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188 cholesterol. Coffee and Cholesterol: Understanding the Impact, Risks, and Benefits

How does coffee affect cholesterol levels. What are the health risks and benefits of coffee consumption. Which brewing methods have the most impact on cholesterol. How can you manage cholesterol levels while enjoying coffee.

The Relationship Between Coffee and Cholesterol Levels

Coffee’s impact on cholesterol levels has been a subject of scientific interest for decades. While early studies produced mixed results, recent research has shed more light on this complex relationship. The effect of coffee on cholesterol appears to be influenced by several factors, including brewing method, consumption frequency, and individual sensitivity to caffeine.

A key finding from a 2016 study suggests that coffee consumption is indeed linked to higher cholesterol levels. However, the extent of this effect varies depending on the type of coffee consumed and the biological sex of the individual. This nuanced understanding helps explain why earlier research may have yielded inconsistent results.

The Role of Coffee Oils in Cholesterol Elevation

Interestingly, it’s not the caffeine content that primarily affects cholesterol levels, but rather the natural oils present in coffee beans. These oils, known as diterpenes, include cafestol and kahweol. Both have been identified as compounds capable of raising total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels.

The amount of diterpenes in your coffee cup can vary significantly based on how the coffee is prepared. This variation in preparation methods explains why different types of coffee can have diverse effects on cholesterol levels.

Coffee Brewing Methods and Their Impact on Cholesterol

The method used to brew coffee plays a crucial role in determining its potential impact on cholesterol levels. Different brewing techniques allow varying amounts of diterpenes to pass into the final cup, leading to distinct effects on serum cholesterol.

Unfiltered Coffee and Cholesterol

Unfiltered coffee methods, such as French press, Turkish coffee, and Scandinavian boiled coffee, have been shown to have a more significant impact on cholesterol levels. These methods allow more diterpenes to pass into the brewed coffee, potentially leading to higher cholesterol levels in regular consumers.

Filtered and Instant Coffee: Lower Impact on Cholesterol

On the other hand, filtered coffee and instant coffee generally have a lesser effect on cholesterol levels. Paper filters used in drip coffee makers trap most of the diterpenes, resulting in a brew with minimal cholesterol-raising compounds. Instant coffee, due to its processing method, contains very few diterpenes and is unlikely to significantly affect cholesterol levels.

Espresso: A Middle Ground

Espresso falls somewhere in the middle. While it contains about half the amount of diterpenes found in unfiltered coffee, the typically small serving size means its overall impact on cholesterol is likely to be minimal for most consumers.

Health Risks Associated with Coffee Consumption

While coffee offers numerous health benefits, it’s important to be aware of potential risks, particularly for certain individuals or when consumed in excess.

Caffeine-Related Risks

Caffeine, the primary psychoactive substance in coffee, can interact with various medications. These interactions can alter drug effectiveness or potentially lead to adverse effects. Additionally, some individuals may be more sensitive to caffeine, experiencing symptoms such as insomnia, rapid heart rate, headaches, anxiety, or jitters even at moderate consumption levels.

Risks of Combining Coffee with Other Substances

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cautions against mixing caffeinated beverages like coffee with alcohol. This combination can lead to underestimating alcohol consumption, potentially resulting in increased exposure to alcohol’s harmful effects.

The Health Benefits of Coffee Consumption

Despite potential risks, coffee consumption has been associated with numerous health benefits. Regular coffee intake has been linked to reduced risks of several chronic diseases and improved overall health outcomes.

Reduced Risk of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Studies have shown that coffee consumption may lower the risk of neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The exact mechanisms behind this protective effect are still being researched, but it’s believed that coffee’s high antioxidant content may play a significant role.

Metabolic Health Benefits

Regular coffee consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. This benefit may be due to coffee’s ability to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.

Cardiovascular Health

Contrary to earlier beliefs, moderate coffee consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly in women. This protective effect may be attributed to coffee’s anti-inflammatory properties and its positive impact on endothelial function.

Antioxidant Properties

Coffee is a rich source of antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. This antioxidant activity may contribute to coffee’s overall health-promoting effects, including potential anti-cancer properties.

The Dual Nature of Coffee’s Bioactive Compounds

Interestingly, the same compounds that can raise cholesterol levels – cafestol and kahweol – may also offer health benefits. Research suggests these diterpenes possess anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, highlighting the complex nature of coffee’s impact on human health.

Potential Anti-inflammatory Effects

Studies have shown that cafestol and kahweol may help reduce inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is associated with numerous health problems, including cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer. The anti-inflammatory properties of these compounds could potentially contribute to coffee’s overall health benefits.

