Good chloresterol vs Bad chloresterol
This subject keeps on coming up.
TLDR; *It all comes down to balanced diet, get rid of processed foods and do some exercise.*
Good book on this we got in library a few years ago: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50031440-why-we-eat-too-much very good if you like the sciencey bits!
I think my Dad was measured with high chloresterol a long time ago. So Mum would have introduced what was considered healthier choices. Less fatty foods, a bit more fish instead of meat. All good. But also dairygold instead of real butter. Ironically I think dairygold is more processed and it even used to use the hydrogenated oils which are more of a problem! So, yeah the chloresterol focus was a bit mis-directed. The sugar industry apparently was keeping head down and concealing any "too-much-sugar-might-maybe-be-bad-for-you" studies and managed to mis-direct and blame the fats in food for health conditions. It is only being corrected a bit now. Legacy of misinformation still affecting healthcare today.
What did the book say?
Our cell walls are made of fat. "Good" chloresterol is more volatile than bad. Cells pick up signals from hormones better if enough "good" chloresterol is there. It's only "good" as we get too little of it in comparison to the "bad". We get too little of the "good" as alot of food is not fresh. The food is processed and "good" breaks down more than the "bad". In fact the more volatile stuff causes food to go off faster so food processing industry takes it out. There is also more "good" in non-corn fed animals - so grass fed is better than corn fed when it comes to meat/dairy/eggs.
Also, not in the book I think, ... on statins:
Commonly used medication for high chloro is statins based. Is linked with dementia and even diabetes in more recent times though. Mwah. Probably over-subscribed in the past? SO .. can be beneficial .. it depends .. it's complicated .. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statin-side-effects/art-20046013
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/risk-factors-and-prevention/cholesterol-and-dementia
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/do-statins-increase-the-risk-of-dementia
"the relationship between statins and cognitive function remains controversial,"
other "research has found a higher rate of brain-related side effects related to a category of statins called lipophilic statins" .. "These include simvastatin (Zocor), fluvastatin (Lescol), pitavastatin (Livalo), lovastatin (Altoprev) and atorvastatin (Lipitor). Switching to a different type of statin, called a hydrophilic statin — either rosuvastatin (Crestor) or pravastatin (Pravachol) — might be an option" .. or .. "non-statin cholesterol medication instead. Some examples are ezetimibe (Zetia), alirocumab (Praluent), and bempedoic acid (Nexletol)."
Many many much more info on the internets about this:
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-you-should-no-longer-worry-about-cholesterol-in-food/
“Your genetic makeup – not diet – is the driving force behind cholesterol levels" "The greater danger for everyone is in foods that are high in trans fats."
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/fats-and-cholesterol/cholesterol/
"The biggest influence on blood cholesterol level is the mix of fats and carbohydrates in your diet—not the amount of cholesterol you eat from food."
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates/carbohydrates-and-blood-sugar/
Glycemic load - simple vs complex carbs - another reason why less-processed foods (grains) can be better for you healthwise.
