This is Insidermedicine in 60.
From Boston, women who take postmenopausal hormones have a lower risk of developing the wet type of macular degeneration, one of the leading causes of blindness. In an analysis of nearly 75,000 patients, researchers found a nearly 50% reduction in the risk of wet macular degeneration. However, the study also showed that hormones raised the risk of the dry, less aggressive type.
From La Jolla, taking statins may not only be beneficial for your cholesterol, but it may also lower blood pressure. In a clinical trial of patients randomized to zocor, pravachol or placebo, those taking the statins had a reduction of two to three millimeters of mercury in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. These reductions may be part of the rapid beneficial cardiovascular effects that statins have on the cardiovascular system.
And finally back to Boston, higher blood levels of urate, a salt derived from uric acid that is associated with gout, may slow the progression of Parkinson's disease. In a study of over 800 people with early signs of Parkinson's, those with the highest urate levels were half as likely to go on to receive dopamine-boosting treatment. Urate is a powerful antioxidant that may protect susceptible brain cells from degenerating.
For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.
Transcription by:
Scribe4you Transcription Services