High Cholesterol

Current news, research and studies about high cholesterol, including treatments, potential cures, diet, drugs and medicines, natural remedies and more.

Study: Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Don’t Offset Healthy Choices

Within the medical field, it is often assumed that patients view cholesterol-lowering medications (or statins) as a license to eat whatever they like - they figure their medication has them covered, so a steak here and there won't hurt.

Statin Drugs and Risk of Advanced Prostate Cancer

Statins are commonly prescribed agents to lower cholesterol and the associated risks of vascular events. Statins are also known to have proapoptotic and antimetastatic effects in cancer.

Exercise, Diet, Supplements Play Role in Lowering Cholesterol without Drugs

When it's time to rein in cholesterol, the go-to prescription is usually statins. These medications can reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) from 25 percent to 50 percent, but statins aren't for everyone. The Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource outlines other ways to lower cholesterol.

Statin Therapy Cuts Bad Cholesterol Unprecedented 70-Percent

Research shows that a combination statin therapy lowers bad cholesterol by an unprecedented 70 percent, and has the added benefit of reducing life-threatening inflammation that can lead to heart disease and stroke.

Garlic Does Not Appear to Lower Cholesterol Levels; May Still Possess Cardiovascular Benefits

Three forms of garlic, including raw garlic and two types of commercial garlic supplements, did not significantly reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol during a six-month trial.

Researchers: Statin Users Risk Heart Attacks by Dropping Treatment or Taking Low Doses

Thousands of statin users worldwide are suffering preventable heart attacks, simply because they are not complying with their treatment or are taking too low a dose, according to new research.

ACE Inhibitors Reduce Kidney Disease Risk in Diabetics with High Blood Pressure

In diabetic patients with hypertension, ACE inhibitors reduce the risk of developing diabetes-related kidney disease, independent of their effect in lowering blood pressure, reports a study in the December Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Key Fat and Cholesterol Cell Regulator Identified, Promising Target

Researchers have identified how a molecular switch regulates fat and cholesterol production, a step that may help advance treatments for metabolic syndrome, the constellation of diseases that includes high cholesterol, obesity, type II diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Study: Substances In Grapefruit Juice Interact Dangerously With Some Drugs

New research has identified and established the substance in grapefruit juice that causes potentially dangerous interactions with certain medications.

Study: Widely-Used Nutritional Supplement Does Not Improve Cholesterol Levels

A new study suggests that use of the nutritional supplement policosanol does not lower cholesterol levels any more than placebo, apparently contradicting the results of previous studies.

FDA Approves First Generic Pravastatin

The Food and Drug Administration approved the first generic version of Bristol-Myers Squibb's Pravachol (Pravastatin Sodium Tablets).

Study: New Research Finds Direct Link Between High Cholesterol and Prostate Cancer

Researchers from Italy have found what they believe to be the first direct link between high cholesterol levels and prostate cancer.

Study: High Good Cholesterol Trumps Low Bad Cholesterol For Heart Protection

Having a high level of HDL cholesterol – the good cholesterol – is more important than having a low level of LDL – the bad cholesterol.

Study: Cholesterol-Lowering Foods Most Effective When Combined

Cholesterol-lowering foods such as soy protein, almonds, plant sterol enriched margarines, oats and barley may reduce cholesterol levels more effectively when eaten in combination.

Study: Plant Sterol Pills Significantly Lower LDL Cholesterol

A pill containing plant substances called sterols can help lower cholesterol.

Study: Rice Bran Lowers Blood Pressure In Rats

Scientists in Japan have shown that this waste product of rice processing, called rice bran, significantly lowers blood pressure in rats whose hypertension resembles that of humans.