Bestfoods to Lower Lower Cholesterol

A high LDL cholesterol level is medically known as hypercholesterolemia. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over one-third of American adults have high levels of LDL or “bad” cholesterol. This increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and heart attacks.

Cholesterol falls under three categories: low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) that may need medications and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL and VLDL are bad for your health, while HDL is good for your health.

People of all ages, ethnicities and genders can have high cholesterol.

Certain factors put you at a higher risk, such as excessive smoking, obesity, large waist circumference, poor diet, lack of exercise, hypothyroidism and diabetes. Most of these factors are within your control. Genetics is one risk factor that is beyond your control.

As high cholesterol does not present any symptoms, you need to get your cholesterol levels checked from time to time.

A lipid panel test measures your total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, along with triglycerides. The CDC defines the following blood cholesterol levels as healthy:

Total cholesterol: less than 200 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter of blood)
LDL cholesterol: less than 100 mg/dL
HDL cholesterol: 40 mg/dL or higher
Triglycerides: less than 150 mg/dL
If not controlled early enough, high cholesterol can lead to health complications like chest pain, heart attacks and strokes.

By making changes to your diet and lifestyle, you can lower your cholesterol. Several foods can help keep your cholesterol at healthy levels.

1. Oatmeal
Having a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast daily is another easy way to lower your high cholesterol level. The high soluble fiber content in oatmeal helps lower LDL.

It reduces the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. Fiber also fills you up quickly and helps you avoid mindless eating.
In addition, eating oats regularly is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.

Eat a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast daily.
You can also add oatmeal to smoothies or use it in baked goods.

2. Almonds
The heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats and fiber in almonds help raise good HDL cholesterol and reduce the bad LDL levels.

A 2011 study published in Nutrition Review found that consumption of tree nuts like almonds help reduce LDL cholesterol, a primary target for coronary disease prevention, by 3 to 19 percent.

In addition, a 2015 study published in the Journal of American Heart Association states that daily almond consumption may be a simple dietary strategy to prevent the onset of cardio-metabolic diseases.

Almonds are a great snack or topping for salads, cereal and yogurt. Eat a handful of almonds a day and remember moderation is key. Other nuts and seeds such as walnuts and flaxseeds are also beneficial for reducing blood cholesterol levels.

3. Orange Juice
Sweet, tangy and juicy oranges are another superfood that has cholesterol-lowering properties.

In a 2000 study published in the American Society for Clinical Nutrition journal, researchers found that orange juice improves blood lipid profiles in people who have hypercholesterolemia. This happens due to the presence of vitamin C, folate and flavonoids like hesperidin in oranges.

Drink 2 to 3 cups of orange juice daily. Freshly extracted juice is a good option. You can also drink plant sterol-fortified orange juice. Phytosterols also help lower total cholesterol to some extent.
Alternatively, you can eat a few oranges daily.

4. Salmon
The omega-3 fatty acids called EPA and DHA found in salmon provide protection against high cholesterol. It helps lower triglycerides and boosts good HDL cholesterol slightly, thus lowering the risk of heart disease.

In addition, salmon is low in cholesterol and saturated fat.

Eat at least 2 servings of salmon each week. Baked and grilled salmon are the best options. A serving of salmon is about 2 to 3 ounces.
You can even take fish oil supplements after consulting your doctor.

5. Soybeans and Soy Products
Soybeans and other soy products offer a complete plant-based protein that is great for those who suffer from high cholesterol.

Although soy may not lower total cholesterol to a great extent, it can still lower bad LDL cholesterol. This high-protein food contains high levels of polyunsaturated fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals as well as low levels of saturated fat.

A study published in 2011 in the Journal of American College of Nutrition found that eating 1 to 2 servings (15 to 30 grams) of soy protein daily has a significant impact on serum lipoprotein risk factors for coronary heart disease.

To help lower your cholesterol, include more soybean, tofu, soy flour, edamame and enriched soy milk in your diet.

6. Green Tea
Drinking a few cups of green tea daily is one of simplest ways to reduce total and LDL cholesterol levels. Green tea intake lowers fasting serum total and LDL cholesterol in adults, according to a 2011 meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials that was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

There are several compounds in green tea that prevent the absorption of cholesterol in the digestive tract and aid in its excretion.

In addition, this healthy beverage prevents plaque buildup in the arteries and reduces the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

Drink 3 to 4 cups of green tea (hot or iced) daily.
You can also take green tea supplements, after consulting your doctor.

7. Olive Oil
Olive oil is high in monounsaturated fat that helps lower bad LDL cholesterol levels. This is turn lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke. In addition, it is rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant that is good for your heart and overall health.

