Vitamin C may reduce cancer-linked digestive chemical reactions

In continuation of my update on Vitamin C

A new study from the University of Waterloo uses mathematical modeling to examine how Vitamin C affects chemical reactions in the digestive system that are linked to cancer development. 

Over the last several decades, North American diets have seen a steady increase in exposure to nitrates and nitrites: compounds found in cured meats as well as fruits and vegetables grown using polluted soil and water. While nitrates and nitrites play important roles in neurological and heart health, in the stomach, they can undergo a chemical reaction known as "nitrosation" and form chemicals that many scientists suspect increase cancer risk. 

Since at least the 90s, researchers have been studying the link between cancer and these compounds, with conflicting results. Our work suggests that the presence of dietary Vitamin C may help explain these inconsistencies." 

Dr. Gordon McNicol, post-doctoral researcher in applied mathematics and first author of the study

The team built a mathematical model of the salivary glands, stomach, small intestine and plasma, and simulated how nitrites and nitrates move through the body and change over time. Their model demonstrated that when Vitamin C is also present in food, such as leafy greens like spinach, which contain both Vitamin C and nitrate, it could decrease cancer risk. 

The study also suggested that taking Vitamin C supplements after each meal could have a moderate positive effect in reducing the formation of nitrosation products associated with cancer risk from dietary nitrites and nitrates, such as those found in foods like bacon and salami. 

The researchers hope these findings will support future nutrition research. 

"This work provides a mechanistic roadmap for future clinical and laboratory studies by identifying the key interacting drivers of these potentially harmful chemical reactions, including nitrite exposure, antioxidant intake, meal timing, gastric conditions and oral microbiome activity," said Dr. Anita Layton, professor of applied mathematics and Canada 150 researcher chair. "This model can help researchers design more targeted experiments and interventions, focusing on when and in whom nitrosation is most likely to occur." 

The research, "Vitamin C as a nitrosation inhibitor: A modelling study across dietary patterns and water quality," appears in the Journal of Theoretical Biology.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002251932600069X?via%3Dihub

Vitamin C may reduce cancer-linked digestive chemical reactions

Is Green Tea a Fad or a Real Health Boost?

In continuation of my updates on Green tea

Green tea is a popular health trend, with many people sipping in hopes of deriving benefits from the brew.

There's nothing wrong with that, dietitians say -- green tea is a healthy drink loaded with antioxidants. But the jury's still out on many of its purported health benefits.

"Clinical trials related to green tea are still in their early stages," said Nancy Farrell Allen, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Fredericksburg, Va. "I say drink it, enjoy it. It's not going to hurt, and it might have worthy benefits to it. But nutrition is a science, and it takes time for our understanding to evolve."

Green tea's potential health benefits derive from catechins, which are powerful antioxidant compounds known as flavonoids, said Chelsey Schneider, clinical nutrition supervisor at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Cancer Center in New York City.

One catechin in particular, known as EGCG, is found at higher levels in green tea than in either white or black tea, she said.

"This compound can be even stronger than vitamin C and E, which are very, very strong antioxidants," Schneider said. Antioxidants help prevent damage to cells.

Green, black and white tea all come from the same plant, said Allen, who is a spokeswoman for the Academy of Dietetics and Nutrition.

Green tea is made from the leaves of the mature plant, while white tea is made of leaves plucked early in development. Black tea is made from green tea leaves that are laid out and covered with a damp cloth, she said.

"They dry and blacken and ferment a little, giving black tea that darker, richer flavor," Allen said. But this process also reduces levels of catechins in black tea.

Weight loss has been associated with green tea, with experts suggesting that its mixture of caffeine and catechins can enhance a person's metabolism and processing of fat, according to the University of California-Davis Department of Nutrition.

But it appears that folks have to drink a lot of green tea to get substantial weight loss benefits and carefully watch the rest of their diet, UC-Davis says.

