 to 4 grams of fish oil a day. While usually well-tolerated, fish oil supplements can cause a fishy after taste, heartburn, or upset stomach.

Sterols and stanols are available in supplements and are also added to foods such as some margarines, orange juice, or yoghurt  These can lower LDL, the “bad” cholesterol, by up to 15%. Cholesterol experts recommend 2 grams per day. 

Soluble fibre -- available in supplements such as psyllium as well as in food -- can lower LDL cholesterol.. For every 5 to 10 grams that you add to your diet, you can lower your levels by up to 5%. Try to get at least 25 to 30 grams of total fiber a day. Most fruits, vegetables, and oats have both soluble and insoluble fibre.

Goodness of Pomegranates

Drinking just 10 ounces of this delightful red juice ( pomegranate juice) a week & continue for a year could make great improvements in lowering your high blood pressure, or reduce your triglycerides levels, improves your HDL cholesterol levels. Thus it improves your heart.

They're also known for their anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, heart protective uses.

So make sure that you've this juice & fruit on your shopping list. The best, I'd prefer is to eat the whole fruit, though it may be a bit messy to do so !