No description available.

Hypercholesterolaemia (high cholesterol) is a risk factor for atherosclerosis, a major contributor to cardiovascular disease. Much has been written on managing high cholesterol levels including the use of drug therapy and recommendations about beneficial lifestyle changes relating to nutrition and exercise in particular. Despite this, and the need for patients to engage in self management of a condition which may impact invisibly on their health, little is known about how people living with this risk factor actually manage.The purpose of this grounded theory study is to investigate people's process of living with high cholesterol. Eight participants with self reported high cholesterol levels were interviewed and their data analysed using the process of constant comparative analysis, open coding, selective coding and theoretical coding. A substantive theory in the area of patient self-management of high cholesterol levels was generated through the use of this approach. The theory developed was the basic social process of Maintaining Enjoyment of Life, with two supporting categories, Accepting and Getting On With It.Maintaining Enjoyment of Life was central to the participants' process of living with high cholesterol and the recommended health directives. The identification of this basic social process adds to our understanding of the influences on individuals' motivation for behaviour change and adherence to lifestyle changes. The findings of this study provide understanding that issues relating to behaviour change and adherence are not so much about denying that anything is wrong or not taking personal responsibility, but more about trying to hold on to something important, around which the participants' lives revolve. This is Maintaining Enjoyment of Life. By focussing on this basic social process, which is grounded in the participants' data, health professionals could work more effectively towards empowering patients to identify their own individualised strategies for self-management of high cholesterol. In addition, health directives could focus more on process rather than on do(s) and don't(s).

Hypercholesterolaemia (high cholesterol) is a risk factor for atherosclerosis, a major contributor to cardiovascular disease. Much has been written on managing high cholesterol levels including the use of drug therapy and recommendations about beneficial lifestyle changes relating to nutrition and exercise in particular. Despite this, and the need for patients to engage in self management of a condition which may impact invisibly on their health, little is known about how people living with this risk factor actually manage.The purpose of this grounded theory study is to investigate people's process of living with high cholesterol. Eight participants with self reported high cholesterol levels were interviewed and their data analysed using the process of constant comparative analysis, open coding, selective coding and theoretical coding. A substantive theory in the area of patient self-management of high cholesterol levels was generated through the use of this approach. The theory developed was the basic social process of Maintaining Enjoyment of Life, with two supporting categories, Accepting and Getting On With It.Maintaining Enjoyment of Life was central to the participants' process of living with high cholesterol and the recommended health directives. The identification of this basic social process adds to our understanding of the influences on individuals' motivation for behaviour change and adherence to lifestyle changes. The findings of this study provide understanding that issues relating to behaviour change and adherence are not so much about denying that anything is wrong or not taking personal responsibility, but more about trying to hold on to something important, around which the participants' lives revolve. This is Maintaining Enjoyment of Life. By focussing on this basic social process, which is grounded in the participants' data, health professionals could work more effectively towards empowering patients to identify their own individualised strategies for self-management of high cholesterol. In addition, health directives could focus more on process rather than on do(s) and don't(s).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 212-259).

