For decades, scientists have been trying to find out what causes heart disease. Although we have gained some knowledge along the way, many questions remain unanswered. Instead of providing clear answers, scientific research often raises a set of new issues that have to be addressed. The American physicist, Thomas S. Kuhn wrote that “to be scientific is among […]
Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence) – Impotence Explained
Erectile dysfunction often referred to as impotence, is a common disorder that frequently coexists with cardiovascular disease. It is defined as the inability to get or keep an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse. It is estimated that erectile dysfunction affects >30% of men between 40 and 70 years of age (1). Cardiovascular disease is a term that […]
Fructose – The Role of Fructose in Metabolic Syndrome and Heart Disease
Mark already ignores me. I think it is because I am in bed and I am a ‘stationary’ object, because once or twice at home when he saw me up and on the way to the toilet he evinced great interest at once. I am absolutely determined to check myself in any tendency to be […]
Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) in Atherosclerosis and Heart Disease
The death rate from coronary artery disease (CAD) has declined considerably over the last three decades, mostly because of better control of risk factors and advances in therapy. However, due to the aging of the population and better survival of those affected, the prevalence of the disease remains high. The current epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes will likely escalate the problem further. Atherosclerosis, […]
Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT)
Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a relatively simple, noninvasive measure that uses ultrasound to detect the presence and extent of atherosclerosis in an artery. Atherosclerosis, the underlying cause of coronary heart disease is characterized by an accumulation of lipids, white blood cells and cell debris in the inner layers of the arterial wall. Atherosclerotic plaques may cause blockages in […]
High Triglycerides – How to Lower Triglycerides
Triglycerides are important organic compounds. Most of the fat we consume in our diet is triglyceride and so too is most of the fat we store in our body. Fatty acids contained in triglycerides are an essential source of energy for our cells. Triglyceride concentration can be measured in blood and may provide valuable information about metabolism and general health. High levels may reflect […]
Low-Carb Diet to Treat Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease – Does It Make Sense?
Approximately 30 percent of people in the United States have a disease that is characterized by abnormal deposits of fat in the liver. The disease is not contagious, and unlike many other disorders of the liver, it is not caused by overconsumption of alcohol. It is called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and has become the leading cause of chronic liver disease […]
Added Sugar – Why and How to Avoid It
When it comes to the science of nutrition, everyone seems to have an opinion. Consequently, there is huge disagreement, even among the experts. If we ask for advice, there are likely to be dozen different answers. So, in the era of information overflow, the general population, has become severely confused. Apart from having to choose […]
Broken Heart Syndrome (Stress Cardiomyopathy)
Emotional stress is a known risk factor for developing heart disease (1). Never is this relationship more evident than in the broken heart syndrome, an acute heart disorder that is directly precipitated and caused by an emotionally stressful event. The broken heart syndrome, also called stress cardiomyopathy (stress-induced cardiomyopathy), apical ballooning syndrome, or takotsubo cardiomyopathy […]
Saturated Fat Back in the Gutter; Failing to see the bigger picture
Saturated fat is the bad boy once again according to a paper recently published online in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (1). The authors of the paper, led by Li Yanping from the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, conclude that unsaturated fatty acids, especially polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) […]
Cigarette Smoking and Health – The Role of Mad Men, Nazi Germany and the Devil
The conversation between Don Draper and Sam, the waiter, in the first episode of the television series Mad Men is not only amusing but also has a deep message. – Why do you smoke Old Gold, Draper asks. – They gave ’em to us in the service… a carton a week for free. – So you’re used […]
The Omega-3 Index
Although regular intake of omega-3 fatty acids is believed to have several health benefits, some questions remain unanswered. Do we all need more omega-3 or just some of us? Is eating fish sufficient or do we need to take supplements? Is there a way to tell if the cells in our body are getting enough omega-3 or if we […]
Sugar In and Sugar Out: The Modern Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes
A few days ago the results of a potentially game-changing trial on the treatment of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial) were presented at an international diabetes conference in Stockholm, Sweden and simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine (1). For the first time, a study has found that a drug that […]
Less Heart Disease Despite More Diabetes; The Role of Diet
The diverging trends in heart disease and diabetes represent a public health paradox of immense importance. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are well-known risk factors for coronary heart disease. However, whereas the prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes is increasing, the death rate from coronary heart disease is declining. This interesting paradox was recently addressed in two […]
Aspirin for Disease Prevention – The Role of Baby Aspirin
I often encounter people who have taken baby aspirin for years because somebody once told them it was a good idea. In fact, low-dose aspirin is quite popular among healthy people for the purpose of reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Tens of millions of people in the United States take it daily to reduce their […]
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