Ginger lowers ‘bad’ cholesterol, raises ‘good’ cholesterol.
Daily ginger decreased levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), while increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL – ‘good’ cholesterol.)
Excess NF-kB activation underlies vascular damage associated with aging.
A number of risk factors are associated with the onset of clinically significant atherosclerosis. Among those risk factors are high blood pressure, metabolic disease and a number of lifestyle related risks such as obesity and smoking.
Aging itself has come to be seen as an independent risk factor in the development of atherosclerosis, as vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis is observed with increasing frequency at greater age, even in the absence of other risk factors. Age-related oxidative stress is believed responsible for this effect on aging vessels.
The review briefly summarized below suggests that oxidative stress is mediated through multiple pro-inflammatory pathways, all of which converge on NF-kB, resulting in excess activation of NF-kB in the aged vasculature.
The implication of this publication is that by preventing or reducing excess NF-kB activation the effects of aging on blood vessels can be countered.
Atherosclerosis can lead to carotid arteries that are partially blocked by narrowing (stenosis.)
The accumulations of atherosclerotic fatty deposits are called plaques. Inflammation processes are ongoing within the plaques, and when the level of inflammation processes are greater, so is the risk of rupture leading to blockage of the artery and stroke.
By inhibiting NF-kB, inflammation in these plaques is reduced, making them more stable and less likely to rupture.
Atherosclerosis – the accumulation of fatty deposits on blood vessel walls – can ultimately lead to heart attack and stroke.
It is well recognized that chronic inflammation affects the rate of atherosclerosis, as well as the acute events surrounding heart attack or stroke.
In the study summarized below, NF-kB inhibition was found to reduce inflammation in the blood vessel wall, which resulted in a reduction in the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques.
Atherosclerosis is reduced via the inhibition of NF-kB.
Zocor inhibits NF-kB and so might be useful in the treatment of many conditions related to inflammation.
Inhibition of NF-kB will produce beneficial effects in conditions related to inflammation.
Of interest, NF-kB inhibition has a direct, and favorable, impact on lipids. Perhaps NF-kB inhibition is more than just a beneficial ’side effect’ of statins. Perhaps some of the cholesterol lowering effect of statins results from their ability to inhibit NF-kB.
Expect to see more effort directed toward promoting the use of statins in the treatment or prevention of conditions related to inflammation.
But keep in mind that statins may be relatively weak inhibitors of NF-kB, that they can have undesirable side effects. We already have a wide assortment of NF-kB inhibitors available for use. Your kitchen is (I hope) full of them – essentially every fruit or vegetable is an NF-kB inhibitor.
If you want something a little more effective than your ‘garden variety’ fruit or vegetable, select from curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) or one of the many other herbs that has a long history of medicinal use and that has been shown to inhibit NF-kB.Relative to the statins, these alternatives are less expensive, safer, and almost certainly more effective inhibitors of NF-kB.
Genistein, found in soy, was found to work as an anti-oxidant, and by inhibiting NF-kB.
Genistein was not found to reduce cholesterol or alter the lipid profile in any meaningful way.
Atherosclerosis is a complex inflammatory arterial disease related to excess NF-kB activation.
An extract of Ginkgo biloba was found to inhibit NF-kB, and therefore might be beneficial in treating or preventing atherosclerosis.
Curcumin, or turmeric, is believed to have many beneficial effects relative to inflammation and disease. It is an inhibitor of NF-kB, but also affects other pathways and mediators of inflammation.
Efficacy of curcumin demonstrated in rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory eye diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic pancreatitis, psoriasis, hyperlipidemia, and cancers. Patients taking up to 8 grams of pure curcumin daily for 4 months reported no significant side effects.
Aging Alzheimer's Arthritis Asthma Atherosclerosis Back Pain Banjo Cancer Chronic Pain Cluster Headache Crohn's Diabetes Fatigue Fibromyalgia Gout Headache Heart Disease IBD Inflammation Joint Pain Lupus Migraine Multiple Sclerosis Muscular Dystrophy Neck Pain Neuropathic Pain NF-kB Osteoarthritis Pain Parkinson's Psoriasis Rheumatoid Arthritis Sjogren's Stroke TMJ Ulcerative Colitis
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