Surprise -- Cholesterol May Actually Pose Benefits, Study Shows

Science Daily ^ | 1-10-2008 | Texas A&M University

[blam]

Surprise -- Cholesterol May Actually Pose Benefits, Study Shows

ScienceDaily (Jan. 10, 2008) — If you’re worried about high cholesterol levels and keeping heart-healthy as you get older, don’t push aside bacon and eggs just yet. A new study says they might actually provide a benefit.

Researchers at Texas A&M University have discovered that lower cholesterol levels can actually reduce muscle gain with exercising. Lead investigator Steven Riechman, assistant professor of health and kinesiology, and Simon Sheather, head of the Department of Statistics, along with colleagues from The Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, have recently had their findings published in the Journal of Gerontology.

Bottom line: Before you have that second helping of oatmeal, it’s very possible that cholesterol may not be the mean Mr. Evil thing we tend to believe it is.

“We were not expecting to get these kind of results,” Riechman explains.

“We need further research in this area, but what we found could really make us look differently at cholesterol, especially as it relates to a vigorous workout.”

The team studied 55 men and women, ages 60-69, who were healthy non-smokers and were able to perform exercise testing and training.

Three days a week for 12 weeks, participants performed several exercises, including stretching, stationary bike riding and vigorous weight lifting. Those who had to miss one or more sessions all conducted make-up sessions so that by the study’s end, the entire group had engaged in uniform activities. Also, all participants consumed similar meals.

At the conclusion of the study, the researchers found that there was a significant association of dietary cholesterol and change in strength. In general, those with higher cholesterol intake also had the highest muscle strength gain.

Cholesterol circulating in the blood also appeared to have contributed to greater muscle gain in the participants, Riechman said.

“One possible explanation is through cholesterol’s important role in the inflammation process,” he noted.

“As you exercise, your muscles can become sore because they are rebuilding muscle mass. More cholesterol may result in a more robust inflammatory response. We know that inflammation in some areas, such as near the heart, is not good, but for building muscles it may be beneficial, and cholesterol appears to aid in this process.”

Riechman said that subjects who were taking cholesterol-lowering drugs while participating in the study showed lower muscle gain totals than those who were not.

“Needless to say, these findings caught us totally off guard,” he explains.

“From here, we need to look at a number of questions, such as what exactly happens to cholesterol while you are exercising? What role does protein intake have in all of this? What we really need to do is to trace cholesterol the moment it goes into the muscles.”

Combined with exercise, cholesterol appears to play a role in contributing to muscle gain, Riechman says. The key here is working out – it doesn’t mean sitting in front of a television all day thinking you don’t have to worry about cholesterol levels.

“Our findings show that the restricting of cholesterol – while in the process of exercising – appears to affect building muscle mass in a negative manner. If it’s true, as our findings suggest, that cholesterol may play a key role in muscle repair, we need to know exactly how that happens. And because cholesterol is negatively associated with cardiovascular health, we need further study in this area. It shows that there is still a lot about cholesterol that we don’t know.”

Adapted from materials provided by Texas A&M University.

[big'ol_freeper]

Ping

[BreezyDog]

Isn’t that why I take CO Q10 with my Zocor? The CO Q10 aids in muscle repair caused by the statins damage.

[Jeff Chandler]

Oh, crap.

[Gorzaloon]

Merck is not going to like this.

"A former Pfizer exec accused the drugmaker of illegally boosting Lipitor sales through an elaborate campaign of misleading educational programs for docs, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Jesse Polansky, claims that the educational campaign was a key part of a marketing strategy that “led thousands of physicians to prescribe Lipitor for millions of patients who did not need medication” and could be harmed by overly aggressive treatment.

His lawsuit was filed in federal court in New York in February 2004, but was sealed while prosecutors decided whether to join the case."

This whole issue has taken a long time to start unravelling, but its a start.

[Names Ash Housewares]

Billions spent on all these studies for decades and everything always comes down to.......

All things in moderation, get regular excercise.

Shocker.

I am in the wrong line of work.

[Ancesthntr]

OK, so if your cholesterol is sky-high you’ll look like Arnold Schwarteneggar when they put you in the box because you dropped dead of a heart attack.

