- Low cholesterol levels are associated with increased mortality risk in older adults, challenging the “lower is better” paradigm
- Cholesterol plays crucial roles in cell membrane structure, hormone production, vitamin D synthesis and nerve function. Adequate levels are essential for optimal health, especially in older individuals
- Low cholesterol is linked to higher diabetes risk in older adults. Both very low and very high levels increase risk, with the lowest risk occurring at moderate levels
- Maintaining adequate cholesterol levels is important for brain health, particularly in post-menopausal women. Low levels may disrupt lipid rafts and myelin production, potentially affecting cognitive function
- Recent research indicates a relationship between low cholesterol and increased risk of blood cancers. Cholesterol has protective effects on immune function and regulation of cancer cell proliferation
(Mercola)—You’ve likely heard that high cholesterol is bad for your health, however cholesterol is found in nearly every cell of your body and is vital for optimal functioning. If you have too little, your risk of health problems increases, including all-cause mortality.
Research published in Frontiers in Endocrinology found a revealing link between low total cholesterol (TC) levels and increased mortality risk in those aged 85 and above.1 This research challenges the conventional dogma that lower cholesterol is always better, especially for older adults.
The study, which analyzed data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, found that individuals with TC levels below 3.40 mmol/L (131 mg/dL) had a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality compared to those with higher levels.2 In fact, the mortality risk increased by 12% for every 1 mmol/L reduction in TC.3 These findings suggest that maintaining higher cholesterol levels may benefit longevity in your later years.
Why Low Cholesterol Is Harmful in Late Life
Cholesterol, often misunderstood as merely harmful, plays several crucial roles in maintaining bodily functions. This waxy substance serves as a fundamental building block for cell membranes, providing structural integrity and fluidity. It acts as a precursor for various essential hormones and is vital in the production of vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunlight, contributing to bone health and immune function.
In your digestive system, cholesterol aids in the formation of bile acids, which are necessary for the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins. Further, cholesterol is integral to myelin sheath formation, enhancing nerve signal transmission throughout your body. A balanced amount of cholesterol is indispensable for optimal health and plays a protective role as you age.
As for why low cholesterol increases risk of all-cause mortality in older adults, low TC levels may compromise cell function and increase your vulnerability to infections and other health problems. Additionally, cholesterol helps regulate inflammatory markers in your body. With lower TC levels, you might experience enhanced inflammation, which is associated with numerous age-related diseases.
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The study found the protective effect of higher cholesterol is independent of nutritional status or chronic health conditions, suggesting a direct biological link between TC levels and longevity in advanced age. The researchers explained:4
“Although the biological pathways that link TC to mortality are poorly understood, several mechanisms may explain this inverse association. For example, blood lipids, which are an important component of cell membranes, may affect cell electrophysiology by modulating the distribution and function of some ion channels.
Low TC levels may contribute to the pathogenesis of some common diseases in older people, such as atrial fibrillation. Another potential mechanism is that TC may regulate inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein and attenuate the biological response to inflammation. Therefore, individuals with low TC levels may be more vulnerable to physiological disorders because of enhanced inflammation.”
The study identified an optimal range for TC levels in those aged 85 years and over. Participants with TC levels between 3.40 and 4.39 mmol/L (131 to 170 mg/dL) and those with levels at or above 4.39 mmol/L (170 mg/dL) had significantly lower mortality risks compared to those with levels below 3.40 mmol/L.5
“Our findings contribute to the growing body of evidence challenging the ‘lower is better’ paradigm for cholesterol levels in older adults,” the researchers noted, proposing that the optimal TC range for older adults might lie between 3.40 and 5.18 mmol/L (131 to 200 mg/dL).6
Low Cholesterol Linked to Increased Diabetes Risk
Another important study of 3.26 million Chinese adults aged 65 and older also revealed the importance of properly optimizing your cholesterol. It found low cholesterol levels are associated with a higher risk of diabetes.7
The researchers observed a J-shaped relationship between total cholesterol and diabetes risk. This means that both very low and very high cholesterol levels were associated with increased diabetes risk, with the lowest risk occurring at moderate levels. Specifically, TC levels below 4.04 mmol/L (156 mg/dL) were linked to higher diabetes odds. This “cholesterol paradox” could further explain why low cholesterol contributes to increased mortality in late life.
The findings even held true for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often labeled as the “bad” cholesterol. The study found a similar J-shaped relationship between LDL cholesterol levels and diabetes risk. LDL cholesterol levels below 2.33 mmol/L (90 mg/dL) were associated with higher diabetes odds. For every 1 mmol/L increase in LDL cholesterol below this threshold, there was a 12% decrease in diabetes risk.8
This again challenges the “lower is better” approach to LDL management, especially for older adults. The protective effect of moderately higher LDL cholesterol levels could be another piece of the puzzle in understanding increased late-life mortality associated with low cholesterol — your body needs a certain level of LDL cholesterol for optimal health throughout life, including in your later years.
The Protective Role of Cholesterol in Brain Health
Maintaining adequate cholesterol levels is also crucial for your brain health, especially as you age. Cholesterol plays a vital role in the production and maintenance of cell membranes in your brain and is essential for the formation of lipid rafts, specialized regions in cell membranes that are crucial for synaptic function and plasticity.9
These processes are fundamental for learning and memory. When your cholesterol levels are too low, it can disrupt these lipid rafts, potentially affecting your memory consolidation and cognitive function. Additionally, cholesterol is necessary for myelin production, the protective sheath around nerve fibers that enables efficient signal transmission in your brain.
