Study Reveals Why Thin People Can Have High Cholesterol, Shows How Genes Matter More Than Weight

Thin people have been long perceived as healthy, but according to a recent research, they can have silent high cholesterol, which is a serious risk factor for heart disease. The research on genetics and lipids suggests that cholesterol levels are more determined by genetics and less about size and exercise. Here’s everything the study revealed.

Are Thin People Really Healthy?

Increasing numbers of studies have pointed out that thin people may have very high levels of LDL cholesterol, which is also known as the bad cholesterol because it builds up and hardens arteries. It has also been suggested that cholesterol levels are not dependent on dietary or weight factors.

Our liver produces most of our bloodstream’s cholesterol. And, our genes control the liver’s production rate. That’s why some people have very high cholesterol levels even if they have healthy eating and physically active lifestyles.

Scientists have recognised an accumulation of plague within the arteries of young people who look healthy but have a high amount of LDL on an internal level. Their arteries, as it is mentioned, resemble those belonging to people who are much older.

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Adding more facts to it, the research conducted by Global Lipids Genetics Consortium also implies that serious cholesterol problems usually arise due to mutations in DNA and not because of excess fat. 

Another related research conducted also revealed that mutation due to cholesterol disorders occurs 15 times more frequently among individuals with early heart problems, even if they have a normal BMI.

Why Do Thin People Have More Cholesterol?

Thin people could have high cholesterol because of Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH), which is a common but underdiagnosed genetic disease.

FH affects 1 in 200 to 250 people worldwide. However, there are people who are not even aware that they have it. It occurs because of defective genes like LDLR, APOB, or PCSK9, which make it difficult for the body’s mechanism to remove LDL from the blood. Consequently, it leads to an increase in its levels beyond 190 mg/dL. And, without medical intervention, it significantly contributes to an early onset heart disease.

In fact, studies conducted at Mayo Clinic have shown that untreated FH can result in heart attacks under the age of 50. Since it doesn't display any visible symptoms at an early age, it's advised that people, as well as kids, be screened for it.

Bottomline

You can be thin and have very high cholesterol levels, it’s your genes that sometimes have control over your heart, and not your weight.