AN ANTHROPOLOGIST LOOKS AT CHOLESTEROL IN BLOOD
Key findings Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
● During 2015–2018, 11.4% of adults had high total cholesterol, and prevalence was similar by race and Hispanic origin.
There is a reason for this?
Who is Hispanic? It is not a RACIAL but a cultural definition. Here it is:
“Americans who identify themselves as being of Spanish-speaking background and trace their origin or descent from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central and South America, and other Spanish-speaking countries.” This includes 20 Spanish-speaking nations from Latin America and Spain itself, but not Portugal or Portuguese-speaking Brazil.
Mexicans have more Native Mexican genes, Puerto Ricans and Dominicans, more African genes and Cubans more European genes. Majority of Hispanics in America are of Mexican Origin.
What this means is that, regardless of where your ancestors came from, Africa, Mexico or Europe or Asia.. Your Cholesterol is similar. So, what you have in common is AMERICA and not your country of origin.
● The prevalence of high total cholesterol was highest among adults aged 40–59.
This is the most employed, productive group and the only common factor they could have would be FAST FOOD or Similar Nutrition.
● Over one-quarter of men (26.6%) and 8.5% of women had low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).
I have noticed that people who are Native Americans or have native American ancestry like the Mexicans tend to have low HDL-C. This does not mean that they have a higher than normal rate of Heart Disease.
● In men, the prevalence of low HDL-C was lowest in non-Hispanic black adults. In women, prevalence was highest in Hispanic adults.
37.4% is the prevalence of low HDL-C in AFRICA.
Majority of Mexicans have Native American genes and the prevalence of low HDL-C
A functional ABCA1 gene variant is associated with low HDL-cholesterol levels and shows evidence of positive selection in Native Americans.
● High total cholesterol prevalence declined from 1999–2000 to 2017–2018. Low HDL-C prevalence declined from 2007–2008 to 2017–2018.
The significance of Lower HDL-C decreases even further here, as the total cholesterol decreases, HDL-C also changes. Also -C stands for Calculated, so talking about HDL-C alone in African, Native American and Mexican population may not give a true metabolic picture.
HDL-C is also lower in Asian populations, especially people of South Asian origin.
The size of HDL may be more important than the absolute number
It is interesting that no DRUG ever been able to increase HDL levels in any patient population producing good end results
Exercise and Good Nutrition has shown benefits with regards to HDL-C but that is good for so many other metabolic functions of the body as well.
I have always felt that Cholesterol is a MARKER for inflammation in the body . A very early study had shown that the end results (Cardiovascular deaths and events) were improved when CRP (indicator of Inflammation) was decreased in face of Cholesterol not changing much.
From WHO
In 2008 the global prevalence of raised total cholesterol among adults (≥ 5.0 mmol/l) was 39% (37% for males and 40% for females). Globally, mean total cholesterol changed little between 1980 and 2008, falling by less than 0.1 mmol/L per decade in men and women.
The prevalence of elevated total cholesterol was highest in the WHO Region of Europe (54% for both sexes), followed by the WHO Region of the Americas (48% for both sexes). The WHO African Region and the WHO South East Asian Region showed the lowest percentages (22.6% for AFR and 29.0% for SEAR).
Total Cholesterol levels are coming down in western countries, it is not RISING in developing countries and the mortality of cardiovascular diseases are decreasing (denoting better treatment). Perhaps it is not the Cholesterol that does the damage? But it is a marker for the damage to come ? whereas something in the environment (chemicals in the food ?) is to blame ?
We now know that if we decrease INFLAMMATION in the body, and more and more anti-inflammatory treatments (from Nutrition to medications are being tried)we can have better outcomes in the Cardiovascular health (the leading cause of morbidity and mortality all around the world).
Good Nutrition is the basis of good Physical Health and needless to say, and being active. Health does not come in the form of a pill.
To use a much-used metaphor,
We are living in INFLAMMATORY times
Whether it is the POLITICS
Whether it is the ECONOMY
Whether it is the FOOD that is being offered
And an ANTI-INFLAMMATORY lifestyle would assist us with a HEALTHY BODY.
Then there is, of course, Emotional Health and Spiritual Health
An Anthropological look at that at another time.
IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP TO POVERTY AND CHOLESTEROL? THE ABOVE STATES IN THE USA ARE ALSO AMONG THE POOREST. AND WITH HIGH LEVELS OF FOOD INSECURITY AND FOOD DESERTS FOR LACK OF AVAILABILITY. DONUTS AND FRENCH FRIES CANNOT BE SUBSTITUTED FOR FOOD.
