New medicine raises good cholesterol

We learn from BWH - Brigham and Women's Hospital - that their research resulted in a new medicine called Anacetrapib
which is beneficial to the High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) - also named the "good" cholesterol. The drug heightens the cholesterol by 138 per cent and at the same time lowers the Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) - also called "bad" cholesterol - almost by half.
This result of research was presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions Nov/'10.

Here's what one of the research team member has to say: "There are very few drugs available to treat low levels of good cholesterol, and this new drug, anacetrapib, is four to ten times more effective in raising good cholesterol compared to current therapies," said Christopher Cannon, MD, a cardiologist and senior investigator in the TIMI Study Group in the Cardiovascular Division at BWH and lead author of the DEFINE trial (Determining the EFficacy and Tolerability of CETP INhibition with AnacEtrapib). "Our research shows that anacetrapib is well tolerated by patients and is not associated with the dangerous blood pressure changes that have been seen in similar types of medication. If these same findings are validated in larger scale trials than we may have a new kind of drug to fight cardiovascular disease."

We further learn that this new medicine Anacetrapib, is part of a new drug category named cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitors or CETPs, which working results in blocking the transfer of triglycerides and esters between "good" and "bad" cholesterol. Triglycerides are blood fat types that are associated with increased risk of heart disease. We know now that
high levels of "good" cholesterol (HDL) helps preventing heart attacks. Experts assume that in this process the "good" cholesterol removes the "bad" cholesterol from the arteries.
(source: http://www.brighamandwomens.org/about_bwh/publicaffairs/news/pressreleases/PressRelease.aspx?PageId=767)

What also helps is eating the right food. Look here for free list of low cholesterol foods , that is low in "bad" cholesterol.