Anticancer Potential

Some research indicates that cafestol and kahweol may have anticancer properties. These compounds have shown promise in laboratory studies for inhibiting the growth of certain cancer cells. However, more research is needed to fully understand their potential role in cancer prevention or treatment.

Managing Cholesterol Levels for Coffee Lovers

For those concerned about their cholesterol levels but unwilling to give up their daily coffee habit, there are several strategies to consider.

Choose Your Brewing Method Wisely

Opting for filtered coffee or instant coffee can significantly reduce your intake of cholesterol-raising diterpenes. If you prefer the taste of unfiltered coffee, consider limiting your consumption or alternating with filtered varieties.

Monitor Your Consumption

Keeping track of your coffee intake can help you maintain a balance between enjoying your favorite beverage and managing your cholesterol levels. Moderation is key – aim for no more than 3-5 cups per day, as recommended by most health authorities.

Regular Health Check-ups

Regular cholesterol screenings can help you stay informed about your cholesterol levels and make necessary adjustments to your diet and lifestyle. If you’re a heavy coffee drinker, discussing your consumption habits with your healthcare provider can help you make informed decisions about your health.

The Broader Context of Cholesterol Management

While coffee consumption can influence cholesterol levels, it’s important to remember that it’s just one factor among many that affect overall cholesterol balance in the body.

Diet and Lifestyle Factors

A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking are also crucial for managing cholesterol.

Genetic Factors

Some individuals may be genetically predisposed to higher cholesterol levels. In such cases, dietary changes alone may not be sufficient, and medical intervention might be necessary. Understanding your family history and genetic risk factors can help you and your healthcare provider develop an appropriate management plan.

In conclusion, while coffee can potentially raise cholesterol levels, particularly when consumed unfiltered and in large quantities, it also offers numerous health benefits. The key lies in understanding your individual risk factors, choosing your brewing method wisely, and maintaining a balanced approach to coffee consumption as part of an overall healthy lifestyle.

As research in this field continues to evolve, our understanding of coffee’s complex effects on human health will undoubtedly deepen. For now, most individuals can continue to enjoy their daily cup of coffee, armed with the knowledge to make informed choices about their brewing methods and consumption habits.

Health risks, benefits, and more

Drinking coffee can affect cholesterol levels, although it may depend on the brewing method. Unfiltered and French press coffee may raise cholesterol levels, while instant and filter coffee are less likely to affect them.

The risk of heightened serum cholesterol levels also depends on how much coffee a person drinks and how sensitive they are to caffeine.

This article discusses how certain oils in coffee can affect serum (blood) cholesterol levels, the risks and benefits associated with drinking coffee, and tips on managing cholesterol levels.

For more science-backed resources on nutrition, visit our dedicated hub.

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Study results on the association between coffee drinking and higher levels of serum cholesterol are mixed, according to a 2001 research review.

A more recent 2016 study suggests that coffee consumption is linked to higher cholesterol levels, although the effects vary depending on the type of coffee and the sex of the individual.

However, according to older research from 1997, it is not the amount of caffeine in coffee that may affect cholesterol levels but rather the oils that naturally occur in the coffee bean. These natural oils, also known as diterpenes, are cafestol and kahweol.

The Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee (ISIC) agrees that both oils can raise total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, although the amount of diterpenes in coffee varies with the brewing method.

For example, if a person makes coffee using paper filters, most of the diterpenes remain in the filter. However, in unfiltered coffee, more of the diterpenes pass through into the coffee.

Also, Scandinavian boiled coffee, Turkish coffee, and French press coffee can increase cholesterol, according to a 2011 study. Scandinavian and Turkish coffee are unfiltered, while coffee made with a French press passes through a metal filter that allows more of the diterpenes to pass into the brew than paper filters.

According to the ISIC, other types of brewed coffee contain varying levels of diterpenes and therefore have various effects on cholesterol levels:

  • Espresso: This type of coffee has about half the amount of diterpenes found in unfiltered coffee. Because people generally drink small servings of espresso, it will likely have little effect on cholesterol.
  • Filtered coffee: It likely has little effect on cholesterol. However, research on this type of coffee is not consistent.
  • Instant coffee: This coffee type contains very few diterpenes, so it should not raise cholesterol.

In addition to potentially raising a person’s cholesterol levels, coffee may carry some other health risks. Caffeine — a psychoactive substance naturally occurring in coffee — may interact with a person’s medications.

While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that 400 milligrams of caffeine per day is typically safe for health, caffeine may have various clinically significant interactions with many drugs.

