Maintaining optimal health with elevated HDL

Low HDL Levels and Metabolic Syndrome

For some women, keeping HDL cholesterol up just became a more important priority.

The latest issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute carries a Norwegian study in which blood tests and health records for more than 38,000 women were screened for an average of 17 years. Researchers designed their study to assess the relative risk of breast cancer risk among women who have low HDL levels and metabolic syndrome; a set of symptoms that creates a high risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Researchers found a dramatic association: When overweight women were divided into four groups according to their HDL levels, the women with the lowest HDL had three times the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer compared to the women with the highest HDL levels.

Further studies will be needed to confirm this specific association. Nevertheless, we already know that keeping HDL elevated and managing weight are both important for maintaining optimal health. If you’re a woman who’s carrying too much weight, talk to your doctor about this study, and ask for a blood test to assess your HDL level.

Sources:

“Serum High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, Metabolic Profile, and Breast Cancer Risk” Journal of the National Cancer Institute” Vol. 96, No. 15, 8/4/04, jncicancerspectrum.oupjournals.org
“Low ‘Good’ Cholesterol May Flag Breast Cancer Risk” Reuters Health, 8/3/04, reutershealth.com