Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed psychoactive substances on the planet, yet despite more than two billion cups being drunk each day, its impact on heart health remains surprisingly complex – and often misunderstood. This year we got answers.

In a world-first trial, scientists used a one-off CRISPR gene edit to switch off a liver “fat brake” gene, slashing stubborn LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in patients whose levels refused to budge on standard treatments.

A world-first clinical trial has revealed that eggs can lower LDL cholesterol, with overall diet saturated fat is taken into account. It rewrites the narrative on dietary cholesterol and offers a science-backed redemption arc to a nutritional villain.

Some people can’t get their bad cholesterol levels down, even if they take cholesterol-lowering meds. A clinical trial using a combination of existing and not-yet-released cholesterol tablets lowered bad cholesterol by almost half.