Cholesterol News and Research

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Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made in the liver, and found in the blood and in all cells of the body. Cholesterol is important for good health and is needed for making cell walls, tissues, hormones, vitamin D, and bile acid.

Yogurt, prebiotics, and probiotics link to lower colorectal cancer odds in U.S. adults

A national NHANES analysis of 9,405 U.S. adults aged 50 and older found that any yogurt, prebiotic, or probiotic consumption was associated with about 50% lower odds of self-reported colorectal cancer. Because the study was cross-sectional, it cannot prove causation but supports further research into microbiota-targeted dietary strategies.

8 Jul 2026

Persistent high cortisol levels increase hypertension risk in patients with adrenal tumors

A major new study, published today in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology has shown that cortisol levels in patients with adrenal tumours are far less stable than previously assumed.

7 Jul 2026

Updated ABCs framework gives clinicians a clearer path to prevent heart disease

A 2026 State-of-the-Art review updates the ABCs of cardiovascular disease prevention to help clinicians apply contemporary risk assessment, lifestyle, pharmacologic, and cardiometabolic strategies in routine care. The framework emphasizes PREVENT™ risk equations, Life’s Essential 8, CKM syndrome, obesity care, lipid lowering, blood pressure control, healthy aging, heart failure prevention, and atrial fibrillation management.

7 Jul 2026

U.S. obesity rates rose sharply between 1999 and 2023

Obesity rates among U.S. adults and children rose sharply in recent years and by 2023, 40% of adults and 20% of youth met the criteria for obesity, according to new, independent research published today in the American Heart Association's flagship journal Circulation.

7 Jul 2026

Blood markers reveal metabolic impact of ultra-processed food consumption

Consumption of ultra-processed food (UPF) results in a distinct metabolic 'signature' in the blood, associated with potentially adverse health conditions, a new study by an international team of researchers finds.

6 Jul 2026

Study tracks why rural residents face higher chronic disease risks

Following the release of data from Assumption Parish earlier this year, researchers at LSU's Pennington Biomedical Research Center have published the first set of data from the Risks Underlying Rural Areas Longitudinal, or RURAL, Heart and Lung study in Franklin Parish. The data book for Franklin Parish is now available to explore.

6 Jul 2026

McMaster researchers uncover why statins cause painful muscle side effects

Millions of people rely on statins - a medication used to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

6 Jul 2026

Neutral lipids may act as functional medium for controlling supramolecular polymerization

The formation of supramolecular polymers within living cells is an emerging strategy for regulating cellular functions, and lipid droplets (LDs) are promising environments for such processes.

6 Jul 2026

Thirty years of data reveal changing heart health trends in obesity

A study reveals narrowing gaps in blood pressure and cholesterol between obesity and normal BMI, highlighting evolving cardiometabolic risks over three decades.

6 Jul 2026

Some statins may increase erectile dysfunction risk

Research indicates that certain statins, particularly atorvastatin and simvastatin, may elevate the risk of erectile dysfunction, impacting men's health.

6 Jul 2026

New genome editing tool unlocks fungi's hidden drug-producing potential

Researchers have spent decades-and billions of dollars-sequencing animal and crop genomes, but fungi have historically been the forgotten middle child of genomics, only noticed when they're ruining bread or colonizing toes.

2 Jul 2026

Plant-based diets offer heart benefits but may require supplements

A study reveals unsupplemented vegan diets in Northeast China lead to micronutrient deficiencies, despite benefits for body composition and cholesterol levels.

2 Jul 2026

Blood pressure and cholesterol gaps shrink among older adults with obesity

Over the last three decades, differences in unhealthy cholesterol levels and blood pressure between older adults with obesity and those with a normal Body Mass Index (BMI) have narrowed or disappeared in several high-income countries, suggests a study published in The Lancet.

1 Jul 2026

Experts reframe steatotic liver disease as a dynamic continuum

The classification of steatotic liver disease (SLD) is undergoing a major conceptual transformation. In a recent article published in eGastroenterology, Dr. Chen, Dr. Horn, and Prof. Tacke from Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin argue that metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-associated liver disease (MetALD), and alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) should not be regarded as rigid diagnostic categories, but rather as interconnected and evolving disease trajectories.

30 Jun 2026