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Monday, May 26, 2025

The #1 Food To Lower Cholesterol, According To a Dietitian

Caitlin Bensel

As a registered dietitian, I often get asked about my go-to list of foods. One food I always mention is oats. There’s nothing like a steaming bowl of hot oatmeal with nuts and berries to comfort my soul on a gloomy morning. The goodness of oats goes beyond comfort, though. Recent research suggests that regularly eating oats may reduce total and LDL (harmful) cholesterol and lower cholesterol levels are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease………Continue reading….

By Novella Lui

Source: Eating Well

Critics:

Cholesterol composes about 30% of all animal cell membranes. It is required to build and maintain membranes and modulates membrane fluidity over the range of physiological temperatures. The hydroxyl group of each cholesterol molecule interacts with water molecules surrounding the membrane, as do the polar heads of the membrane phospholipids and sphingolipids, while the bulky steroid and the hydrocarbon chain are embedded in the membrane, alongside the nonpolar fatty-acid chain of the other lipids.

Through the interaction with the phospholipid fatty-acid chains, cholesterol increases membrane packing, which both alters membrane fluidity^[22] and maintains membrane integrity so that animal cells do not need to build cell walls (like plants and most bacteria). The membrane remains stable and durable without being rigid, allowing animal cells to change shape and animals to move.

The structure of the tetracyclic ring of cholesterol contributes to the fluidity of the cell membrane, as the molecule is in a trans conformation making all but the side chain of cholesterol rigid and planar. In this structural role, cholesterol also reduces the permeability of the plasma membrane to neutral solutes, hydrogen ions, and sodium ions. Cholesterol regulates the biological process of substrate presentation and the enzymes that use substrate presentation as a mechanism of their activation.

Phospholipase D2 (PLD2) is a well-defined example of an enzyme activated by substrate presentation. The enzyme is palmitoylated causing the enzyme to traffic to cholesterol dependent lipid domains sometimes called “lipid rafts“. The substrate of phospholipase D is phosphatidylcholine (PC) which is unsaturated and is of low abundance in lipid rafts. PC localizes to the disordered region of the cell along with the polyunsaturated lipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2).

PLD2 has a PIP2 binding domain. When PIP2 concentration in the membrane increases, PLD2 leaves the cholesterol-dependent domains and binds to PIP2 where it then gains access to its substrate PC and commences catalysis based on substrate presentation. Cholesterol is also implicated in cell signaling processes, assisting in the formation of lipid rafts in the plasma membrane, which brings receptor proteins in close proximity with high concentrations of second messenger molecules.

In multiple layers, cholesterol and phospholipids, both electrical insulators, can facilitate speed of transmission of electrical impulses along nerve tissue. For many neuron fibers, a myelin sheath, rich in cholesterol since it is derived from compacted layers of Schwann cell or oligodendrocyte membranes, provides insulation for more efficient conduction of impulses. Demyelination (loss of myelin) is believed to be part of the basis for multiple sclerosis.

Cholesterol binds to and affects the gating of a number of ion channels such as the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, GABA_A receptor, and the inward-rectifier potassium channel. Cholesterol also activates the estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα), and may be the endogenous ligand for the receptor. The constitutively active nature of the receptor may be explained by the fact that cholesterol is ubiquitous in the body.

Inhibition of ERRα signaling by reduction of cholesterol production has been identified as a key mediator of the effects of statins and bisphosphonates on bone, muscle, and macrophages. On the basis of these findings, it has been suggested that the ERRα should be deorphanized and classified as a receptor for cholesterol.

The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the epidermis.It is composed of terminally differentiated and enucleated corneocytes that reside within a lipid matrix, like “bricks and mortar.”Together with ceramides and free fatty acids, cholesterol forms the lipid mortar, a water-impermeable barrier that prevents evaporative water loss.