Use 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil daily as a replacement for less healthy oils. You can use this oil to sauté vegetables, make salad dressing or as a dip for bread.

Note: As olive oil is high in calories, avoid excessive use.

8. Avocados
Avocados are a good source of monounsaturated fats that can help reduce LDL levels in people who are overweight or obese. Monounsaturated fats also help raise HDL levels. Avocados also contain plant sterols that have cholesterol-lowering properties.

In addition, they are rich in protein, fiber, B-complex vitamins, vitamin K and several minerals that are good for your overall health.

Eat an avocado daily. You can add avocado slices to salads and sandwiches or eat them as a side dish.

9. Garlic
Garlic is another superfood that can help reduce high cholesterol. In addition, it prevents blood clots, reduces blood pressure and protects against heart disease.

According to a 2013 press release from the National Institute of Integrative Medicine, garlic extract is a safe and effective alternative to pharmaceutical blood pressure and cholesterol-lowering medications for many people.

Eat 2 to 3 raw garlic cloves on an empty stomach daily.
Use fresh garlic in your salad dressings and in cooking many types of dishes, soups and stews.
You can take garlic supplements after consulting your doctor for the correct dosage.

10. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate can also effectively reduce bad cholesterol and improve the level of good cholesterol in the blood.

According to a 2013 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the component theobromine in dark chocolate is mainly responsible for its HDL cholesterol-raising effect.

The high level of antioxidants and flavonoids in dark chocolate prevent blood platelets from sticking together and keep the arteries unclogged. This in turn reduces the risk of heart attacks or strokes.

Eat 1 or 2 small pieces of dark chocolate with at least 60 percent cocoa on a regular basis.

Additional Tips

Strive to maintain a healthy weight.
Quit smoking.
Exercise for at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week.
Avoid alcohol. If you drink, do so in moderation.
Eat a diet low in saturated fats.
Avoid fried or fatty foods and excessive carbohydrates and processed sugars.
Avoid foods that contribute to bad cholesterol, such as red meat, full-fat dairy products, egg yolks and processed foods.

Top 10 Healthcare Predictions For 2016

As 2015 comes to a close, Frost & Sullivan experts and thought leaders gather together to predict the top 10 trends to expect during the coming year.

1. Next generation wearables hit a $6 billion market

The new generation of “medical” or “clinical wearables” is going to be equipped with more sophisticated sensing, capture and analytical functionalities, thus making the clinical utility of those devices more actionable. Currently, sales of healthcare wearables primarily involve monitoring technologies like those developed by Vital Connect and Proteus Digital Health; moving forward, technologies like the Quell from Neurometrix that provides therapeutic support will continue to gain traction.

Expect healthcare and consumer technology companies alike to be highly active in exploring strategic acquisitions of early stage wearable companies.

Frost & Sullivan’s recent study on consumer behavior to digital health shows approximately 24% of consumers currently use mobile apps to track health and wellness, 16% use wearable sensors and 29% use electronic personal health records. This trend is expected to continue as 47% of consumers would consider using wearables in the near future.

2. Retail care goes mainstream with 35% expansion of in-store clinic footprint

2015 witnessed retailers allocating a great deal of investment toward expanding their clinical footprint, acquiring new tools and forming unique partnerships with healthcare companies. Consequently, 2016 should see the efforts of those machinations as retailers begin to fully execute their strategies for becoming the front line of primary care services.

3. New Development Bank (NDB) invests heavily in healthcare, changing dynamics in many countries

With a total capital of $100 billion, the NDB was formed as an alternative to other world banking organizations dominated by American and European stakeholders. Formerly the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Bank, the NDB is focused on improving the lives of citizens in developing nations. Its key initiatives include significant infrastructure investment in healthcare and wellness services for underserved populations.

4. Rapid Expansion of Private Insurance in India finally unlocks untapped market

Through March 2014, only 17% of Indians were covered by health insurance, resulting in a high (more than 75%) out-of-pocket burden for care. The new government is prioritizing healthcare, through the National Health Assurance Mission, which will provide free drugs and diagnostic services as well as help individuals gain access to low-cost insurance schemes.

5. Population Health opportunity drives over $50 billion in healthcare M&A

Long term corporate strategy aligned with opportunities tied to population health management is expected to drive decision-making tied to corporate restructuring, M&A, spin-offs, R&D spending and venture arm investments. Industry participants must evolve or risk obsolescence in a new healthcare industry paradigm where compensation is tied to outcomes.

The requirements for population health tools are forcing companies to consider their acquisition strategies differently, leading to more transactions involving companies in adjacent or complimentary markets.

