Monthly Archives: April 2008

Biggest bang for your nutritional buck

Posted on April 29, 2008 by Dr. Davis

Judging by the conversations here, in the Track Your Plaque Forums, and elsewhere, it’s clear that many people are searching for the perfect diet. Should we reconsider the role of saturated fat? Are there fractions of fatty acids in saturated … Continue reading →

Posted in Wheat | 13 Comments

Can skinny be fat?

Posted on April 29, 2008 by Dr. Davis

You’re going to hate this. Dr. Romero-Corral and colleagues from the Mayo Clinic presented an analysis of the National Institutes of Health-funded National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-3) at the recent American College of Cardiology meetings. (Science Daily also … Continue reading →

Posted in Metabolic syndrome | 6 Comments

Fatal underdose

Posted on April 27, 2008 by Dr. Davis

Since vitamin D has been the topic of a fair amount of media coverage, I’ve received many questions about this fascinating “nutrient.” A day doesn’t go by without several nurses, friends, even fellow physicians stopping me to ask about vitamin … Continue reading →

Posted in vitamin D | 8 Comments

Is direct-to-consumer drug marketing a failure?

Posted on April 23, 2008 by Dr. Davis

According to the poll just completed by 80 participants on The Heart Scan Blog, 50% of respondents said they were less likely to take a drug after viewing an advertisement for it. A whopping 3 (4%) said that they would … Continue reading →

Posted in Pharmaceutical industry | 4 Comments

Cheerios and heart health

Posted on April 22, 2008 by Dr. Davis

Anna responded to the Heart Scan Blog post, Can you say “sugar”? with the following wonderfully telling comment: A measured bowl of Cheerios and a bit of milk (whole, because it’s what I had), equal to 75 grams of carbohydrate, … Continue reading →

Posted in Blood sugar | 11 Comments

The IF Life: Intermittent fasting

Posted on April 21, 2008 by Dr. Davis

There’s a wonderful blog called The IF Life: Intermittent Fasting and Instant Freedom. It is written by personal trainer (and apparently former corporate bigshot), Mike O’Donnell. Mike has a great take on brief, intermittent fasting that I found helpful and … Continue reading →

Posted in Fasting | 4 Comments

Can you say “sugar”?

Posted on April 20, 2008 by Dr. Davis

All of these products bear the American Heart Association Check Mark of approval emblem, signifying that they are “heart healthy”: Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats cereal Ingredients:WHOLE GRAIN WHEAT, SUGAR, STRAWBERRY FLAVORED CRUNCHLETS (SUGAR, CORN CEREAL, CORN SYRUP, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, PARTIALLY … Continue reading →

Posted in Nutrition | 11 Comments

Warfarin is scary stuff

Posted on April 19, 2008 by Dr. Davis

Gilbert is a 58-year old high school science teacher. When I first met Gil, he’d been having bouts of atrial fibrillation and had required various medications to suppress recurrences of the rhythm. However, because his rhythm proved somewhat difficult to … Continue reading →

Posted in Vitamin K2, Warfarin | 16 Comments

Lipoprotein(a) Research Foundation

Posted on April 16, 2008 by Dr. Davis

There is no longer any doubt that lipoprotein(a) is a major causal factor in heart disease: Meta-analysis (combined re-analysis) of 27 prospective studies:Danesh J et al. Lipoprotein(a) and Coronary Heart Disease: Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies Lp(a) and “subclinical” atherosclerosisBrown SA … Continue reading →

Posted in Lipoprotein(a) | 18 Comments

More on ASTEROID

Posted on April 16, 2008 by Dr. Davis

Since we are on the topic of the ASTEROID trial and rosuvastatin, I’d make one more point before I start to sound like I’m plugging this drug (which I definitely am not). In an informative Roundtable Discussion (open to subscribers … Continue reading →

Posted in LDL cholesterol | 3 Comments