As a rule of thumb, the epidermal lipid matrix is composed of an equimolar mixture of ceramides (≈50% by weight), cholesterol (≈25% by weight), and free fatty acids (≈15% by weight), with smaller quantities of other lipids also being present.

Cholesterol sulfate reaches its highest concentration in the granular layer of the epidermis. Steroid sulfate sulfatase then decreases its concentration in the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the epidermis. The relative abundance of cholesterol sulfate in the epidermis varies across different body sites with the heel of the foot having the lowest concentration.

Animal fats are complex mixtures of triglycerides, with lesser amounts of both the phospholipids and cholesterol molecules from which all animal (and human) cell membranes are constructed. Since all animal cells manufacture cholesterol, all animal-based foods contain cholesterol in varying amounts.Major dietary sources of cholesterol include red meat, egg yolks and whole eggs, liver, kidney, giblets, fish oil, and butter. Human breast milk also contains significant quantities of cholesterol.

Plant cells synthesize cholesterol as a precursor for other compounds, such as phytosterols and steroidal glycoalkaloids, with cholesterol remaining in plant foods only in minor amounts or absent. Some plant foods, such as avocado, flax seeds and peanuts, contain phytosterols, which compete with cholesterol for absorption in the intestines, and reduce the absorption of both dietary and bile cholesterol.

A typical diet contributes on the order of 0.2 gram of phytosterols, which is not enough to have a significant impact on blocking cholesterol absorption. Phytosterols intake can be supplemented through the use of phytosterol-containing functional foods or dietary supplements that are recognized as having potential to reduce levels of LDL-cholesterol.

This statin alternative can lower blood cholesterol and prevent heart disease Knowridge Science Report 14:12

Earlier Today

Cheryl’s 99p superfood is perfect if you want glowing skin and low cholesterol The Mirror 08:35

Yesterday

Cholesterol Changes Linked to Higher Dementia Risk Prevention.com 17:26 Sat, 30 Nov

How blood cholesterol levels affect your brain health Knowridge Science Report 14:37 Sat, 30 Nov

Harvard student’s vegan diet experiment showed surprising cholesterol rise The Mirror 04:43 Sat, 30 Nov

Friday

Cholesterol – what about eggs? Deutsche Welle 10:59 Fri, 29 Nov

This common cholesterol-lowering drug may pose kidney risks Knowridge Science Report 05:12 Fri, 29 Nov

Thursday

Holiday Eating Tips To Keep Your Cholesterol in Check (No Need To Skip Dessert!) The Tribune, California 16:46 Thu, 28 Nov

Christmas market favourite that could help lower cholesterol Nottinghamshire Live 16:09 Thu, 28 Nov

Cholesterol Control Supplements Market to Reach USD 1,540.67 Million by 2034, Growing at a CAGR of 4.6% | Future Market Insights Inc. GlobeNewswire (Press Release) 13:01 Thu, 28 Nov

Natural ways to lower cholesterol and protect your heart Knowridge Science Report 05:17 Thu, 28 Nov

Wednesday

Unnoticed winter symptom could signal high cholesterol, warns health expert Cambridge News 21:34 Wed, 27 Nov

The Unique Type Of Apple Juice That Can Help Lower High Cholesterol Health Digest 17:06 Wed, 27 Nov

BBC Morning Live’s Dr Xand says ‘five hours of agony’ condition caused by high cholesterol The Mirror 15:42 Tue, 26 Nov

BBC Morning Live doctor says 1 in 10 have ‘incredibly painful’ cholesterol condition but don’t know Plymouth Live 15:40 Tue, 26 Nov

Monday

Easily-missed sign of high cholesterol you might miss when it’s cold outside Nottinghamshire Live 18:18 Mon, 25 Nov

Doctor says ‘superfood’ is as good as statins for lowering cholesterol and blood sugar The Mirror 15:37 Mon, 25 Nov

Drinking 5 cups of hot drink a day ‘could lower cholesterol‘ and help stop dementia Gloucester Live 15:33 Mon, 25 Nov

