What Actually Causes High Cholesterol?

In 1968, the American Heart Association advised limiting egg consumption to three per week due to cholesterol concerns linked to cardiovascular disease. Which was reasonable based on the evidence available back then, but it didn’t stand the test of time.

Eggs are indeed high in cholesterol, but that doesn’t mean that those who eat them will also be high in cholesterol, because…

It’s not quite what many people think

Some quick dietary pointers to start with:

• Egg yolks are high in cholesterol but have a minimal impact on blood cholesterol.
• Saturated and trans fats (as found in fatty meats or dairy, and some processed foods) have a greater influence on LDL levels than dietary cholesterol.

And on the other hand:

• Unsaturated fats (e.g. from fish, nuts, seeds) have anti-inflammatory benefits
• Fiber-rich foods help lower LDL by affecting fat absorption in the digestive tract

A quick primer on LDL and other kinds of cholesterol:

• VLDL (Very Low-Density Lipoprotein):
  • delivers triglycerides and cholesterol to muscle and fat cells for energy
  • is converted into LDL after delivery
• LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein):
  • is called “bad cholesterol”, which we call that due to its role in arterial plaque formation
  • in excess leads to inflammation, overworked macrophage activity, and artery narrowing
• HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein):
  • known as “good cholesterol,” picks up excess LDL and returns it to the liver for excretion
  • is anti-inflammatory, in addition to regulating LDL levels

There are other factors too, for example:

• Smoking and drinking increase LDL buildup and cause oxidative damage to lipids in general and the blood vessels through which they travel
• Regular exercise, meanwhile, can lower LDL and raise HDL
• Statins and other medications can help lower LDL and manage cholesterol when lifestyle changes and genetics require additional support—but they often come with serious side effects, and the usefulness varies from person to person.

For more on all of this, enjoy:

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Want to learn more?

You might also like to read:

• Demystifying Cholesterol
• Statins: His & Hers?
• Lower Cholesterol Naturally

Take care!