Some other beverages, such as energy drinks, also have high levels of caffeine.

Risks from drug interactions

A 2020 review found that coffee can interact with many drugs because of its caffeine content. A person may wish to consult their doctor to see whether any of their medications are in that category.

In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warn against mixing a caffeinated beverage, such as coffee, with alcohol. The combination may result in a person drinking more alcohol than they realize and thus experiencing more of its harmful effects.

Risks from caffeine

The amount of caffeine that the FDA considers safe is equivalent to four or five cups of coffee. However, some individuals are more sensitive to the effect of caffeine and may experience some of the following:

  • insomnia
  • fast heart rate
  • headaches
  • anxiety
  • jitters
  • nausea
  • a feeling of unhappiness

Other sources of caffeine

Other beverages containing caffeine include tea, sodas, and energy drinks. Tea and sodas generally have less caffeine than coffee, while some energy drinks may have two to three times as much caffeine as a coffee drink, according to the FDA.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), coffee has several possible benefits, including:

  • lowering the risk of Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease
  • helping protect cells from damage through its high levels of antioxidants
  • lowering the risk of death
  • reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in women

In addition, the AHA notes that caffeine may:

  • increase energy
  • help with weight loss
  • improve mental focus
  • elevate mood
  • improve exercise performance

Although cafestol and kahweol can have a negative effect on cholesterol, they may provide some health benefits. Research suggests they may have anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties.

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that plays many essential roles in the body at healthy levels. When LDL cholesterol levels are too high, plaque builds up in the arteries. If the plaque accumulates enough to obstruct blood flow, it becomes dangerous, as it can increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Cholesterol travels through the bloodstream as part of molecules called lipoproteins. There are two main types of lipoproteins in the blood:

  • LDL: Some people call this “bad” cholesterol. It plays a key role in plaque buildup in the arteries.
  • High-density lipoprotein (HDL): Some people call this “good” cholesterol. It helps remove cholesterol from the body.

While coffee does not contain cholesterol, it can affect cholesterol levels. The diterpenes in coffee suppress the body’s production of substances involved in cholesterol breakdown, causing cholesterol to increase. Specifically, coffee diterpenes may cause an increase in total cholesterol and LDL levels.

It is important to note that dietary cholesterol is not strongly linked to LDL levels. Instead, diets high in saturated and trans fats can increase cholesterol in the blood. However, research into dietary cholesterol is ongoing.

Heart-healthy lifestyle changes may help manage cholesterol levels. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) advises the following:

  • Eat a heart-healthy diet: This diet includes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, along with nuts, olive oil, and fish containing omega-3 fatty acids. It also involves limiting one’s intake of foods high in saturated and trans fat, such as fatty cuts of meat and packaged snacks.
  • Get regular exercise: Studies show regular exercise raises HDL and lowers LDL.
  • Try to quit smoking, if applicable: This habit is a major risk factor for heart disease.
  • Try to maintain a moderate weight: If a person has a high body weight or obesity, then losing 3–5% of their overall weight can increase their HDL and lower their LDL.
  • Try to manage stress: Research suggests stress has a harmful effect on cholesterol.

People with high cholesterol should consult their doctor to find out whether they need medication, as various drugs can lower cholesterol levels.

However, some people may take a medication or have a health condition that is contributing to high cholesterol levels. In those cases, a person’s doctor may change the prescription drug or suggest a different treatment.

The relationship between coffee and cholesterol may depend on how a person brews the beverage. Some research also indicates that coffee may affect a person’s cholesterol differently depending on their sex. Paper filters may help minimize the amount of natural oils in coffee and result in a coffee drink with a lesser effect on cholesterol.

People who have high cholesterol may wish to choose filtered coffee more often than unfiltered coffee. When the brewing method does not involve a paper filter, more of the cholesterol-raising oils end up in the coffee.

A person should speak with a healthcare professional if they are concerned about their cholesterol levels.

What It Is and What to Do About It

Written by Jodi Helmer

  • Cholesterol Tests
  • Make Changes in the Kitchen
  • Read Food Labels
  • Get Moving
  • Lose Extra Weight
  • Quit Smoking
  • Check to See What’s Working
  • More

Has your doctor told you that you have “borderline” high cholesterol? That means your cholesterol level is above normal but not quite in the “high” range.

You have borderline high cholesterol if your total cholesterol is between 200 and 239 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

Your doctor will also consider other things, like how much of your total cholesterol is LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and how much of it is HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

Making simple changes in your lifestyle is often enough to bring borderline cholesterol levels down to the normal range. Some people may also need to take medicine for it. And keep in mind that other things, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and smoking, also affect your heart health; it’s not just about cholesterol.

