Senin, 29 Februari 2016

Statin use associated with a 59% increased risk of kidney failure

This study was published in the European Journal of Internal Medicine 2016 Feb 23. pii: S0953-6205(16)00059-5
 
Study title and authors:
Association of statin use and the risk of end-stage renal disease: A nationwide Asian population-based case-control study.
Lin SY, Lin CL, Hsu WH, Lin CC, Chang CT, Kao CH.
Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taiwan; Division of Nephrology and Kidney Institute, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
 
This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26920930

End-stage renal disease (ESRD), also called kidney failure, is the last stage of chronic kidney disease. When your kidneys fail, it means they have stopped working well enough for you to survive without dialysis or a kidney transplant.

This study investigated the association of statins with end-stage renal disease. The study included 11,486 patients with end-stage renal disease who were compared with the same number of people from the general population.

The study found:
(a) Statin users had a 59% increased risk of developing end-stage renal disease compared to non-users.
(b) The risk of end-stage renal disease increased with higher accumulative dosage of statins.

Lin concluded: "This population-based case-control study showed that statin use might be associated with increased ESRD risks."

Links to other studies:
Statin use is associated with a 30-36% increased incidence of acute and chronic kidney disease
Statins associated with 30% increased risk of death in kidney transplant patients
Statins increase the risk of diabetes in kidney transplant patients

Rabu, 24 Februari 2016

Atorvastatin use associated with acute pancreatitis

This study was published in Medicine (Baltimore) 2016 Feb;95(7):e2545

Study title and authors:
Atorvastatin Use Associated With Acute Pancreatitis: A Case-Control Study in Taiwan.
Lai SW, Lin CL, Liao KF.
College of Medicine (S-WL, C-LL); Department of Family Medicine (S-WL); Management Office for Health Data (C-LL), China Medical University Hospital, Taichung;

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26886597

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between atorvastatin use and acute pancreatitis. The study consisted of 5,810 cases aged 20 to 84 years with a first-time diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and 5,733 randomly selected controls without acute pancreatitis.

The study found that current users of atorvastatin had a 67% increased risk of acute pancreatitis compared with subjects with never use of atorvastatin.

Lai concluded: "Current use of atorvastatin is associated with the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis."

Links to other studies:
Statins increase the risk of acute pancreatitis by 44%
Use of statins associated with a 25% increased risk of pancreatitis
Pancreatitis induced by statins



Sabtu, 20 Februari 2016

Stroke victims taking statins have increased risk of death and a 140% increased risk of infection

This study was published in the European Journal of Neurology 2008 Jan;15(1):82-90

Study title and authors:
Simvastatin in the acute phase of ischemic stroke: a safety and efficacy pilot trial.
Montaner J, Chacón P, Krupinski J, Rubio F, Millán M, Molina CA, Hereu P, Quintana M, Alvarez-Sabín J.
Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Neurovascular Unit, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain. 31862jmv@comb.es

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18070096

This study was a double-blind, randomised, multicentre clinical trial to study the effects of simvastatin in patients the first 90 days after a cortical stroke. The study included 60 patients with cortical strokes (a cortical stroke occurs when the blood supply to the outside, or cortex, of the brain is reduced or blocked, which results in brain damage) who were given either simvastatin or placebo at three to12 hours from symptom onset.

The study found:
(a) More patients taking simvastatin died compared to patients taking placebo.
(b) Patients taking simvastatin had a 140% increased risk of infection compared to patients taking placebo.

Links to other studies:
Patients taking statins after a stroke have a 68% increased risk of suffering another stroke
Statins increase the incidence of liver damage
Statins associated with increased bleeding in the brain in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage

Rabu, 17 Februari 2016

What I Eat

People often ask me what I eat.  I've been reluctant to share, because it feels egocentric and I'm a private person by nature.  I also don't want people to view my diet as a universal prescription for others.  But in the end, as someone who shares my opinions about nutrition, it's only fair that I answer the question.  So here we go.

In my food choices, I try to strike a balance between nutrition, cost, time efficiency, animal welfare, pleasure, and environmental impact.  I'm the chef of my household of two, and I cook two meals a day, almost every day, typically from single ingredients.  I prefer organic, but I don't insist on it.

