Diabetics are more susceptible to heart disease than the rest of the population—that's the bad news. The good news is a new study shows drinking a glass of red wine before bed can help to protect the heart from disease by  lowering bad cholesterol levels.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, in collaboration with health experts from Harvard School of Public Health and Leipzig University.

Over 220 type-2 diabetes patients were chosen to take part in the two-year-long trial. Each volunteer adhered to a Mediterranean diet and some of the volunteers were also told to drink a glass of red wine (150ml) with their dinner. The rest of the volunteers consumed white wine or mineral water. Subsequent testing revealed the red wine group had higher levels of good cholesterol than the members of the other two groups.

Good (HDL) cholesterol protects heart health by purging the arteries of bad (LDL) cholesterol.

The investigation was headed by Professor Iris Shai.

"This first long-term large scale alcohol trial suggests that initiating moderate wine intake, especially red-wine, among well-controlled type 2 diabetes patients, and as part of healthy diet, is apparently safe and decreases cardiometabolic risk," Shai said.

In recent years a number of studies have found a link between red wine consumption and lowered cholesterol levels and it has been suggested the French love of red wine may explain why the level of heart disease in France is so low, despite the high amount of red meat and high fat cheese that is consumed in the country each year.

Red wine contains a compound called resveratrol that is believed to provide many health benefits, and may also contribute to weight loss, but research suggests red wine's cholesterol lowering abilities are not due to its resveratrol content. The real cholesterol lowering compound is, as yet, unknown, but the statistics show red wine is more beneficial than white wine. 

The results of the new study were presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Prague last week.

Scientists in Ireland have identified a strain of gut-living bacteria that may be able to lower cholesterol levels. In fact, in tests conducted on laboratory mice, the bacteria successfully lowered cholesterol levels by 50%.

Human trials have been scheduled for later this month and researchers at the Teagasc Food Research Center in Moorepark, Co Cork, are currently trying to recruit 90 healthy male and female volunteers to try the special bacteria-providing yogurt for a duration of 12 weeks.

The project was funded by Enterprise Ireland and has a budget of €100,000

It is early days yet, but if the trial go well the cholesterol lowering yogurt may be brought to market in the near future.

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in most European countries and statistics show the problem is escalating in many of them, including Ireland. High cholesterol continues to be one of the main contributing factors so if the Lactobacillus mucosae bacteria can help to lower cholesterol in humans as well as it appears to be able to in mice it could have the potential to save lives.

Dr Catherine Stanton, who is one of the project leaders, said: "We did a large screen study of bacteria that ultimately led to the identification of a number of candidates and we then narrowed it down to just one strain, the lactobacillus mucosae, which are normally found in the human gut."

The scientists successfully managed to add the new cholesterol lowering bacteria to cheese and yoghurts.

"Through the animal studies we now know that it works," Dr Stanton said. "These animals had a high in fat, high cholesterol diet, but when we gave them the food products combined with the strain, their cholesterol was significantly reduced."

Several manufacturers have already shown an interest in the cholesterol lowering bacteria, but much still hangs on how well the bacteria works on human tests subjects. If all goes well though, it may not be long before people are eating cholesterol lowering yoghurt with their morning cup of coffee.

There's never been a better time to start eating your greens because broccoli just went hard core. The new Beneforté variety can reduce bad cholesterol levels by up to 6%.

Beneforté cholesterol lowering broccoli contains all the same nutrients as other varieties, but it has been specifically cultivated to provide a greater quantity of a compound called  glucoraphanin.

Glucosinolate is a natural antibiotic that also appears to be able to prevent the onset of arthritis and shows promise as an anti-cancer treatment. The new "Super Broccoli" contains two to three times as much glucosinolate as other varieties and trials led by the Institute of Food Research (IFR) show it can be a powerful ally in the fight against high cholesterol.

Together with researchers from the University of Reading (England), the IFR carried out two independent studies that examined the health-enhancing abilities of glucosinolate broccoli.

A total of 130 volunteers were involved and each one was given 400g of the super green per week, which was consumed along with their normal diets.

In the space of 12 weeks the research team members discovered the new broccoli had lowered the volunteers' (bad) cholesterol levels by an average of 6%.

