The lower the cholesterol level, the higher the risk of cancer. Is it true or false?

 In people's daily lives, high cholesterol is often regarded as a huge health threat, which may bring a series of negative impacts to the body.

Therefore, once the medical report shows that the cholesterol level is high, many people will immediately choose to take medication to lower their cholesterol level. Looking back on history, we can see that 40 years ago, the cholesterol level of Chinese people was generally low, and even globally, they were among the best.

However, with the rapid economic development and the improvement of living standards, our eating habits have also changed, and the cholesterol level has begun to rise year by year, gradually sliding from the original "top student" to the "bottom student" category.

According to statistics, the abnormal blood lipid rate among adults has exceeded 40%, and the situation is even more serious among the elderly. The increase in blood lipids is closely related to the rise in cholesterol and triglycerides. Therefore, controlling the level of cholesterol is particularly important.

However, recent studies have shown that low cholesterol may increase the risk of cancer, a claim that has attracted widespread attention. So, is this claim true or false? Below, we will analyze it in detail.

What is the normal blood lipid level for healthy people?

The blood lipid level of healthy people is an important health indicator, which is directly related to our cardiovascular health. Blood lipids mainly include cholesterol and triglycerides.

Cholesterol can be further divided into high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Among them, HDL-C is considered as "good" cholesterol because it helps to remove cholesterol from the blood vessels, while LDL-C is considered as "bad" cholesterol because it can easily lead to blood vessel blockage.

So, what should the blood lipid level be for healthy people? In fact, the answer to this question is not static, as the normal range of blood lipids can be affected by many factors, including age, gender, genetics, dietary habits, and lifestyle.

However, generally speaking, for adults, the ideal blood lipid level should be total cholesterol less than 200mg/dL, LDL-C less than 100mg/dL, HDL-C higher than 40mg/dL (for men) or higher than 50mg/dL (for women), and triglycerides less than 150mg/dL.

Cholesterol actually has "good" and "bad" types.

Cholesterol, a seemingly simple biomolecule, actually hides profound mysteries. It plays a crucial role in our bodies, but at the same time, it can also become a potential health hazard. Our understanding of cholesterol cannot simply stay at the level of considering it as a "bad thing". In fact, cholesterol also has "good" and "bad" types.

First, let's talk about "good" cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, known as "good" cholesterol, plays the role of a scavenger in our blood vessels. HDL cholesterol can carry excess cholesterol back to the liver from the artery walls for metabolism, thereby helping to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, maintaining an appropriate level of HDL cholesterol is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health.

However, on the other hand, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is considered as "bad" cholesterol. When LDL cholesterol levels are too high, it can deposit on the artery walls, forming plaques, gradually leading to atherosclerosis and the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, controlling LDL cholesterol levels is of paramount importance for preventing cardiovascular diseases.

Of course, the "good" and "bad" of cholesterol are not absolute. They transform and influence each other in our bodies, jointly maintaining the balance of cholesterol metabolism.

Many people consider cholesterol as a major enemy of health because its high level can indeed cause considerable harm to the body.

However, cholesterol is not entirely infamous. In fact, it is divided into high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and these two types of cholesterol have distinct roles in the human body.

LDL cholesterol, often referred to as "bad cholesterol," can cause damage to the inner walls of blood vessels when its levels rise in the body, forming plaques that increase the risk of blood vessel blockage. In severe cases, it may even induce cerebral infarction or stroke. Therefore, many people believe that the lower the cholesterol level, the better, but this is not the case.

A research team published a study in the American Journal of Cancer Research, revealing another aspect of cholesterol.

The study conducted a follow-up survey of 138,000 subjects from multiple provinces in China for up to 3.8 years. The study found that when low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were below 100mg/dl, the risk of some cancers significantly increased.

Specifically, the risk of liver cancer increased by 2.59 times, the risk of gastrointestinal cancer increased by 1.03 times, the risk of pancreatic cancer increased by 1.97 times, and the risk of cervical cancer increased by 0.92 times.

Researchers analyzed that this is because immune cells require the participation of cholesterol in the process of fighting cancer cells. When the cholesterol content in the body is too low, immune signaling may not be activated, leading to a decline in immune function and increasing the risk of cancer.

Therefore, in managing cholesterol, we cannot simply pursue lower levels as better. Although high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, known as "good" cholesterol, helps clear bad cholesterol from the blood vessels, excessively high levels of good cholesterol may also lead to other problems, such as gastroenteritis.

Therefore, it is crucial to maintain cholesterol within a reasonable range. Generally, the normal value for bad cholesterol is approximately 105-120mg/dl, while the concentration of good cholesterol should be kept below 2.3mmol/L. Only within this range can we ensure the health of our bodies.

What are the potential impacts of excessively high cholesterol levels on the body?

Excessively high cholesterol levels can significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. High cholesterol can form plaques on the arterial walls, leading to arterial stenosis and thus increasing the probability of heart disease and stroke.

The liver is the main site for cholesterol metabolism. Excessive cholesterol deposition in the liver can lead to fatty liver disease, and in severe cases, it may even develop into liver cirrhosis.

Excessively high cholesterol levels may also accelerate the progression of osteoporosis. Studies have shown that high cholesterol levels can affect the normal metabolism of bones and increase the risk of fractures.

High cholesterol can also lead to impaired pancreatic function. Excessively high cholesterol levels may trigger pancreatitis, a serious inflammation of the pancreas that requires prompt treatment.

Excessively high cholesterol levels may also affect cognitive function. Studies have shown that high cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.

A balanced diet is the key to maintaining blood lipid balance. We should try to choose low-fat, low-sugar, and high-fiber foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

At the same time, reduce the intake of high-fat and high-cholesterol foods, such as animal organs and fried foods. In addition, moderate intake of foods rich in unsaturated fatty acids, such as fish and nuts, can also help lower blood lipid levels.

Exercise can help us consume excess fat in the body, thereby reducing blood lipid levels. It is recommended to perform at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, such as walking, swimming, and cycling.

In addition, increasing muscle strength training can also help improve metabolism and further lower blood lipids.

Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can both have adverse effects on blood lipid levels. Smoking can damage blood vessel walls and accelerate the process of arteriosclerosis, while excessive alcohol consumption can lead to diseases such as fatty liver, which in turn affects blood lipid metabolism. Therefore, it is recommended to quit smoking as soon as possible and limit alcohol intake.

Regular physical examinations can help us detect blood lipid abnormalities in time, so that we can take corresponding intervention measures. It is recommended to have a blood lipid test at least once a year to detect and address problems in a timely manner. If blood lipid levels are found to be abnormal, medical attention should be sought promptly for professional treatment.

While some seafood products, such as shrimp, crab, and fish, also contain cholesterol, their content is relatively low compared to red meat.

In addition, plant-based foods such as vegetables and fruits contain almost no cholesterol or have very low levels. These foods are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which help lower cholesterol levels and maintain cardiovascular health.

Of course, while paying attention to the cholesterol content of food, we should also arrange our diet reasonably based on our own nutritional needs and health status.

For individuals with high cholesterol levels, they can appropriately reduce the intake of high-cholesterol foods and increase the consumption of foods rich in dietary fiber and plant sterols to maintain healthy blood lipid levels.