A 10ml INCREASE in cholesterol levels are associated with a 4% DECREASED risk of mortality from heart failure

This post includes a summary of a study published in the American Heart Journal Volume 156, Issue 6, Pages 1170-1176 December 2008 and a recipe for spaghetti squash with turkey sauce.

Study title and authors:

Books:

Cholesterol levels and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute decompensated heart failure

Tamara B. Horwich, MD, MSa, Adrian F. Hernandez, MD, MHSb, David Dai, PhDb, Clyde W. Yancy, MDc, Gregg C. Fonarow, MDa, for the Get With the Guidelines Steering Committee and Hospitals

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ahjonline.com/article/S0002-8703(08)00571-1/abstract

The study evaluated 17,791 patients hospitalised with heart failure. Their cholesterol levels were taken, and their progress was analysed, covering 2 years. 46% were on statins. Each 10ml INCREASE in cholesterol level was associated with a 4% DECREASED risk of in-hospital mortality from heart failure.

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Recipe of the day

Spaghetti Squash with Turkey Sauce

Ingredients:

For “spaghetti”:

Food Mall: Ground Turkey

• 1 spaghetti squash

• pinch of salt
 
For sauce:
• 1 lb of ground turkey
• 1 large can of tomato paste
• 2 cans of water
• 1 c mushrooms
• 1 clove of minced garlic
• 1-2 T oregano
• 1-2 T basil

Instructions:
In a large pan, heat oil and add onions, garlic and turkey. Cook until meat turns brown. Add remaining ingredients, bring to a simmer and cook for 35 minutes, stirring occasionally.

While the sauce is simmering, cut the spaghetti squash in half. Place cut side up, covered with plastic wrap in a microwave safe dish for 10 minutes. Remove from microwave, and let sit, covered, for at least 5 minutes.

To create the “spaghetti,” rake a fork over the spaghetti squash until you have essentially emptied the shell.

Heap spaghetti into a bowl and serve.
 

A possible relationship between statins and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

This post includes a summary of a paper published in Drug Safety 2007;30(6):515-25

Study title and authors:

Books:

Statins, neuromuscular degenerative disease and an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-like syndrome: an analysis of individual case safety reports from vigibase.

Edwards IR, Star K, Kiuru A.
The WHO Foundation Collaborating Centre for International Drug Monitoring, the Uppsala Monitoring Centre (UMC), Uppsala, Sweden. ralph.edwards@who-umc.org

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17536877

The World Health Organisation Foundation Collaborating Centre for International Drug Monitoring has received many individual case safety reports associating statin use with the occurrence of muscle damage, including rhabdomyolysis, and also peripheral neuropathy.

This paper analysed the data from The World Health Organisation Foundation Collaborating Centre for International Drug Monitoring concerning reports of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-like syndrome and statin use. (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord and eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed).

Edwards reports:
(a) There is disproportionally high reporting of statin use and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
(b) The disproportionally high reporting of the connection between statins and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is an important signal since amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is serious clinically and statins are so widely used

Edwards advocates that discontinuation of a statin should be considered in patients with serious neuromuscular disease such as the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-like syndrome, given the poor prognosis and a possibility that progression of the disease may be halted or even reversed with discontinuation of statins.

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The MORE fat you eat the LESS risk you have dying from heart disease

This post features a database of fat consumption from 163 countries and a recipe for lamb leg steaks with olive and red pepper tapenade.

Data from 163 countries clearly shows that the MORE fat you eat the LESS risk you have dying from heart disease.

