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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : October 18, 2014 1:25 PM IST
Most of us know that Omega-3 fatty acids are good for health, but do you know exactly how they work? Well, a new study has the answer. The study that has detected a gene that affects blood cholesterol levels by generating a compound from omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, called lipoxins with anti-inflammatory properties. The team has identified one gene, called Alox5, that codes for an enzyme that generates lipoxins from omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids to help the body get rid of bad cholesterol. These insights may change the way physicians treat patients at increased risk for heart disease, pointed out the study.
'Our findings could help pave the way for novel therapeutic approaches to prevent cardiovascular disease and its associated clinical sequelae, including heart attacks and stroke,' said Ivan Tancevski from Innsbruck Medical University, Austria. In experiments conducted on mice, aspirin stimulated production of lipoxins that then promoted the transport of excess cholesterol to the liver, where it is excreted through bile. (Read: Beans and pulses could help reduce bad cholesterol)
Treating mice that had atherosclerotic plaques in their blood vessels with aspirin even caused the plaques to regress. 'Aspirin is known to prevent cardiovascular disease due to its antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory effects. We now identified a third mechanism by which aspirin may confer protection,' stressed Tancevski. The team also generated and tested chemically modified lipoxins mimetics that were even more effective at lowering LDL cholesterol, suggesting that new lipoxin-based specific drugs could provide greater benefits for patients. (Read: Beat bad cholesterol with garlic)
The study appeared in the journal Cell Metabolism.
Here are five foods that can bring down cholesterol levels:
Superfruits: Following recent nutritional studies, several fruits have been labeled superfoods due to their ability to combat harmful fats and reduce bad cholesterol. For instance, it was recently revealed that strawberries have the ability to reduce LDL, the harmful form of cholesterol, by nearly 14 percent, according to research carried out by Universit Politecnica Delle Marche in Italy.
Unsaturated fats: Consuming omega-3 essential fatty acids, found in unsaturated fats, will help to lower the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood. Unsaturated fats include oily fish, nuts and seeds, ground flax seeds, olive oil and certain vegetables and fruits such as avocado. Read more about 5 foods that can help you bring down your bad cholesterol levels
With inputs from IANS
Photo source: Getty images
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