The glucoraphanin provided by the new broccoli is believed to deliver such promising results by recalibrating the metabolism on a cellular level.  When the cells receive too much fat or sugar the excess can become cholesterol. Glucoraphanin prevents this from happening by helping to smooth the efficient conversion of fats into energy.

Beneforté cholesterol lowering cauliflower is now available to buy in many UK supermarkets.

High cholesterol is sometimes called "THE SILENT KILLER", and with good reason.  There are very few obvious symptoms of high cholesterol, so for many people the first indication that something is wrong can come in the form of a heart attack or stroke.

In Australia heart disease kills someone every 12 minutes and the picture is equally grim in many parts of Europe and North America. High cholesterol levels are a major contributing factor and statistics provided by the Centres for Disease and Control Prevention reveal (31.7%) of US citizens have elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). This is the bad kind of cholesterol that clogs up the arteries and causes heart attacks, so the fact that there are so few symptoms of high cholesterol present a real cause for concern. It may also explain why the statistics also show less than 48% of adults who have elevated LDL levels are getting the treatment the condition necessitates.

Symptoms of Angina
When the arteries and other blood vessels have been narrowed by a build of plaque, caused by LDL cholesterol, it can cause angina. Non-angina sufferers often fail to realize it, but angina is simply the name given to narrowed arteries.

Indications of angina can include:

• Chest pain or discomfort
  
• Pain in the back arms,  shoulder, jaw, or neck (usually accompanied by chest pain
  
• Breathlessness
  
• Nausea
  
• Fatigue
  
• Sweating
  
• Dizziness
  

One or more of the above could be a symptom of high cholesterol because in the case one condition (elevated LDL) can indicate the existence of another (angina).

Pain while Walking
Unexplained pains in the leg that are experienced while walking or standing  could be an indication that one or more of the arteries in the leg have become blocked, thereby reducing the flow of blood to the muscles. This could be due to the formation of a blood clot or a restriction in the width of the arterial passage, caused by a build-up of plaque.

Heart Attacks and / or Strokes
Sadly, for some people a heart attack stroke may be the first symptom of high cholesterol that is experienced. For some it may also be the last, but whenever such a dramatic wake-up call is experienced doctors will automatically carried a plethora of tests, including present cholesterol level, but it is far better to get to grips with the problem before such an event takes place.  Anyone can visit their doctor and ask for a cholesterol check and it is also possible to do a self-test at home.

Anyone who feels they have symptoms of high cholesterol, or who is unduly worried that their present diet, lifestyle, or family history may put them at risk, would be wise to undergo the necessary testing. In the main, most doctors continue to prescribe statin medications to bring LDL levels down to an acceptable level. But the associated side effects and potential dangers the drugs present make them an unpopular choice with many people who require a safe way to bring LDL down to a safe level. Hence the growing popularity of LDL lowering supplement like Lowerol [Lowerol review], but whatever the method used to get to grips with the problem the symptoms of high cholesterol should never be ignored.

A (162 g) bar of chocolate usually contains over 50g of fat and 13mg of cholesterol, so as far as healthy eating goes chocolate should be a definite no-no, but this may not be the case.

In February 2015, the British company, Lycotec, presented the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) with a dossier that extolled the virtues of their cholesterol-lowering chocolate and, not for the first time, the EFSA was not convinced of the chocolate's potential.

In a subsequent interview with Confectionary News, Lyoctec's CEO Ivan Petyaev stated his intention to resubmit the dossier and continue to push for the chocolate to be approved. But recent studies suggest Lycotec's product may not be as ground-breaking as it first appeared. Scientists in Germany are saying normal (dark) chocolate bars may also have cholesterol lowering abilities.

The study was conducted at the Institute of Diet and Health in Mainz, Germany. The scientists were initially exploring the possible benefits of dark chocolate, as a weight loss aid, when the cholesterol lowering benefits of the chocolate came to light.

The study was conducted over a period of weeks and the ages of the volunteers ranged from 19-67 years old.

The volunteers were split into three groups. Two groups were told to follow a low-carb diet, but one group was instructed to also eat 42g of dark chocolate (81% cocoa content) each day. The members of the third group were told to eat whatever they wished, without any restrictions.