The data can be accessed at: http://www.canibaisereis.com/download/DATABASE-FAOybk-BHFstats-WHOsys.zip

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Recipe of the day

Lamb Leg Steaks with Olive and Red Pepper Tapenade

 

Books:

Ingredients:

2 bone-in leg steaks or boneless shoulder steaks
Salt and freshly milled black pepper
1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed
5ml/1tsp lemon juice
10ml/2tsp olive oil

Olive and Red Pepper Tapenade:

3 small whole roasted red peppers drained and finely chopped

Large handful freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley
40g/1½oz pitted black olives, roughly chopped
15ml/1tbsp capers in brine, drained and roughly chopped
15ml/1tbsp anchovy sauce
15ml/1tbsp olive oil

Method:

1.Place the steaks in a shallow bowl. Season and add the garlic, lemon juice and oil. Coat the steaks in the marinade, cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Food Mall: Leg of Lamb

2.Meanwhile, place the tapenade ingredients in a small bowl, season and mix well.

3.Remove the steaks from the marinade and cook on a preheated grill or prepared barbecue for 6-8 minutes on each side. Alternatively, heat a grill pan over a moderate heat and cook the steaks for 10-15 minutes turning occasionally.

4.Transfer to a plate, spoon over the tapenade.
 



Patients with autism could benefit from a gluten-free diet

Published in the J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2010 Oct;51(4):418-24.

Alterations of the intestinal barrier in patients with autism spectrum disorders and in their first-degree relatives.
de Magistris L, Familiari V, Pascotto A, Sapone A, Frolli A, Iardino P, Carteni M, De Rosa M, Francavilla R, Riegler G, Militerni R, Bravaccio C.
Department Magrassi-Lanzara, Gastroenterology, Second University of Naples, Italy. laura.demagistris@unina2.it

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20683204

The paper found that some patients with autism could benefit from a gluten free diet.

AMAZON USA Dangerous Grains: Why Gluten Cereal Grains May Be Hazardous To Your Health

Consumption of animal fat INCREASES and heart disease DECREASES

This post includes a synopsis of a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 1979;33:114-120 and a recipe for coarse liver pate.

Study title and author:
Surprising decline of cardiovascular mortality in Switzerland: 1951-1976.

E Guberan

Books:

This paper can be accessed at: http://jech.bmj.com/content/33/2/114.abstract

From 1951 to 1976 consumption of animal fats INCREASED by 20% in Switzerland.

The death rate for 'all diseases of the circulatory system' DECREASED by 22% in males and by 43% in females.

Mortality was REDUCED by 13% in males and by 40% in females for non-rheumatic heart disease and hypertension and by 36% and 47% respectively for cerebrovascular disease

Cerebrovascular disease was REDUCED by 36% for males and 47% for females.

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Recipe of the day

Coarse Liver Pate

Ingredients:

Food Mall: Beef Liver

375g/12oz beef liver, trimmed

225g/8oz pancetta cubes or finely chopped streaky bacon

2 shallots, peeled and finely chopped

1 garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped

15ml/1tbsp freshly chopped thyme

15ml/1tbsp freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley

2.5ml/½ level tsp cayenne pepper

Salt and freshly milled black pepper

15-30ml/1-2tbsp Cognac or brandy

25g/1oz melted butter, optional

Method:

1.Heat a large non-stick pan and cook the pancetta or bacon for 4-5 minutes until golden brown.

2.Add the liver, onion, garlic, herbs, seasoning and Cognac or brandy. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the liver is brown, but still slightly pink in the middle. Cool slightly.

3.Transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor and coarsely blend with the melted butter (if used).

4.Cool for 20-30 minutes, then spoon into 4 x150ml/¼pint small ramekin dishes.



30% higher death rate for men with falling cholesterol levels

This study was published in Circulation 1995 Nov 1;92(9):2396-403

Study title and authors:
Low serum cholesterol and mortality. Which is the cause and which is the effect?
Iribarren C, Reed DM, Chen R, Yano K, Dwyer JH.
Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033, USA.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7586337

This study investigated the association of falling cholesterol levels and death rates. The study included 5,941 men aged 45 to 68 years of age who were followed for 16 years.

