Genes more important than lifestyle?

Cholesterol levels could be affected more by a person’s genetic makeup than their exercise and lifestyle patterns.

In research carried out on identical twins, researchers found that even if one twin was a regular exerciser and the other a couch potato (or couch slouch as we now say!), both had a very similar cholesterol response when put on a low fat diet. As identical twins have identical genes, this suggests genetics play a much bigger role in fat metabolism than exercise.

This doesn’t mean we can use the 'it’s my genes' excuse. The researchers admit that more research into the interaction between genes and cholesterol is needed, as it’s difficult to determine how much influence comes from each of the various factors that can alter cholesterol levels, including weight, sex and diet.

Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2005, 82:1-181-187