Healthy old people have high cholesterol

This study was published in the Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2009 Jul;67(7):1343-7

Study title and authors:
Clues to the exceptional longevity --morbiditiy and functional status of Tokyo-area centenarians

Takayama M, Hirose N
Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19591283

This study examined the association between various factors and physical & cognitive function in 302 people over a 100 years of age.

Regarding blood pressure and cholesterol levels, Takayama found that higher blood pressure, higher total cholesterol levels and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were associated with better physical and cognitive function.

Takayama concluded: "This phenomenon might be one of the "centenarian paradox".

Dr Malcolm Kendrick will have a wry smile at yet another "health paradox."