CVD-Cholesterol – Page 2 – NatWonk – Dr Bier's Research Reviews

Lack of an association or an inverse association between low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol and mortality in the elderly: a systematic review

October 20, 2025

| CVD-Cholesterol, Mortality-death, Statins

Comment: This study shows that in elderly patients, higher LDL/”bad” cholesterol is associated with longer lifespan. Summary: Clinical Bottom Line This systematic review presents a provocative challenge to the conventional cholesterol hypothesis. In an analysis of cohort studies including over 68,000 individuals older than 60, high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was not associated with increased […]

Total cholesterol and all-cause mortality by sex and age: a prospective cohort study among 12.8 million adults

October 19, 2025

| No Comments

| CVD-Cholesterol, Mortality-death, Statins

Comment: Another in a line of studies showing that our concept of cholesterol is wrong when it comes to the outcomes that matter. This one is particularly interesting as it breaks it down by age, showing that as we get older, higher cholesterol becomes more protective. Summary: Based on this large observational study, the health […]

A nonlinear association of total cholesterol with all-cause and cause-specific mortality

October 19, 2025

| No Comments

| CVD-Cholesterol, Statins

Comment: Another in a series of studies that contradicts the dogma that lower cholesterol is better. Although the authors calculated cut off points, using the spline graphs you can see that cholesterol up to about the 230 range is lowest risk of overall deaths and even 300 is better than 180. For cancer you’re safer and […]

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Biomarkers and Incident Atrial Fibrillation

October 18, 2025

| No Comments

| CVD-Cholesterol, Fish Oil-EFA

Comment: comment here Summary: Clinical Bottom Line This large-scale, pooled analysis of observational studies provides moderate-quality evidence that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids from habitual dietary intake are not associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) and may, in fact, be modestly protective. Specifically, while eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels showed no association, […]

Omega-3 and Risk of Atrial Fibrillation: Vagally-Mediated Double-Edged Sword

October 18, 2025

| No Comments

| CVD-Cholesterol, Fish Oil-EFA

Comment: Summary: Clinical Bottom Line This review presents a compelling “double-edged sword” hypothesis for the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). The key takeaway is that the dose and source matter. Low-to-moderate dietary intake of omega-3s from fish (around 600–700 mg/day) appears to be associated with a reduced […]

Associations of habitual fish oil supplementation with cardiovascular outcomes and all cause mortality: evidence from a large population based cohort study

October 18, 2025

| No Comments

| CVD-Cholesterol, Fish Oil-EFA, Mortality-death

Comment: Although this doesn’t negate the potential of increased risk of atrial fibrillation seen in other studies, a lower rate of death seems more important. Summary: Clinical Bottom Line This large cohort study shows a modest association between habitual fish oil use and a lower risk of all-cause mortality. However, it is not possible to […]

Habitual fish oil supplementation and the risk of incident atrial fibrillation: findings from a large prospective longitudinal cohort study

October 18, 2025

| No Comments

| CVD-Cholesterol, Fish Oil-EFA

Comment: This article made a big splash in the media and led to a lot of questions from patients about the safety of taking fish oil supplements. Understanding that this is an observational study, it does show an increase in atrial fibrillation in people who consume fish oil supplements. What’s intriguing, and makes me more […]

The benefits and risks of menopause hormone therapy for the cardiovascular system in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

October 15, 2025

| No Comments

| CVD-Cholesterol, HRT - Hormone Replacement Therapy

Comment: Although there are some potential benefits to hormone replacement therapy, there are significant risks associated as well. This study is another one that shows significant cardiovascular harm, with increases in stroke and thromboembolism.` Summary: Clinical Bottom Line This high-certainty meta-analysis demonstrates that for the general postmenopausal population, menopause hormone therapy (MHT) is […]

Animal and plant protein usual intakes are not adversely associated with all-cause, cardiovascular disease-, or cancer-related mortality risk: an NHANES III analysis

September 20, 2025

| No Comments

| CVD-Cholesterol, Nutrition

Comment: Another study showing that animal protein intake does not increase death rates. In fact, this study links higher animal protein intake to a reduced risk of cancer, albeit small. Clinical Bottom Line This large cohort study found no association between the usual intake of either animal or plant protein and the risk of […]