Seriously, cardiovascular health is very complex. One can have high, normal or low overall cholesterol and be either healthy or unhealthy-because other factors come into play:

HDL/LDL ratio

Whether your LDLs are oxidized (which has a lot to do with how much in the way of anti-oxydants you consume, esp. with high-fat meals)

Arterial health

Triglycerides level

Overall level of inflammation

Hereditary factors

Level of Coenzyme Q10 (which is depleted naturally as one ages, and which is dramatically depleted when consuming statin drugs to lower cholesterol - so you have clear arteries and die of congestive heart failure).

These things only touch the surface.

I am NOT a doctor or in the health field. I get most of my information regarding health and nutrition from Life Extension Foundation (I’m only a member, and don’t profit in any way from attracting new members, selling the products, working there, etc., nor does anyone in my family). Their website is: http://www.lef.org/

[JOE6PAK]

I give up.

[alisasny]

I still have and old Aunt who insists margarine is going to save her life and refuses to use butter.

[max americana]

Hooray for greasy pizza, cold beer and midnight snacks.

[Ancesthntr]

“Isn’t that why I take CO Q10 with my Zocor? The CO Q10 aids in muscle repair caused by the statins damage.”

You’re doing the right thing to take Co Q10 - statins deplete it, and it is vital to helping cells produce energy. The lack of Co Q10 among most who take statins accounts for why so many people with controlled cholesterol levels are dying of congestive heart failure.

BTW, you might want to take the Ubiquinol (as opposed to the cheaper and more available Ubiquinone) form of Co Q10. Unfortunately, while it is absorbed much better, it is available from only 1 source in the US - http://www.lef.org/

As stated above, I don’t benefit from LEF in any way - I belong because they actually seem to give a damn about one’s overall health and longevity, and they do and publish a bunch of leading edge research.

[blam]

"Isn’t that why I take CO Q10 with my Zocor? The CO Q10 aids in muscle repair caused by the statins damage."

Boy, tell me! LOL.

[GovernmentShrinker]

They’re surprised??? Cholesterol is THE starting material for all steroid hormones. For those unfamiliar with the process, go to this link http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/basics/steroidogenesis.html and scroll down about 2/3rds of the way to see the “map” of the most important 16 of many hormones built from cholesterol.

[mtbopfuyn]

Good to know that I didn’t kill myself with the bacon and eggs this morning, yesterday morning, and again tomorrow morning. I can’t wait until they admit Oreos are the new miracle food.

[SERKIT]

You’re doing the right thing to take Co Q10 - statins deplete it, and it is vital to helping cells produce energy.

This has been pointed out to the FDA many times. Many wanted the CoQ recommendation placed in the drug literature. The FDA refused to do so, influenced by the drug manufacturing lobby, thinking it may scare people off and more importantly, reduce the sales of the products. THIS IS WORSE THAN THE GLOBAL WARMING SCAM. DO your homework before taking statins!!!!

[Ancesthntr]

Billions spent on all these studies for decades and everything always comes down to.......

All things in moderation, get regular excercise.

My grandfather (may he RIP) was a doctor for over 50 years. When he was about 75 I asked him, "So, what's the secret to living a long life?"

His response stunned me: "Stay away from doctors and stay away from hospitals."

Naturally I asked for an explanation. It was long, but boiled down to avoiding needless surgery and overly aggressive treatment with drugs, and by avoiding surgery you will stay out of the hospitals that are the breeding grounds for the most virulent bugs on earth. Basically, G-d gave us a magnificent machine that repairs itself most of the time, and that if you treat it right by eating moderate and balanced meals of nutritious food, getting a reasonable amount of exercise and a good amount of sleep, then you'll live a long time unless you have an accident or really bad genes. He also mentioned that having a good sense of humor didn't hurt, as sour-pusses usually have a lot of stress and put themselves into an early grave.

