Does Cholesterol Affect Blood Pressure

Boosting Collagen Production And Protecting It From Degradation May Prevent Cancer Metastasis

The extracellular matrix is a structural scaffold that directs the adhesion and migration of cells. It also regulates the growth of cells.

This important structure is composed of water, minerals and a variety of macromolecules, including proteoglycans, which cushion cells, and fibrous proteins, which provide tensile strength and resilience. One of the main fibrous proteins found in the ECM is collagen.

According to Dr. Matthias Rath, a German physician and the founder of Cellular Medicine, the ease by which cancer cells are able to spread may be due to a weak ECM. This is because cancer cells need to first break through the ECM before they can metastasize.

Because collagen is one of the main proteins that hold the ECM together, the loss of this protein or insufficient amounts of it can cause structural weakness and promote the spread of cancer.

For this reason, many experts, including Rath, consider cancer a collagen disease.

Additionally, cancer cells have been found to use destructive enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases to erode the ECM. A fragile ECM is especially vulnerable to MMPs.

Therefore, strengthening the ECM by boosting ones collagen levels is a sensible way of keeping cancer cells from metastasizing. To do this, Rath suggests increasing the intake of certain micronutrients that can boost collagen production.

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How To Lower Your Cholesterol Levels

If you have high cholesterol, there are ways to lower your levels and reduce your risk of further complications. The first approach is typically making lifestyle changes before retesting again. This includes changes to your diet, stopping smoking, and increasing exercise. If lifestyle changes are not working or not appropriate for you, medication is usually prescribed. The most common type of cholesterol-lowering medications is called statins. They lower the level of LDL cholesterol in your blood and help to reduce your chance of further issues.

The Relationship Between High Cholesterol And High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure and high cholesterol both damage the inner lining of blood vessels, known as the endothelium.

Over time, endothelial damage contributes to the buildup of cholesterol plaques and inflammatory cells in the blood vessels throughout the body, known as atherosclerosis.

Endothelial damage also results in improper regulation of blood vessel dilation. The result is stiffened, narrowed arteries that do not respond the way they should.

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How Are High Blood Pressure And High Cholesterol Linked

Okay, so you may be wondering if high blood pressure and cholesterol are linked. In short they are. Those with high cholesterol often have high blood pressure, as well. As we explained earlier in this blog, your blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against your arteries. If your arteries are clogged with cholesterol build up, your heart has to work harder and harder to push the blood through your veins. The harder your heart has to work, the higher your blood pressure rises. Unlike other muscles in your body, your heart becomes weaker and less efficient over time after having to work harder to perform basic functions.

Whats The Connection Between High Blood Cholesterol And Hypertension

Having one risk factor for heart disease means you need to be careful. Having two means you need to make some significant changes in your life.

Scientists have found that when people have more than one risk factor, like high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure, these factors work together to make risk of heart disease much worse.

Even if your cholesterol and blood pressure levels are only mildly elevated, when they are both present in your body, they can interact with each other to more quickly damage your blood vessels and your heart. If not controlled, they eventually set the stage for heart attack and stroke, as well as other problems like kidney malfunction and vision loss.

If youve already been diagnosed with high blood cholesterol, watch those blood pressure numbers like a hawk! These two risk factors like to hang out together. But if youre aware of whats happening, you can win the battle for your health.

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Cholesterol And High Blood Pressure

Though high blood pressure appears linked to cholesterol levels, doctors continue to study exactly how. High cholesterol seems to trigger inflammation and the release of certain hormones that causes blood vessels to tighten or âconstrictâ and so raises blood pressure. Doctors call it âendothelial dysfunction, when blood vessels behave this way.

High blood pressure is also linked to heart disease.

Take Steps To Control Both Risk Factors

The good news is that both of these risk factors are very manageable. Medications are available that are effective at keeping both high cholesterol and high blood pressure under control. The important thing is to stay in communication with your doctor, and to watch your numbers carefully.

You can also adopt lifestyle changes that can naturally fortify your heart and blood vessels and help you resist any damaging effects. Try these tips:

• Dont smoke or quit smoking.
• Stay active exercise at least 30 minutes a day, and work some resistance training in two times a week.
• Eat a healthy diet that includes lots of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats like those found in fish and nuts.

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Three Important Diabetes Measures

There is so much to think about when you have diabetes, but this easy-to-remember acronym will help you focus on what’s important and take control of your health. Read our breakdown and talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.Don’t Miss: 12 Healthy Ways to Lower Your Blood Sugar

A = AIC

What is it?An A1C blood test measures the percentage of hemoglobin coated with sugar. It measures your average blood glucose level over the past two to three months. The A1C test gives you and your health care provider a measure of your progress. Most people with diabetes should have an A1C test every three to six months people who are meeting their treatment goals may need the test only twice a year.Why is it important?The A1C test is a good measure of how well your glucose is under control. It can also be a good tool for determining if someone with prediabetes is progressing toward or has developed type 2 diabetes. Adults over age 45 with hypertension, obesity, or a family history of diabetes also are advised to get an A1C test because they have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Finding out you have an elevated A1C is a cue to make positive changes to your lifestyle.What do the numbers mean?