Eggs from my hens
My diet changes seasonally because I grow much of my own food.  This started out with vegetables, but recently has expanded to staple foods such as potatoes, flour corn, and winter squash.  I also have a small flock of laying hens that turn table scraps, bugs, grass, and chicken feed into delicious eggs.

The primary guiding principle of my diet is to eat somewhere between a "Paleolithic"-style diet and a traditional agricultural/horticultural diet.  I think of it as a broad ancestral diet.  Because it's partially inspired by agricultural/horticultural diets, starch is the main calorie source.

My meals are organized around three food groups: a protein, a starch, and vegetables/fruit.  If any of those three are missing, the meal doesn't feel complete.  I'll start with those categories and move on from there.

Read more »

Senin, 15 Februari 2016

Higher saturated fat consumption decreases the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases

This study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2010 Oct;92(4):759-65
 
Study title and authors:
Dietary intake of saturated fatty acids and mortality from cardiovascular disease in Japanese: the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study for Evaluation of Cancer Risk (JACC) Study.
Yamagishi K, Iso H, Yatsuya H, Tanabe N, Date C, Kikuchi S, Yamamoto A, Inaba Y, Tamakoshi A
Department of Public Health Medicine, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, and Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.
 
This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20685950

This study investigated the association of saturated fat intake and the risk of death cardiovascular diseases. The study included 58,453 participants, aged 40 to 79 years, who were followed for up to 14.1 years.

The study found:
(a) Those who consumed the most saturated fat had a 31% decreased risk of death from all strokes compared to those who consumed the least saturated fat.
(b) Those who consumed the most saturated fat had a 48% decreased risk of death from intraparenchymal haemorrhage compared to those who consumed the least saturated fat. (Intraparenchymal haemorrhage is bleeding within the brain tissue).
(c) Those who consumed the most saturated fat had a 9% decreased risk of death from subarachnoid hemorrhage compared to those who consumed the least saturated fat. (Subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding into the two membranes that surround the brain).
(d) Those who consumed the most saturated fat had a 42% decreased risk of death from ischemic stroke compared to those who consumed the least saturated fat. (Ischemic stroke occurs when an artery to the brain is blocked).
(e) Those who consumed the most saturated fat had a 7% decreased risk of death from heart disease compared to those who consumed the least saturated fat.
(f) Those who consumed the most saturated fat had a 1% decreased risk of death from heart failure compared to those who consumed the least saturated fat.
(g) Those who consumed the most saturated fat had an 18% decreased risk of death from all cardiovascular diseases compared to those who consumed the least saturated fat. 

Links to other studies:
Middle-aged men and women who consume the most saturated fat live longer and have a reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases
Saturated fat consumption is associated with a reduced risk of stroke
High saturated fat diets reduce the risk of intraparenchymal haemorrhage



Jumat, 12 Februari 2016

Is the "Obesity Paradox" an Illusion?

Over the last two decades, multiple independent research groups have come to the surprising conclusion that people with obesity (or, more commonly, overweight) might actually be healthier than lean people in certain ways.  This finding is called the "obesity paradox".  Yet recent research using more rigorous methods is suggesting that the paradox is an illusion-- and excess body fat may be even more harmful to health than we thought.

Introduction.  What is the obesity paradox, and why does it matter?

Read more »

Kamis, 11 Februari 2016

Statins associated with increased bone loss in early postmenopausal women

This study was published in Osteoporosis International 2002 Jul;13(7):537-41

Study title and authors:
Relation of statin use and bone loss: a prospective population-based cohort study in early postmenopausal women.
Sirola J, Sirola J, Honkanen R, Kröger H, Jurvelin JS, Mäenpää P, Saarikoski S.
University of Kuopio, Research Institute of Public Health, Finland.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12111013

This study assessed the effects of statin use on the change in bone mineral density in early postmenopausal women. The study measured annual change in spine and thigh bone mineral density in 620 women aged 53-64 years who were divided into four groups:
Group 1: 55 who had continuous use of statins
Group 2: 63 who had occasional statin use.
Group 3: 142 non-users of statins who had "high" cholesterol.
Group 4: 360 non-users of statins who did not have "high" cholesterol.

