New research from the Freemason’s Center for Male Health and Wellbeing (FCMHW) has found a potential link between a type of fat in the blood and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Approximately 60 million adults in the US have a sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most prevalent. The condition causes the airway to close off during sleep, so the lungs cannot adequately oxygenate the blood.
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OSA is a potentially dangerous condition that can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke, depression, and cardiovascular disease. It has become a significant health issue in the United States, and if left untreated, it could become severe.
OSA has been known as a factor in many traffic accidents and accidents with heavy machinery, owing to the persistent drowsiness suffered by many OSA patients before the disease is recognized and treated.
For the study, participants were taken from the Men Androgens Inflammation Lifestyle Environment and Stress Study (MAILES), a comprehensive assessment of the health of men aged 40 and over in Australia. There was a total of 753 men involved, 50% of which were shown to have moderate to severe OSA.
It was found that participants with more severe OSA and reduced blood oxygen concentrations were more likely to have elevated concentrations of triglycerides in the blood.
Researchers noted some of the results were concerning because the most striking effects were seen in people who were not overweight. OSA is a common condition that can happen in lean people but is rarely recognized until the individual’s health is severely impaired.
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“The key message from this study is that testing for OSA should be considered even in lean men with elevated blood triglycerides concentrations,” said, lead author of the study, Professor Gary Wittert.
CPAP Machines
Researchers believe that continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP) may help reduce concentrations of triglycerides and the symptoms of OSA. CPAP machines are available for patients who may be at risk for OSA. These machines are meant to be worn at night and work by supplying a continuous stream of pressurized air that travels through a filter and flexible tubing. The device has a pump that controls the airflow and a mask that goes over the nose, mouth, or both.
Prof Wittert and his team believe further studies are needed to better understand the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and fat in bloo d. This study only looked at middle-aged men, so the results need to be tested in women and younger men. By testing the effectiveness of CPAP treatment for these groups, it could offer new preventative measures.
Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
