The New Truth About CHOLESTEROL

The latest research and information will help you keep your levels in check 

- Bonnie Munday

For most of my adult life, I usually avoided eggs. I had read that since yolks are full of cholesterol, eating them would raise my blood cholesterol and harm my heart health. Then, around three years ago, to lose a few kilos I reduced simple carbs and added more protein to my diet-including eggs. But I wondered what that would do to my cholesterol levels, so at my next medical check-up, I asked for a blood test. My doctor surprised me with this response: "We were wrong about that all along. The best research says you don't need to avoid eggs."

To reassure me, she ordered the blood test. The results? Same healthy cholesterol levels as before. It got me wondering: How many other people were unnecessarily avoiding eggs and other foods based on old information? And now that I was in my 50s, what else should I be doing to make sure my cholesterol stayed in the safe zone? My research turned up some surprising facts.

The Basics High cholesterol is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, as are high blood pressure, smoking and being overweight or obese. According to the largest ever study of global cholesterol levels, led by Imperial College London and published in 2020, high cholesterol is responsible for about 3.9 million deaths annually worldwide. Keeping your cholesterol in check lowers your risk.