LDL Cholesterol and Hot Flashes

By: David Bradley

Worried about you cholesterol? Been prescribed cholesterol-lowering statins? Now, suffering hot flashes? According to German researchers you may not be alone. In a study that appeared in the December 1 issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Stefan Offermanns and colleagues at the University of Heidelberg demonstrated why the cholesterol-lowering agent nicotinic acid also commonly causes flushing or "hot flashes" that, although harmless, often prompts patients to discontinue therapy. The authors found that activation of the nicotinic acid receptor GPR109A by nicotinic acid can produce different responses depending on the location of the receptor in the body.

The authors found that when nicotinic acid activates GPR109A is found on the surface of fat cells it induces a lowering of lipid levels. However nicotinic acid–induced activation of GPR109A expressed on immune cells in the skin prompts the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins that cause blood vessels near the skin surface to dilate, resulting in the characteristic flushing response. Independent researcher Nicholas Pike explains that this work "supports the hypothesis that immune cells in the skin are the most likely source of arachidonic acid and prostaglandins."

Furthermore, this study should help researchers develop therapeutics that can achieve the same beneficial cholesterol-lowering effects of nicotinic acid, but without the marked flushing response. Until then, what are the alternatives for those of us with high blood cholesterol.

About 50% of American adults have elevated blood cholesterol levels, a key risk factor for heart disease. But, as we've seen, there are issues surrounding the medical approach to lowering cholesterol. A diet, composed of a variety of cholesterol friendly foods could be as effective as statin drugs, according to prior research by  in lowering bad cholesterol levels, according to ongoing research by Dr David Jenkins and colleagues at XVXVX published in peer-reviewed journals such as Lipids, Annals of Internal Medicine, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Metabolism, British Journal of Nutrition, and others. Find out how to change your diet and so reduce your ldl cholesterol here.