Green tea also has been tied to heart health.

For example, green tea was shown to reduce "bad" LDL cholesterol in a 2018 study of more than 80,000 Chinese published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Evidence suggests catechins in green tea also could lower risk of heart attacks, help blood vessels relax and reduce inflammation, UC-Davis says.

Green tea even has been associated with a lower risk of some cancers.

The American Cancer Society says studies have linked green tea to a reduction in ovarian cancer risk. And UC-Davis said experimental models have shown that green tea might reduce risk of a variety of other cancers.

But a 2016 evidence review by the Cochrane Library concluded that there is "insufficient and conflicting evidence to give any firm recommendations regarding green tea consumption for cancer prevention."

Schneider said the research is limited. "Some small studies say green tea can maybe be preventative for certain cancers, like breast, ovarian, endometrial, pancreatic and oral cancers, but there aren't so many conclusive human trials that support that," she said.

Green tea also might help keep your brain younger. A 2014 study in the journal PLOS One found that Japanese who drank more green tea had significantly less decline in brain function, although researchers couldn't rule out the possibility that these folks might have other healthy habits that helped keep them mentally sharp.

One caveat with all of this research is that it tends to take place in Asian countries, where people drink much more green tea. There might be significant differences for Americans.

And the way you take your green tea could diminish any potential positive effects, Schneider added.

"A lot of people are adding processed white sugar to their green tea, which really makes something beautiful and healthy into something unhealthy," she said.

Adding milk or cream to your tea also might not be a good idea.

"There are some studies that say having milk in green tea can actually block the effects of you absorbing the antioxidant," Schneider said. "If it was me, I'd drink it straight up."

FDA Approves Ascor (Ascorbic Acid Injection, USP) for the Treatment of Scurvy

McGuff Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of McGuffCompany, Inc. announces the United States Food and Drug Administration’s New Drug Approval (NDA) of Ascor (Ascorbic Acid Injection, USP). Ascor is provided in a 50 mL vial labeled as a Pharmacy Bulk Package with a strength of 500mg/mL.

Ascor is vitamin C indicated for the short term (up to 1 week) treatment of scurvy in adult and pediatric patients age 5 months and older for whom oral administration is not possible, insufficient or contraindicated.

Ascor is the first single moiety ascorbic acid drug approved for the US market and is the result of a multi-year development effort.

Ronald McGuff, CEO said "The FDA approval of Ascor Ascorbic Acid
Injection USP will allow McGuff Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to deliver this
medically necessary drug to US hospitals and pharmacies to improve
patient health. In addition, McGuff Pharmaceuticals, Inc. currently
holds Ascorbic Acid Injection USP approvals in multiple other
countries."

Animal studies examine role of raspberry products in weight management and motor function

 

The latest issue of the Journal of Berry Research includes two new animal studies that investigate the effects of raspberry consumption in helping to support healthy weight and motor function (strength, balance and coordination). Future studies are needed to support the results found in these studies.

One-cup of frozen red raspberries has only 80 calories, is an excellent source of vitamin C, and provides nine grams of fiber (more fiber than any other berry). Like most berries, raspberries are a low-glycemic index food. Raspberries contain phytochemicals, such as ellagic acid, quercetin, gallic acid, cyanidins, pelargonidins, catechins, kaempferol and salicylic acid.

Animal and cellular studies examining how phytochemicals may work at the molecular level suggest that certain phytochemicals may help slow age-related declines. Age is the number one risk factor for many chronic diseases. Likewise, obesity is a major risk factor for chronic disease. These latest animal studies examine two important areas of health where raspberry products may play a role in weight management and also support motor function.

OBESITY

An animal study conducted by researchers at Oregon State University found that when added to a high-fat, high-sucrose diet, raspberry products and raspberry phytochemicals were found to significantly decrease weight gain associated with a high-fat, high calorie diet. Raspberry juice and raspberry puree concentrates were provided at 10% of total energy (the equivalent of 200 calories in a 2,000 calorie diet), and a combination of ellagic acid and raspberry ketone were provided at 0.2% weight/weight.

