A new vaccine tested in mice and monkeys has been found to significantly reduce levels of “bad” cholesterol, suggesting it could be a cheaper alternative to the medications now widely used.

Researchers at the University of New Mexico used a cholesterol-regulating protein in the blood to create a vaccine that could be used instead of statins. Statins generally are effective, but may also cause serious side effects.

The scientists tested a singe dose of the vaccine on four-to-six-week-old mice, and found that it significantly reduced LDL cholesterol levels.  When combined with statins, the vaccine showed even greater LDL cholesterol reductions when used on nine to 17-year old monkeys.

The researchers believe the vaccine may be as effective in humans, and because of its lower cost, could be particularly useful in fighting cholesterol in developing countries.

They plan to conduct further testing of the vaccine in monkeys, and hope to move forward with vaccine development by teaming up with commercial partners.

This Week’s Slice of History: First Lobotomy: Nov. 12, 1935

Sourced from: Medical News Today, New vaccine could offer ‘cheaper, more effective’ treatment for high cholesterol

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is urging governments around the world to begin taxing sugar as a key strategy in fighting a worldwide obesity and diabetes epidemic.

By 2040, one in 10 adults on the planet is expected to have diabetes; currently the condition costs some countries between 5 and 20 percent of their healthcare budgets.

Type-2 diabetes accounts for nearly 90 percent of diabetes cases and is closely linked to sedentary lifestyle and obesity.  Cases are on the rise, particularly in countries where people are shifting to Western diets. China now has the largest number of diabetics in the world.

The IDF includes more than 230 national associations, and its chief executive, Petra Wilson, is urging world leaders to cooperate to fight obesity similar to how they cooperated to act on the 2008 financial crisis.

Mexico, Chile and France have experimented with variations of sugar taxes, but have encountered resistance from the food industry.

Wilson explained, “It is very well established that heavy taxation on tobacco and relentless reinforcement of the message that tobacco is unhealthy has had a very good effect. It is time now we adopted a similar approach with sugar.”

This Week’s Slice of History: First Lobotomy: Nov. 12, 1935

Sourced from: Reuters, Diabetes experts tell G20 to tax sugar to save lives and money.

Your legs are the largest muscle group in your body and, believe it or not, could be protecting your brain from cognitive decline.

Researchers from King’s College in London looked at 324 healthy female twins with an average age of 55. The scientists measured thinking, learning, and memory at the beginning and end of the study and controlled for genetic factors that affect cognition.

Their findings, published in Gerontology, found that leg strength could be a direct indicator of improved cognitive function as we age.

Whichever twin had more leg power at the beginning of the study was found to better maintain their cognition and experienced fewer cognitive changes with aging after the 10 year follow-up.

The results reinforce the belief that activity may help our health both on a physical and mental level.

Several other studies have compared physical health to brain function, including one study from the University of Illinois that found that white matter – nerve tissue for brain function – was thicker and denser in physically active children.

This Week’s Slice of History: First Lobotomy: Nov. 12, 1935

Sourced from: Medical Daily, Fitter Legs Mean A ‘Fitter’ Brain: Leg Strength Could Also Indicate Your Cognitive Health