Cholesterol isn’t the villain we thought: Experts urge focus on imbalance, not elimination
New Delhi: For decades, cholesterol has been treated as the ultimate dietary criminal. The word alone sends many into panic mode, reinforced by messaging that calls it a silent killer waiting to block arteries and trigger heart attacks.
Yet modern science paints a far more nuanced picture. Cholesterol is not entirely the villain we imagine it to be. It is, in fact, essential for life. The real issues are imbalances, lifestyles, and changing food cultures in modern India, experts say.
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance naturally produced by the liver. Every cell in the human body requires it. It helps build cell membranes, produce hormones such as oestrogen and testosterone, and synthesise vitamin D.
Without cholesterol, the body would not function normally. The problem begins when cholesterol levels rise beyond healthy limits, particularly certain types linked to artery blockage.
Health experts now stress that demonising all cholesterol misses the point. “It’s about balance and context — what type, how much, and what else is happening in the body,” said a cardiologist familiar with recent dietary guidelines.
With shifting diets and sedentary habits, the focus is moving from fearing cholesterol to managing it. Lifestyle, not just the substance itself, determines risk.
