Association of low levels of HDL and HDL2 cholesterol with heart disease

This post includes a synopsis of a study published in Arteriosclerosis Vol 5, 653-658 and a recipe for braised short ribs.

Study title and authors:
Association of low HDL and HDL2 cholesterol with coronary heart disease in noninsulin-dependent diabetics
M Laakso, E Voutilainen, K Pyorala, and H Sarlund

This paper can be accessed at: http://atvb.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/atvbaha;5/6/653
 
Cholesterol and lipoproteins (HDL & HDL2) were measured in 139 men and 145 women who were type 2 diabetics aged 45 to 64 years. Of these, 27 men and 16 women had had a previous definite heart attack.


Books:

The study found that:

(a) Those who had suffered a heart attack showed lower values of HDL and HDL2 cholesterol concentrations than those without a previous heart attack.

(b)  Those who had suffered a heart attack showed lower values of HDL and HDL2 cholesterol concentrations than those without any symptoms or electrocardiographic signs of coronary heart disease.

The relationship between low levels of HDL & HDL2 cholesterol, and heart disease was evident in both sexes, but it was particularly strong among males.

Diets high in saturated fat can raise beneficial HDL cholesterol. See here.

More information on this subject: Books : Scientific Studies : Websites : Videos : Food Mall

Recipe of the day

Braised Short ribs

Ingredients:
6 lbs boneless shortribs

Food Mall: Boneless Short Ribs

2 tbs olive oil

1 medium onion
4-5 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
4-5 strips of bacon cut into 1 inch pieces
1/8 cup of almond flour
1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 1/2 cups red wine
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp thyme
1 1/2 tsp dried rosemary

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325.

If boneless ribs are in a long strip, cut them into 3 inch long chunks. Heat olive oil in a dutch oven over medium high heat and sear the ribs on all sides to brown. Remove from pot.

Dice onion. Add bacon, onion, and garlic to the pot and cook until onion gets soft. Add in almond flour.

Add in beef, tomatoes, wine, and spices.

Put aluminum foil over the pot and then the lid.

Put in oven and bake for 4-5 hours or until meat is tender and falls apart.

Crock pot instructions:
Sear meat and soften veggies as above. Add almond flour.

Put in crock pot with spices, tomatoes, and wine.

Put foil over crock pot and then the lid.

Cook on low for 4-6 hours.