Cholesterol levels could be lowered with four foods – ‘alternatives to statins’ The Mirror 15:23 Mon, 25 Nov

High cholesterol warning sign that appears on the knuckles – what to look for The Mirror 10:12 Mon, 25 Nov

Best foods for slashing high cholesterol revealed and chocolate makes the list The Mirror 06:38 Mon, 25 Nov

In the last month

What Happens To Your Cholesterol When You Eat Canned Tuna Every Day (And The Risk You Shouldn’t Ignore) Health Digest 23:08 Sun, 24 Nov

Cholesterol ‘red flag’ warning sign on your hands should ‘ring alarm bells’ Nottinghamshire Live 17:02 Sun, 24 Nov

Chef Sat Bains shares ‘perfect breakfast’ recipe to lower cholesterol and improve heart health The Mirror 06:43 Sun, 24 Nov

Red flag high cholesterol symptom on your hands should ‘ring alarm bells’ The Mirror 06:39 Sat, 23 Nov

‘I went on a vegan diet and my cholesterol went up — here’s why’ Fox News 00:33 Sat, 23 Nov

Sunday, January 26, 2025

5 Ways To Manage Eczema During a Heat Wave, According To Dermatologists

Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health; Getty Images

People with eczema already have a compromised skin barrier, but extreme temperatures further disrupt it, Azadeh Shirazi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in San Diego, California, told Verywell.3..“Hot weather also increases sweating, which contains chemicals like sodium, chloride, nickel, and cadmium that cause skin irritation, worsening eczema,” said Shirazi. “Furthermore, heat causes water loss from the skin, dehydrating skin cells and depleting the moisture barrier. in the process…….Continue reading…

By Kayla Hui, MPH

Source: VeryWellHealth

Critics:

There are several types of dermatitis including atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, stasis dermatitis and seborrhoeic dermatitis. Dermatitis symptoms vary with all different forms of the condition. Although every type of dermatitis has different symptoms, there are certain signs that are common for all of them, including redness of the skin, swelling, itching and skin lesions with sometimes oozing and scarring.

Also, the area of the skin on which the symptoms appear tends to be different with every type of dermatitis, whether on the neck, wrist, forearm, thigh or ankle. Although the location may vary, the primary symptom of this condition is itchy skin. More rarely, it may appear on the genital area, such as the vulva or scrotum. Symptoms of this type of dermatitis may be very intense and may come and go. Irritant contact dermatitis is usually more painful than itchy.

Although the symptoms of atopic dermatitis vary from person to person, the most common symptoms are dry, itchy, red skin, on light skin. However, this redness does not appear on darker skin and dermatitis can appear darker brown or purple in color. Typical affected skin areas include the folds of the arms, the back of the knees, wrists, face and hands. Perioral dermatitis refers to a red bumpy rash around the mouth.

Dermatitis herpetiformis symptoms include itching, stinging and a burning sensation. Papules and vesicles are commonly present. The small red bumps experienced in this type of dermatitis are usually about 1 cm in size, red in color and may be found symmetrically grouped or distributed on the upper or lower back, buttocks, elbows, knees, neck, shoulders and scalp.

The symptoms of seborrhoeic dermatitis, on the other hand, tend to appear gradually, from dry or greasy scaling of the scalp (dandruff) to scaling of facial areas, sometimes with itching, but without hair loss. In newborns, the condition causes a thick and yellowish scalp rash, often accompanied by a diaper rash. In severe cases, symptoms may appear along the hairline, behind the ears, on the eyebrows, on the bridge of the nose, around the nose, on the chest, and on the upper back.

People with eczema should not receive the smallpox vaccination due to risk of developing eczema vaccinatum, a potentially severe and sometimes fatal complication. Other major health risks for people with dermatitis are viral and bacterial infections because atopic dermatitis patients have deficiencies in their proteins and lipids that have barrier functions along with defects in dendritic cells and as a result are unable to keep foreign invaders out, leading to recurring infections.