6. Less expensive and faster point of care (POC) testing enables new diagnostic care models

Commercialization of new POC test platforms with capabilities such as molecular POC, connectivity features, biosensors and microfluidics is able to drastically improve turnaround times (5 to15 minutes) and allow for testing services to be performed in settings previously not feasible.

7. Free preventative care services available to over 90% in the U.S.

To mitigate the cost and care burden of late-stage chronic diseases, everyone from payers, employers, and the government will be offering a wide range of technology and wellness enabled preventative services. With access now available, it remains to be seen how engaged consumers will be in leveraging those services.

8. Healthcare IoT solutions spur $10 billion in venture capital investments for start-ups                                                                                                                                                         The startup environment in healthcare is being reinvigorated by a wide spectrum of early stage companies looking to bring their IoT expertise honed in other industries to healthcare. With a focus on “disruptive” business models, these companies are looking to help tear down outmoded forms of care delivery and deploy approaches  optimizing new tools and technologies.

9. Hospitals investing heavily in overhauling and retooling outdated facilities to avoid closure trends                                                                                                                            

Ongoing trends of hospital closures and consolidations are forcing hospitals to rethink everything from hospital layout to resource utilization. Initiatives like the $1.3 billion overhaul of Dallas’s Parkland Hospital are happening around the country, as those institutions seek to adapt to new forms of care delivery that emphasize efficiency and patient satisfaction.

10. The global regenerative medicine market to reach $30 billion in 2016          

Pharmaco will see the regenerative market as its trump card as the business is expected to see growth rates of 22.4% from 2015. With growing investments in this area, favorable legislative policies and an increasing number of cell therapy marketed products this business will witness new competitors vying for a slot.

Technology & Medicine

The most significant announcement that Apple made in 2014 wasn’t a larger-sized iPhone. It was that Apple is entering the health-care industry. With HealthKit, it is building an iTunes-like platform for health; Apple Watch is its first medical device. Apple is, however, two steps behind Google, IBM, and hundreds of startups. They realized much earlier that medicine is becoming an information technology and that the trillion-dollar health-care market is ripe for disruption.



2015 will be the year in which tech takes baby steps in transforming medicine. The technologies that make this possible are advancing at exponential rates; their power and performance are increasing dramatically even as their prices fall and footprints shrink. The big leaps will start to happen at around the end of this decade.


The health devices that companies such as Apple, Microsoft, and Samsung are developing are based on MEMS sensors, which are one of the exponential technologies. These enable the measurement of things such as heart rate, temperature, blood pressure, and activity levels and can feed data into cloud-based platforms such as HealthKit. They will be packaged in watches, Band-Aids, clothing—and contact lenses. Yes, Google announced in January that it is developing a contact lens that can measure glucose levels in a person’s tears and transmit these data via an antenna thinner than a human hair. In July, it said that it was licensing the technology to Novartis, enabling it to market it to people with diabetes. We will soon have sensors that monitor almost every aspect of our body’s functioning, inside and out.

Advances in Microfluidics are making possible the types of comprehensive, inexpensive diagnostics that in a single drop of blood, it can test for things such as cancer, cholesterol, and cocaine. Newer technologies coming from Nano biophysics like Gene-Radar, a portable nanotechnology platform that uses biological nanomachines to rapidly and accurately detect the genetic fingerprints of organisms. It will enable the detection of diseases such as HIV and Ebola and deliver the results to a mobile device within minutes—for a hundredth of the cost of conventional tests. By combining these data with EMR (Electronic Medical Records) and the activity and lifestyle information that our smartphones observe, Artificial Intelligence-based systems will monitor us on a 24 x 7 basis. They will warn us when we are about to get sick and advise us on what medications we should take and how we should improve our lifestyle and habits. 

With the added sensors and the apps that tech companies will build, our smartphone will become a medical device akin to the Star Trek tricorder. With health data from millions of patients, technology companies will be able to take on and transform the pharmaceutical industry—which works on limited clinical-trial data and sometimes chooses to ignore information that does not suit it. These data can be used to accurately analyze what medications patients have taken, to determine which of them truly had a positive effect; which simply created adverse reactions and new ailments; and which did both.


And then there is the genomics revolution. The cost of sequencing a human genome has fallen from $100 million in 2001 to about $1000 today and will likely cost as much as a blood test by the end of this decade. What this means is that the bits and bytes that make up a human being have been deciphered; for all intents and purposes, we have become software.





2014 marked an inflection point in the technology curve for medicine. It isn’t yet clear which technology advances will indeed affect humanity and which will be nothing more than cool science experiments. What is clear is that we have entered an era of acceleration and that there is much promise and peril ahead.