If you have borderline cholesterol, your doctor will decide whether you need treatment by looking at these and other risk factors for heart disease. They may ask you to get an imaging test of your heart called a coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan. This test reveals whether dangerous plaque has built up in your heart’s arteries.

You won’t know you have borderline cholesterol unless you get a cholesterol blood test. You should do that every 5 years.

The average American has a total cholesterol level of 200, which is in the borderline range.

You can turn it around before you get high cholesterol. Start with these steps.

Why Do I Need a Cholesterol Test?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance. Your liver makes all the cholesterol your body needs. But you take in more cholesterol from certain foods, such as those from animals. If you have too much cholesterol in your body, it can build up in the walls of your arteries (as “plaque”) and eventually harden. This process, called atherosclerosis, actually narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to travel through them. 

Unfortunately, high cholesterol doesn’t cause symptoms. In later stages of atherosclerosis, though, you may have angina – severe chest pain from lack of blood flow to the heart. If an artery gets totally blocked, a heart attack results. A routine blood cholesterol test is a far better way of finding out what your cholesterol level is.

What Does a Cholesterol Test Measure?

In addition to measuring the total cholesterol in your blood, the standard cholesterol test (called a “lipid panel”) measures three specific kinds of fat:

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL). This is the “bad cholesterol,” the main cause of plaque buildup, which increases your risk of heart disease. In general, the lower the number, the better. But LDL cholesterol is only one part of a larger equation that measures a person’s overall risk of having a heart attack or stroke. 

For years, guidelines focused on specific target numbers for people to achieve to lower their risk. The most recent guidelines focus on a person’s overall risk and, based on that risk, recommend a certain percentage of LDL reduction as one part of a way to prevent serious heart and blood vessel problems.

High-density lipoproteins (HDL). This is the “good cholesterol.” It transports bad cholesterol from the blood to the liver, where it is excreted by the body. Your HDL is another part of the equation that identifies the risk of a cardiovascular event. In general, the higher the number the better, although, as with LDL, the emphasis has shifted from specific target numbers to ways to reduce the overall risk.

Triglycerides. Another type of fat in the bloodstream, triglycerides are also linked to heart disease. They are stored in fat cells throughout the body.

What Do Cholesterol Test Numbers Mean?

If you have a lipoprotein profile, it’s important to look at all the numbers from the cholesterol test, not just the total cholesterol number. That’s because LDL and HDL levels are two top signs of potential heart disease. Use the information below to interpret your results (with the help of your doctor, of course). This will help you get a better idea about your risk for heart disease.

Total blood cholesterol level:

  • High risk: 240 mg/dL and above
  • Borderline high risk: 200-239 mg/dL
  • Desirable: Less than 200 mg/dL

LDL cholesterol levels:

190 mg/dL and above represents a high risk for heart disease and is a strong sign that you can benefit from intensive treatment, including lifestyle changes, diet, and statin therapy for reducing that risk.

For LDL levels that are equal to or less than 189 mg/dL, the guidelines recommend strategies for lowering LDL by 30% to 50%, depending on what other risk factors you have that can affect the health of your heart and blood vessels.

HDL cholesterol:

  • High risk: Less than 40 mg/dL for men and less than 50 mg/dL for women

Triglycerides:

  • Very high risk: 500 mg/dL and above
  • High risk: 200-499 mg/dL
  • Borderline high risk: 150-199 mg/dL
  • Normal: Less than 150 mg/dL

Use your diet to help lower your LDL cholesterol and raise your HDL cholesterol.

For the biggest impact, choose foods that are low in saturated fats and trans fats, and high in fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids. Whole grains, beans, apples, pears, oatmeal, salmon, walnuts, and olive oil are excellent heart-healthy choices.

Here are some more diet tips to help you lower your cholesterol:

Make meat lean. Cut back on red meats that are high in saturated fat and cholesterol, and choose only lean meats with very little visible fat. Examples of lean beef include London broil, eye of round, and filet mignon. Avoid processed meats like bacon and sausage, which are linked to higher odds of heart disease and diabetes.

Remove skin from poultry. That’s where much of the fat is.

Eat more seafood. It usually has less fat than other meat. The American Heart Association recommends eating two servings of fatty fish (like salmon, tuna, or mackerel) each week for heart health. Those fish are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for you.

Limit saturated fat. These are found in whole-fat dairy products, mayonnaise, and hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils or fats (such as stick margarine). These products may also contain trans fats, which can raise your cholesterol level.

