Men with high good cholesterol levels may live longer

March 1, 2011 in Heart Health, Men's Health, Nutrition Topics in the News

Men with high good cholesterol levels may live longer
According to U.S. researchers, high amounts of good (HDL) cholesterol may help men live longer. 

Researchers found that study participants who reached their 85th birthdays tended to have high levels of good cholesterol while in their 60s.

To investigate, researchers reviewed medical records of about 650 veterans when they were around 65 years old, then grouped them based on HDL levels.

Starting with low levels of 40 mg/dL, researchers found that for each ten mg/dL increase of HDL, the men were 14 percent less likely to have died by 85.  In fact, men with the highest good (HDL) cholesterol were nearly 30 percent less likely to die before they reached 85, compared to men in the lowest HDL group.

What's more, fewer of the men with higher HDL were overweight, and they tended not to have more than 2 drinks a day. And fewer of them had heart disease or smoked, compared to the lowest HDL group.

The study was published in the American Journal of Cardiology.

All research on this web site is the property of Leslie Beck Nutrition Consulting Inc. and is protected by copyright. Keep in mind that research on these matters continues daily and is subject to change. The information presented is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. It is intended to provide ongoing support of your healthy lifestyle practices.