High LDL = Good?

I have familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). It is really just a big fancy word for genetic high LDL. I've always had "high" LDL, but since following a ketogenic diet, it's been very high. However, I don't put much faith in numbers. I believe in results.  I don't see how a diet which reduces fasting glucose, improves digestion, lowers blood pressure, staves off hunger, lowers bodyfat, increases brain focus, and levels out moods, coud be somehow harmful just to my cardiovascular system!

I mentioned in an earlier post, I even went so far as to get both a CT scan and tri-vascular scan to make sure. And sure enough, I got perfect scores on both, despite super-duper sky-high LDL!

I did some research on the subject of high LDL and familial hypercholesterolemia. I found a very interesting link between FH, high-LDL, and increased immunity! That in fact, high LDL may have actually helped people live longer in the past when infectious disease was rampant! And, believe it or not, could actually be helpful against atherosclerosis!

Here's a paper by Dr. Uffe Ravnskov:
https://academic.oup.com/qjmed/article/96/12/927/1533176/High-cholesterol-may-protect-against-infections?searchresult=1

"[T]he many observations that conflict with the LDL receptor hypothesis, may be explained by the idea that high serum cholesterol and/or high LDL is protective against infection and atherosclerosis." [emphasis mine]

In Dr. Uffe Ravnskov's book Fat and Cholesterol Are Good for You, he explains the same theory in more detail. It is a great book, and I highly recommend it!

Another study corroborates the theory that LDL cholesterol might actually be helpful against atherosclerosis:
http://www.jlr.org/content/55/8/1648.full

"[M]inimal LDL oxidation almost completely prevented LDL-induced foam cell formation. These data demonstrate a novel inhibitory effect of mildly oxidized LDL that may reduce foam cell formation in atherosclerosis." [emphasis mine]

In fact, that study goes on to say that maybe this could even be used pharmacologically to help people with atherosclerosis!

"The isolation and identification of such products would be of great interest because they may serve as pharmacologic agents for reducing foam cell formation in the treatment of atherosclerosis. "

So, while it goes against the common belief system, it appears that high LDL could actually be a good thing!

Grassfed lamb ribs with smoked salt