Abnormal Cholesterol Among the Future Generation

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reports that between 2011-2014 one in five children and adolescents had at least one abnormal cholesterol measure. The prevalence of these measures was higher in adolescents than children, and in youth with obesity. Obesity may explain a significant number of these abnormal values, but sex differences and genetics must also be…

Lowering Sugar Increases HDL Cholesterol in Youth

Sugar, sugar, sugar...we all love it in almost everything! High consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, fruit juice, and sweetened teas is associated in children with higher triglyceride levels. Researchers found in a group of 600 young people that as sugary drink consumption decreased over 12 months their HDL (good) cholesterol increased. Reducing just one or more servings…

The Function of HDL May Be the Key

We know HDL is the good cholesterol. However, just increasing HDL levels may not lower risk. New evidence suggests "cholesterol efflux"--the ability of the HDL to remove cholesterol from cells may be the key. Researchers followed 2400 people without cardiovascular disease for 9 years. Those with the highest cholesterol efflux, independent of other risks, saw a…

Good Work, Americans!

Researchers at the National Center for Health Statistics found adult Americans have improved their average levels of LDL and non-HDL cholesterol (harmful), along with triglycerides, over the past 20+ years. They also increased the average level of HDL cholesterol (beneficial). A combination of better diet and better medicine may help explain these positive changes. Because…