Blogging with Lee

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides some startling statistics: Approximately one in every six adults—16.3% of the U.S. adult population—has high total cholesterol. People with high total cholesterol have approximately twice the risk of heart disease as people with optimal levels. Another interesting fact from the CDC is that "more women than men have high cholesterol in the United States."

The CDC continues: "Having high cholesterol puts you at risk for heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. People of all ages and backgrounds can get high cholesterol."

While high levels can be dangerous, we do need cholesterol. The American Heart Association (AHA) says: "Cholesterol is just one of the many substances created and used by our bodies to keep us healthy."

However, the AHA states: "There are two types of cholesterol ‘good’ HDL cholesterol and ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol. It’s important to understand the difference, and to know the levels of good and bad cholesterol in your blood. Too much of one type—or not enough of another—can put you at risk for coronary heart disease, heart attack or stroke."

What I am leading up to is my first report for today. In a study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers from the U.S. have found that supplementing with soy protein may help the body maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Read on to find out more about this exciting study.

In other news, a joint study between researchers at the University of Missouri in the U.S. and Urmia University in Iran has found that older women may benefit from a combination of omega-3 supplements and aerobic exercise when it comes to supporting bone mineral density. Check out my second report.

Finally, it appears that healthy compounds found in cocoa may help reduce arthritis-associated joint inflammation. In my last report today, we look at a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition that details results produced in animals.