Go liquid. For cooking, replace saturated fats that are solid at room temperature (such as butter and shortening) with liquid monounsaturated fats such as olive, canola, and flaxseed oils. There’s evidence that eating moderate amounts of monounsaturated fat – found in such foods as nuts, seeds, and avocados – may lower LDL cholesterol.

Add fiber with plant foods. Good sources include grapefruit, apples, beans and other legumes, barley, carrots, cabbage, and oatmeal.

Get two daily servings of plant sterol-rich foods. These foods, such as nuts, can help lower cholesterol. Plant sterols are also added to some soft margarines, granola bars, yogurts, and orange juice.

You need to know how much saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol are in your favorite foods. That can help you make better choices.

Too much saturated fat can drive up your cholesterol level. It’s found mostly in animal products. Cholesterol also is found in animal products. Your doctor or a dietitian can let you know what your daily limit should be.

Artificial trans fats can raise your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. They’re in packaged foods, like some crackers, cookies, pastries, and microwave popcorn.

Check the nutrition label. And because products marked “0 grams” of trans fats per serving can have up to a gram of trans fats, check the ingredients label, too. Anything marked “partially hydrogenated” is trans fat.

Exercise helps you get your cholesterol down from the borderline range.

Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, per day (150 minutes each week). You can also do a more intense workout for 75 minutes a week.

Taking a walk, riding your bike, playing a team sport, or taking a group fitness class will increase your heart rate while raising HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Push yourself, if you can, but keep in mind that moderate exercise is better than none at all.

You can have borderline high cholesterol and be at a healthy weight. But if you’re overweight, losing those extra pounds can help bring your cholesterol level back down.

Losing as little as 5% of your body weight can lower your cholesterol levels. One study found that adults who took part in a 12-week exercise program lowered their LDL by 18 points, and their total cholesterol dropped 26 points.

With a combination of weight loss and a healthy diet, it’s possible to lower LDL levels up to 30% – results that are similar to taking cholesterol-lowering drugs.

If you’re not sure whether your weight is in a healthy place, ask your doctor to check your body mass index (BMI). A normal BMI is 18 to 25. If your BMI is 25 or higher, ask your doctor for advice on the best types of physical activity for you.

If you smoke, kicking the habit can help raise your HDL (“good”) cholesterol up to 10%.

Have you tried to quit smoking before? For many people, it takes a couple of tries. Keep trying until it sticks. It’s worth it, for your whole body’s health.

During regular screening appointments, your doctor will check your cholesterol levels to see if the changes you’ve made have gotten you to your cholesterol goal.

If lifestyle changes aren’t enough to lower borderline high cholesterol, your doctor may talk to you about medication.

Top Picks

Non-fasting Remnant cholesterol panel (non-fasting), find out the prices for a set of tests and take it in Moscow when examining persons with overweight and obesity, high levels of triglycerides, in order to:

  • assess the risks of developing atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases and their complications;
  • characteristics of dyslipidemias;
  • control targets for lipid-lowering therapy.

Synonyms: Non-fasting residual cholesterol; Remnant lipoprotein cholesterol is not on an empty stomach.

Remnant lipoproteins (RLP) cholesterol non-fasting; RLP-C non-fasting.

Profile composition:

  • No. 31 Total cholesterol
  • No. 32 HDL cholesterol (high density lipoprotein)
  • No. 1644 LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol, direct method
  • Non-HDL cholesterol, calculation
  • Remnant cholesterol, calculation

Summary of Non-Fasting Remnant Cholesterol Study

Change from the previously mandatory recommendation to donate blood for lipid testing strictly on an empty stomach is no longer a mandatory criterion, and certain clinical objectives of the study (screening, clarification of the diagnosis, observation) allow for non-fasting blood donations . This gives an idea of ​​the average atherogenic lipid level in the blood, since it reflects the patient’s more natural state during the day.

Non-fasting examinations are more convenient for the patient and the referring physician, as they allow blood sampling to be performed on the day of the visit, without additional fasting visits to the treatment room. Non-fasting lipid testing to assess cardiovascular risk in primary prevention, according to some experts, may be even more informative than fasting testing, since a person is not on an empty stomach for most of the day. The admissibility of lipid screening not on an empty stomach is approved in the clinical guidelines of the professional communities of the Russian Federation.

More information about the characteristics of the lipid profile on a non-fasting stomach can be found here.

