HDL ‘Good Cholesterol’ is not that good; It can kill you early!

By Rohan Ganguly -

Aug 13, 2016

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In a new study, researchers have revealed that eating too much good cholesterol (HDL) can lead to premature death and it is not that good for healthy as previously believed.
Cholesterol is of basically two types — good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. The amount of good cholesterol (HDL, high-density lipoprotein) should be high while it should be less for bad cholesterol (LDL, Low-density lipoprotein).
HDL “good” cholesterol enhances blood glucose levels by improving skeletal muscle capacity and diminishing heftiness. Low levels of HDL leads cardiovascular diseases. The specialists discovered that HDL cholesterol levels must be enhanced for appropriate skeletal muscle capacity.

Previous studies have suggested that HDL reduces the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and LDL causes cardiovascular diseases in later stages of life. Good cholesterol is believed to clear cholesterol from arteries which keep us healthy in the long run. Now, study authors have conducted tests which show that good cholesterol is not that good.
For the study, researchers observed decade-long data (2003-13) from 1.7 million male in the U.S. It was found that like bad cholesterol, good cholesterol too affects our health adversely and increases the risk of early death.
“The findings surprised us,” said the study’s senior author Ziyad Al-Aly, Assistant Professor at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. “Previously it was thought that raised levels of the good cholesterol were beneficial. The relationship between increased levels of HDL cholesterol and early death is unexpected,” Al-Aly said.
Study authors said that consuming too much of HDL can lead to kidney dysfunction similar to LDL and VLDL. Al-Aly further added that consuming too less and too much of HDL is bad for health. Just like people try avoiding consuming too much LDL to protect their heart. Similarly, people should also keep a check on HDL levels to reduce the risk of early death.
It is the first study of its kind and a study on a larger scale is required to confirm the find.

Here are few tips to control levels of HDL

• Workout daily
• Join weight loss programs
• Genetics play important role in maintaining HDL level
• Promote good gut bacteria with probiotic-rich foods
• Do not take stress
• Follow the code — ‘Smoking is injurious to health’ and quit smoking
• Reduce saturated fat intake
• Reduce simple carbohydrates intake
• Keep alcohol consumption to a minimum

By following these steps, you can curb your cholesterol level and stay healthy.
The study appeared in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.