A new study has found that the drug finasteride, which treats the most common types of hair loss in men and prostate enlargement, also provides a surprising and life-saving benefit.
Finasteride, also known as Propecia or Proscar, treats male pattern baldness and enlarged prostate in millions of men around the world, but a study conducted by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign indicates that the drug significantly reduces cholesterol levels, thus reducing the overall risk of cardiovascular disease. .
There are a number of factors that can increase your risk of heart and circulatory disease, ranging from genetics and age to lifestyle habits, such as diet, how often you exercise and whether you smoke.
While the disease can sometimes be prevented or treated by making necessary lifestyle changes, this is not the case for all patients. Medication may be needed, as statins are a common type of medication used to lower cholesterol levels and prevent cardiovascular disease.
A recent study now indicates that there are significant associations between the use of finasteride and lower cholesterol levels in men, so it can also be used to treat cardiovascular disease.
As part of the study published in the Journal of Lipid Research, a team analyzed data on men participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2009 and 2016.
Surprisingly, they found significant associations between finasteride use and lower blood cholesterol levels.
“When we looked at the men who took finasteride in the survey, the average "Their cholesterol levels were 30 points lower than men who weren't taking the drug. I thought we'd see the opposite pattern, so it was very interesting."
Although the survey results were exciting, the survey results had their limitations, including that of the nearly 4,800 people who participated in the survey, only 155 people, all men over the age of 50, reported using finasteride. The researchers were also unable to determine the amount or duration for which the men participating in the survey took this medication.
This prompted researchers to test the effect of finasteride on mice. They tested four levels of finasteride: 0, 10, 100, and 1,000 mg per kilogram of food, in male mice genetically susceptible to atherosclerosis.
The rodents consumed the drug, along with a “Western” diet rich in fat and cholesterol, for 12 weeks.
Doctoral student Donald Molina Chavez said: “Mice given a high dose of finasteride showed lower levels of cholesterol in the plasma as well as in the arteries. There were also fewer lipids and inflammatory markers in the liver.”
The team hopes that human clinical trials will one day be able to confirm the potential for use of finasteride against cardiovascular disease.
The new "silent killer"!
Ultra-processed foods have become a staple of many modern diets, but studies suggest they are linked to numerous health problems, earning them the new title of "silent killer."
Ultra-processed foods are usually high in added sugars, unhealthy fats and artificial ingredients. These foods undergo extensive processing and often have little or no nutritional value. Common examples of these foods include sugary drinks, packaged snacks, and fast food.
These foods are not only devoid of essential nutrients but are also full of potentially harmful ingredients, as they are loaded with additives such as oil, fat, sugar, starch, sodium and various emulsifiers such as carrageenan and soy lecithin, which can be harmful to human health.
Doctors at Florida Atlantic University's Schmidt College of Medicine looked into this health problem, and their findings confirm a troubling trend: the first decline in life expectancy in the United States in a century, due in part to a rise in non-communicable diseases linked to consumption of superfoods. Processing.
“Those who practice medicine in the United States today find themselves in a unique and shameful position — we are the first group of health care professionals to have presided over a decline in life expectancy,” said Dr. Dawn Schirling, associate professor of medicine at Florida Atlantic University's Schmidt College of Medicine. "Our life expectancy is lower than other economically similar countries. When we look at the increasing rates of non-communicable diseases in less developed countries, we can see that the increases are influenced by the rise in consumption of ultra-processed foods in their diets."
Despite warnings from organizations such as the American College of Cardiology to choose minimally processed foods, the lack of a clear definition of ultra-processed foods further complicates dietary choices.
Schirling noted that some additives in ultra-processed foods can damage the mucus layer of the intestine, making it vulnerable to disease, and possibly contributing to higher cancer rates among younger adults.
Consuming a diet high in ultra-processed foods is associated with an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. These foods can also contribute to inflammation in the body and disrupt metabolic processes.
To reduce your intake of ultra-processed foods and protect your health, focus on consuming whole, unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
You should pay attention to nutritional labels to choose products that do not contain added sugars or artificial additives.
While ultra-processed foods may be convenient and delicious, they come with a host of potential health risks. By making conscious choices about the foods we consume, we can protect our long-term health and well-being.
Experts say that by promoting awareness and advocating for healthy eating practices, we have the power to reverse the trend of declining life expectancy and usher in an era of improved public health.
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