The study found:
(a) In all groups spine bone mineral density increased whereas thigh bone mineral density decreased.
(b) Both groups of non-users had higher increases in spine bone mineral density compared to the groups of statin users. (High cholesterol non-users had highest increase).
(c) Both groups of non-users had smaller decreases in thigh bone mineral density compared to the groups of statin users. (High cholesterol non-users had smallest decrease).
(d) The non-users of statins who had "high" cholesterol had a 79% higher increase in spine bone mineral density compared to the continuous statin users.
(e) The non-users of statins who had "high" cholesterol had a 34% smaller decrease in thigh bone mineral density compared to the continuous statin users.

The results from the study suggest statin use is associated with increased bone loss in early postmenopausal women.

An interesting finding noted by the researchers is the potential for "high" cholesterol itself to be protective against osteoporosis and fractures, as the smallest annual bone loss and greatest gain of lumbar bone were seen in those with "high" cholesterol.

Links to other studies:
Statins and the risk of bone fracture in postmenopausal women
Statin use increases the risk of osteoarthritis and joint pain by 26%
Statin use linked to musculoskeletal diseases, joint pain and injuries



Jumat, 05 Februari 2016

Professor says it's a serious concern that statins make people less likely to exercise

This study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine 2014 Jun 9

Study title and authors:
Statins and Physical Activity in Older Men: The Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study.
Lee DS, Markwardt S, Goeres L, Lee CG, Eckstrom E, Williams C, Fu R, Orwoll E, Cawthon PM, Stefanick ML, Mackey D, Bauer DC, Nielson CM.
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Oregon State University/Oregon Health and Science University College of Pharmacy, Portland.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24911216

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of statins on physical activity. The study lasted for nine years and included 4,137 men (989 men (24%) were statin users and 3148 (76%) were nonusers) aged 65 years and older. The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) was used to measure physical activity. (A higher PASE score indicates a higher level of activity).

The study found:
(a) At the start of the study statin users had a 5.8 points lower PASE score than non users.
(b) PASE score declined by 2.5 points per year for non users.
(c) PASE score declined by 2.8 points per year for prevalent users of statins.
(d) PASE score declined by 3.4 points per year for new users of statins.
(e) Statin users engaged in 5.4 fewer minutes in moderate physical activity per day than non users.
(f) Statin users engaged in 0.6 fewer minutes in vigorous physical activity per day than non users.
(g) Statin users engaged in 7.6 more minutes in sedentary behaviour per day than non users.

Lead author of the study, David Lee, an assistant professor in the Orgeon State University and the Oregon Health and Science College of Pharmacy, said: "Physical activity in older adults helps to maintain a proper weight, prevent cardiovascular disease and helps to maintain physical strength and function. We're trying to find ways to get older adults to exercise more, not less. It's a fairly serious concern if use of statins is doing something that makes people less likely to exercise".

Links to other studies:
Statins block the ability of exercise to improve fitness levels
Statins, fibrates and beta blockers increase fatigue during moderate intensity exercise
Rhabdomyolysis occurring under statins after intense physical activity in a marathon runner



Senin, 01 Februari 2016

Doctor concludes LDL cholesterol may be required to maintain or support memory function

This study was published in the Journal of Alzheimers Disease 2013;34(1):273-9

Study title and authors:
Very old adults with better memory function have higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and lower triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios: KOCOA Project.
Katsumata Y, Todoriki H, Higashiuesato Y, Yasura S, Ohya Y, Willcox DC, Dodge HH.
Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA. katsumat@ohsu.edu

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23207484

This study investigated the association between cholesterol levels and memory function. The study included 193 participants, aged 80 and older.

Regarding LDL cholesterol levels, the study found those with better memory function had significantly higher LDL cholesterol levels.

Dr Katsumata concluded: "LDL cholesterol, especially large, buoyant LDL may be required to maintain or support memory function among older people."

Links to other studies:
High cholesterol levels boost memory function
Low cholesterol levels associated with slow mental processing in students
High cholesterol levels are associated with higher intelligence