The singers ofoptimism can boast of having a better rate of “Good” cholesterol, say researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health. “Good cholesterol” is made up of HDL lipoproteins (or HDL cholesterol) which protect the heart and help get rid of “bad” cholesterol. The latter, also called LDL cholesterol, on the contrary tends to be deposited on the arteries, a cardiovascular risk factor.
Thinking positive would also promote a lower level of triglycerides, these lipid compounds (fats) which provide energy to our body. When these fatty acids are in excess, they also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The researchers found that every 5 point increase on the optimism scale resulted in a rise in good cholesterol by one milligram per deciliter.
Optimists have a healthy lifestyle
The more we see life in pink, the more we protect our arteries! The cause and effect link is not so obvious. Researchers suspect that optimists tend to eat balanced foods and watch their weight.
We know that a diet too rich in bad fats and fast sugars promotes the rise in cholesterol (and bad cholesterol) and triglyceride levels.
Is optimism good for the heart and pessimism poisonous? Not that easy. Studies contradict each other. The risk of heart attack would be higher in depressed people, according to some studies. But nothing proves that a pessimist who would switch to optimism reduces his heart risks, temper the British researchers.
If you lean more towards pessimism, then don’t change a thing. It seems that this allows to live longer.
