Serum Cholesterol and its Increase with Age in a Population with High Fat Consumption and High Physical Activity

Abstract

Serum cholesterol estimations in a mountain village population with an average fat consumption of 114 g showed low cholesterol values. A comparable town population, however, with 94 g fat showed high values, similar to those in the USA. A comparison of possible factors leads to the conclusion that the heavy physical work of the village population even up to the age of 70 and 80 years is the factor which keeps serum cholesterol low. A detailed discussion is given in a paper with Jean Mayer4.