Irlen Syndrome associated with significantly decreased cholesterol levels

This study was published in Perceptual and Motor Skills 2003 Dec;97(3 Pt 1):743-52

Study title and authors:
Plasma cholesterol levels and Irlen syndrome: preliminary study of 10- to 17-yr.-old students.

Sparkes DL, Robinson GL, Dunstan H, Roberts TK.
University of Newcastle, Callaghan NSW, Australia.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14738334

Irlen Syndrome is a perceptual processing disorder. It is not an optical problem. It is a problem with the brain’s ability to process visual information.

This study investigated various health markers in children and teenagers with Irlen Syndrome. The study included 13 subjects with Irlen Syndrome who were compared with a group of 16 age- and sex-matched controls.  

Regarding cholesterol, the study found that cholesterol levels were significantly decreased in the Irlen Syndrome group compared to the control group.

From a fish tank injury to hospital haemodialysis: the serious consequences of statin drug interactions

This paper was published in BMJ Case Reports 2015 Jun 23;2015

 

Study title and authors:

From a fish tank injury to hospital haemodialysis: the serious consequences of drug interactions.

Hill FJ, McCloskey SJ, Sheerin N.

Renal Department, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.

 

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26106178

This paper describes the case of a man who suffered acute kidney injury following statin-induced rhabdomyolysis.

(i) A 68-year-old man was admitted to hospital with severe acute kidney injury secondary to statin-induced rhabdomyolysis.
(ii) Five weeks previously, the patient started a course of clarithromycin for infection of a finger wound. His current medications included simvastatin, which he continued along with clarithromycin.
(iii) The severity of the acute kidney injury necessitated initial continuous venovenous haemofiltration followed by 12 haemodialysis sessions before a spontaneous improvement in renal function occurred.

Hill concluded: "Statins are widely prescribed and we report this case to encourage increased vigilance in avoiding drug interactions known to increase the risk of statin-induced myopathy, including macrolide antibiotics, calcium channel antagonists and amiodarone".

Low cholesterol associated with Fragile X syndrome

This study was published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part A 2015 Feb;167A(2):379-84

 

Study title and authors:

Cholesterol levels in fragile X syndrome.

Berry-Kravis E, Levin R, Shah H, Mathur S, Darnell JC, Ouyang B.

Departments of Pediatrics, Rush University Medical Center, USA; Departments of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, USA; Departments of Biochemistry, Rush University Medical Center, USA.

 

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25424470

Dr Elizabeth Berry-Kravis notes that Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is associated with intellectual disability and behavioural dysfunction, including anxiety, ADHD symptoms, and autistic features.

Dr Berry-Kravis found that during the course of follow up of patients with FXS she noted that many patients had low cholesterol levels and low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.

She then initiated a systematic review of all cholesterol values present in charts from over 500 patients with FXS and revealed that total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and HDL cholesterol were all significantly reduced in males with FXS compared with normal levels.

Dr Berry-Kravis findings reveal that low cholesterol levels are associated with Fragile X syndrome.

Food Reward Friday

This week's lucky winner... the Pizza Hut Hot Dog Bites pizza!!!

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Low cholesterol levels are associated with depression

This study was published in the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine 2014 Apr;36(2):129-33

Study title and authors:
A controlled study of serum lipid profiles in Indian patients with depressive episode.

Patra BN, Khandelwal SK, Chadda RK, Ramakrishnan L.
Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24860211

This study analysed the influence of cholesterol levels in depressive patients. The study included 30 depressive patients and 30 healthy matched control subjects.

The study found:
(a) The cholesterol levels of  depressive patients was 18% lower than the cholesterol levels of healthy controls.
(b) The LDL cholesterol levels of  depressive patients was 26% lower than the cholesterol levels of healthy controls.

Patra concluded: "Lower levels of serum cholesterol are associated with depressive disorder".

Saturated fat helps to preserve cartilage

This study was published in Cartilage 2013 Oct;4(4):321-8

 

Study title and authors:

Monounsaturated and Saturated, but Not n-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Decrease Cartilage Destruction under Inflammatory Conditions: A Preliminary Study.

Bastiaansen-Jenniskens YM, Siawash M, van de Lest CH, Verhaar JA, Kloppenburg M, Zuurmond AM, Stojanovic-Susulic V, Van Osch GJ, Clockaerts S.

Department of Orthopaedics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26069676

This study investigated whether the most common fats found in synovial fluid influence cartilage deterioration in patients with osteoarthritis. Cartilage was obtained from osteoarthritis patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (knee replacement). Chondrocytes (cells found in cartilage) or cartilage explants were cultured with linoleic (n-6 polyunsaturated fat), oleic (monounsaturated fat), or palmitic (saturated fat).

The study found that:
(a) Polyunsaturated fat increased prostaglandin-E2 production. (Prostaglandin-E2 is proinflammatory).
(b) Saturated fat and monounsaturated fat inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-1 gene expression. (Matrix metalloproteinase-1 is proinflammatory).
(c) Saturated fat and monounsaturated inhibited glycosaminoglycan release. (Glycosaminoglycan provides the structural properties of cartilage, thereby higher glycosaminoglycan release indicates an increase in cartilage matrix degradation).

