Aloe vera is a type of plant native to southern Africa but is now mostly grown indoors all over the world. In fact, you have probably already encountered this thick-leaved, low-maintenance plant sitting on a patio or on a window sill. What you probably didn’t know is that this plant possesses several possible health benefits. Aloe vera has been used in traditional medicine for centuries and it is still widely used to treat a variety of health conditions. The clear, […]

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In some people, cholesterol levels in the blood become too high. This is called high cholesterol or hyperlipidemia. High levels of LDL cholesterol (so-called “bad” cholesterol) are considered a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. LDL cholesterol is thought to irritate the lining of blood vessels, stimulating atherosclerosis, commonly known as hardening of the arteries. Lowering LDL cholesterol and raising levels of HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol) has traditionally been the focus for treatment and lifestyle changes. Gary Ferster […]

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Making changes to establish a healthier lifestyle – through diet, exercise, or other changes – is important in keeping your cholesterol and triglyceride levels healthy. Sometimes, this may not work, and your healthcare provider may want to place you on medication. Many cholesterol-lowering medications are currently on the market, and each of these medications lower cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels in different ways. Additionally, each of these drugs target different aspects of your lipid profile. For instance, some […]

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Zocor (simvastatin) is a cholesterol-lowering medication that belongs to the statin class of drugs. It is used to treat elevated total cholesterol levels, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride, and apolipoprotein B levels in individuals diagnosed with primary hyperlipidemia or mixed dyslipidemia in cases where diet, lifestyle changes, or other medications are not completely lowering lipid levels. Additionally, Zocor is used to reduce the risk of having a heart attack and stroke in individuals with or without cardiovascular disease. Pivotal studies examining […]

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You may have seen pantethine among the other nutritional supplements on store shelves when you’re doing your shopping. Although probably not as popular as other supplements on the market, there is some evidence that pantethine may help improve certain aspects of your health. Pantethine is a nutritional supplement that is an active form of pantothenic acid, which is also known as vitamin B5. It helps make coenzyme A, which is a molecule that is involved in several metabolic […]

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While cholesterol seems to get most of the press, it’s also crucial that you keep track of your blood triglycerides, especially high triglycerides — so that you can keep them at healthy levels or lower them if necessary. Why Are Triglycerides Important to My Health? Calories that you consume but don’t burn off as energy are stored in your body in the form of fat known as triglycerides. When you need energy between meals, your body produces […]

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Phytosterols are a group of chemicals found in a variety of plant products. There’s been a lot of talk about the heart-healthy benefits of these chemicals over the past few years. Some studies have shown that phytosterols can help modestly reduce your “bad” cholesterol, or LDL, by an average of 10%. But where can you find these healthy chemicals? The good news is that phytosterols can be found in a variety of easily-accessible products, ranging from supplements to quite […]

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Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a cholesterol-lowering medication that belongs to the statin class of drugs. It is used to treat elevated total cholesterol levels, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride, and apolipoprotein B levels in individuals diagnosed with primary hyperlipidemia or mixed dyslipidemia in cases where diet, lifestyle changes, or other medications are not completely lowering lipid levels. Additionally, Lipitor is used to reduce the risk of having a heart attack and stroke in individuals with or without cardiovascular disease and in individuals […]

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High blood pressure and high cholesterol are the most common conditions that can lead to cardiovascular disease if ignored. The good news is that both conditions are treatable with lifestyle modifications and/or medication. There are many medications that can be used to help control your high blood pressure, but in some cases, these drugs may also have an effect on your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Some blood pressure-lowering medications may improve your lipid profile whereas some drugs […]

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Having high levels of LDL cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol, can place you at risk of developing heart disease if it is left untreated. The good news is that, unlike other risk factors, you may be able to prevent high LDL levels or lower your LDL levels if they are already high. Although many cholesterol medications can lower LDL levels to varying degrees, your healthcare provider may want to use therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) to see how low […]

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Taking a cholesterol-lowering medication is an important part of managing your cholesterol levels and preventing heart disease. But when you’re faced with cutting costs, your medications may come under scrutiny. High cholesterol often does not produce any symptoms, so it can feel tempting to stop taking your medication. However, doing this can place you at risk of many future complications, including a heart attack or stroke — both of which are not only more expensive to treat but […]

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In mid-2017, Merck announced favorable results with their REVEAL trial, a pivotal outcomes study with their investigational drug, anacetrapib. Anacetrapib is designed to increase  HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol) levels. Merck’s press release stated that, when added to  statin therapy, anacetrapib significantly reduced the incidence of cardiovascular events in patients who were at  elevated risk for heart disease. The announcement came as a big surprise to most cardiologists. Why a Surprise? Anacetrapib is cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitor, a class of […]

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