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.)
High blood sugar in diabetes is associated with vascular damage that increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
The study reviewed here uses a mouse model of diabetes to study how inhibition of NF-kB might protect the heart in diabetic patients.
NF-kB inhibition reduced inflammation and restored the hearts of ‘diabetic’ mice to normal function.
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.
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