The results of the study indicate that polyunsaturated fat  has a pro-inflammatory effect on cartilage whereas saturated fat and monounsaturated fat seem to inhibit cartilage destruction.

Bastiaansen-Jenniskens concluded: "These results indicate that altered fatty acid levels may influence loss of cartilage structure in osteoarthritis".

Statin use associated with a 340% increased risk of acute memory loss

This study was published in JAMA Internal Medicine 2015 Jun 8

 

Study title and authors:

Statin Therapy and Risk of Acute Memory Impairment.

Strom BL, Schinnar R, Karlawish J, Hennessy S, Teal V, Bilker WB.

Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey

 

This study can b accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26054031

The objective of the study was to assess whether statin users and users of other cholesterol lowering drugs show acute decline in memory compared with nonusers. The study lasted 26 years and included 482,543 statin users, 482,543 matched non users of any cholesterol lowering drugs and 26,484 users of non statin cholesterol lowering drugs.

The study found:
(a) Statin users had a 340% increased risk of acute memory loss within 30 days immediately following exposure compared to non users.
(b) Non statin cholesterol lowering drug users had a 260% increased risk of acute memory loss within 30 days immediately following exposure compared to non users.

Strom concluded: "Both statin and nonstatin lipid lowering drugs were strongly associated with acute memory loss in the first 30 days following exposure in users compared with nonusers".

Healthy World Cafe's June menu!

Don't let the cooler weather last week fool you — summer is just around the corner. Celebrate the changing seasons in York County with our June menu, inspired by the freshest ingredients from our local farms and farmers.

Our menus will rotate every 4 to 6 weeks, so hurry in and check it out!

$5.50
-- Layered Egg Torte (VEG, MWG)

Fresh herbs, spices and feta layered to celebrate the colors of summer

-- Hummus with Fava Bean Ful and Apricot Chutney

Two distinctly delicious spreads with paprika dressing and apricot chutney, served on focaccia bread or greens; please note an allergy alert, as the apricot chutney includes malt vinegar (gluten)

-- Tandoori-Style Butter Chicken Bowl served with Garlicky Greens and Rice (MWG)
A classic spiced chicken served in a creamy nut gravy
-- Chicken Salad

A Healthy World Cafe staple, served on focaccia bread or greens

$3.50

-- Summer Green Soup (V, MWG)
Caramelized onions, leafy greens, rice and spices in a smooth puree and sprinkled with roasted chickpeas
-- Chickpea and Barley Salad Topped With Masala Green Beans (V)

Tossed in a toasted spice vinaigrette and topped with flavorful roasted green beans, with option feta or nuts
-- Berries and Greens Salad (VEG)
Greens, carrots and raisins in a sweet vinaigrette topped with local berries; can be served without wheatberries (MWG)

Extras

-- Seasonal Pickled Vegetables, $1
-- Signature Dried Fruit and Oatmeal Cookies, $1

V — Vegan
VEG — Vegetarian
MWG — Made Without Gluten

Water and iced tea are free with your purchase, and all our menu items are sourced from our farmer friends in south-central Pennsylvania and made from scratch.

Lunch will be served 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, at the cafe at 24 S. George St., in downtown York. Take-out orders are available during lunch hours by phone only; please call 717-814-8204.

Statin use associated with 87% increased risk of diabetes

This study was published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine 2015 Apr 28

Study title and authors:
Statins and New-Onset Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetic Complications: A Retrospective Cohort Study of US Healthy Adults.

Mansi I, Frei CR, Wang CP, Mortensen EM
Department of Medicine, VA North Texas Health System, 4500 S. Lancaster Rd #111E, Dallas, TX, USA, Ishak.mansi@va.gov.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25917657

The objective of the study was to examine the association between statin use and new-onset diabetes, diabetic complications, and overweight/obesity in healthy adults. The study lasted 8.5 years and included 3,351 statins users who were matched with 3,351 nonusers.

The study found:
(a) Statin users had a 87% increased risk of developing new-onset diabetes compared to nonusers.
(b) Statin users had a 150% increased risk of developing diabetes with complications compared to nonusers.
(c) Statin users were 14% more likely to be overweight or obese compared to nonusers.

Mansi concluded: "Diabetes, diabetic complications, and overweight/obesity were more commonly diagnosed among statin-users than similar nonusers in a healthy cohort of adults. This study demonstrates that short-term clinical trials might not fully describe the risk/benefit of long-term statin use".

Insulin Resistance Predicts a Variety of Age-related Diseases

In the last post, I reviewed a study by Gerald Reaven's group showing that insulin resistance strongly predicts the risk of cardiovascular disease over a 5-year period.  In 2001, Reaven's group published an even more striking follow-up result from the same cohort (1).  This study shows that not only does insulin resistance predict cardiovascular disease risk, it also predicts a variety of age-related diseases, including hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and even overall mortality risk.

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