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Showing posts from November, 2024

Green tea for heart health and longevity

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  Researchers studied green tea’s ability to improve heart health and longevity in several key ways: Improved Endothelial Function - Green tea has been shown to enhance the function of endothelial cells, which are essential for the health of blood vessel walls. This improvement in endothelial cell function contributes to more flexible and relaxed arteries, facilitating efficient expansion during blood flow. Research, including a study conducted by Dr. Nikolaos Alexopoulos and colleagues, demonstrates that green tea intake leads to a rapid enhancement in endothelial function, which is vital in preventing atherosclerosis. Furthermore, green tea's effect on flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery in healthy individuals has been noted, indicating its role in diminishing cardiovascular risk. A specific study involving 14 healthy participants revealed that green tea consumption significantly increased FMD by 3.69% (peak at 30 minutes), underlining its acute positive impact o

Ezetimibe Lipid-Lowering Therapy Beyond Statins

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  Ezetimibe Lipid-Lowering Therapy Beyond Statins 1. Mortality and Cardiovascular Outcomes: Meta-analysis of 15 randomized controlled trials including 123,785 patients showed that intensified lipid-lowering therapy (ezetimibe, bempedoic acid, or PCSK-9 inhibitors) combined with statins reduced cardiovascular events by 19% (OR 0.81 [0.75-0.86]) compared to statin monotherapy Risk reductions were observed for: Myocardial infarction: OR 0.81 [0.74-0.89] Ischemic stroke: OR 0.77 [0.70-0.84] However, all-cause mortality was not improved (OR 0.99 [0.93-1.04]), even in studies with ≥3 years follow-up 2. Combination Therapy vs High-Intensity Statin Monotherapy: Analysis of 13 studies with 8,592 patients showed moderate-intensity statin plus ezetimibe (MIS+EZT) achieved: Higher rates of LDL <70 mg/dL (OR 1.76 [1.26-2.45]) Greater LDL reduction (-5.05 mg/dL [-9.02 to -1.07]) Greater total cholesterol reduction (-7.91 mg/dL [-14.90 to -0.91]) Greater triglyceride reduction (-8.20 mg/dL [-13.05