In the study, 76 male mice were divided into the following diets: a low-fat control group (10% calories from fat), a high-fat control group (45% calories from fat) and seven "high-fat treatment" groups that included a high-fat diet plus either raspberry juice concentrate, raspberry puree concentrate, raspberry fruit powder, raspberry seed extract, raspberry ketone and a combination of equal parts of ellagic acid and raspberry ketone.

"The addition of raspberry juice concentrate, raspberry puree concentrate and the combination of ellagic acid plus raspberry ketones to the high fat diet significantly reduced weight gain observed in the high-fat fed mice," said Dr. Neil Shay, Principal Investigator. "In the case of the high-fat and raspberry juice concentrate diet, weight gain was reduced to a level that was statistically equivalent to the weight gain of the low-fat fed mice, despite the fact that all high-fat fed groups consumed the same amount of calories and more energy than the low-fat control group throughout the study."

The researchers concluded that the intake of a reasonable level of some raspberry food products may influence some of the metabolic consequences of consuming a high-fat, high-calorie diet in the development of obesity in male mice.

"We hope that the findings from this study can help guide the design of future clinical trials," said Dr. Shay.

MOTOR FUNCTION

Researchers from the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University evaluated the effectiveness of a red raspberry-supplemented diet on age-sensitive measures of learning, memory and motor performance in older rats.

In this 10-week study, red raspberry supplementation was found to significantly improve motor skills. Specifically, compared to rats fed a standard well-balanced diet, rats fed a diet supplemented with freeze-dried raspberry extract performed better on tests which measured psychomotor coordination and balance, as well as tests that measure muscle tone, strength, and stamina.

"These results may have important implications for healthy aging," said lead researcher Barbara Shukitt-Hale, PhD. "While further research in humans is necessary, animal model studies are helpful in identifying deficits associated with normal aging."

One-third of osteoporotic women taking oral bisphosphonates have elevated risk for bone fracture

Chemical structure of pyrophosphate (A, above) and bisphosphonates (B, below). P = phosphorus, O = oxygen, H = hydrogen, C = carbon, R = side chain. In bisphosphonates, the central oxygen atom is replaced with a carbon atom. All bisphosphonates share a common phosphorus-carbon-phosphorus motif with two side chains (R1 and R2 in the figure). The R2 side chain determines the chemical properties of the drug, and distinguishes individual types of bisphosphonates. This chemical structure affords a high affinity for calcium hydroxyapatite, allowing for rapid and specific skeletal targeting.

More than 53 million Americans age 50 and older, primarily women, have osteoporosis or are at high risk for the condition due to low bone density. A recent study of oral bisphosphonates, the most commonly prescribed osteoporosis treatment, found that approximately a third of women prescribed these drugs continue to be at elevated risk for bone fracture, an outcome that may have several origins.

Oral bisphosphonates are a pillar of preventive treatment for patients with osteoporosis and have been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of disabling bone fractures. It is known from clinical trials that no medication completely eliminates the risk of fracture. Additionally, medication effectiveness may be different in clinical practice compared to well-controlled research trials.

Research from the Regenstrief Institute-Merck (Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.) collaboration suggests that many women still have indicators consistent with higher risk of fracture while taking these medications. The cross-sectional population health study was based on a retrospective database analysis of 7,435 women age 50 and older taking bisphosphonates for at least two years during the 2000-2012 time period. The analysis was published in the peer-reviewed journal Bone.

"While we found that a substantial proportion of patients who took oral bisphosphonates remain at risk for hip, spine, and other major fractures, this class of drug does improve bone density in the majority of patients and should remain a mainstay of osteoporosis management," said Erik Imel, M.D., the Indiana University School of Medicine endocrinologist and Regenstrief Institute-affiliated scientist who led the study.

