Safety changes in labeling for cholesterol lowering drugs statins

FDA Announces Safety Changes in Labeling for Some Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs – Important safety changes to the labeling for some widely used cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins are being announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products, when used with diet and exercise, help to lower a person’s “bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol).

Physically active children have better cardiometabolic measures

Regardless of How Much Time Sedentary, Higher Amounts of Time Being Physically Active Associated With Better Cardiometabolic Measures Among Children – Higher amounts of time with moderate to vigorous physical activity were associated with better cardiometabolic risk factors (such as measures of cholesterol, blood pressure and waist size), regardless of the amount of time spent sedentary. National and international public health authorities agree that children and adolescents should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) daily.

Bexarotene cancer drug may reverse Alzheimer’s symptoms

Drug quickly reverses Alzheimer’s symptoms in mice — Case Western Reserve researchers discover FDA-approved drug rapidly clears amyloid from the brain and reverses cognitive defects – Neuroscientists at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have made a dramatic breakthrough in their efforts to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. The research shows that use of a drug in mice appears to quickly reverse the pathological, cognitive and memory deficits caused by the onset of Alzheimer’s.

Sugar sweetened drinks may increase heart risk in women

Sugar-sweetened beverages may increase cardiovascular risk in women – Drinking two or more sugar-sweetened beverages a day may expand a woman’s waistline and increase her risk of heart disease and diabetes. In a new study, researchers compared middle-aged and older women who drank two or more sugar-sweetened beverages a day, such as carbonated sodas or flavored waters with added sugar, to women who drank one or less daily.

New safety recommendations for high dose 80 mg simvastatin

FDA announces new safety recommendations for high-dose simvastatin — Increased risk of muscle injury cited – Patients taking simvastatin 80 mg daily had an increased risk of muscle injury. The risk of muscle injury is highest during the first year of treatment with the 80 mg dose of simvastatin, and is frequently associated with a genetic predisposition for simvastatin-related muscle injury or myopathy.

New form of cholesterol revealed in people at high risk of heart disease

Super-sticky ‘ultra-bad’ cholesterol revealed in people at high risk of heart disease – Scientists from the University of Warwick have discovered why a newly found form of cholesterol seems to be ‘ultra-bad’, leading to increased risk of heart disease. The discovery could lead to new treatments to prevent heart disease particularly in people with type 2 diabetes and the elderly.

Niacin and statin treatment did not protect heart

NIH stops clinical trial on combination cholesterol treatment — Lack of efficacy in reducing cardiovascular events prompts decision – The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health has stopped a clinical trial studying a blood lipid treatment 18 months earlier than planned.

High triglyceride levels linked to greater stroke risk

Increasing triglyceride levels linked to greater stroke risk — Study finds higher cholesterol levels only increase risk of stroke in men – Increasing levels of non-fasting triglycerides are associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke in men and women, revealed by researchers in Denmark.

Healthy habits in youth linked to better cholesterol levels

Adopting Healthy Habits in Youth Associated With More Favorable Cholesterol Levels in Early Adulthood – Lifestyle changes between childhood and adulthood appear associated with whether an individual will maintain, improve or develop high-risk cholesterol levels.

Metabolic syndrome common in psoriasis patients

Features of the metabolic syndrome common in persons with psoriasis – Individuals with psoriasis have a high prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, according to a report that will appear in the April_2011 print issue of Archives of Dermatology.

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