Low cholesterol levels might interfere with the repair and regeneration of myelin, leading to impaired information processing and potentially contributing to cognitive decline. Further, research indicates that women have a higher lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to men, and cholesterol levels may play a role in this difference.
The study focused specifically on post-menopausal women, finding that those with total cholesterol levels below 153 mg/dL had a significantly higher risk of developing dementia.10 Even women with cholesterol levels above 201 mg/dL had a reduced risk of developing dementia compared to those with the lowest levels.11
This suggests that maintaining adequate cholesterol levels may be particularly important for cognitive health in post-menopausal women. The researchers explained several reasons why low cholesterol may increase dementia risk in this population:12
“In neurons, lipid rafts are … believed to be involved in synaptic function and plasticity, which are essential for learning and memory processes. Low cholesterol caused by drugs or toxins may disrupt lipid rafts, subsequently affecting memory consolidation and cognitive function and finally resulting in dementia.
In addition to lipid raft disruption, demyelination caused by low cholesterol levels might also be another important factor that interferes with the regeneration of myeline; therefore, signal (information) transformation and consolidation become disrupted.
Several factors including hyperglycemia, hypertension, toxins, infections, and many other factors that induce free radicals, oxidation, and the inflammation of myeline results in the aging process or the destruction of myelin. In this situation, a higher cholesterol level might be a rate-limited process for repairment and remyelination.
Without intact functional lipid rafts and myeline, information in the brain for conduction, consolidation, or plasticity is not possible.”
Link Between Low Cholesterol and Blood Cancer Risk Unveiled
Recent research from the UK Biobank study has also uncovered an unexpected relationship between low cholesterol levels and an increased risk of plasma cell neoplasms, including multiple myeloma.13
This large-scale study followed 502,507 participants for up to 14 years, revealing that individuals with lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and apolipoproteins had a higher likelihood of developing these blood cancers.14 While the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, this research points to the complex role of cholesterol in cellular health and immune function.
In the context of blood cancers, cholesterol appears to have protective effects. Higher levels of HDL and its associated apolipoprotein A have been linked to reduced inflammation and improved immune cell function. These lipids can regulate cancer cell proliferation and modify the function of macrophages and other immune cells.15
Additionally, cholesterol is crucial for the homeostasis of your hematopoietic system, which produces blood cells. The study suggests that very low cholesterol levels might disrupt this delicate balance, potentially increasing the risk of malignant transformations in plasma cells.16
The study found that the relationship between cholesterol and plasma cell neoplasms was particularly pronounced in males and individuals over 60 years old. The use of cholesterol-lowering medications didn’t reduce the risk of these blood cancers, suggesting that artificially lowering cholesterol levels does not provide the same protective effects as naturally occurring higher levels.
Statin cholesterol-lowering medications are among the most-prescribed drugs in the U.S., but the number of people taking them may soon decline significantly. Based on previous guidelines, 45.4 million adults meet the criteria to take statin drugs, but if updated guidelines from the American Heart Association are adopted, this will drop to 28.3 million.17
Optimizing Cholesterol Levels for Overall Health
Maintaining optimal cholesterol levels involves more than just focusing on the numbers. Your gut health plays a significant role in this complex equation. Oxygen-intolerant bacteria, which thrive in an oxygen-free gut environment, are vital for converting plant fibers into beneficial fats. However, modern lifestyle factors can disrupt this delicate balance, potentially leading to a shift toward oxygen-tolerant bacteria that produce more potent endotoxins.
This shift can have far-reaching implications for your health. Endotoxemia, often resulting from this bacterial imbalance, is a significant underlying cause of septic shock — a condition that may be more prevalent than commonly recognized.
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In fact, it could be a leading cause of death, surpassing even heart disease and cancer in some estimations. Many cases of heart disease or heart failure might actually be triggered by endotoxemia, underscoring the interconnectedness of your gut health and cardiovascular system.
To truly optimize your cholesterol levels and overall health, it’s essential to look beyond conventional metrics and instead consider the following tests for a more comprehensive understanding of your heart disease risk:
- Omega-3 index
- HDL/total cholesterol ratio
- Fasting insulin level
- Fasting blood sugar level
- Triglyceride/HDL ratio
- Iron level
This personalized approach, combined with strategies to improve mitochondrial function and maintain a healthy gut ecosystem, offers a more holistic path to cardiovascular health. By addressing these underlying factors, you can naturally optimize your cholesterol levels while supporting your overall well-being.
- 1, 2, 3, 5 Front. Endocrinol, 12 June 2024
- 4, 6 Front. Endocrinol, 12 June 2024, Discussion
- 7, 8 Lipids Health Dis. 2024; 23: 167
- 9, 10, 11 Nutrients. 2023 Oct; 15(20): 4481
- 12 Nutrients. 2023 Oct; 15(20): 4481, Discussion
- 13, 14 Cancer Med. 2023 Nov; 12(22): 20964–20975
- 15, 16 Cancer Med. 2023 Nov; 12(22): 20964–20975, Discussion
- 17 JAMA Internal Medicine June 10, 2024
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
