
Cholesterol may not be all bad, and may in fact have some benefits, according to a new study from researchers at Texas A&M University.
The study involved 55 men and women between the ages of 60 and 69 who exercised three days a week for 12 weeks.
A significant association was found between dietary cholesterol and change in strength. It was found that lower cholesterol levels reduced muscle gain that occurred with exercise, while those with higher cholesterol intake also had the highest gains in muscle strength.
“Our findings show that the restricting of cholesterol -- while in the process of exercising -- appears to affect building muscle mass in a negative manner,” the researchers said.
They suggested that the effect may be due to cholesterol’s role in the inflammation process. More cholesterol in your blood may lead to a greater inflammatory response that is useful for building muscles.