People with a sunny disposition are less likely to have high cholesterol. Middle-aged optimists were found to have better levels of ‘good’ cholesterol, which has a protective effect on the heart and helps cancel out ‘bad’ cholesterol, shows new research from the Harvard School of Public Health. They also have lower levels of triglycerides, the fatty molecules involved in hardening of the arteries.
People with higher optimism scores also had more high –density lipoprotein (HDL or ‘good’) cholesterol that protects against heart diseases. For every increase of five points on the optimism scale, HDL in the blood increased by 1mg/dl, which translates to a 3% reduction in the risk of heart disease. For comparison, regular exercise lowers heart diseases risk by 6%.
Part of the reason may be due to the optimists tendency to have a healthy body weight and a ‘prudent’ diet, say the researchers, using data from interviews and lab tests for 990 people aged 40 to 70.
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Hindustan Times-Wellness,
10/03/2013
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