Articles

The Relationship Between Diet and Cholesterol Levels Among Farmers in Ulubelu District, Tanggamus Regency, Lampung Province

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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) in farming populations is a health concern that can reduce productivity in the agricultural sector. Some of the factors that determine the risk of developing CVD are diet and cholesterol levels. This study aimed to identify early CVD risk in coffee farmers in Ulubelu district, Tanggamus Regency, Lampung Province by analysing the relationship between diet and cholesterol levels. This study used a cross-sectional design with quantitative analysis and was conducted in February-March 2025 with a total sample of 92 people obtained by purposive sampling technique. Dietary data were collected using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and cholesterol levels were measured using the Easy Touch GCU Meter device. Data were analysed using chi-square test on IBM SPSS Statistics 20 software. The results showed that 53.3% of the farmers were <50 years old, 37% had grade 1 hypertension, the majority had a normal BMI (82.6%), were active smokers (71.7%) and had a high level of physical activity (88%). Assessment of diet and cholesterol levels revealed 49 individuals (53.3 %) with poor diet and 49 individuals (53.3 %) with high cholesterol. The Chi-square test showed that there was no relationship between diet and cholesterol levels (p-value 1.000 OR = 0.983 95% CI 0.433 – 2.234).

Role of Cholesterol in Formation of Amyloid Plaques in Alzheimer’s Disease

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Amyloid plaques are one of the key reasons in progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) being one of the leading causes of dementia. Recent studies have shown evidence to the levels of cholesterol playing an important role in the formation of amyloid plaque. This work aims to analyse the effect of cholesterol levels in increasing amyloid plaques accumulation in the brain, how it can influence breakdown of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and how specific foods and diet can affect it formation of amyloid plaques. The research findings indicate that high levels cholesterol directly influences enzyme activity and clearance mechanisms in the brain. Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), commonly known as ‘bad’ cholesterol, transports cholesterol to various tissues and has been found to influence the risk of Alzheimer’s disease across different age groups. Managing cholesterol levels before the age of sixty-five may help reduce the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s.

The Concentrations of Cholesterol and Reproduction Hormones in Serum of Rabbits Doe That Consumed Moringa oleifera Leaf Extracts

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This study was conducted to examine the effect of various kinds of Moringa leaf extracts on cholesterol, estradiol, FSH, LH levels and litter size in rabbit does. The extracts used were hexane fraction extract (HeEF), ethanol fraction extract (EtEF) and ethanol rough extract (EtCE) from moringa leaf flour. Seven treatments were administered including extracts in pellets at a dose of 0, 0.13% HeEF, 0.26% HeEF, 0.37 EtEF, 0.74% EtEF, 0.54% EtCE and 1.08% EtCE. Each treatment was reduplicated on 4 rabbits. Cholesterol levels, estradiol, LH and FSH blood serum, mating readiness and litter size were measured, which results showed that the treatment significantly (P <5%) lowered the cholesterol level and increased the estradiol level in blood serum. On the other hand, the treatment had no significant effect on FSH, LH and litter size levels except at LH levels 2 hours after mating.