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Diseases

Cholesterol in older adults — can high levels be protective?

Sources: 10 · Article: 12 527 characters

Andrzej Frydrychowski believes that a rise in cholesterol may indicate that the body needs more of it, for example to repair blood vessel walls.

  • Jerzy Jaśkowski links higher cholesterol levels in older people to lower sexual activity.
  • In a study described by Andrzej Frydrychowski, mortality was 30% higher among men whose cholesterol fell from an average to a low level than among those whose level remained average.
  • Andrzej Frydrychowski considers the use of statins in people over 70 to be a “crime”.

What the authors write

Jerzy Jaśkowski

Cholesterol levels may be much higher in older people, which Jerzy Jaśkowski links to lower sexual activity.

„In older people, cholesterol levels may be much higher, in connection with lower sexual activity. Treatment was considered when a patient’s cholesterol level was around 400 mg. Pharmaceutical companies effectively force further reductions in the normal range for blood cholesterol to below 200 mg, and statins are advertised as a “magic bullet” that solves this problem.”U osób starszych, w związku z mniejszą aktywnością płciową, może być nawet znacznie wyższy. Leczeniem zajmowano się gdy poziom cholesterolu u pacjenta wynosił około 400 mg. Koncerny farmaceutyczne skutecznie wymuszają kolejne obniżanie norm poziomu cholesterolu we krwi do poniżej 200 mg, a statyny są reklamowane jako „złoty środek” rozwiązujący ten problem.
Czego nie wiemy o statynach?
Andrzej Frydrychowski

According to Andrzej Frydrychowski, a rise in cholesterol may mean that the body needs more of it, for example to repair blood vessel walls.

„If the body needs more of it (for example, to repair blood vessel walls), its level in the blood rises. If its level rises, that means the body’s need for it is increasing. Cholesterol is essential for building the brain, nerve sheaths, hormones (cortisone, testosterone, estrogens, aldosterone), vitamins.”Jeżeli organizm potrzebuje go więcej (np. do naprawy ścian naczyń), to jego poziom we krwi się zwiększa. Jeżeli jego poziom wzrasta, oznacza to, że zapotrzebowanie na niego rośnie. Cholesterol jest niezbędny do budowy mózgu, osłonek nerwowych, hormonów (kortyzon, testosteron, estrogeny, aldosteron), wit.
Wpływ statyn na nasze zdrowie
Andrzej Frydrychowski

Andrzej Frydrychowski says that no correlation has been shown between cholesterol levels and the severity of atherosclerotic changes.

„A myth has arisen that elevated cholesterol causes atherosclerotic changes in the arteries. This is a myth because no correlation has been shown between cholesterol levels and the severity of atherosclerotic changes. Once this well-crafted myth claimed that such a link existed, drugs were introduced to lower cholesterol levels in an unnatural way.”Powstał mit, że podwyższona wartość cholesterolu jest przyczyną powstawania zmian miażdżycowych naczyń tętniczych. Jest to mit, ponieważ nie wykazano żadnej korelacji między poziomem cholesterolu a nasileniem zmian miażdżycowych. Jeżeli dobrze wymyślony mit mówi, że jest taka zależność, to zostały wprowadzone leki, które w sposób niefizjologiczny ten poziom obniżają.
Wpływ statyn na nasze zdrowie
Andrzej Frydrychowski

Andrzej Frydrychowski considers the use of statins in people over 70 to be a “crime”.

„When doctors recommend that people over 70 take statins, I consider it nothing short of a crime. We often measure cholesterol levels, even though this has no meaning and no health-related correlation with cardiovascular diseases. Only about 3% of doctors, on the other hand, measure homocysteine levels — an important sulfur-containing amino acid that starts inflammatory processes in the blood vessel lining, from which atherosclerotic plaque then develops.”Gdy lekarze zalecają osobom powyżej 70. roku życia używanie statyn, to uważam, że jest to wręcz zbrodnia. Często oznaczamy poziom cholesterolu, który nie ma żadnego sensu ani korelacji zdrowotnych ze schorzeniami naczyniowo-sercowymi. Jedynie około 3% lekarzy oznacza natomiast poziom homocysteiny – ważnego aminokwasu siarkowego, który rozpoczyna procesy zapalne w śródbłonku naczyń, od którego dalej będzie się tworzyła blacha miażdżycowa.
Czy witaminy z grupy B są nam niezbędne do życia?
Andrzej Frydrychowski

According to Andrzej Frydrychowski, in a study, mortality was 30% higher among men whose cholesterol fell from an average to a low level than among those whose level remained average.

