Health - Cholesterol, Generic Lipitor, Grapes, Overtime | Health

Health - Cholesterol, Generic Lipitor, Grapes, Overtime

Maureen Fitzgerald, Fox 61 News

June 23, 2008, 3:33 PM EDT

Health - Cholesterol, Generic Lipitor, Grapes, Overtime

Do certain genes actually help boost good cholesterol?

A new study out of cambridge university shows they play a big role.

Researchers say people with a certain type of gene known as "c-e-t-p" have about a five percent reduced risk of having a heart attack.

The gene boosts the body's level of good cholesterol.

Out of the 150 thousand people in the study - a third carried the gene.

"good" cholesterol.. Also known as h-d-l... Has been shown to prevent heart disease.

Speaking of cholesterol....

It seems it will take a little longer before americans can get their hands on a generic version of lipitor.

It's one drug that's prescribed to lower cholesterol.

The generic version - which would be cheaper...won't be available until november 30th , 2011.

It's because of a patent dispute between lipitor's maker -pfizer- and india-based ran-baxy laboratories.

In a statement, a pfizer executive says the release of the generic drug is a win-win for everyone -- consumers, the companies and their shareholders.

The generic lipitor will also be released in canada, australia, and a few european countries.

You might remember--

Not long ago we told you grape juice would help your memory.

But you can also enjoy the red grapes themselves.

A new study says that their seeds contain natural antioxidants called poly-fen-nolics...

That could protect against memory loss.

The study looked into creating a pill that could be taken daily in place of the government-recommended glass of red wine.

Researchers from the mount sinai school of medicine used mice to test the effects of red wine and grape seeds on the memory.

They found the seeds reduced the risk of memory loss -- even in those who didn't have alzheimer's disease.

When you work overtime- you probably enjoy the extra money in your paycheck.

But the extra hours could be taking a toll on your mental health.

Doctors with norway's university of bergen studied close to 14-hundred workers..

The study found 13 percent of men who worked over 40 hours a week showed signs of depression ...up from the 9 percent who worked 40 or fewer hours....

As for women... The depression rate increased from seven percent to eleven percent.

Men who worked close to 60 hours a week- mainly shift workers - or laborers.... Showed the greatest signs of depression and anxiety.