GOOD TO KNOW: Statins May Increase the Risk of Parkinson’s.

A large study that took 20 years and involved nearly 16,000 people took a close look at the effects of cholesterol on brain and nervous system health. The study showed a link between people who took statins and their risk for nervous system problems later in life. The researchers found that patients that took prescription medicines intended to lower their cholesterol, were twice as likely to develop Parkinson’s later in life compared to patients that did not take the drugs.

Also, stop worrying so much about cholesterol:

This study dovetails nicely with the recent updates to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Every five years, the Department of Health and Human Services, along with the Department of Agriculture, issues a federal publication that has far-reaching implications on what we eat, how doctors advise their patient’s to eat, and even how companies advertise their products. The new 2015 revision has one bullet in particular has been getting a lot of attention – “Cholesterol is not considered a nutrient of concern for overconsumption.”

Previously, it was recommended that Americans limit the amount of cholesterol in their diet to decrease their risk for heart disease and atherosclerosis and take statins to reduce their blood levels of cholesterol. In direct contradiction to these recommendations, it’s been found through numerous studies that dietary cholesterol does not increase the levels of cholesterol in your blood or your risk for heart disease, heart attack or stroke. As a result of these misguided recommendations, people stopped eating egg yolks, one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet and probably the best source of choline – an important nutrient for brain, nervous system and liver health.

Earlier: Proven Health Benefits of Eggs.