Cholesterol is transported in the blood as part of various lipoprotein particles. Lipoproteins consist of lipids and proteins, differ in their density, size, ratio of protein and lipids, as well as the type of basic proteins included in their composition, which largely determine the metabolic pathways and functions of different types of lipoproteins as cholesterol transporters.

Cholesterol is a lipid necessary for the synthesis of cell membranes and various biologically important substances in the human body. However, an increase in the level of total cholesterol in the blood (hypercholesterolemia) is a recognized major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are not atherogenic, they do not contribute to the deposition of cholesterol in the walls of blood vessels. Conversely, high HDL levels are associated with lower cardiovascular risk. The remaining lipoproteins, including low, very low, intermediate density, lipoprotein (a) are classified as atherogenic fractions, which can contribute to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.

Fig 1. Characterization of lipoproteins depending on size and density and their laboratory markers.

Designations: TC – total cholesterol, cholesterol cholesterol, TG – triglycerides, HDL – high density lipoproteins, LDL – low density clypoproteins, LDLP – intermediate density lipoproteins, VLDL – very low density lipoproteins, XM – chylomicrons, LP (a) – lipoprotein a, ApoA1, ApoB – apolipoproteins A1 and B (the main proteins of certain lipoproteins).

Remnant cholesterol – residual cholesterol, which is calculated as total cholesterol minus high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (OH – HDL-C – LDL-C), or, in other words, it is the cholesterol of all atherogenic fractions, in addition to LDL (it can be calculated also according to the formula Cholesterol-non-HDL – Cholesterol-LDL). Remnant cholesterol combines the cholesterol found in high triglyceride lipoproteins:

  • on an empty stomach it is predominantly VLDL and LDL;
  • in a non-fasting state – residual chylomicron cholesterol is added to these two fractions. These large particles carry a significant amount of cholesterol and are potentially atherogenic.

VLDL particles and their remnants carry the bulk of circulating triglycerides in blood plasma.

For a long time, a low risk of cardiovascular disease was associated mainly with a low level of LDL-C with a relatively high content of HDL-C. But over time, it has been demonstrated that remnant cholesterol is an independent risk factor. Individuals with high levels of remnant cholesterol are often overweight, have diabetes, and almost always have elevated triglyceride levels.

Accumulation of triglyceride-rich remnant particles after ingestion is an important factor in atherogenesis. The non-fasting remnant cholesterol score reflects the load of cholesterol that is not accounted for in the fasting lipid profile, which could potentially be a more important risk factor since, in reality, a person is usually not fasted for more hours of the day.

What is the purpose of the Non-Fasting Remnant Cholesterol study? her targets.

Although the primary goal of lipid-lowering therapy for individuals at increased risk of adverse events associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is to lower LDL cholesterol, lowering non-HDL cholesterol levels is considered by experts as an important secondary goal of such therapy. Non-HDL cholesterol, in addition to the proportion of LDL, includes remnant cholesterol, which combines the cholesterol of other atherogenic lipoproteins and the associated atherogenic risk component. The new SCORE2 cardiovascular risk calculation algorithms proposed by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC 2021) use non-HDL cholesterol instead of total cholesterol.

Units of measurement: total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, remnant cholesterol – mmol/L.

Reference values ​​

Recommended thresholds for lipid profile interpretation in prophylactic screening of individuals with no additional risk factors:

  • Total cholesterol. ESC/EAS/RKO* recommendations: Desirable level <5.0 mmol/L. Cholesterol should be used in combination with other factors in an individual assessment of cardiac risk (see SCORE tables).
  • HDL cholesterol. ESC/EAS/RKO guidelines for assessing cardiac risk: levels >1.2 mmol/L for women and >1.0 mmol/L for men indicate low risk.
  • LDL cholesterol. ESC / EAS / RKO recommendations: in the absence of additional cardiac risk factors, the desired level is <3.0 mmol / l. Individual target values ​​of LDL cholesterol for patients at high and very high risk are determined by the doctor.
  • Non-HDL cholesterol. ESC/EAS/RKO Interpretation Guidelines: In the absence of additional cardiac risk factors, desired fasting <3.8 mmol/L, non-fasting <3.9mmol/l. Individual target values ​​for patients in high and very high risk groups are determined by the physician.
  • Remnant cholesterol. Recommendations EAS, EFLM: fasting >0.8 mmol/L, non-fasting >0.9 mmol/L indicates an increased risk.

*Abbreviation: ESC – European Society of Cardiology, EAS – European Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, RKO – Russian Society of Cardiology, EFLM – European Federation of Laboratory Medicine.

