Washington: Just a modest, sustained reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol can lead to a dramatic reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease, a US study published on Wednesday said.
Scientists said that a 15 per cent reduction in the body's low-density lipoprotein cholesterol or the waxy, artery-clogging "bad" cholesterol found in dairy products, meat and hydrogenated oils, could slash a person's risk of heart disease by half.
Long-term low levels of LDL cholesterol were found to be protective even for people who have other significant risk factors for heart disease. The study of 12,000 people, led by Helen Hobbs of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, was able to take account of the numerous genetic variables that influence LDL accumulation in the blood.
The scientists could compare people with similar genetic factors to determine the impact of LDL reduction efforts, like those using cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins.
They were also able to compare populations with similar environmental stresses, which can also determine LDL levels. They found that the impact of reduction treatments was similar across the variables.
A summary of the study, which is to be published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Thursday, called the findings "dramatic".
In black participants, a 28 per cent cut down in LDL cholesterol translated into an 88 per cent fall in coronary heart disease risk. Among white participants, a 15 per cent LDL cholesterol reduction turned into a 50 per cent decline in coronary heart disease risk.
Hobbs noted the same effects of LDL cholesterol reduction efforts despite differing genetic makeup. The study's findings "suggest that a one per cent reduction in LDL cholesterol level over a lifetime translates into a reduction of more than two per cent in the risk of cardiovascular disease," as said by Columbia University professor, Alan Tall in an accompanying editorial to the study in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The study also suggests that low doses of cholesterol-reducing statins could be used to achieve significant reductions in coronary heart disease risk.
"The new findings suggest the need to redouble our efforts to reduce LDL cholesterol levels in younger persons by promoting healthy diets and reducing obesity," Tall said.
Comments
0 comment