Still think we have ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol? It’s a theory that has fuelled the statin drug industry for years—but it’s simplistic.
Having high levels of the ‘good’ HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol doesn’t reduce your risk of heart disease, say researchers from Oregon Health & Science University.
While the emphasis on heart health has been on reducing levels of the ‘bad’ LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, and raising HDL levels, it could be more to do with the quality of HDL rather than its quantity.
The researchers also discovered that the cholesterol theory doesn’t even apply to black people. Low levels of HDL aren’t a predictor of heart disease in non-white communities, while higher HDL levels didn’t reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in any group.
The researchers analysed data from 23,901 participants in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke Study (Regards).
Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2022; 80: 2104; doi: 10.1016/j.acc.2022.09.027
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