cholesterol

The so called bad cholesterol (LDL) inhibits the breakdown of fat in cells of peripheral deposits, according to a new study.

The discovery reveals a novel function of LDL as a regulator of fat turnover besides its well-established detrimental effects in promoting atherosclerosis.

Individuals who take cholesterol-lowering statins before being hospitalized with pneumonia appear less likely to die within 90 days afterward, according to a new report.

Elevated cholesterol levels return to normal or near normal levels over time in four out of 10 children with uncontrollable epilepsy treated with the high-fat ketogenic diet, according to results reported in the Journal of Child Neurology.

One way of combating atherosclerosis is to reduce levels of "bad cholesterol" in the blood. Scientists at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet have now identified the genes that bring about this beneficial effect.

Statins, the most effective treatment for lowering cholesterol, are widely used and have been demonstrated to be safe in large clinical trials.

Although side effects are usually mild, more severe side effects, especially musculoskeletal complications, have been reported.

Tendon impairment has been reported anecdotally but has not been included in large-scale studies. A new study found that, although rare, tendon complications are linked to the use of statins.