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Posted on Thursday December 12, 2024 in Medication

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Cholesterol, LDL, and what we learnt from PCSK9 mutations in familial hypercholesterolaemia

PCSK9 binds to LDL receptors and directs them to be destroyed within the cell, rather than allowing them to recycle to the surface. When too much PCSK9 is present, fewer LDL receptors remain available to clear LDL from the blood. The result is simple: LDL levels rise. When that happens, the liver compensates by making even more cholesterol internally. This is why around 90% of the cholesterol in your blood is made by your liver, not absorbed from your diet.

Why do patients in atrial fibrillation get breathless?

In atrial fibrillation or AFib, the atrial tissue quivers at approximately 600 cycles per minute, which means that it has no useful pumping function. The left atrium therefore, in patients with atrial fibrillation, merely acts as a passive conduit between the lungs and the left ventricle. It no longer serves to prime the left ventricle, and as a result, less blood enters the heart during diastole, less 'priming' occurs so cardiac output may fall. If ever you have experienced a car's turbo charger going 'on the blink' you will know that the car still GOES, but not very well, since it too suffers loss of output.  The left atrial pressure in many such cases will increase, causing oedema or fluid in the alveolar space, reducing gas exchange and contributing to the symptom of breathlessness.

From Genes to Greens: How DNA Shapes Your Nutritional Needs

In the evolving world of preventative healthcare, one size no longer fits all. We are learning that each person has a unique biological blueprint – shaped by their DNA, lifestyle, and environment – which determines how they respond to food, exercise, and medications. Today, sophisticated tools allow us to uncover this blueprint and personalise health advice in a way never before possible. The goal? Not just to avoid disease, but to extend your healthspan – the number of years you live in good health.

The Expanding Waistline in Men: Spare Tyre, Killer Visceral Fat, or Just Flabby Abdominal muscles?

Most men over 30 will recognise the slow but steady expansion of the waistline. Whether you call it a spare tyre, a dad bod, or just a bit of extra padding, not all belly fat is created equal — and not all of it is harmless.Some types of abdominal fat are mostly cosmetic. Others are dangerous, inflammatory, and metabolically active — the kind of fat that silently drives heart attacks, strokes, dementia, and even advanced cancers.Let’s break down the three main culprits behind the male belly — and what you can do about them.