Blood cholesterol
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers for "blood cholesterol"
Blood Cholesterol: Insights from Recent Research
Dietary Cholesterol and Blood Lipid Levels
Impact of Dietary Cholesterol on LDL and HDL Levels
Recent studies have shown that dietary cholesterol intake can influence blood lipid levels. In a controlled study involving healthy young women, it was found that increasing dietary cholesterol through the consumption of eggs led to modest increases in both LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels. Specifically, for every 100 mg of dietary cholesterol added per day, total fasting cholesterol increased by 0.073 mmol/L, LDL cholesterol by 0.054 mmol/L, and HDL cholesterol by 0.015 mmol/L1. This suggests that while dietary cholesterol does raise blood cholesterol levels, the increase is relatively modest and affects both "bad" LDL and "good" HDL cholesterol.
Global Trends in Blood Cholesterol Levels
Shifts in Cholesterol Levels Across Different Regions
A comprehensive global analysis of cholesterol trends from 1980 to 2018 revealed significant regional shifts. While high blood cholesterol was once predominantly a concern in wealthy Western countries, recent data indicate that cholesterol levels have increased in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in East and Southeast Asia. Conversely, high-income Western countries have seen a decrease in cholesterol levels. This shift has resulted in countries like Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand now having some of the highest levels of non-HDL cholesterol, a marker of cardiovascular risk2 4.
Effectiveness of Dietary Advice on Cholesterol Reduction
Comparing Dietitians, Doctors, and Self-Help Resources
The effectiveness of dietary advice in reducing blood cholesterol varies depending on the source of the advice. A meta-analysis comparing advice from dietitians, doctors, and self-help resources found that participants receiving advice from dietitians experienced a greater reduction in blood cholesterol levels compared to those receiving advice from doctors. However, there was no significant difference when comparing dietitians to self-help resources3. This suggests that while professional dietary advice can be beneficial, self-help resources can also be effective in managing cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Mortality
Associations with Ischemic Heart Disease and Stroke
A meta-analysis of 61 prospective studies involving nearly 900,000 adults found that lower total cholesterol levels were associated with a significant reduction in ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality across all age groups. Specifically, a 1 mmol/L reduction in total cholesterol was linked to a 44% reduction in IHD mortality for individuals aged 40-49, a 34% reduction for those aged 50-69, and a 17% reduction for those aged 70-89. However, the relationship between cholesterol and stroke mortality was more complex, with cholesterol levels being weakly positively related to stroke mortality in early middle age but not in older age groups7.
Cholesterol Levels and Prostate Cancer Risk
Lack of Association with Prostate Cancer
A meta-analysis of 14 prospective studies investigated the relationship between blood cholesterol levels and the risk of prostate cancer. The analysis found no significant association between total cholesterol (TC), HDL, or LDL levels and the risk of either overall or high-grade prostate cancer. This suggests that hypercholesterolemia does not appear to increase the risk of prostate cancer8.
Conclusion
The research highlights the nuanced role of cholesterol in health, showing that while dietary cholesterol can modestly increase blood cholesterol levels, the global trends and health outcomes associated with cholesterol are influenced by a variety of factors, including regional dietary habits and healthcare practices. Effective management of blood cholesterol through dietary advice and medication remains crucial for reducing cardiovascular risk, although its impact on other conditions like prostate cancer appears minimal.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Increases in dietary cholesterol are associated with modest increases in both LDL and HDL cholesterol in healthy young women.
Adding 3 eggs per day to an AHA diet modestly increases LDL and HDL cholesterol levels in healthy young women, with no significant effect on fasting plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein levels or response to a standard high-fat formula.
RCT
Highly CitedRepositioning of the global epicentre of non-optimal cholesterol
From 1980 to 2018, total and non-HDL cholesterol levels increased in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in east and southeast Asia, and decreased in high-income western countries.
Meta-Analysis
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedDietary advice given by a dietitian versus other health professional or self-help resources to reduce blood cholesterol.
Dietitians are better than doctors at lowering blood cholesterol in the short to medium term, but not better than self-help resources, and there is no evidence they provide better outcomes than nurses.
Meta-AnalysisHighly CitedRepositioning of the global epicentre of non-optimal cholesterol
From 1980 to 2018, non-optimal cholesterol levels increased in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in east and southeast Asia, and decreased in high-income western countries.
Meta-AnalysisRigorous JournalA method for the determination of cholesterol in blood serum.
This rapid and reliable method for determining cholesterol in blood serum provides results approximately 14% higher than those obtained by the Schoenheimer-Sperry method.
STUDIES ON BLOOD LIPOIDS: I. THE RELATION OF CHOLESTEROL AND PROTEIN DEFICIENCY TO BASAL METABOLISM
Blood cholesterol is influenced by various factors, including external factors and internal factors, and is related to various metabolic disturbances.
Highly CitedBlood cholesterol and vascular mortality by age, sex, and blood pressure: a meta-analysis of individual data from 61 prospective studies with 55 000 vascular deaths
Lower total cholesterol is associated with reduced ischaemic heart disease mortality in both middle and old age, with statins significantly reducing both coronary event and stroke rates in various age groups.
Meta-AnalysisRigorous JournalHighly CitedCholesterol Levels in Blood and the Risk of Prostate Cancer: A Meta-analysis of 14 Prospective Studies
Blood cholesterol levels were not found to increase the risk of prostate cancer in this meta-analysis of 14 large prospective studies.
Meta-AnalysisHighly CitedIs there a relation between diet and -blood cholesterol?
Dietary cholesterol may not be the sole factor determining blood cholesterol levels and its etiologic significance in atherosclerosis.
Systematic Review for the 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.
Nonstatin lipid-modifying therapies show potential in reducing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events, with ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors showing reduced morbidity and mortality rates.
Systematic ReviewHighly Cited