Many pre-existing issues often affect or contribute to the onset and symptoms of certain diseases. Such is true about the relation of low cholesterol levels and its connection to worsening disability in MS. It is important to understand the issues and how they can be controlled to help patients.
What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a type of lipid found in cells that is essential to a healthy existence. This waxy-like substance helps to make hormones, produce vitamin C, and assist with digestion. The liver naturally produces cholesterol, but meats and dietary products are the common external sources of cholesterol. (As plants do not produce cholesterol). Cholesterol attaches to proteins to move within the bloodstream, there are 3 types of lipoproteins. Firstly, High-density lipoproteins (HDL), which are known as good cholesterol as they carry cholesterol to the liver and the liver gets rid of cholesterol from the body. Secondly, Low-density lipoproteins (LDL), are known as bad cholesterol because high amounts can lead to plaque build up the arteries and it is made mostly out of cholesterol. And lastly, Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) are made mostly out of triglycerides and if existent in large quantities can build up in arteries. High cholesterol and low cholesterol levels are both unhealthy for the human body and can lead to severe issues and complications.
According to a recent study, patients with RRMS and CIS can have aggressive disease progression because of low cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is essential for myelin formation, the protective sheaths around the nerve fibers, therefore low cholesterol levels can impact remyelination negatively by reducing it. In the study, 62 CIS and 46 RRMS patients were investigated. To be exact, the CIS patients had at least 1 asymptomatic lesion identified by an MRI and already had a first demyelinating episode. Furthermore, all the patients in the study were drug-free and had a good clinical status. 48 of the subjects without symptoms of the disease were admitted to the hospital and CSF and analyzed for oligoclonal bands, proteins that indicate the inflammation of the nervous system, or the onset of MS. The results were evident, patients with oligoclonal bands had noticeably lower levels of cholesterol than the control group.
High cholesterol poses significant issues and can impact the body negatively as well. For example, high levels of HDL-C ratio can increase MS fatigue. Moreover, having unhealthy or bad cholesterol can be dangerous and can contribute to worsening symptoms, but having a plant-rich diet can help prevent the increase of bad cholesterol. To conclude, Either it is high or low cholesterol extreme changes in these levels are very harmful to MS patients. It is very important for MS patients to keep their bodies healthy to help fight against MS and other diseases and illnesses.
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