„The risk-adjusted all-cause mortality rate was 30% higher (relative risk 1.30; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.59) among people whose cholesterol fell from an average level (180 to 239 mg/dL) to a low level (<180 mg/dL) than among those whose level remained consistently average.”Wskaźnik śmiertelności wszystkich przyczyn skorygowany o czynnik ryzyka był o 30% wyższy (ryzyko względne 1,30; 95% CI, 1,06 do 1,59) wśród osób ze spadkiem poziomu cholesterolu ze średniego (180 do 239 mg/dl) do niskiego (<180 mg/dl) niż u osób pozostających na stałym, średnim poziomie.
Wpływ statyn na nasze zdrowie
Andrzej Frydrychowski

In Chinese medicine, a high cholesterol level does not mean that a person is ill.

„In Chinese medicine, a high cholesterol level does not mean that a person is ill. Diet and emotions are responsible for this condition. A high level causes no signs or symptoms. Therefore, no diagnosis or treatment can be offered. In Chinese medicine, the most fundamental energy that creates the world is the life energy Qi.”Wysoki poziom cholesterolu w medycynie chińskiej nie oznacza choroby. To dieta i emocje są odpowiedzialne za taki stan. Wysoki jego poziom nie powoduje żadnych oznak ani symptomów. Zatem żadna diagnoza lub leczenie nie mogą być oferowane. W medycynie chińskiej najbardziej podstawową energią tworzącą świat jest energia życiowa Qi.
Zaburzenia gospodarki lipidowej (cholesterolu) w świetle medycyny dalekiego wschodu – medycyna chińska Część 2

Research from PubMed · Europe PMC

We selected 4 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.

Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 109 406.

Among older adults, cholesterol below 200 mg/dL was associated with lower mortality from stroke, but higher levels were associated with an increase.

Aim of the study: The association between cholesterol and stroke has been inconsistent. This study aimed to examine the association between total cholesterol (TC) and mortality from total stroke and stroke subtypes.

Results: Nonlinear associations were found for total stroke (U-shaped) and hemorrhagic stroke (L-shaped), especially intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), while the association was linear for ischemic stroke. In the range <200 mg/dL, TC was inversely associated with stroke mortality (HR per 39 mg/dL [1 mmol/L] increase = 0.88 [95% CI = 0.80-0.95]), mainly due to hemorrhagic stroke (HR = 0.78 [0.68-0.90]), especially ICH (HR = 0.72 [0.62-0.85]). In the upper range (200-349 mg/dL), TC was positively associated with stroke mortality (HR = 1.09 [1.01-1.16]); mortality from ICH and subarachnoid hemorrhage showed no inverse association. The associations were generally similar in middle-aged (40-64 years) and elderly (≥65 years) adults. In the upper range, each 1 mmol/L (39 mg/dL) increase in TC was associated with 11% higher stroke mortality (95% CI = 2%-21%) in elderly adults. Both middle-aged (39%) and elderly (23%) adults had higher ischemic stroke mortality associated with TC ≥240 mg/dL, compared with <200 mg/dL.

Total cholesterol and stroke mortality in middle-aged and elderly adults: A prospective cohort study. · Atherosclerosis 2018
Money for the studycompany together with others · Catholic Kwandong University, NHIS of Korea
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyobservation of people
Participants503 340

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In a study of older adults, very low cholesterol was associated with higher noncardiac mortality, but high cholesterol increased the risk of coronary death in men.

Aim of the study: To evaluate, at a population level, whether total cholesterol (TC) is a risk factor for mortality, and to verify whether this is true for both genders.

Results: Total cholesterol levels directly predicted coronary mortality in men [RR for the fifth rather than the first quintile: 2.40 (1.40-4.14)] and all other mortality in women. It also inversely predicted miscellaneous mortality in both genders. This trend was more evident when low cholesterol was associated with malnutrition or smoking. High TC remains a strong risk factor for coronary mortality in elderly men. On the other hand, having a very low cholesterol level does not prolong survival in older adults; instead, low cholesterol predicts cancer mortality in women and all other noncardiovascular mortality in both genders.

Total cholesterol and mortality in the elderly. · J Intern Med 2003
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyobservation of people
Participants3 257

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

Among older adults, higher HDL-C levels were associated with a lower risk of death from all causes and cardiovascular disease.

Aim of the study: Objective: To investigate the association of novel high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) metabolic phenotypes — metabolic HDL-C (mHDL-C) and its residual (mHDL-CΔ) — with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality risks in community-dwelling older adults in Beijing.

