In a study from Monash University, scientists found for older people, higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are linked to increased fracture risk.
HDL cholesterol, sometimes called “good” cholesterol, absorbs cholesterol in the blood and carries it back to the liver.
The liver then flushes it from the body. High levels of HDL cholesterol can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.
In the study, the team examined whether higher HDL-C levels are predictive of increased fracture risk in older adults.
They used data from the Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) clinical trial and the ASPREE-Fracture substudy.
Overall, 1,659 of the 16,262 people with a blood HDL-C measurement experienced at least one fracture during a follow-up of 4 years.
The researchers found that a higher HDL-C level was linked to an increased risk for fracture.
These associations persisted when the analyses included only minimal trauma fractures; participants not taking osteoporosis medications; participants who were never smokers and did not drink alcohol; participants who walked outside for less than 30 minutes per day and did not participate in moderate/vigorous physical activity; and only statin use.
Non-HDL-C levels were not linked to fractures.
The team says these findings highlight a potential concern with high HDL-C levels and another likely adverse effect of the drugs that substantially increases HDL-C levels in the body.
Further research is needed to determine the explanation for these findings.
If you care about bone health, please read studies about vitamin K deficiency linked to hip fractures in old people, and these vitamins could help reduce bone fracture risk.
For more information about wellness, please see recent studies that Krill oil could improve muscle health in older people, and Jarlsberg cheese could help prevent bone thinning disease.
The study was conducted by Sultana Monira Hussain et al and published in JAMA Cardiology.
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