Cholesterol
Cholesterol isn't entirely the health villain it's made out to be, its name
darkly linked to heart attack, stroke, and other types of cardiovascular
disease. Our bodies need cholesterol, which is a type of lipid (another
name for fat) to make cell membranes, key hormones like testosterone
and estrogen, the bile acids needed to digest and absorb fats, and
vitamin D. Cholesterol is so important to the body that the liver and
intestines make it from scratch.
What is "bad" about cholesterol isn't the substance itself — in fact, we
can't live without it — but how much of it is in the bloodstream.
The body packages cholesterol in two main particles: low-density
lipoprotein (LDL), the so-called bad cholesterol, and high-density
lipoprotein (HDL), the so-called good cholesterol. Too much LDL in the
bloodstream helps create the harmful cholesterol-filled plaques that grow
inside arteries. Such plaques are responsible for angina (chest pain with
exertion or stress), heart attacks, and most types of stroke.
What causes a person's LDL level to be high? Most of the time diet is
the key culprit. Eating foods rich in saturated fats, trans fats, and easily
digested carbohydrates boost LDL. Genes are sometimes at the root of
high cholesterol, and some medications can boost LDL.
If you have high cholesterol, making changes in your diet can help bring
it down into the healthy range. Exercise can help boost the level of
protective HDL. Several types of medication, notably the family of drugs
known as statins, can powerfully lower LDL. Depending on your
cardiovascular health, your doctor may recommend taking a statin.
Cholesterol Articles
Don't be afraid of statins
While statin therapy helps lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, many people may still resist them
because they fear side effects and do not understand how the drugs work. Yet, for many
people, statins are the best way to protect against heart attack and stroke, and may provide
additional benefits like reducing the risk of blood clots and protecting against Alzheimer’s.
Farewell to fasting before a cholesterol test?
Fasting before a cholesterol test may not be necessary, as nonfasting test results seem to
predict heart disease risk just as accurately as fasting tests.
When very high cholesterol runs in the family
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited condition that leads to very high levels of
harmful LDL cholesterol. Although FH is as common as type 1 diabetes and cystic fibrosis,
many people have never heard of it. Because it’s a leading cause of premature heart attacks,
ongoing efforts seek better ways to identify FH. Genetic testing isn’t always necessary,
because high LDL cholesterol is an excellent indicator of heart disease risk. In children, an
LDL cholesterol level of 160 mg/dL or higher suggests FH; in adults, an LDL of 190 mg/dL
or higher raises suspicion. (Locked)
White meat raises “bad” cholesterol levels just like red meat
Eating large amounts of red meat can increase LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and raise a
person’s risk of heart disease, but a new study found that consuming large amounts of poultry
can have the same effect.
Do you need a calcium scan?
Coronary artery calcium scans, which can reveal dangerous plaque in the heart’s arteries, are
now recognized by guidelines and being are used more often than in the past. Results from
the scan may help refine or reclassify a person’s risk of heart disease. But the tests don’t
make sense for everyone. People who already have heart disease should not have a calcium
scan, nor should people at low risk, which includes most people under age 40. Instead, the
scans are an option for people who fall in between. This borderline and intermediate risk
group includes people ages 40 to 75 whose 10-year risk of heart disease or stroke ranges from
5% to 20%.
High cholesterol may be risky for your eyes
A new study found that people with high cholesterol may have a higher risk of glaucoma.
The use of statin medication was associated with a lower risk of the condition.
Skip vitamins, focus on lifestyle to avoid dementia
New guidelines released May 19, 2019, by the World Health Organization recommend a
healthy lifestyle—such as keeping weight under control and getting lots of exercise—in order
to delay the onset of dementia or slow its progression.
Soy protein helps lower bad cholesterol a small but important amount
Eating more soy protein could be a way to lower high cholesterol levels. Researchers found
that, on average, 25 grams of soy protein per day, over a six-week period, lowered LDL (bad)
cholesterol levels by about 3% to 4%, a small but still significant amount.
Bust your belly for a healthier heart
Visceral fat lies deep within the abdominal cavity and pads the spaces between your
abdominal organs. While it makes up only 10% of total body fat, it can have the biggest
impact on health, as high amounts are linked with a greater risk of heart disease. Following a
high-quality diet is necessary to lose visceral fat, but high-intensity aerobic exercise may help
even more. An ideal visceral fat-burning workout is 20 to 30 minutes of some kind of high
intensity exercise, at least three days a week.
For most people, no need for niacin
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is unlikely to provide any heart-related benefit for most
people. Its only possible role is for people who cannot tolerate statins, but other, newer
medications would likely offer greater benefits