"We limited our study to patients who were considered to be compliant with taking their medication, based on drug dispensing days covered, with the presumption being that those who filled prescriptions took the medication properly. We would expect even less benefit if patients fail to take their medication properly. To increase treatment effectiveness, patients and their doctors should be vigilant that the drug is taken reliably and properly. However, osteoporosis drugs are not enough. Physicians and their patients are well advised to discuss additional important modifications to decrease fall risk and fracture risk. These include exercise, smoking cessation, use of assistive devices such as canes or walkers, modifying the home to avoid obstacles that might lead to falls, and taking appropriate amounts of vitamin D and calcium."

Conducted under the auspices of a Regenstrief Institute-Merck collaboration, the retrospective cohort study utilized anonymized data from the Indiana Network for Patient Care, a health information exchange founded by the Regenstrief Institute. The study authors note that the data they used reflects real-life medical practice and patient behavior from a wide range of physicians and patient backgrounds. Adherence to bisphosphonate therapy was determined by prescription fulfillment records. Clinical data included information on bone density and fractures.

"We know that taking bisphosphonates decrease fracture risk compared to those not taking these drugs," Dr. Imel said. "But what about those women who weren't getting the anticipated benefit and are not improving bone density or even are losing bone density? What predicted that? The purpose of this study was to focus attention on those not doing well, in order to begin to decrease the odds of future fractures in this large group of vulnerable patients.

"Not everyone responds the same way to oral bisphosphonates or any drug. Various factors could convey continued risk of fracture in spite of bisphosphonate therapy, including other medical problems and risk factors for falling. Since we know that such a high percentage of women continue to have elevated fracture risk we -- doctors and patients -- need to focus on these factors," Dr. Imel said. "For example, we found that women who had other medical conditions in addition to low bone density--a frequent occurrence in this older population--had higher fracture risk. Taking some medications in combination with bisphosphonates seemed to increase fracture risk. However, having more medical conditions and taking more drugs are most likely markers of heightened risk rather than causative factors."

Neurologic problems, often linked to heightened risk of falls, as well as inflammatory and other chronic joint conditions including arthritis were found to be associated with higher odds of having a fracture among those taking bisphosphonates.

"I always tell my osteoporosis patients, 'Don't fall,'" said Dr. Imel. "They usually chuckle, and then we talk about things they can do to decrease the risk of falling, including proper footwear and assistive devices. Many patients are reluctant to use a cane or a walker. I try to get them to understand the importance of using any tool that decreases the chance of falling."

Health Benefits of Ragi | Medindia

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) also known as Ragi in India is one of the important cereals which occupies the highest area under cultivation among the small millets. The state of Karnataka is the largest producer of ragi in India. Ragi is a crop which can withstand severe drought conditions and can be easily grown throughout the year. Nutritionally, when ragi is used as a whole grain, it is higher in protein and minerals in comparison to all other cereals and millets. It is a remarkable source of protein, making it perfect for vegetarian diets.....

 

Finger millet contains important amino acids viz., isoleucine, leucine, methionine and phenyl alanine which are not present in other starchy meals. It has the highest amount of calcium (344 mg %) and potassium (408 mg %). Ragi is a great source of iron making it beneficial for individuals with low hemoglobin levels.        

Millets also contains B vitamins, especially niacin, B6 and folic acid. Some of the health benefits of ragi are attributed to its polyphenol and dietary fiber contents. Due to its high content of polyphenols and dietary fiber ragi exhibits anti-diabetic and antioxidant and antimicrobial properties; it protects against tumors and atherosclerosis (narrowing and hardening of blood vessels). Being low in fat and gluten free, ragi is easy to digest. It is therefore, given as first foods to babies in the form of ragi porridge.

