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There is a connection between lower cholesterol and kidney disease. It has been found that people who have High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) levels that are too low and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) levels that are too high are at a greater risk of developing kidney problems that can lead to a life time on dialysis. In order to reduce the risk kidney disease and heart disease related to high cholesterol, it is important to raise the HDL while lowering the LDL cholesterol.

The major study conducted that pinpoints the connection between kidney disease and high cholesterol was held at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Four thousand patients were followed for 14 years. The results were that those with low HDL and high LDL had reduced kidney function. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that between 10 and 20 million Americans are in the early stages of kidney disease and don’t even realize it because there are few symptoms. What the NIH does know is that controlling diet and increasing exercise, both of which lower cholesterol, that kidney disease can be prevented. Even those in the beginning stages can slow the degenerative process and reduce the risk of the life threatening illnesses associated with poor kidney function. (more…)