Recently, I somewhere read that older people with high cholesterol live
longer.  I don't remember if it was on this list or not, but I'm thinking
this could be true.

I'm in my sixties - back when I was in college, mother called to let me know
dad's cholesterol tested around 400.  She claimed the doctor didn't even
want him to leave the office.  I don't know to this day if that's even
possible, but I DO know that over the years every doctor has told him his
cholesterol is dangerously high.  He has always refused medication for that.

He is 96 1/2 years old today, and only in the last 3 months, has taken
residence at an assisted living center.  He is in perfect health (except for
the dangerously high cholesterol, of course), and takes no medication than a
thyroid pill.  He is alert, mentally sharp other than some forgetfulness,
walks around on his own, and even drove himself to the center.  While I was
visiting this summer, he had his eyes checked. The doctor said he only
wished his eyes were that good....he tested perfect....doesn't even need
glasses.

His diet?  Let's see - not much pork, except for breakfast sausage....but
beef every meal if he could get it, along with homemade bread for sandwiches
he toted off to his huge farm every single day until this year.  He liked
dairy (lots and lots of butter!) and very limited vegetables - I think I
grew up on potatoes, corn and cucumbers.  We NEVER had fish except for tuna
on Fridays (religious law at that time), which he hated.  He often ate meat
anyway.  We did eat chicken but only in moderate amounts since it was a lot
of work to go out and kill a chicken for dinner!

One thing I did notice was the development of a sweet tooth as he aged.  His
once-perfect teeth have deteriorated the last 5 years, but as far as I'm
concerned, he can have anything he wants.

His weight never varied until recently - he was a stocky man, but never
overweight...solid muscle and extremely strong - he is now becoming frail as
old age is finally taking its toll.

I don't "doctor" so I have no idea of my cholesterol.  Hope he had some
genetic influence on me.

BJ