Are you optimistic? If so you may have good cholesterol-study says:

Jojy Cheriyan MD; MPH -March 6,2013

This is the first study to suggest that optimism is associated with a healthy lipid profile ( means your cholesterol levels) , published online on 25 February 2013 (article is in press) in the American Journal of Cardiology.

There were 990 participants, mostly white men and women from the 'Midlife in the United States Study', who were, on average, 55.1 years old. That means all the participants were in their midlife. Optimism was assessed by self-reporting and a fasting blood sample was used to assess the serum lipid levels.

In the past some studies reported that dietary behaviors and exercise have association with optimism.

This study examined if optimism has correlation with total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides.

The results suggested that greater optimism was associated with greater high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL,which is generally called good cholesterol) and lower triglycerides (which is a bad fat).

Optimism was not associated with low-density lipoprotein (called bad cholesterol) or total cholesterol.

HDL is the acceptable form of cholesterol that is believed to protect against heart disease. Triglycerides are the fatty molecules involved in the hardening of the arteries and hence not good for heart health.

Researchers of this study also found that the association of optimism with good cholesterol can be explained partly by the presence of healthy behaviors and a lower body mass index.

This study is a piece of evidence suggesting that our mental health and physical health are intertwined, and that viewing the world optimistically may have some positive benefits on our health.

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