Interpretation of the results of the Non-Fasting Remnant Cholesterol study

See descriptions of tests #31, #32, #1644, and lipid profiles ## OPS54, OPS53, OPS128 and OPS127.

Main literature

  1. Boytsov S. A. et al. Cardiovascular prevention 2017. Russian national guidelines // Russian Journal of Cardiology. – 2018. – no. 6.
  2. Bubnova MG, Parnes LE Modern principles of management of atherogenic dyslipidemia in special groups of patients //CardioSomatics. – 2020. – T. 11. – No. 1. – S. 6-16.
  3. Drapkina OM et al. Alimentary-dependent risk factors for chronic noncommunicable diseases and eating habits: dietary correction as part of preventive counseling. Guidelines // Cardiovascular therapy and prevention. – 2021. – T. 20. – No. 5. – S. 273-334.
  4. Castaner O. et al. Remnant cholesterol, not LDL cholesterol, is associated with incident cardiovascular disease // Journal of the American College of Cardiology. – 2020. – T. 76. – No. 23. – S. 2712-2724.
  5. Langlois M. R. et al. Quantifying atherogenic lipoproteins: current and future challenges in the era of personalized medicine and very low concentrations of LDL cholesterol. A consensus statement from EAS and EFLM //Clinical chemistry. – 2018. – T. 64. – No. 7. – S. 1006-1033.
  6. Mach F. et al. 2019 ESC/EAS Guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias: lipid modification to reduce cardiovascular risk: The Task Force for the management of dyslipidaemias of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) //European heart journal. – 2020. – T. 41. – No. 1. – S. 111-188.
  7. Mach F. et al. 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines for the treatment of dyslipidemia: lipid modification to reduce cardiovascular risk // Russian Journal of Cardiology. – 2020. – T. 25. – No. 5. – S. 3826.
  8. Mach F. et al. Corrigendum to “2019 ESC/EAS Guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias: lipid modification to reduce cardiovascular risk” [Atherosclerosis 290 (2019) 140–205] // Atherosclerosis. – 2020. – T. 294. – S. 80-82.
  9. Quispe R. et al. Remnant cholesterol predicts cardiovascular disease beyond LDL and ApoB: a primary prevention study // European heart journal. – 2021. – T. 42. – No. 42. – S. 4324-4332.
  10. SCORE2 risk prediction algorithms: new models to estimate 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease in Europe // European heart journal. – 2021. – T. 42. – No. 25. – S. 2439-2454.
  11. Xie G. et al. Remnant Cholesterol is an Independent Predictor of New-Onset Diabetes: A Single-Center Cohort Study //Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy. – 2021. – T. 14. – S. 4735.

Ministry of Health of the Republic of Tatarstan

Another campaign was held in Tetyushi within the framework of the “Keep Your Health” project

Another action of the State Health Institution “Tetyushskaya CRH” within the framework of the “Keep Your Health” project was held on April 7 in Tetyushi.
The action was dedicated to the World Health Day and took place in the House of Peoples’ Friendship. Everyone could measure blood pressure, weight, height and blood sugar levels. Tetyushans actively participated in the event. Vlasov Valery Alexandrovich, Deputy of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan, responded with pleasure and interest to the action before the reception of citizens, who noted the importance of such events for maintaining the health of the population of our Republic.
Interesting brochures and memos, developed especially for this action, were distributed during the event.

Time to be healthy!

On April 7, 2015, on World Health Day, according to the recommendations of the Russian Ministry of Health, the Republic of Tatarstan hosted a preventive action “Day against Cardiovascular Diseases” under the slogan “Time to be healthy!”. The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Tatarstan, with the direct participation of various medical institutions in the municipalities of the republic, organized large-scale events as part of the campaign.

With the support of the Office of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Government of the Republic, on this day in Kazan, in the Koltso and MEGA shopping centers, a screening examination of visitors was carried out. Specialists of the health centers of the Republican Center for Medical Prevention, the city polyclinics of Kazan No. 1, No. 7, No. 10, No. 18 and the city hospital No. 16, in order to identify the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, free of charge for those who wish, organized the measurement of blood pressure , determination of the level of glucose and cholesterol in the blood. With the assistance of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan, the action was accompanied by a special concert program in the MEGA shopping and entertainment center as part of youth groups.

According to the results, among the 490 examined citizens, 94 people had deviations from the norm in terms of blood pressure, 49 had blood glucose, and 188 had cholesterol in the blood. Taking into account the obtained results, individual recommendations on a healthy lifestyle are given.

