A new study warns your cholesterol levels may be a lot higher after indulging in rich foods over the festive season.
The study was conducted by researchers from the Department of Clinical Biochemistry at Copenhagen University Hospital and the Department of Clinical Medicine, the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.
For the study, the team examined 25,764 Danes between the ages of 20 to 100. All the participants were measured for total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is popularly called "bad" cholesterol.
The results showed that nine out of ten people had high levels of cholesterol after Christmas. Researchers revealed total cholesterol levels were 15 percent higher and LDL cholesterol levels were 20 percent higher.
“Our study shows strong indications that cholesterol levels are influenced by the fatty food we consume when celebrating Christmas. The fact that so many people have high cholesterol readings straight after the Christmas holiday is very surprising,” study author Dr Anne Langsted, MD told a news portal.
Excessive levels of cholesterol in the blood can clog the arteries and significantly increase the risk of heart disease.
Experts advise those with already high cholesterol should be aware of their cholesterol levels during the festive season.
“In any event, there is a greater risk of finding that you have elevated cholesterol if you go to the doctor and have your cholesterol tested straight after Christmas. It is important to be aware of this, both for doctors who treat high cholesterol and those wishing to keep their cholesterol levels down,” co-author of the study Dr Signe Vedel-Krogh, MD told a news portal.