At the end of the study the data revealed the members of the group that had eaten the chocolate had lost more weight than the members of the other two groups.  The data also showed a not insignificant drop in cholesterol.

Does this mean we should all go out and start stuffing ourselves with chocolate? Probably not, but the results certainly provide some food for thought.
     [Further Information at the International Archives of Medicine]

Everyone knows eating too much of the wrong kind of food can increase cholesterol levels, and there is a certain amount of truth to the old adage "you are what you eat", so discretion is certainly advisable when making food choices. Too many eggs, full-fat dairy products, and processed red meats can send cholesterol levels through the roof, but some foods have the opposite effect and can even help negate some of the damage caused by previous poor eating habits. So without further ado, let's take a look at a few smart food choices that can help lower cholesterol levels and may potentially save your life.

1. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is cheap and cheerful, reasonably tasty, and can help lower cholesterol. What more could anyone ask from a breakfast dish?  The reason oats are such a good food for lowering cholesterol is because they provide soluble fibre that can reduce the amount of cholesterol that is absorbed into the bloodstream.  In fact, eating just five to 10 grams of soluble fibre each day can make a big difference to the amount of (LDL) cholesterol that is circulating around the cardiovascular system.  Each 1 ½ cup portion of cooked oatmeal typically provides around 6 grams of fibre, so as a first meal of the day, a bowl of oats is a healthy choice that can get the day off to a good start, and eating a piece of fruit later in the day, such as a banana, will provide the extra 4 grams of fibre the body needs to get those pesky cholesterol levels under control.


2. Nuts

Crisps are bad. Cakes and biscuits are not much better, so what's a health conscious snack searcher expected to do?—go nuts my friend. No, not literally. A straight jacket is not required, just a handful of walnuts, pecans,  or almonds.

Nuts are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids that can help lower cholesterol.  In fact, eating just 40 grams of nuts per day can help reduce the risk of heart disease and, in the case of walnuts, also ensure healthy blood vessels.  A word of caution though, don’t get overenthusiastic about your new nut-munching habit. Nuts are a high-calorie food. If you eat too many you could really pile on the pounds. A handful a day should be sufficient.


3. Olive Oil

Olive oil provides a slick combination of antioxidants that can reduce bad (LDL) cholesterol levels without interfering with the good (HDL) cholesterol levels. Obviously nobody is suggesting olive oil should become a new favoured beverage, but substituting your usual cooking oil with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil is an effective way of making fried food a healthier option. It is also possible to use olive oil as a healthy salad dressing and, in Mediterranean countries, it is often spread over breads and toasts as a healthy alternative to butter. Like nuts though, olive oil is high in calories and should not be consumed in high quantities.


4. Soy

Soy is often claimed to be a good food for lowering cholesterol, and experts at the Mayo Clinic confirm the claim holds good, but the drop in cholesterol is unlikely to be significant. Soy can be a healthier alternative to red meats though, so substituting mince for soya is a very good way to lower the amount of cholesterol consumed.


5. Avocado

Avocados can also be a powerful ally in the fight against cholesterol.  In one study, conducted at the Pennsylvania State University (USA), volunteers were assigned to one of three groups, each of which was fed a slightly different diet

• Group 1: Low-fat diet.
  
• Group 2: Moderate-fat diet.
  
• Group 3: Moderate-fat diet with avocado.
  

The cholesterol levels of the members of the third group dropped by a significantly higher degree than those of the other two groups.

On reviewing the data obtained, nutrition expert Penny Kris-Etherton (Penn State University) said:  "I was surprised to see the added benefit [of the avocado] and the lead author of the study, tells us." It's something in the avocado" other than just the fat composition."

              "You are what you eat."  Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

The results of a new study indicated onions may have potential for lowering cholesterol and bringing down high blood sugar levels.

The study was carried out on laboratory rats that were suffering from medically induced diabetes. The rats were treated with metformin (a drug often used for treating diabetes) and they were also given doses of onion extract. The rats were split into three groups. One group received 200mg of onion extract, another was given 400mg, and the third group received 600mg.

Four control groups were also used in the study so that the results could be compared. 