FYI, Grampa had a stroke at age 78, most likely caused by the interactions of the multiple drugs he was taking. Nonetheless, this short, fat man (think 5'5" and over 200 pounds since I was a little kid) who smoked cigars until he had his stroke lived to be nearly 86. Part of the credit is no doubt due to the amount of fish he ate, plus staying out of hospitals and avoiding other docs for a long time. I wish he had taken a bit better care of himself, and I miss him terribly, but I'll always cherish his memory.

[A knight without armor]

Cold pizza and room temperature coke - the best breakfast.

[Petronski]

Since the body actually MAKES cholesterol, why should I be surprised that it is beneficial?

[Ancesthntr]

Cholesterol is also the material that maintains the integrity of cell walls and which is converted into extremely beneficial Vitamin D (D3, actually) when hit by UV rays (i.e. getting a bit of sun each day is GOOD for you - because Vitamin D helps to fight infections, heart disease and cancer...so much for the scare over sun exposure).

Once again, moderation is the key to nearly everything.

[Ancesthntr]

Since the body actually MAKES cholesterol, why should I be surprised that it is beneficial?

While it IS beneficial if within healthy ranges, this is not universally true. Also, I wouldn't necessarily use that particular argument, because the body also makes urine and feces, and I'm not about to consume them.

[Petronski]

Don’t be pedantic.

[snoringbear]

“I give up.”

Pork fat rules!!! Eat more bacon!!!! I have been waiting a very long time for this one!!! Whahoo!!!

[CitadelArmyJag]

Sounds like this needs a Dr. Weston A. Price ping!

[XeniaSt]

The CO Q10 aids in muscle repair caused by the statins damage.

I use Red Yeast Rice in place of man made Statins with COQ-10

[CitadelArmyJag]

Cholesterol Must Reads!

Cholesterol and Heart Disease- A Phony Issue
By Mary Enig, PhD
http://www.westonaprice.org/knowyourfats/fats_phony.html

The Benefits of High Cholesterol
By Uffe Ravnskov, MD, PhD
http://www.westonaprice.org/moderndiseases/benefits_cholest.html

[CitadelArmyJag]

Weston Price Ping!

A Nutrition Ping List
For Those Interested in the Research
of Dr. Weston A. Price

[kalee]

ping

[Coleus]

I use Red Yeast Rice in place of man made Statins with COQ-10 >>>

you are now wasting your money because the FDA made the vitamin makers take out the drug in the yeast that was lowering the cholesterol.

[diamond6]

What was the name of the drug?

[mtrott]

Yes, as a representative that sold a statin drug for years, I am quite aware of the negative effects of statins on CoQ10 levels. There is a doctor in my town who is published in medical journals on the topic of these reductions on CoQ10 levels and has insisted ever since this effect was discovered that any of his patients on statins take CoQ10 tablets.

BTW, most statins are fat soluble drugs, which means they can cross the blood/brain barrier and exert their effect in the brain. This MAY have positive effects in prevention of Alzheimers, but as previously posted, cholesterol is necessary for cell wall integrity. Many doctors feel you can’t get LDL too low, but I fear that, particularly in elderly patients, cholesterol levels are being driven too low. While very low cholesterol levels may reduce the risk of thrombotic stroke, by weakening the cell wall integrity, the risk of hemmorrhagic stroke may increased.

Interestingly, I was recently prescribed a statin myself. I asked for and received the one that is water soluble and is known for having possibly the least side effects. But after I took it for some time, it seemed like my darn knees were getting weak when I would try to stand from a sitting postion. And I take CoQ10 most every day. I plan to soon start taking it again for a period of time and see if I get the same effect in my knees.

[Coleus]

i think it was mevacor or lovastatin.

[MiltonFriedmanFan]

Bodybuilders have known for years that dietary cholesterol does not impact body cholesterol nearly as much as saturated fat does.

[editor-surveyor]

Thanks for the ping!

"don’t push aside bacon and eggs just yet. A new study says they might actually provide a benefit."

I always have at least two eggs for breakfast. (who would want to live 200 years blind?)

[CitadelArmyJag]

Yes we have, and both are necessary. Arnold and I were having a conversation about that just last week. Go ahead and try to maintain healthy testosterone levels with a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fat -it doesnt work.

[editor-surveyor]

Your Gramps was absolutely correct.