Reasons for Healthcare Crisis in India

While India has made rapid strides in raising economic growth and lifted millions out of poverty, progress in improving healthcare has been slow.

In its recent assessment of the Indian economy, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) identified India’s poor health outcomes as one of our major developmental challenges. India is a laggard in health outcomes not just by OECD standards, but also by the standards of the developing world. In 2012, India witnessed 253 deaths per 100,000 persons due to communicable diseases alone, much higher than the global average of 178. India faces a higher disease burden than other emerging economies such as China, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico and Sri Lanka, as the charts below illustrate. Even poorer neighbours such as Nepal and Bangladesh have a better record in health compared to India. 

While India has made rapid strides in raising economic growth and lifted millions out of poverty, progress in improving health outcomes has been slow. As a result, India continues to face an extraordinarily high disease burden, which saps the productivity of Indian workers and lowers their earnings. According to a 2010 World Bank estimate, India loses 6% of its gross domestic product (GDP) annually because of premature deaths and preventable illnesses. 

A key reason behind the poor health of the average Indian is the low level of public investments in preventive health facilities such as sanitation and waste management, as well as in medical care facilities such as primary health centres and health professionals. Even when public health facilities are available, they are often of poor quality. The poorest income classes receive fewer benefits from the public health system than their better-o peers. The lack of reliable public health services and the absence of health insurance compel the poor to spend heavily on private medical care. According to a 2011 research paper by Soumitra Ghosh of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, out-of-pocket health expenditures account for nearly one-sixth of India’s poverty burden. The high costs of healthcare also act as a deterrent for poor people in seeking treatment, leading to delays and aggravating health problems. 

1) India has one of the highest disease burdens in the world. Many more die of preventable diseases in India than in other countries. 

2) One big reason driving India’s health crisis is the unavailability of doctors and nurses. 

3) Another key reason for poor health of Indians is the high proportion of out-of-pocket expenditure on health because of low insurance coverage and weak public health systems, which forces even poor people to visit private medical practitioners, and drives up average health costs. High healthcare costs often lead people to delay treatment, aggravating health problems. 

4) Public health expenditure in India has moved up over the past decade, but still remains among the lowest in the world. 

5) India’s public health expenditure is not just low, it is also regressive. The poorest income classes benefit less from the public health system than the better-off sections of society.

Popular Healthcare Buzzwords

ACO

An acronym for "Accountable Care Organization", an ACO is a model of healthcare delivery in which a group of healthcare providers agree to accept payment for their services based on the aggregated health outcomes of the patients they see, as opposed to the total number of services performed. ACOs reward providers in a "fee for health" model, as opposed to a traditional "fee for service" model. Although the term ACO can apply to a variety of types of organizations, regulations for establishing ACOs to participate in the Medicare Shared Savings Program specifically were included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.

Big Data

"Big Data" is a blanket term used to describe the tremendous amount of raw data that we create as part of our everyday lives. As we become more proficient in capturing, storing, and analyzing these massive data sets - and the increasingly complex tools needed to do so - there is tremendous hope in the ability for industries to glean insights from the mountain of data they already have. Healthcare, with the tremendous amount of data that is already collected and stored in the form of medical records, is considered one of the areas with the most to gain from advances in "Big Data" tools.

CCHIT

An acronym for "Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology", CCHIT is one organization authorized by the Office of the National Coordinator of the Department of Health and Human Services to certify Electronic Health Record products for quality, security and interoperability. This certification is necessary for providers to receive "stimulus" funds from Medicare or Medicaid as reimbursement for achieving "Meaningful Use" of the EHR. Other organizations providing certifications include Drummond Group, ICSA Laboratories, Inc. and InfoGuard Laboratories, Inc.

Cloud vs. Closet

The "Cloud" versus the "Closet" is a way of defining the two most common ways of managing and sharing software products in a medical practice. The "Closet" is the traditional model where a server is installed, often into an extra closet where the phone system is also kept that runs the Practice Management and/or Electronic Medical Record software on the desktops in the practice. Generally, the practice owns their own software and hardware, and pays for it upfront as a capital expense. In the "Cloud" model, which is rapidly gaining favor, a constant Internet connection allows the server hardware to be kept offsite in the vendor's data center. The software is paid for on a monthly, operational expense basis, and security, upgrades and maintenance are all outsourced to the vendor.

