Dr Naila Rabbani, University of Warwick. Credit: University of Warwick
Posted on 09/03/2014 12:09:14 PM PDT by Red Badger
Scientists at the University of Warwick have discovered that 'good' cholesterol is turned 'bad' by a sugar-derived substance.
The substance, methylglyoxal - MG, was found to damage 'good' HDL cholesterol, which removes excess levels of bad cholesterol from the body.
Low levels of HDL, High Density Lipoprotein, are closely linked to heart disease, with increased levels of MG being common in the elderly and those with diabetes or kidney problems.
Supported by funding from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and published in Nutrition and Diabetes, the researchers discovered that MG destabilises HDL and causes it to lose the properties which protect against heart disease.
HDL damaged by MG is rapidly cleared from the blood, reducing its HDL content, or remains in plasma having lost its beneficial function.
Lead researcher Dr Naila Rabbani, of the Warwick Medical School, says that: "MG damage to HDL is a new and likely important cause of low and dysfunctional HDL, and could count for up to a 10% risk of heart disease".
There are currently no drugs that can reverse low levels of HDL, but the Warwick researchers argue that by discovering how MG damages HDL has provided new potential strategies for reducing MG levels.
Commenting on the research's implications Dr Rabbani said:
"By understanding how MG damages HDL we can now focus on developing drugs that reduce the concentration of MG in the blood, but it not only be drugs that can help.
"We could now develop new food supplements that decrease MG by increasing the amount of a protein called glyoxalase 1, or Glo 1, which converts MG to harmless substances.
"This means that in future we have both new drugs and new foods that can help prevent and correct low HDL, all through the control of MG."
A potentially damaging substance, MG is formed from glucose in the body. It is 40,000 times more reactive than glucose it damages arginine residue (amino acid) in HDL at functionally important site causing the particle to become unstable.
Glo1 converts MG to harmless substances and protects us. MG levels are normally kept low in the body to maintain good health but they slowly increase with ageing as Glo1 slowly becomes worn out and is only slowly replaced.
Dr Rabbani says: "We call abnormally high levels of MG 'dicarbonyl stress'. This occurs in some diseases – particularly diabetes, kidney dialysis, heart disease and obesity. We need sufficient Glo1 to keep MG low and keep us in good health."
Explore further: Cinnamon cuts blood glucose levels in diabetes patients
Dr Naila Rabbani, University of Warwick. Credit: University of Warwick
It would’ve been helpful if the writer had identified a few of the more popular dietary sources of MG.
sugar, alcohol, and simple carbs/starches, I would think.
“It would’ve been helpful if the writer had identified a few of the more popular dietary sources of MG.”
Exactly. So I’ll know what to quit eating THIS week.
But here's a dilemma, high levels of GM also appear to fight cancer.
http://cancerfightingstrategies.com/methylglyoxal-and-cancer.html#sthash.C0CyBYwi.dpbs
Food, in other words.
However it is noted in the Wiki for Manuka honey that the methylglyoxal can be neutralized, while like some other honeys, it retains its antibacterial properties.
That is, several raw honeys have been found to almost randomly have profound antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, so much so that for example, it would be the “ideal toothpaste” against gum disease. Pasteurization destroys the effect, however.
But this particular honey, mostly found in New Zealand, also contains this methylglyoxal, and its profoundly bad side effects.
Processed crappy food, yes.
Nothing cheaper than 10$ a flagon.
+1
“Low levels of HDL, High Density Lipoprotein, are closely linked to heart disease”
Actually, the cholesterol theory of heart disease is nearly dead.
1. Many of the foods that raise the good cholesterol levels also raise my blood glucose level.
2. My doctor has moderated his views on bread. First, it was no bread whatsoever, now whole wheat is ok. I opt for the 21 grain bread sold at Sprouts.
3. If one thing doesn't get me, another will. Accordingly, I monitor what I eat, exercise regularly, and enjoy each day as much as I can.
4. I also resolve not to drink a bottle (plus) of wine the day before I go in for my blood work. I did that two months ago, and came up anemic...and I've never been anemic. lol Was the wine good? Absolutely!
Agree. Interesting article, nevertheless.
Assumptions built upon assumptions isn’t that the same scientific assumptions bandied about as fact by the warmers?
I have come to the realization that if you instantly believe any “study” that makes the MSM, you might be a redneck.
I think the cholesterol panic is just a bunch if hooey they in e ted to sell expensive drugs
You need a certain amount of it-hell maybe some people need more than others because everyone is different
I believe in some people it won’t go down to an ideal level no matter what they do because their bodies are genetically wired to produce more
“Low levels of HDL, High Density Lipoprotein, are closely linked to heart disease”
Actually, the cholesterol theory of heart disease is nearly dead.
These two statements aren't in conflict. Yes, total cholesterol levels or consumption are not linked to heart disease. That's been known for a very long time, regardless of what people have been told.
But low levels of HDL is in fact a strong predictor of heart disease, as is high levels of triglycerides.
Like what foods? I don't believe this is generally the case.
“There are currently no drugs that can reverse low levels of HDL”
I never said that. You must have me confused with another poster.
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