M.Tech. / It is estimated that 4.5 million South Africans have hypercholesterolaemia. Atherosclerosis and stroke-related conditions have been identified by the South African Department of Health as priority diseases (South African Department of Health, 1998). Hypercholesterolaemia was estimated to have caused 4.6% of all deaths in South Africa in 2000 and is therefore an important cardiovascular risk factor in all population groups in South Africa (Norman et al, 2007). Panax ginseng is the botanical name for the plant commonly known as Korean ginseng. It is part of the Araliaceae botanical family. Korean ginseng has pharmacological actions including lowering serum cholesterol, improved functioning of the pituitary adrenal axis, enhanced protein synthesis and protection of the liver from hepatotoxins (Murray and Pizzorno, 2000a). The aim of the research was to evaluate the effect of Panax ginseng 1X on the total plasma cholesterol level of adult males between the ages of eighteen and fifty years. A sample group of thirty participants was recruited. Interested participants attended an initial interview where they were screened using a questionnaire and physical examinations and were instructed to have a blood test done to determine whether they qualified to take part in the study. Inclusion criteria comprised: adult males between the ages of eighteen and fifty years, total plasma cholesterol level between 4.0 and 6.19 mmol/l and not more than one major cardiovascular risk factor as classified by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (U.S Department of Health and Human Services, 2001). Participation in the study was voluntary and participants were free to refuse treatment or withdraw from the study at any time. Since standardised Panax ginseng in normal therapeutic doses is rarely associated with side-effects, the anticipated risk for participants in the study was minimal (Murray and Pizzorno, 2000a). The total plasma cholesterol levels were measured by Lancet Laboratories. Body weight was measured and a clinical cardiovascular examination was performed by the researcher. Reliability and validity of clinical investigations was ensured by adherence to procedural documentation. The study was performed in a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled manner. Participants were divided into two groups of fifteen. For the first four weeks of the trial no treatment was given to either group. After the first four weeks the participants attended a follow-up visit and the total plasma cholesterol level of each participant was retested. The experimental group then received Panax ginseng 1X and the control group received a placebo. Sufficient treatment for a period of eight weeks was issued to both groups. Participants were instructed to take 1.5 ml three times daily in 100 ml of water fifteen minutes before meals and were informed not to make any substantial changes to their lifestyle that could affect plasma cholesterol levels. Such lifestyle changes included alterations of diet, amount of exercise, alcohol or tobacco consumption, sleep pattern and stress levels. Patients attended a follow-up visit after taking the treatment for four weeks and the total plasma cholesterol levels were determined again at the end of the study. Collected data was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages). The total plasma cholesterol level of the experimental group was compared to the total plasma cholesterol level of the placebo group as obtained at the initial consultation, after four weeks and at the conclusion of the study. Groups were compared using independent samples t-tests within each sample group. Differences over time were analysed using dependent samples t-tests and repeated measures ANOVA. Panax ginseng 1X did not provide a statistically significant change in the total plasma cholesterol levels. The use of Panax ginseng is rarely associated with side-effects and in this particular study none were experienced by the participants.

The negative health effects of trans fatty acids from hydrogenated fats on plasma lipid profile have been well documented. However, the mechanisms responsible for these changes remain to be elucidated. Hence the overall objective of the thesis was to examine the effect of consuming different forms of hydrogenated fats on cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism, specifically fractional and absolute synthesis rates of free (FSR-FC and ASR-FC) and esterified (FSR-CE, AER and ER) cholesterol, and the functioning of the ASP pathway. In addition, validation of the newer deuterium incorporation (DI) method for measurement of endogenous cholesterol biosynthesis against the cholesterol precursor assessment approach was also performed. Fourteen moderately hypercholesterolemic (LDL-C ≥ 130 mg.dl-1) postmenopausal women (65--71yrs) participated in this study. Subjects consumed, in random order, each of 6 diets for 5 week periods, separated by washout periods ranging from 2 to 4 weeks in duration. The experimental diets included a baseline (BL) diet (39% kcal fat) and 5 reduced fat diets (30% kcal) where 2/3rd of the fat was either soybean oil (SO), low trans squeeze (SQM), medium trans tub (TM), high trans stick (SM) margarines, or butter (BT). Results obtained from the series of analyses performed demonstrate that: (i) the DI method and levels of some cholesterol precursors correspond as methods for the study of in vivo cholesterol biosynthesis in humans; (ii) elevations in endogenous cholesterol synthesis (FSR-FC and ASR-FC) are not responsible for the increase in circulating cholesterol levels seen after consumption of the high trans SM, and high SFA rich BT and BL diets; (iii) suppression of cholesterol esterification rates on the SM diet may account for the decreased HDL-C levels observed on this diet and finally; (iv) dysfunction of the ASP pathway, with lower ASP and higher FFA levels could be responsible for the higher secretion of hepatic B 100 particles. In conc

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1990. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 34-38). Also available via the Internet.