Malted ragi grains are ground and consumed, mixed with milk, boiled water or yogurt. In southern parts of India, it is a recommended food, by doctors, for infants of six months and above because of its high nutritional content. Homemade ragi malt is one of the most popular infant foods till date.  Malting characteristics of finger millet are superior to other millets. On malting the vitamin-C is elaborated, phosphorus availability is increased, digestion is easier and amino acids are synthesized. In south India, the malted ragi flour is extensively used in preparation of weaning foods, instant mixes and beverages.

Despite finger millet's rich nutrient profile, low cost and easy availability recent studies indicate its lower consumption in general by urban Indians. Obesity has become a matter of health concern in India. Unhealthy foods have increasingly become a part of the food choices made by youth. Large populations of children in the country are malnourished and are deficient in calcium and protein. The millet ragi then could be the answer to all the above problems relating to nutrient deficiencies. Ragi is truly a wonder cereal grain and should be consciously incorporated in the diets in one way or the other.

 

Health Benefits of Ragi | Medindia

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is extraordinarily sensitive to killing by a vitamin C-induced Fenton reaction : Nature Communications : Nature Publishing Group

In a striking, unexpected discovery, researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have determined that vitamin C kills drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) bacteria in laboratory culture. The finding suggests that vitamin C added to existing TB drugs could shorten TB therapy, and it highlights a new area for drug design.

Dr. Jacobs and his colleagues observed that isoniazid-resistant TB bacteria were deficient in a molecule called mycothiol. "We hypothesized that TB bacteria that can't make mycothiol might contain more cysteine, an amino acid," said Dr. Jacobs. 

"So, we predicted that if we added isoniazid and cysteine to isoniazid-sensitive M. tuberculosis in culture, the bacteria would develop resistance. Instead, we ended up killing off the culture  something totally unexpected."

The Einstein team suspected that cysteine was helping to kill TB bacteria by acting as a "reducing agent" that triggers the production of reactive oxygen species (sometimes called free radicals), which can damage DNA.

"To test this hypothesis, we repeated the experiment using isoniazid and a different reducing agent vitamin C," said Dr. Jacobs. "The combination of isoniazid and vitamin C sterilized the M. tuberculosis culture. We were then amazed to discover that vitamin C by itself not only sterilized the drug-susceptible TB, but also sterilized MDR-TB and XDR-TB strains."

To justify testing vitamin C in a clinical trial, Dr. Jacobs needed to find the molecular mechanism by which vitamin C exerted its lethal effect. More research produced the answer: Vitamin C induced what is known as a Fenton reaction, causing iron to react with other molecules to create reactive oxygen species that kill the TB bacteria.

"We don't know whether vitamin C will work in humans, but we now have a rational basis for doing a clinical trial," said Dr. Jacobs. "It also helps that we know vitamin C is inexpensive, widely available and very safe to use. At the very least, this work shows us a new mechanism that we can exploit to attack TB.".....

Ref : http://www.einstein.yu.edu/news/releases/907/study-finds-vitamin-c-can-kill-drug-resistant-tb/


Mycobacterium tuberculosis is extraordinarily sensitive to killing by a vitamin C-induced Fenton reaction : Nature Communications : Nature Publishing Group

Can Brightly Colored Fruits, Veggies Protect Against ALS? - Drugs.com MedNews

Researchers from Harvard School of Public Health have,  found that increasing consumption of carotenoids, particularly beta-carotene and lutein, might reduce the risk for this progressive neurological disease, which attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

Carrots, yams and mangoes are rich in beta-carotenes, and spinach, collard greens and egg yolks are good sources of lutein. The study found, however, that diets rich in the antioxidants lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin and vitamin C do not apparently reduce the risk for ALS, which causes the muscles to waste away and eventually results in paralysis.

"ALS is a devastating degenerative disease that generally develops between the ages of 40 and 70, and affects more men than women," senior study author Dr. Alberto Ascherio, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health, said in a journal news release. "Understanding the impact of food consumption on ALS development is important."

