Dr. Ahmed Key points
- Early short-term exposure to high cholesterol, even if the total cholesterol levels are similar to those from late continuous exposure, can speed up the development of atherosclerosis significantly.
- This is because the tissue macrophages, which are the key immune cells involved in plaque formation, undergo some changes when exposed to increased cholesterol levels early on.
- Early periods of high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) disturb the normal balance of arterial macrophages, causing them to shift towards a state that promotes atherosclerosis.
- Understanding these processes gives us enough information to create effective treatments to fight atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Atherosclerosis is a condition where your arteries become narrowed because of plaque buildup and high cholesterol is the most commonly linked risk factor for this abnormality.
It is common knowledge that long-term high cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis; there are some recent investigations that show a different picture.
A study published this month has suggested that early intermittent exposure to high cholesterol can increase the risk of plaque formation, even if the total cholesterol levels remain the same over time.
This stresses that short-term consumption of high-cholesterol foods at a younger age can have long-term impacts on arterial health. This means that we need to control our diet from the start.
The conclusion of this study has challenged the traditional belief that only continuously eating a high-fat diet can lead to this.
Even if you are not eating too many unsaturated fats, you need to monitor cholesterol levels regularly. So, by focusing on reducing this exposure and taking measures to stop this, we can prevent atherosclerosis later in life.
We need to understand the timing and patterns of cholesterol exposure, which could lead to more targeted and effective strategies for preventing heart disease.
Methodology
To find out the effects of early intermittent hyperlipidemia on atherosclerosis, the researchers conducted a line of experiments using both mouse models and human data.
The animals were fed a high-cholesterol western-type diet (WD) either intermittently early in life or continuously later in life. The atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta were then checked to see plaque development.
Human data was obtained from the Young Finns Study, which is a large-scale longitudinal study that has followed participants since childhood.
The researchers examined the association between early-life cholesterol exposure and the development of carotid atherosclerotic plaques in mid-adulthood.
Analysis
The study found that early intermittent exposure to high cholesterol can speed up atherosclerosis in mice compared to late continuous exposure, despite similar cumulative circulating LDL-C levels.
This surprising result suggested that the timing of exposure to high cholesterol is an important factor in disease development.
Further analysis showed that early short-term high cholesterol changed the number and normal behavior of artery macrophages, which are important in the development of atherosclerosis.
These cells have both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory roles. The study found that early high cholesterol exposure caused a shift towards a more pro-inflammatory state, encouraging plaque buildup in the arteries.
Gene expression analysis found specific genes linked to the changed macrophage behavior in mice exposed to early short-term high cholesterol.
These genes were connected to pathways associated with human atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) based on genome-wide association studies, highlighting the importance of these results for understanding human disease.
The study also showed that LYVE1+ resident macrophages, a type of macrophage that helps protect against atherosclerosis, were reduced in mice exposed to early short-term high cholesterol.
This decrease likely played a role in the faster development of atherosclerosis seen in these animals.
Key Findings
- They found that eating a high-fat diet, even for short periods but regularly, can increase the speed at which plaque forms in the arteries. This is because of changes in the tissue macrophages (especially the resident-like arterial macrophages).
- This exposure can change the phenotype of macrophages, and they are pro-inflammatory, which promotes atherosclerosis.
How to prevent early cholesterol exposure
Here are 6 techniques you can use to stop eating a high-cholesterol diet and prevent plaque formation.
Healthy diet and lifestyle
A good diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole cereals, proteins, and healthy fats can help regulate cholesterol levels.
Avoid too much saturated and trans fats, and remember that physical activity is essential for cardiovascular health and cholesterol management.
Early cholesterol screening
Proper health check-ups for children and adolescents are essential for monitoring cholesterol levels. These should include blood tests to assess cholesterol levels.
For individuals with a family history of high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease, genetic testing is also a good option.
Genetic testing can help identify individuals who are at a higher risk for developing high cholesterol or other cardiovascular conditions.
Family-wide approach
Educating all family members about the importance of heart health and the risks associated with high cholesterol can create a supportive environment for healthy lifestyle changes.
Encourage healthy eating and physical activity as a family, making it a fun and enjoyable experience for everyone. This can help foster healthy habits that can last a lifetime.
Medical Iintervention
If you already have high cholesterol levels, then you should discuss the benefits of statin medicines with your doctor.
Statins are drugs that can lower LDL and raise HDL. while this is a good option to manage the condition, you should still not forget that lifestyle modifications are superior to any other intervention.
Addressing underlying conditions
You must handle any underlying conditions like obesity, diabetes, or hypertension. These abnormalities can lead to high cholesterol levels which makes the whole scenario difficult to manage.
Moreover, it is important to be aware of possible side effects of meds that may affect your cholesterol.
Environmental factors
The two important things you need to practice are limiting exposure to pollutants and then managing stress as well.
These pollutants include air pollution, secondhand smoke, and other environmental factors which might cause cardiovascular disease. To manage stress, you can engage yourself in meditation, yoga, or some relaxation exercises.