M.Tech. (Homoeopathy) / South Africa is a diverse and multi-cultured country where coronary vascular disease has become a leading cause of mortality among all sub-cultures. According to the South African Dyslipidaemia Guidelines Consensus Statement published in 2012 it is estimated that every day 80 people die of myocardial infarcts and 60 people die of strokes. Hypercholesterolaemia is associated with the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques which lead to the condensing and restriction of vessel walls. This in turn leads to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease which can present itself in the form of hypertension and coronary heart disease (Knox, 2008). This product Vasostate™ proposes to lower total serum cholesterol levels in a variety of ways ranging from aiding and increasing the transport of cholesterol to the liver while decreasing the amount of cholesterol synthesised by the liver to reducing cholesterol uptake from the intestines (Foodstate, n.d.). The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of Vasostate™ on modifying elevated lipid and CRP levels in males with fasting total serum cholesterol levels greater than 4.5mmol/l utilising blood measures including Lipogram and ultra-sensitive CRP within a 12 week period. This was a double-blind placebo controlled study conducted over a 13 week period utilising 40 male participants 30 to 55 years of age. Participants qualified for participation in the study with two rapid total plasma cholesterol test results averaging between 4.5-6.5mmol/l and no more than two Category 2 cardiovascular risk factors or a plasma cholesterol greater than 6.5mmol/l with no more than one Category 2 cardiovascular risk factors in individuals who are unwilling or unable to take conventional dyslipidaemia medicine. Participants were divided into 2 groups of 20 each. The control group was given the placebo (an identical form to the active in appearance), while the experimental group received Vasostate™. In order to ensure uniform distribution of participants across both groups stratification of participants between each group took place according to race and cigarette smoking. To guarantee the double blinded aspect of the study the researcher was not informed which group was the active or the placebo until the statistical results were released...

The expression of two phenotypically-contrasting LDL receptor mutations was characterized in cultured fibroblasts from the genetically-homozygous Afrikaner subjects, FH1a and lb, and FH3a and 3b, respectively. Surface receptor expression and functional activity were studied by ligand (¹²⁵I-LDL) and monoclonal antibody (¹²⁵I-IgG-C7) binding, and c35s]-methionine pulse-chase experiments were used to analyze biosynthesis, processing and degradation of IgG-C7- immunoprecipitable mutant receptors. Cells from the "receptor-negative" subjects, FH3a and 3b exhibited reduced, but significant (40-60% of normal) LDL receptor synthesis rates. Newly-synthesized precursors were processed slowly (t½ 1.5 hours versus normal t½ of approximately 15 minutes) to mature receptors which reached the cell-surface, but were rapidly degraded thereafter with a half-life of approximately 1.7 hours (normal value 12.6 hours) thus representing a new type of LDL receptor defect. Lysosomotropic weak bases such as ammonium chloride partially inhibited rapid degradation of the mutant receptors, suggesting the involvement of proteolysis in acidic compartments such as lysosomes or endosomes. Fibroblasts from FH1a and lb exhibited normal synthesis rates of LDL receptor precursors that were processed at a severely reduced rate (t½ approximately 5 hours) to functionally heterogeneous mature surface receptors. Onethird of the receptors (20% of normal levels) bound ¹²⁵I-LDL with normal affinity at 4°C and 37°C, whereas the majority were able to recognize only ¹²⁵I-IgG-C7, and apparently showed defective internalisation and subsequent degradation of the bound IgG-C7 at 37°C. The existence of the two receptor populations was further supported by selective intracellular trapping and degradation of only the active, LDL-binding population, in the presence of ammonium chloride and LOL. The abnormal form predominated even in newly-synthesized receptors and reached a maximum of 50-70% of normal levels after 48 hours of upregulation. Upregulation kinetics and degradation rates (t½ = 10-11 hours) of both functionally-active and abnormal receptor populations were similar to normal. A progressive increase in apparent molecular weight of the slowly-processed precursor receptors suggested a possible role for abnormal glycosylation in the formation of both "normal" and abnormal conformations of the same receptor molecule.

No description available.