Analyzing information on more than 1 million people, the researchers identified nearly 1,100 cases of ALS. The researchers found that increased overall carotenoid intake -- especially among those who ate diets rich in beta-carotene and lutein -- seemed to be linked to a lower risk for the devastating condition. 

Those who ate more carotenoids daily also were more likely to exercise, have an advanced degree, have increased vitamin C intake and take vitamin C and E supplements.

The researchers pointed out, however, that long-term vitamin C supplements did not lower people's risk for this degenerative disease.

"Our findings suggest that consuming carotenoid-rich foods may help prevent or delay the onset of ALS," Ascherio concluded. "Further food-based analyses are needed to examine the impact of dietary nutrients on ALS."

 Ref : http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ana.23820/abstract

Can Brightly Colored Fruits, Veggies Protect Against ALS? - Drugs.com MedNews

When Having the Blues is a Good Thing: Blueberries & Cancer Prevention

In continuation of my up date on the usefulness of blue berries.

Now researchers from the Department of Nutrition Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, lead by Laura Newton have come up with another interesting finding about blue berries, i.e., as little as a cup a day can help prevent cell damage linked to cancer.

As per the claim by the researchers, free radicals, atoms that contain an odd number of electrons and are highly reactive, can cause cellular damage, one of the factors in the development of cancer; many believe a diet filled with fruits and vegetables may help reduce the risk. 

Lead researcher says

"Studies suggest that antioxidants may help prevent the free-radical damage associated with cancer"

Researchers add that, Blueberries also are rich in vitamin C, which helps the immune system and can help the body to absorb iron. "Vitamin C also helps to keep blood vessels firm, offering protection from bruising. Blueberry juice and other products may be nutritious but often contain less fiber than the whole fruit, and added sugar or corn syrup may decrease their nutritional value. Consuming fresh, raw blueberries provides the most benefits; the average serving size of raw blueberries is one cup, which contains about 80 calories...

More...

ProstaCaid (33-ingredient comprehensive polyherbal preparation) against prostate cancer......

We have seen  many benefits of natural products rich in  Quercetin,   Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and many other polyphenol antioxidant from natural products like green tea, broccoli peaches and plums. Interestingly, now researchers from  Columbia University have come up with an interesting finding, i.e., ProstaCaid is a 33-ingredient comprehensive polyherbal preparation with supplements of vitamin C, vitamin D3, zinc, selenium, quercitin, 3,3′-diinodolymethane (DIM), and lycopene was able to stop abnormal cell growth and induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in both hormone sensitive and hormone resistant prostate cancer cell lines at unusually low concentrations, which makes the findings more significant...

Herbal extracts include the extracts from turmeric root, saw palmetto berry, grape skin, pomegranate, pumpkin seed, pygeum bark, sarsaparilla root, green tea, and Japanese knotweed. Hence, it is rich in natural polyphenols, including quercetin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and ellagic acid, which have previously demonstrated anticancer potential. The unique formula contains 3 medicinal mushrooms grown on an herbal-enhanced medium. The mushrooms included are Phellinus linteus, Ganoderma lucidum, and Coriolus versicolor, each with known anticancer properties.

Researchers claim that, ProstaCaid was designed based on constituents that exhibit antiprolifetaive, antioxidant, and apoptotic activities; however, its efficacy and the mechanisms of action are yet to be examined. Researchers looked at the effectiveness of the preparation in suppressing several types of prostate cancer cell lines in culture and attempt to delineate the mechanism of action for justification in pursuing animal to determine efficicacy invivo.

Researchers conclude that, the anticancer activity of ProstaCaid may be ascribed to its polyphenolic flavonoids and curcuminoids derived from various herbs as well as other supplements, such as DIM. The preparation contains supplements such as quercetin (15%), Curcuma longa root extract complex with enhanced bioavailability (BCM-95; 20%), DIM (3%), and resveratrol (0.2%). Some of these components have shown a strong doseand time-dependent growth inhibition and apoptotic death in prostate cancer cells; 25 mM of quercetin inhibited about 50% PC3 cell growth for 72 hours. At 24 hours, 50 mM and 100 mM quercetin induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis, manifested by the decrease in G2/M-related protiens.