• The first group (diabetic) did not receive metformin or onion extract.
  
• The second group (non-diabetic) was also denied either compound.
  
• The third group (diabetic) received metformin only.
  
• The fourth group (non diabetic) also received metformin without onion extract.
  

The rats' bodyweight was recorded on a daily basis to see if the onion extract enhanced the drug's performance.

When the data was compared the researchers discovered onion extract, when delivered at the two higher does (400mg per day + 600mg per day) caused a dramatic reduction in fasting blood sugar levels in the diabetic rats.

Although the study was primarily concerned with how the two compounds may interact together to lower blood sugar, the combination also lowered the total cholesterol level in the diabetic rats and, again, the higher does produced the best results.

The onion extract also appeared to trigger weight gain in the non-diabetic rats.

Anthony Ojieh, who headed the study, said: "Onion is not high in calories. However, it seems to increase the metabolic rate and, with that, to increase the appetite, leading to an increase in feeding."

The onion extract used was derived from normal onions such as can be purchased in stores and supermarkets and the preparation techniques involved were quite crude.  If the compound were to be tested on humans it would require further purification.

The findings were presented earlier this month, at The Endocrine Society's 97th annual meeting in San Diego.

Green is loaded with health providing antioxidants that can help prevent cancer and protect the body any number of diseases. Some studies even reveal green tea can help make you thin. As a beverage green tea has a lot to offer and some studies show it can even help keep cholesterol levels in check.

The cholesterol lowering abilities of green tea appear to be due to an antioxidant called EGCG that can stop cholesterol being absorbed through the large intestine.

In 2011 the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published the results of a study that showed green tea can lower serum cholesterol levels. Over 1,100 people took part in the study and the researchers concluded: "THz e analysis of eligible studies showed that the administration of green tea beverages or extracts resulted in significant reductions in serum TC and LDL-cholesterol [bad cholesterol] concentrations, but no effect on HDL cholesterol [good cholesterol] was observed.

But how much green tea is required to lower cholesterol? Many experts appear to agree that five cups per day should be sufficient.

Just days after a new study revealed cholesterol lowering statins can increase the likelihood of the onset of diabetes; a top health expert is calling for statin prescriptions to be put on hold. According to deputy chairman of the British Medical Association, Dr Kailash Chand, people who take statins are also more likely to develop Parkinson's disease.

The study that brought to light the connection between Statins and Parkinson's disease was conducted over a period of 20 years. Nearly 16,000 people took part and the results of the study have alarmed many medical experts because the figures suggest 150,000 statin users in Britain may develop the disease.

In the UK the amount of statin users has risen considerably in the last decade. Prior to 2005, the drugs were only prescribed to patients who were 30% more likely to suffer a heart attack within 10 years.  In 2005 this was lowered to 20%, and a 10-year plan was recently introduced to make lower risk patients (10%) eligible for statin prescriptions.

Dr Chand has used Statins himself and experienced terrible muscle pains (a common statin side effect) due to their use.

Speaking on Saturday, Dr Chand said: "The risks of side-effects of these drugs are far greater than any potential benefits and it is high time these drugs were restricted in the low-risk population."

Dr Xuemei Huang, who headed the study at Penn State College of Medicine in Pennsylvania, said:  "I think doctors are over-enamoured with statins and think it is a cure-all." He later added: "It is potentially harmful for these drugs to be given out so widely and randomly."

Scientists in Finland have discovered taking statins can increase the likelihood of getting diabetes by a whopping 46%.

The study was conducted by a team of researchers the University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, on 8,749 volunteers aged between 45 and 73. The study had duration of 6 yearAfter the necessary adjustments had been made for age, body mass index, family history, and lifestyle (smoking, alcohol, diet, exercise etc.) the scientists determined statin users are almost twice as likely to develop diabetes.

Speaking on Wednesday night, a leading cardiologist said the benefits offered by statins had been "grossly exaggerated".

Dr Aseem Malhotra from the UK's Frimley Park Hospital was in agreement.

"This study confirms that statins directly increase the risk of developing diabetes, "Malhotra said.

He then urged doctors to inform their patients of all the risks involved before issuing them with a prescription for statins.