In addition, also on April 7, in order to attract public attention to the problem of cardiovascular diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle, at the Labor Reserves stadium with the participation of about 300 schoolchildren, students, representatives of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Tatarstan, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and sports of the Republic of Tatarstan, the stadium administration held mass exercises and a youth flash mob. Wellness exercises took place directly in the gyms of educational organizations.

Health Day in Nizhnekamsk

World Health Day was celebrated on a large scale in Nizhnekamsk. Almost every medical institution held events dedicated to this event. In total, about 800 people took part in them.

All visitors to the Clinical and Diagnostic Center of the State Autonomous Institution “NTsRMB” could measure their blood pressure and get advice. For half a day of work, experts measured the pressure of about 200 people, 80 of them showed deviations from the norm. They were all advised to visit their GP and cardiologist.

Another test was performed in both adult polyclinics in Nizhnekamsk. It was possible to check the condition of the lungs. They did this with a special device. If the “age” of the lungs was very different from the patient’s age, then he was given a referral for further examination. The “age” of the lungs was checked in total in almost 300 people, and 76 showed abnormalities.

The children’s network did not stay away from the holiday either. Patients from the children’s city hospital were invited to the “Magic Journey to the Country of Healthy People”. Performances were held in every department. And the little visitors of the Solnechnaya polyclinic were entertained by clowns. In both children’s medical institutions, through the game, children were told about the rules of a healthy lifestyle.

Children were also invited to the dental clinic today, where, of course, oral hygiene was discussed. In addition, the day of health was celebrated in the children’s rehabilitation center. There was also a drawing competition on the topic “Your health, Nizhnekamsk!”.

Lectures on how to maintain health were given to adults in all dispensaries, the Blood Center, and the Kamskopolyansk hospital.

In total, 15 events dedicated to the Day of Health were held in Nizhnekamsk medical institutions, in which more than 800 people took part.

Doctors of Children’s Polyclinic No. 2 of Kazan measured their blood pressure

On April 8, 2015, an action was held among the employees of the polyclinic dedicated to World Health Day at the Children’s City Polyclinic No. 2 in Kazan. The theme of the action: “Measure your blood pressure”, which was held as part of the Year of the fight against cardiovascular diseases. This event is planned to be held regularly.

Employees of the Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation of KSMU held an action in the city polyclinic No. 7

On April 7, employees of the Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation of Kazan State Medical University, together with doctors from Kazan City Polyclinic No. 7, held a thematic campaign on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases to increase public awareness of risk factors.

Love and gratitude to the veterans of the Zelenodolsk Central District Hospital

On the eve of the 70th anniversary of Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War, the Zelenodolsk Central District Hospital and the Council of Health Veterans of the Zelenodolsk Municipal District organized a solemn ceremony of awarding anniversary medals to veterans and home front workers of the Great Patriotic War 1941 – 1945.

Nordic walking along the paths of health

A mass training in a new, fashionable direction in sports – Nordic walking, in which more than a hundred people took part, took place in Almetyevsk. It was organized by the editorial offices of the newspapers Znamya Truda, Elmet Tannary and the Almetyevsk Center for Medical Prevention. Chief Physician Anvar Abdulov congratulated everyone on the Day of Health and focused on the fact that Almetyevsk has all the conditions for practicing affordable sports.

“Visit Health Day – you will prolong the years of life!”

GAUZ “City Polyclinic No. 4 “Student” together with KFU on April 7, 2015 held the action “Visit Health Day – you will prolong the years of life!”

Health Day in Naberezhnye Chelny

A city-wide campaign “Know Your Blood Pressure” started in the city’s medical institutions, timed to coincide with World Health Day – April 7 and the Year of Combating Cardiovascular Diseases.

Today, the pressure of employees and visitors of the City Hall was measured. Blood pressure was checked by 74 people, 24% of them have high blood pressure. They are recommended to keep a diary of self-control and contact a therapist at the clinic at the place of attachment. Four percent of the surveyed suffer from severe hypertension (systolic pressure over 180 mm Hg), all of them are registered at the clinic and are regularly examined.

I choose health!

As part of a decade of events dedicated to the World Health Day (from April 1 to April 10) by the Education Department of the Education Department of the IKMO of Kazan in Aviastroitelny and Novo-Savinovsky districts together with the Children’s City Clinical Hospital No. 7 in Kazan (ul. Aidarova, 2a) from April 1 to April 10, 2015, the game quiz “I choose health!” started. among students of the 8th grade of 5 schools of the Aviation Building District of Kazan.

From April 1 to April 8, 2015, a qualifying round of a quiz is held on the territory of schools, according to the results of which 5 teams of 3 students will be formed to represent their school in the final.