If left untreated, these infections may be life-threatening, so skin barrier improvement (such as daily moisturizing to minimize transepidermal water loss) and anti-inflammatory therapy are recommended as preventative measures. The cause of dermatitis is unknown but is presumed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The hygiene hypothesis postulates that the cause of asthma, eczema, and other allergic diseases is an unusually clean environment in childhood which leads to an insufficient human microbiota.

It is supported by epidemiologic studies for asthma. The hypothesis states that exposure to bacteria and other immune system modulators is important during development, and missing out on this exposure increases the risk for asthma and allergy. One systematic review of literature on eczema found that urban areas have an increased prevalence of eczema compared to rural areas.

While it has been suggested that eczema may sometimes be an allergic reaction to the excrement from house dust mites, with up to 5% of people showing antibodies to the mites, the overall role this plays awaits further corroboration. There have been various studies on the prevention of dermatitis through diet, none of which have proven any positive effect. Exclusive breastfeeding of infants during at least the first few months may decrease the risk.

There is no good evidence that a mother’s diet during pregnancy or breastfeeding affects the risk, nor is there evidence that delayed introduction of certain foods is useful. There is tentative evidence that probiotics in infancy may reduce rates but it is insufficient to recommend its use.

There is moderate certainty evidence that the use of skin care interventions such as emollients within the first year of life of an infant’s life is not effective in preventing eczema.In fact, it may increase the risk of skin infection and of unwanted effects such as allergic reaction to certain moisturizers and a stinging sensation. There has not been adequate evaluation of changing the diet to reduce eczema.

There is some evidence that infants with an established egg allergy may have a reduction in symptoms if eggs are eliminated from their diets. Benefits have not been shown for other elimination diets, though the studies are small and poorly executed. Establishing that there is a food allergy before dietary change could avoid unnecessary lifestyle changes. Bathing once or more a day is recommended, usually for five to ten minutes in warm water.

Soaps should be avoided, as they tend to strip the skin of natural oils and lead to excessive dryness. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests using a controlled amount of bleach diluted in a bath to help with atopic dermatitis. People can wear clothing designed to manage the itching, scratching and peeling. House dust mite reduction and avoidance measures have been studied in low quality trials and have not shown evidence of improving eczema.

Low-quality evidence indicates that moisturizing agents (emollients) may reduce eczema severity and lead to fewer flares. In children, oil–based formulations appear to be better, and water–based formulations are not recommended. It is unclear if moisturizers that contain ceramides are more or less effective than others. Products that contain dyes, perfumes, or peanuts should not be used. Occlusive dressings at night may be useful.

Some moisturizers or barrier creams may reduce irritation in occupational irritant hand dermatitis, a skin disease that can affect people in jobs that regularly come into contact with water, detergents, chemicals or other irritants. Some emollients may reduce the number of flares in people with dermatitis.

If symptoms are well controlled with moisturizers, steroids may only be required when flares occur. Corticosteroids are effective in controlling and suppressing symptoms in most cases. Once daily use is generally enough. For mild-moderate eczema a weak steroid may be used (e.g., hydrocortisone), while in more severe cases a higher-potency steroid (e.g., clobetasol propionate) may be used. In severe cases, oral or injectable corticosteroids may be used.

While these usually bring about rapid improvements, they have greater side effects. Long term use of topical steroids may result in skin atrophy, stria, and telangiectasia. Their use on delicate skin (face or groin) is therefore typically with caution. They are, however, generally well tolerated. Red burning skin, where the skin turns red upon stopping steroid use, has been reported among adults who use topical steroids at least daily for more than a year.

There is little evidence supporting the use of antihistamine medications for the relief of dermatitis. Sedative antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, may be useful in those who are unable to sleep due to eczema. Second generation antihistamines have minimal evidence of benefit. Of the second generation antihistamines studied, fexofenadine is the only one to show evidence of improvement in itching with minimal side effects.