Researchers at the University of Auckland examined the effects of calcium supplementation on heart attacks stroke and sudden death. 1,471 healthy post-menopausal women aged 55 years or over took part in the study. And just what did they find?

Dietary calcium intake was assessed and women were seen every six months over five years. Adverse events were recorded at each visit. Heart attacks were more commonly reported in the calcium group. The occurrence of any three vascular events (heart attack, stroke or sudden death) was also more common in this group.

The results are somewhat disturbing, don’t you think? I am sure that further research will take place on this subject. If these findings were to be accurate and correct then the increased risk of a heart attack would certainly out way the benefits of bone health!

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Calcium Increases Ones Chance Of A Heart Attack???

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

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7 Genes Identified In High Cholesterol

Could it be the ability to keep very sick hearts alive and working effectively for longer amounts of time then previous? Quite possibly! Could it be that even though there are more registered organ donors, our organs aren’t exactly what they used to be? High cholesterol, smoking, alcohol abuse and older donors… a different type of death.

What do you suppose is the solution? Well I do have 2 words for you… stem cells. I know how controversial and heated the debate is but just think what the implications could be if we were able to regenerate healthy heart tissue. Here is what the UK government has suggested.

The UK government is currently looking into turning our current system of “opting in” to being a donor, to “opting out”, where everybody is considered a donor unless they explicitly state otherwise. But this is a thorny issue, and there are some who believe that no matter how many people are dying on waiting list, the suggestion that the state presume control of our bodies is one step too far.

How do you feel about the above mentioned? Kind of interesting…

Post from: Blisstree

More Organ Donors But Less Heart Transplants

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