So what do we really know about cholesterol?
But first, some fun ! I've recently came across this awesomely hilarious video that kinda illustrates scientific findings or theories in regards to healthy eating, and particularly cholesterol and its health effects. Please watch it first, laugh, and then continue reading :)
While I posted it here for fun, it does somehow highlight how - to an extent before becoming sarcastic - we progressed in our knowledge about the presence of cholesterol, the types of cholesterol (LDL and HDL),... yet the video also highlights a concern for the general population and health fanatics: how to really know what is true in regards to what is healthy, and what is not? More on this below..
So about that new study?
HDL levels have been considered the healthy indicator of a good cholesterol, combined with low levels of LDL.
Yet, two major general population studies conducted in Copenhagen - Denmark, namely the Copenhagen City Heart Study and Copenhagen General Population Study, with a population count of over 52,000 men and 64,000 women, yielded a conclusion that extreme high levels of HDL are linked to higher levels of mortality. Børge Nordestgaard, one of the authors of the study noted:
These results radically change the way we understand 'good' cholesterol. Doctors like myself have been used to congratulating patients who had a very high level of HDL in their blood. But we should no longer do so, as this study shows a dramatically higher mortality rate
The levels of HDL associated with increased mortality stood at 73 mg/dL for men, and 93 mg/dL for women. Lower "good" levels of HDL were not related to increased mortality on the other hand (58 mg/dL for men and 77mg/dL).
Mortality rates were calculated through monitoring of participants for over an average of 6 years, while keeping track of their medical conditions. 106% higher mortality was recorded among men, and 68% in women.
And while the authors reference earlier studies which have been conducted and had similar results, yet they lacked the general population factor, and the recorded mortality rates in this study were higher.
And while the study does not negate the common knoweldge that HDL levels are healthy, yet the highest mortality was found in extreme HDL levels, and could influence the medical community's take on overall healthy cholesterol levels. The study's final conclusion was as follows:
men and women from the general population with extreme high HDL cholesterol had high all-cause mortality. This was most pronounced in men, and for cardiovascular mortality. These findings need confirmation in future studies.
For full details about the study, you can check reference 4 below.
Now going back into that video at the top, and the whole confusion thing about scientific conclusions, particularly regarding health.
While some would consider blaming science for it, it is really far beyond reality. Let us first start by defining science...
What is science?
Science and scientific knowledge are constructed based upon experimenting and hypothesis.
If we look up the definition of science in Wikipedia:
is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe
And science is essentially based upon scientific experiments, the definition and purpose of which would be as follows:
A test under controlled conditions that is made to demonstrate a known truth, examine the validity of a hypothesis, or determine the efficacy of something previously untried.
Why do we have such contradicting results?
They're not really contradictory, if you think about the scientific nature illustrated above. It is basically a learning curve over time.
- The conditions might be less than sufficient, such as small sample base, short experimental time frame,...
- Inaccurate conclusions drawn from study results.
- Non-reproducible Results.
It really drills down to conducting further experiments, figuring out more accurate causality links, learning and basing on others' findings or mishaps.
Final take?
Science is not carved in stone. If you reference, for example, the findings of the recent study, the researchers clearly state that their results would need confirmation by further research.
One thing is certain though. Science seeks to increase knowledge and improve human life.
It is just the matter of finding the correct conclusions, the right experiments, and voila!
Thank you for reading through!
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science
- http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Scientific+experiment
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170823094124.htm
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehx163
Photo Credits:
- Image 1
- Image 2
- Image 3
- Image 4: Own creation, using this awesome tool http://www.textfx.co/view/ygqY8
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Wow so true, that video was really a great depiction of healthy eating trends of the past 50 years! Great article, I will be checking out more of your posts!
Thank you @kylaki ! Yea the video kinda struck a nerve when I saw it.
Glad you found this useful !
That video. I FEEL that.
All this health stuff is quite confusing. And even more so because we are all pretty different. I think what would help the most is lessons on listening to your body. I really think that very few do that any more.
I'm awesome at it, but quite well-practiced (cause I had to).
Side note: Hubs and I eat Eggs 🍳 , Bacon 🥓 , and Toast🍞 for breakfast almost everyday. 🤣
But in moderation, of course. 😎
Excellent post as usual. Thank you! 😍
STOP! orders of time travel dietitian lol
yes it definitely can all be confusing! Yea definitely your body can give it tons of signs. I think best policy is eating in moderation, staying fit/working out, and some yoga meditation too (Body, mind and soul).
Thank you, awesome Carrie :)
Great post @mcfarhat
Rightly said, science is dynamic and evolving. For example, there was a time when there was no substantial evidence to link lung cancer and cigarette consumption. Such is science!
No single report should be digested in isolation. There is still so much to unravel.
Thanks for sharing @mcfarhat
Thank you @tolulope.tolu !
Agreed my friend, and welcome again to steemSTEM :)
My best friend and I were just referring to the video. With my recent decision to become vegetarian this video fit perfectly into our friendly debate. Science has a funny way of explaining and unexplaining what it just explained. What are your thoughts on "healthy eating"?
haha so true,
I do believe in a healthy lifestyle overall. I'm not a vegetarian myself, but healthy eating definitely makes sense to me.
I though believe that one should choose eating habits that he can maintain long term, otherwise it's just a roller coaster.
Thank you for those awesome comments kubby :) !
Haha... Pro Eggs Here! I Limit to 1 Yolk and Liquid Egg White. There's Got to Be a Compromise in There Somehow, lol! Either Way a Exercising Daily Hasn't Got Much Dispute So Check Out My Blog for Fitness Advice and How to Workout :)
Yes! I'm pro healthy eating and fitness. Food is one part of the equation, yet healthy fit body is another.
Glad to hear you're into fitness. I'll keep an eye for your upcoming posts.
Hahah! Amazing video! Thank you for improving my mood :)
Your article is also useful and great.
I follow you ;)
Thank you katy, glad to hear !
Great article thank you for sharing! That video was great
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it !
Loved this and the video especially.
Science is certainly not written in stone - the problem is more when it comes to policy makers and lobby groups who make out as if it was!
Great work!
Thank you Peter!
Yes indeed it is not, which is why so often we find new evidence to counter older evidence. Basically we just keep learning.
Thanks again!
its really helpful information for life.
thank you for share.
yh it is! thanks @kylaki
You're welcome, and thank you for reading through!
img credz: pixabay.com
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The big issue with these types of studies if trying to find and control the core issues related to heart disease. With so much conflicting information about cholesterol and heart disease maybe it isn't as big of a factor as we assume.
Fiber, inflammatory markers, vegetable intake are all fairly important markers that were not looked at from my reading of the study. Maybe they are causing the confusion on the HDL correlation.
Then again the very foundation of the cholesterol theory to heart disease stands on shaky ground as the Seven Nation Study by Ansel Keys has been called out for cherry picking data.
Thank you for your insights, yes that might be a missing part of the equation that needs to be revisited.
Nothing yet is 100% conclusive.
Thanks again!
This is supercool! @mcfarhat Thanks! Followed...
Thank you
what, are u serious, now all this ldl / hdl stuff is messed up too? interesting
Well apparently only the extremely high HDL levels are somewhat risky. HDL still has certain recommended high values, and LDL low recommended values. Ive read another article recently that in fact those numbers present how the body reacts to certain factors. Manipulating the numbers via other factors might not have the exact expected outcome. But for now, i would say eat moderately, healthy, exercise and reasonably follow drs orders :D