EUGENIZATION.

Thanks to Chris from Conditioning Research for this article:

Surprise - Cholesterol May Actually Pose Benefits, Study Shows.

Yes, indeed; surprise, surprise. 

Chris has already done a very thorough write-up of the study’s results; let’s reference his comments and explore this topic a bit deeper:

1) “The team studied 55 men and women, ages 60-69, who were healthy non-smokers and were able to perform exercise testing and training.

Three days a week for 12 weeks, participants performed several exercises, including stretching, stationary bike riding and vigorous weight lifting. All participants consumed similar meals.

At the conclusion of the study, the researchers found that there was a significant association of dietary cholesterol and change in strength. In general, those with higher cholesterol intake also had the highest muscle strength gain.”

Case pretty much closed right there. Now, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that higher dietary cholesterol should result in greater muscle gain - being that cholesterol is a precursor to steroid hormones (one particular hormone, testosterone, immediately springs to mind), it should play a vital role in the rebuilding of muscle tissue.  This aspect of cholesterol is well known and has been studied before (by Dr. Riechman, no less).

2) Here is a shining example as to why you should read the entire text of a study as opposed to just the abstract:

“Serum cholesterol and the serum cholesterol lowering agent statin were also independently associated with greater increases in lean mass.”

Which reads “those who took statins had increased muscle mass from resistance training.”  But is this really so?

“Riechman said that subjects who were taking cholesterol-lowering drugs while participating in the study showed lower muscle gain totals than those who were not.”

Until I get my hands on a copy of the full study, I won’t be able to say for sure.  But since Dr. Riechman conducted the study, we’ll have to take his word for it.  So which is it: more (as the abstract says) or less?  The full text will reveal all…

3) Lastly, this from the abstract:

“Dietary cholesterol was not associated with serum cholesterol…”

shows how pervasive the low-fat doctrine has become in academic circles (at least, among researchers who study nutrition and human health).  This point shouldn’t be a revelation, as study after study (particularly the major ones, like Framingham) show that there’s no connection between the cholesterol you eat and the cholesterol that shows up in your blood work.  But what’s the first thing your doctor will tell you if your cholesterol level tests high?

After “I want to put you on Lipitor”, I mean.

He will likely tell you to stay from foods that are fatty and contain a lot of cholesterol.  Anyone else see the mental disconnect here?

In short, don’t shy away from the cholesterol.  No, it won’t drive your bloodwork numbers through the roof, and yes, it is essential to your health.