Researchers summarise  that,    ProstaCaid has anti-cancer activities in both AD and AI prostate cancer cells at very low concentrations (25 mg/mL). It also suggests that ProstaCaid inhibits cell growth and survival, at least through the inhibition of AKT and MAPK signaling. The effect on AI cell lines is especially of importance as there is presently no curative therapy for hormone refractory prostate cancer.

Researchers postulate that ProstaCaid may affect activity of Cdc2/cyclin B1 kinase by reducing this complex formation. Cdc2 could be dephosphorylated by Cdc25C and become inactive or be phosphorylated by protein kinase, such as Wee1, and then converted into an inactive form. They also suggest that more studies are needed in the future to test it and to define its upstream events in PC3 cells.

Ref : Jun Yan and Aaron E. Katz, Integr Cancer Ther 2010 9: 186

The Secret of Lowering Cholesterol Through Diet...

I am really happy to share an interesting and important article  'the secret of lowering cholesterol through diet' by  Deborah Land, who has written this article exclusively for the readers of  my blog.......

The Secret of Lowering Cholesterol Through Diet

a. The Myth of Cholesterol - the Bad and the Good:

Most people think that cholesterol is always bad, but there are actually two types of cholesterol. LDL is  considered the "bad" cholesterol, and HDL is considered the "good" cholesterol. If there is too much LDL in our bloodstream, it will form plaque on our arteries. Over time, this narrows our arteries and can eventually block blood flow completely. Dietary cholesterol actually isn't the primary reason for high cholesterol in the blood; it is high amounts of saturated fat and trans fat. To keep cholesterol low, you should eat unsaturated fats, eat fibrous foods, and exercise more.

b. Number Relevance in Cholesterol :
Every adult should have their cholesterol checked at least every 5 years. When you get a cholesterol test, you'll usually get back four different results. Here are the 4 categories and the healthy range you want to be in.

Total Cholesterol - less than 200 mg/dL (5.2 mmol/L);
LDL Cholesterol - less than 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L);
HDL Cholesterol - greater than 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L) &
Triglycerides - less than 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L).

If you are over or under the desired level on any category, it is usually indicative that a diet or exercise change is needed.

c. Heart Protection and Vitamin E:
Vitamin E, an important vitamin, is sourced in vegetable oils, nuts and leafy vegetables. Vitamin E can decrease your heart disease risk, but it will not prevent a heart attack.

d. Lowering Cholesterol with these Five Foods :
1. Oatmeal and Oat Bran: These contain a high amount of soluble fiber, which can lower LDL.
2. Fish: Fish is a great source of omega 3 fatty acids, which lowers LDL and raises HDL.
3. Nuts: Not only are nuts high in fiber, but they contain the healthy fats you need to keep LDL in check.
4. Plant Sterols: This is found in foods like margarine, salad dressing, orange juice, and functional cookies. 2  grams per day will lower your LDL by 10-15%.
5. Soy: This popular meat replacement can lower LDL by up to 3%.

e. Plant Sterols and Benefits to Health :
Foods such as VitaTops Muffin Tops, Benecol Spread, granola bars and fat free milk are rich sources of plant sterols. You can easily help your heart when you start eating foods packed with plant sterols and avoid eating foods that contain saturated fats. A saturated fat-filled diet is not canceled out by this. Exercising often as well as eating healthy food will keep your cholesterol in check.

About the Author - Deborah Land writes for Cholesterol Lowering Diet Blog  ,  her personal hobby blog focused on tips to eat healthy to prevent high cholesterol. I find the blog very informative, do visit for more details...