The researchers found:
(a) The death rate was 30% higher among persons with a decline from middle levels of cholesterol (180 to 239 mg/dL or 4.6 mmol/l to 6.1 mmol/l) to low levels of cholesterol (less than 180 mg/dL or 4.6 mmol/l) than in persons remaining at a stable middle levels of cholesterol.
(b) The death rate was 8% lower among persons with an increase from middle levels of cholesterol (180 to 239 mg/dL or 4.6 mmol/l to 6.1 mmol/l) to high levels of cholesterol (more than 240 mg/dL or 6.1 mmol/l) than in persons remaining at a stable middle levels of cholesterol.

The results of this study indicate that falling cholesterol levels are associated with higher death rates whilst increasing cholesterol levels are associated with lower death rates.

AMAZON UK The Great Cholesterol Con
AMAZON USA The Great Cholesterol Con: The Truth About What Really Causes Heart Disease and How to Avoid It

Monosodium glutamate can lead to respiratory problems

This post includes a summary of a paper published in Biochemical Medicine Volume 5, Issue 5, October 1971, Pages 447-456 and a recipe for

Study title and authors:
Studies on monosodium glutamate ingestion *1: I. Biochemical explanation of Chinese restaurant syndrome

H. Ghadimi , S. Kumar and F. Abaci

Books:

Department of Pediatrics, Methodist Hospital of Brooklyn, 506 Sixth Street, Brooklyn, New York 11215, USA

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B7G7P-4C4NXSG-115&_user=10&_origUdi=B6WH4-4K19H2S-8&_fmt=high&_coverDate=10%2F31%2F1971&_rdoc=1&_orig=article&_origin=article&_zone=related_art&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=5a544179f60472b90a2ca5ee0241b392

The study revealed that the signs and symptoms following the ingestion of monosodium glutamate (MSG) were found strikingly similar to those induced by acetylcholine (ACh).

These symptoms include: Headche, tightness of chest, wheezing, nausea, vomiting and convulsions.

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Recipe of the day

Shepards Pie

Ingredients:

◦1 lb. ground beef
◦1/2 onion, diced

Food Mall: Ground Beef

◦2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

◦2 carrots, chopped
◦4 oz. mushrooms, sliced
◦3 T each FRESH rosemary, sage and thyme
◦1/4 c + 1/4 c chicken stock
◦1/2 head cauliflower, finely chopped
◦2 T oil
◦1 egg
◦S&P

Method:
Preheat your oven to 400ºF.

In a deep-sided, oven safe saute pan add the ground beef and saute on medium heat until browned. Add the onions, garlic, carrots and mushrooms and cook until softened. Add 1/4 c chicken stock and use a spatula to pick up any brown bits on the bottom of the pan. Turn the heat off and toss in the chopped herbs along with some salt and pepper.

For the cauliflower, melt the oil over medium-high heat in another saute pan. Let the cauliflower caramelize (you want to see brown, don’t stop until that point!) use a spatula to turn it in the pan every once in awhile. Add some salt. Turn the heat off once the cauliflower is done.

In a small bowl, use a fork to whisk together the egg and 1/4 c chicken stock. Add the mixture to the cauliflower and working quickly, use a spatula to make sure it’s well combined. Immediately add it to the top of the meat mixture and press into an even layer with your spatula.

Bake in the oven, on the middle rack, for 10 minutes, then turn the oven on broil and cook for another 10 minutes. Once the “pie” has come out of the oven, let it rest a few minutes before serving.

Men with low cholesterol have a 66% increase in HIV infection compared to men with higher cholesterol

Published in the J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol. 1998 Jan 1;17(1):51-7.

Association between serum total cholesterol and HIV infection in a high-risk cohort of young men.
Claxton AJ, Jacobs DR Jr, Iribarren C, Welles SL, Sidney S, Feingold KR.
Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55454-1015, USA.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9436759?dopt=Abstract

The results of the study showed that men with low cholesterol (less than 160 mg/dl) had a 66% increase in HIV infection compared to men with higher cholesterol.

AMAZON UK The Cholestrol Myths: Exposing the Fallacy That Saturated Fat and Cholesterol Cause Heart Disease
AMAZON USA The Cholesterol Myths: Exposing the Fallacy That Saturated Fat and Cholesterol Cause Heart Disease