• 5.7% or lower = normal blood glucose levels
• 5.86.4% = elevated blood glucose levels
• 6.5% or higher = diabetes

B = Blood pressure

What do the numbers mean?

C = Cholesterol

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Warfarin Benefits Outweigh Risks In Ckd

A Swedish study has concluded that the benefits of anticoagulation with warfarin outweigh the risks in patients with chronic kidney disease , even for those with the most severe kidney damage. The research showed warfarin treatment reduced the risk of thrombotic events in post-MI patients with atrial fibrillation and CKD, without increasing their risk of bleeding.

The study included 24,317 patients who survived an MI and had atrial fibrillation with or without chronic kidney disease. Over 12 months of follow-up, the patients treated with warfarin had an 18% lower relative risk of recurrent MI, stroke, or death than the untreated patients had risk of hemorrhage was the same. The same pattern occurred among those patients with CKD and across different levels of severity of CKD. Warfarin treatment resulted in 18%, 17%, 13%, and 20% reductions in the risk of recurrent MI, stroke, or death among patients with eGFR > 60, > 30-60,> 15-30, and < 15, mL/min, respectively, without an increase in bleeding risk.

International kidney disease guidelines were recently modified to advise caution with warfarin use in patients with CKD because of their increased bleeding risk, while the National Institute for Health Care and Excellence , the British healthcare quality agency, continues to note that little is known about the benefits vs. risks of treatment in patients with CKD in draft-updated atrial fibrillation guidance published earlier this year.

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Population Samples Field Methods

INTERMAP included men and women ages 40â59 years from 17 random population samples in Japan , PRC , UK , and USA . Participants were selected randomly from population lists, stratified by age/gender . Staff were trained and certified for BP measurement by international/national senior colleagues based on a common standardized protocol . Each participant attended four times, visits 1 and 2 on consecutive days, visits 3 and 4 on consecutive days on average 3 weeks later. For BP measurement, each participant — having emptied his/her bladder — was seated comfortably for five minutes, feet flat on the floor, in a quiet room, with no physical activity in the preceding half hour. Korotkoff sounds I and V were criteria for systolic BP and diastolic BP . BP was measured twice at each visit with a random zero sphygmomanometer BP at each visit was the average of the two readings. Measurements of height and weight, and questionnaire data on daily alcohol consumption over the previous seven days were obtained at two visits . Dietary data were collected at each visit by a trained certified interviewer with use of the in-depth multi-pass 24-hr recall method . All foods and drinks consumed in the previous 24 hours, including dietary supplements, were recorded. Questionnaire data were obtained on demographic and other possible confounders. Quality control throughout field surveys was on-going and extensive at international, national, and local levels .

Misconception: If The Nutrition Facts Label Shows No Cholesterol The Food Is Heart Healthy

A foods Nutrition Facts label can be helpful for choosing heart-healthy foods, if you know what to look for.

Many foods marketed as low-cholesterol have high levels of saturated or trans fats, both of which raise blood cholesterol.

Look for how much saturated fat, trans fat and total calories are in a serving. Ingredients are listed in descending order of use, so choose products where fats and oils are near the end of the ingredients list.

Learn more about fats.

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Foods That Lower Cholesterol

If you’re not one of the 1 in 300 people Braun estimates has an inherited form of high cholesterol, you may be able to lower your LDL cholesterol by adopting a healthier diet. The NLM recommends following these general guidelines:

• Avoid saturated fats and trans fats. Instead, opt for healthier fats such as those found in unsaturated oils like olive, canola and safflower.
• Limit foods containing cholesterol. These are typically animal-based foods such as organ meats, egg yolks and whole-milk dairy products.
• Eat foods high in soluble fiber. Enjoy whole-grain cereals, fruits and beans. The fiber helps keep your body from absorbing cholesterol.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables in general. These have compounds called plant stanols or sterols that can also prevent your body from absorbing cholesterol.

In particular, the Mayo Clinic recommends the following foods that improve cholesterol levels that is, lowering your LDL cholesterol, raising your HDL, and lowering your triglycerides :

• Oatmeal or oat bran
• Fatty fish such as mackerel, herring, tuna, salmon and trout
• Almonds and other tree nuts
• Avocados
• Whey protein

Lifestyle Changes You Can Make

Of course, its always a good idea to regularly visit your PCP to ensure these readings and others are within a healthy range. Its also a good idea to check in with your PCP before implementing any lifestyle changes. If lifestyle changes alone arent able to lower these levels to a comfortable range, your doctor may prescribe medicine that can help. Setting good habits and managing your health in your 20s can help improve your wellbeing for years to come.

