Researchers say they have found a key gene responsible for the body’s cholesterol levels – and how it reacts with some healthy oils and the drug aspirin.
The Austrian researchers say the gene Alox5 interacts with a range of polunsaturated omega-6 oils.
The oils are found in soy, poultry, rapeseed and most vegetable oils.
Their findings show this triggers compounds called lipoxins, which cut inflammation and help reduce levels of unhealthy forms of cholesterol.
The study also found that aspirin, which is known to help prevent heart disease, has a similar effect.
The findings come from a study of more than 100,000 people of European descent.
Researcher Dr Ivan Tancevski, of the Innsbruck Medical University, Austria, said: "Our findings could help pave the way for novel therapeutic approaches to prevent cardiovascular disease and its associated clinical sequelae, including heart attacks and stroke."
Demetz et al. The Arachidonic Acid Metabolome Serves as a Conserved Regulator of Cholesterol Metabolism. Cell Metabolism 17 October 2014
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