As levels of LDL ('bad') cholesterol spike by 20% post-Christmas, how can we avoid prediabetes?

Jan. 9, 2025 - PRLog -- Large helpings of rich Christmas food may have put us all at risk after Christmas, a leading health testing expert is warning. Our average levels of LDL ('bad') cholesterol have been shown to be up to 20% higher in the weeks following Christmas than at any other time of year.

Dr Avinash Hari Narayanan (MBChB), Clinical Lead at London Medical Laboratory (https://www.londonmedicallaboratory.com/), says: 'Recent research has revealed that Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) – considered "bad" cholesterol because it contributes to cholesterol build-up and blockage in the arteries – spikes by 20% in the days after Christmas. That's because of the amount of rich foods we eat over the holiday.

'A 20% jump in our LDL cholesterol level is obviously concerning. High cholesterol levels can cause your arteries to become blocked – leading to coronary heart disease, a heart attack or a stroke. High LDL levels are also now known to increase our likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes or becoming prediabetic.

'We should check our cholesterol levels to ensure they haven't soared over Christmas and cut right back on foods such as cakes and cheese in the new year – at least until our cholesterol levels return to normal. If you've not yet made your New Year's Resolution, cutting back the fat seems to be an obvious choice.

'Danish researchers at the Department of Clinical Biochemistry at Copenhagen University Hospital and the Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, first detected this post-Christmas spike in a 2018 study of 2,500 people. Just like us Brits, the Danes love their Christmas roasts and creamy desserts.

'A key study in the USA has revealed high or borderline-high total cholesterol is common in diabetes and is present in 70% of adults with diagnosed diabetes and 77% with undiagnosed diabetes.

'Diabetes is an invisible killer that shortens lives by up to ten years. Untreated diabetes can lead to blindness, amputations and death. Swift treatment is vital. Around 3.7 million Brits are already being treated for type 2 diabetes. The figures are even worse for prediabetics – people on the threshold of developing full-blown diabetes. Prediabetes affects around 1 in 9 Brits, says the ONS, which equates to approximately 5.1 million adults.

'London Medical Laboratory's finger-prick HbA1c "Diabetes - Diagnosis and Monitoring" test measures the average level of blood glucose over the previous two to three months to both accurately monitor and diagnose diabetes. It can be taken at home through the post, or at one of the many drop-in clinics that offer these tests across London and nationwide in over 120 selected pharmacies and health stores. For full details, see: https://www.londonmedicallaboratory.com/product/diabetes-check