*Talk to your doctor before beginning any new exercise regime.

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Causes Of High Cholesterol

High cholesterol is a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease and a cause of heart attacks.

A build-up of cholesterol is part of the process that narrows arteries, called atherosclerosis. In atherosclerosis, plaques form and cause restriction of blood flow.

Reducing the intake of fat in the diet helps to manage cholesterol levels. In particular, it is helpful to limit foods that contain:

• Cholesterol: This is present in animal foods, meat, and cheese.
• Saturated fat: This occurs in some meats, dairy products, chocolate, baked goods, deep-fried, and processed foods.
• Trans fats: This occurs in some fried and processed foods.

Excess weight or obesity can also lead to higher blood LDL levels. Genetic factors can contribute to high cholesterol. People with the inherited condition familial hypercholesterolemia have very high LDL levels.

Other conditions that can lead to high cholesterol levels, include:

In adults, total cholesterol levels less than 200 milligrams per deciliter are considered healthy.

• A reading between 200 and 239 mg/dL is borderline high.
• A reading of 240 mg/dL and above is considered high.

LDL cholesterol levels should be less than 100 mg/dL.

• 100129 mg/dL is acceptable for people with no health problems but may be a concern for anyone with heart disease or heart disease risk factors.
• 130159 mg/dL is borderline high.
• 160189 mg/dL is high.
• 190 mg/dL or higher is considered very high.

• eat a heart-healthy diet
• achieve and maintain a healthy weight

Beeinflusst Cholesterin Den Blutdruck

Die Forscher kamen zu dem Schluss, dass selbst ein leicht erhöhter Cholesterinspiegel den Blutdruck beeinflussen könnte. Sie fügten hinzu, dass Cholesterin die Kontraktion und Freisetzung von Blutgefäßen zu stören scheint, was auch den Druck beeinflussen kann, der erforderlich ist, um Blut durch sie zu drücken.

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Is It High In Cholesterol In Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed oil is often portrayed as a healthy alternative to animal products and has become very popular in the last few decades. While some studies have found that flaxseed oil may have health benefits, its important to note that there are no human studies that have proven Flaxseed Oil lowers blood pressure. In fact, the National Institutes of Healths website states that There is no scientific evidence that supports the use of flaxseed oil for lowering blood pressure.

Flaxseed oil is commonly used for cooking, as a salad dressing, and in baked goods. It is also used as a nutritional supplement. According to some studies, flaxseed oil has been linked to improving cholesterol levels, but this claim is based on only a few human studies. Many people use flaxseed oil as hair and skin care products and flaxseed oil is natural omega 3. It is also used as a dietary supplement for its anti-inflammatory properties. Flaxseed oil does have a lot of good health benefits from studies done on animals, but it is important to note that the evidence of its health benefits on humans is still inconclusive.

Can I Take Eliquis Once A Day

No, Eliquis needs to be taken twice a day. This helps keep a steady level of the drug in your blood.

Certain other blood thinners can be taken once a day. These include warfarin , rivaroxaban and enoxaparin .

If youre interested in a blood thinner that you take only once a day, talk with your doctor.

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It Protects Against Inflammation

The benefits of collagen for taming inflammation in athletes and people with arthritis are well-known. But research suggests that collagen promotes heart health by inhibiting inflammatory chemicals that play a key role in the development of atherosclerosis. Glycine is known for its ability to mitigate inflammation, and some studies suggest that low levels of glycine increase the risk of heart attacks.

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How To Take Care Of Erectile Dysfunction In A Relationship

Erectile dysfunction is regularly referred to as the pairs illness, which is extremely fitting since it influences greater than just one partner. Stress on a couples sex life can overflow into other facets of your partnership. It is essential to talk with your companion if he is experiencing ED.

In some cases guys are embarrassed to talk about their ED or to see a doctor for it. Instead, they come to be remote from their companions. This can leave you feeling like he isnt interested in you or isnt brought in to you anymore this is seldom the problem.

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Simple Cooking Methods To Keep Foods Low In Fat

Some of the fat we eat comes from the cooking oils we use when frying. Try these simple tricks to help you eat less fat.

• Instead of frying foods, steam, boil, poach, grill, bake, microwave, barbecue or stir-fry them.
• Use only a small amount of oil, and choose oils high in polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fat.
• Try cooking with water or tomato juice.
• Measure oil using a teaspoon or tablespoon rather than pouring it straight into the saucepan, or use an oil spray.
• Skim the fat off sauces, gravy and casseroles.
• Trim meat of all visible fat and remove skin from poultry before cooking. Prepare curries and stews the day before and chill them overnight, this way unwanted fat becomes solid on the top and can be removed.
• When you grill or roast meat, use a trivet which allows the fat to drain off. Replace fatty ingredients with healthier alternatives, for example, use low-fat yoghurt or fromage frais in recipes that call for cream.