Cholesterol be warned… they are on a rampage and their coming for you. An international study of over 20,000, yes 20,000, people allowed researchers to identify 7 new genes that influence blood cholesterol levels and confirmed 11 other genes that were previously thought to influence high lipids.

Of the seven new variants, two influenced HDL, one influenced LDL, and three influenced triglycerides, which are found in fat and in the bloodstream and like LDL, are associated with increased risk of heart disease. One variant influenced triglycerides and LDL.

Will this bring us that much closer to new medications and treatments for high cholesterol? Will this aid in fighting heart disease? Yee ha science!

via Science Daily and University of Michigan

Post from: Blisstree

7 Genes Identified In High Cholesterol

Scientists have long reported that deaths from lung diseases, heart attacks and strokes are significantly higher on days with high pollution levels, the newspaper said.

This was reported out of Los Angeles, imagine that. A US study has shown the exposure to diesel exhaust can cause heart disease in people with high cholesterol. Hmm… Can’t anything trigger a heart attack in people with extremely high cholesterol?

This is why you always have to take research with a grain of salt. True diesel exhaust has been linked to lung cancer and asthma attacks, as well as DNA damage, but this is first to suggest that it can induce a heart attack. Just how is this possible you ask?

The report said diesel particles enter the body from the lungs and then react with fats in the arteries to alter how genes are activated.

Bottom line, more research needs to be done. I will keep you updated as it comes in.

via Science Daily

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Diesel Exhaust Can Trigger A Heart Attack

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Genetic Influence on Obesity

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Collagen IV α1 Gene and Stroke