Results: In contrast, mHDL-CΔ was positively associated with both types of mortality (all-cause: HR=1.28, 95%CI: 1.17-1.40; CVD: HR=1.42, 95%CI: 1.25-1.61). mHDL-CΔ showed the best reclassification of all-cause mortality (NRI=0.122). Conclusions: Among older adults living in communities in Beijing, the novel metabolic phenotypes mHDL-C and mHDL-CΔ were significantly associated with all-cause and CVD mortality risks. These indicators can reveal metabolic heterogeneity and residual mortality risk that cannot be detected by traditional HDL-C concentration, suggesting their potential as auxiliary predictors of mortality risk and as tools for cardiovascular risk stratification and precision prevention in this population.

[Association between novel high-density lipoprotein cholesterol metabolic phenotypes and all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in older adults in communities in Beijing]. · Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi 2026
Money for the studygovernment, public institutions · National Key Research and Development Program of China, Beijing Municipal Natural Science Foundation, National Science and Technology Major Project
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyobservation of people
Participants8 578

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In a study, a higher non-HDL-to-HDL cholesterol ratio was associated with a lower risk of sarcopenia in older adults.

Aim of the study: The present study aims to investigate the association and dose-response relationship between the non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHHR) and sarcopenia in elderly adults. The ultimate objective is to clarify its predictive value for sarcopenia risk.

Results: After adjustment for confounding factors, a one-unit increase in NHHR was associated with a 31% reduction in sarcopenia risk in cross-sectional studies (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.56-0.86, P < 0.001). In prospective cohort studies, the risk of sarcopenia decreased by 37% (HR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.51-0.77, P < 0.001). A stable linear inverse relationship was observed between the two variables, with no threshold effect, and subgroup analyses confirmed the robustness of this association. In addition, TyG-related indices had a significant mediating effect on the association between NHHR and sarcopenia risk, with a mediation proportion ranging from 22.48 to 29.47%. NHHR is significantly negatively correlated with sarcopenia risk in older Chinese adults and may serve as a potential biomarker for sarcopenia risk stratification. TyG-related indicators play a partial mediating role in this association.

Association between non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and sarcopenia with mediating role of triglyceride glucose-related indices: a cohort study in Chinese elderly adults. · Front Nutr 2026
Money for the studygovernment, public institutions · Anhui Provincial Department of Education Key Research Projects for Higher Education Institutions in 2025 (2025AHGXZK 30664)
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studyobservation of people

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

Perspectives and opinion materials

The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.

Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„When vitamin C levels are low, the body produces more cholesterol, especially Lp(a). Conversely, when vitamin C levels are high, the body produces less cholesterol. If high blood cholesterol were the primary cause of heart disease, all bears and other hibernating animals would have become extinct long ago. They naturally have high cholesterol levels. One reason bears are still with us is simple: they produce large amounts of vitamin C in their bodies, which stabilizes artery walls, so they do not tend to develop cholesterol deposits or plaque.”When vitamin C levels are low, the body manufactures more cholesterol, especially Lp(a). Conversely, when vitamin C levels are high the body makes less cholesterol. If high blood cholesterol were the primary cause of heart disease, all bears and other hibernating animals would have become extinct long ago. They naturally have high cholesterol levels. One reason bears are still with us is simple: they produce large amounts of vitamin C in their bodies, which stabilises the artery walls, and there is therefore no tendency to develop cholesterol deposits or plaque.
Vitamin C and Cardiovascular Disease
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„(2014) The relationship between endogenous testosterone and lipid profile in middle-aged and elderly Chinese men. Eur J Endocrinol. 170:487-494. Page ST, Mohr BA, Link CL, et al. (2008) Higher testosterone levels are associated with increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in men with cardiovascular disease: results from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. Asian J Androl. 10:193-200. Nordøy A, Aakvaag A, Thelle D (1979) Sex hormones and high density lipoproteins in healthy males. Atherosclerosis. 34:431-436. Cai Z, Xi H, Pan Y, et al.”(2014) The relationship between endogenous testosterone and lipid profile in middle-aged and elderly Chinese men. Eur J Endocrinol. 170:487-494. Page ST, Mohr BA, Link CL, et al. (2008) Higher testosterone levels are associated with increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in men with cardiovascular disease: results from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. Asian J Androl. 10:193-200. Nordøy A, Aakvaag A, Thelle D (1979) Sex hormones and high density lipoproteins in healthy males. Atherosclerosis. 34:431-436. Cai Z, Xi H, Pan Y, et al.
Understanding the Root Causes of Dyslipidemia in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

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