[editor-surveyor]

" I wouldn't necessarily use that particular argument, because the body also makes urine and feces, and I'm not about to consume them."

But your bod doesn't deposit them in your blood stream.

[Cacique]

btt

[pbmaltzman]

There have been people all along who questioned the cholesterol "theory" (fad, really) of heart disease.

I just stocked up my fridge/freezer on butter, eggs, and some little pork sausages. I also eat seafood when I can afford it. I also eat some of the skin on my chicken and turkey. Next time London Broil is on sale, I will stock up on that too. Yeah, we eat veggies here too... dressed in butter.

Every time I type up a report for a heart patient who is then told to go home and eat the standard "heart healthy" diet and take his statin drugs, I cringe. There is a lot out there regarding how misguided this approach really is... but doctors have mostly bought into this hook, line, and sinker.

There's also a book out there called "Lipitor: Thief of Memory." Turns out that our brains are made of fat, and we need good-quality fat to keep it running in good condition. Memory loss would be a hellacious side effect even if statins really did what they are claimed to do.

[redhead]

"Billions spent on all these studies for decades and everything always comes down to....... All things in moderation, get regular excercise."

Check here for more info on the great SCAM.

[TruthSetsUFree]

Zetia, a non-statin cholesterol-lowering drug, can have the same effect on joints and muscles. Doctors overlook it because they think only the statin drugs have this effect. It can also cause depression and anxiety.

My father went through all kinds of tests looking for things like RA and Lyme’s, and no one clued in that it might be the Zetia he was taking. Fortunately we figured it out, and he’s now doing much better OFF the drug.

[CDHart]

I've been saying for a long time that at some point, they would say cholesterol is good for you. Just like salt causes high blood pressure, then suddenly it doesn't.

Carolyn

[mtrott]

Yes, another known occasional effect of statins is something called Transient Global Amnesia, which is just what it sounds like:

http://main.pslgroup.com/news/industrynews.nsf/IndNFrameSet?OpenForm&id=E4F96584D5E5D1A485256CFB00839B1E&fw=1&newsid=8525697700573E1885256D720068DB3B&u=http://www.accp.com/pharmacotherapy/pharm2307.php#7&ref=fw-http://main.pslgroup.com/psl.nsf/url/Marc.Trotter.815

Sroll down to about the middle of the page.

[mtrott]

Sorry, TGA is a bit different from what is discussed in the link, but you get the idea.

[Ancesthntr]

Don’t be pedantic.

Fine. So eliminate the 2nd sentence - too much of something is generally no good, even if the body makes it, and this certainly applies to cholesterol. Of course, too little is also no good. What is "too much" or "too little" depends on each person's unique physical characteristics.

[Ancesthntr]

I use Red Yeast Rice in place of man made Statins with COQ-10

How much for how long, and to what effect?

[dfwgator]

High cholesterol foods tend to also be high in protein, so that probably explains the higher muscle gain.

[skeeter]

OK, so if your cholesterol is sky-high you’ll look like Arnold Schwarteneggar when they put you in the box because you dropped dead of a heart attack.

Good grief I hope not. I've been lifting & running 10-15 miles/week for 25 years yet both my LDL & HDL levels remain at the very top end of the normal zone.

Its just as well, my goal is not so much longevity as it is quality of health for the time I do have.

[XeniaSt]

XS>I use Red Yeast Rice in place of man made Statins with COQ-10

How much for how long, and to what effect?

I use 600 mg daily of

From Nutrition Express

My cholesterol combined is 180

Keeps my MD confused but happy.

I'm 68 and had had high cholesterol

[Vinnie]

Life Extension Foundation

Is that affiliated with Dirk Pearson or vis-a versa?

Read his book of similar name way back in the 80's.

The book was way ahead of his time.

Sorry I didn't keep up with his regimen.

[Ancesthntr]

Thank you SO much for that link. I will, of course, have to do a lot of reading, but it appears that - once again - the Conventional Wisdom is full of crap.

Worse, the CV appears to be most heavily promoted by those with an interest in the steps taken to comply with the standards they’ve set up. Nothing like an inherent conflict of interest, is there?