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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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