EMR/EHR

Acronyms for "Electronic Medical Record" and "Electronic Health Record." The two terms are generally used interchangeably to describe any software that that documents medical services delivered between providers and patients. There is however a general distinction between the two, highlighted in this blog post from the ONC. An Electronic Medical Record generally refers to the digitized version of a paper record that is kept in an office as a record of the patient's services from that provider. In other words, only the patient's interactions with the providers of that office. An Electronic Health Record on the other hand generally refers to the complete history of a patient's life and conditions as they visit different providers in different health settings. With the EHR's focus on health as opposed to medicine, and portability with the patient as opposed to static and office-based, EHR tends to be the "official" term used by the ONC.

eRx

"eRx" is an abbreviation for "e-prescribe", or the ability to transmit information from a provider to a pharmacy and back to facilitate filling prescriptions with a completely electronic process. By eliminating the paper scripts and the patients having to take them to their pharmacy, eRx facilitates more accurate, timely information between prescriber and pharmacy, and ensures that the information is accurately logged into the patient's EHR. The ability to e-prescribe is a component of achieving Meaningful Use for providers to receive stimulus funds.

HDHP

An acronym for "High Deductible Health Plan", an HDHP is a type of insurance coverage where more of the initial cost of care is shifted to the responsibility of the patient. Using higher deductibles, as well as co-pays or co-insurance, high-deductible health plans are often combined with Health Savings Accounts to provide heath coverage at lower premiums for patients and/or employers. As health insurance costs continue to rise, HDHPs are becoming more popular as a coverage model.

HIE #1 (Health Information Exchange)

A Health Information Exchange is a central hub where different health providers and locations can "exchange" electronic medical information so that a patient's medical history is available to any provider or care setting in which the patient receives treatment. The exchange allows for the health data to be shared across different types of software in different places, so access to the exchange insures access to the most accurate patient data available. Health Information Exchanges are being set up in regional, state and national settings, and were a key part of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA or ACA) of 2010.

HIE #2 (Health Insurance Exchange)

A Health Insurance Exchange is a controlled marketplace where consumers can compare and purchase health insurance, as well as find out about any subsidies or tax benefits they can take advantage of to offset the cost of coverage. Each state has the option of setting up their own state-level exchange, or participating in the federally-run exchange. The exchange also sets minimum coverage levels for each state, and mandates that insurance companies disclose actuarial percentages and coverage levels of similar plans so that consumers can make informed decisions about coverage.

HIM

Health Information Management is the field of study that deals with overseeing and maintaining health care information for a patient population. Although HIM refers to the management of both paper-based and electronic health records, the field increasingly focuses on the storing, securing, and disclosing of electronic data. Issues like ethics, health informatics, and health information policy are changing the way Health Information Management is viewed in the larger context of the healthcare system.

HIPAA

An acronym for the "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996", HIPAA is a federal statute that was designed to regulate health insurance to make it easier to "carry" coverage with you after leaving a job, as well as to set standards for the protection and transmission of protected health information. HIPAA was appended by the HITECH Act of 2009 to set disclosure reporting requirements in the case of a breach as well as define business associates as entities covered under HIPAA. Generally, when people refer to "HIPAA Requirements" they are talking about the privacy restrictions of the two bills.

HSA

An acronym for "Health Savings Account", an HSA is a specialized bank account that allows its holder to defer federal tax liability in order to save for future medical expenses. Money deposited in an HSA is not subject to Federal Income Tax. HSAs, like a flexible spending account, or a health reimbursement account are combined with a high deductible health plan to replace traditional health insurance with money from the HSA covering short term costs and helping with patient responsibilities while the HDHP covers catastrophic injuries or illness.

ICD-10

ICD-10 is an abbreviation for "International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Health Related Problems, 10th revision". The ICD system is the set of alphanumeric codes that are used to classify diseases and bill medical payers for services. The United States currently uses the ICD-9 system, but is set to switch to the new standard on October 14, 2014. ICD-10 is much more complex than ICD-9, with almost five times as many available codes, and a much more specific hierarchy. ICD-10 is also referred to as "I-10."

Interoperability

Interoperability is the concept that information stored in EHR software should be able to be usable by any other software package. Interoperability is key to coordinating and improving care, because the health information is worthless without the software compatibility to share it between providers. This "breaking down of barriers" between different EHR software packages is crucial not only to sharing health information, but to creating a thriving and innovative healthcare information technology marketplace. Examples are a hospital system EMR's interoperability with a private practice EMR, and both system's EMR interoperability with a reference laboratory's Information System.

IPA

An acronym for "Independent Practice Association", an IPA is a group of independent physicians, or groups representing independent physicians to contract their services to managed care organizations and payers. IPAs can be formed to collaborate on care in a region, promote the political effectiveness of the independent physician, as well as to negotiate professional fees for their members, although it is important to note that the IPA does not negotiate on behalf of its members for services delivered outside managed care agreements because of federal trade laws.