Stories from Taipei · Taiwan

For women seeking to prevent high cholesterol with statin-type medication, it is suggested to start after menopause. For women, the risk of high cholesterol increases rapidly around age forty unless they have diabetes, pre-existing heart conditions, or multiple risk factors.

Taiwan is discussing 'proactive prevention' for individuals with high risk factors for cardiovascular disease, even if they have not been diagnosed with a history of such conditions.

Recent long-term studies suggest that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels above 90 may be detrimental, contrary to previous beliefs that higher levels were always better.

Cholesterol is necessary for the body, but over time, environmental factors can cause it to oxidize and become harmful. Oxidized cholesterol can enter blood vessels, primarily the vessel walls, with low-density lipoproteins being more prevalent than high-density ones.

A discussion on cholesterol revealed that even with a strict diet avoiding cholesterol-rich foods like internal organs, animal skin, or shellfish, blood cholesterol levels might only decrease by 20-30%. The source questioned the body's internal production of cholesterol and its role as a primary energy source. The discussion centered on the necessity of cholesterol in cell membranes and how to determine appropriate levels. It was noted that cholesterol is categorized into high-density (good) and low-density (bad) types. Infants are born with a low-density lipoprotein level of approximately 30, with current standards aiming for below 100 or even lower. Approximately 30% of cholesterol levels are affected by diet, while over 70% are produced internally by the body. Dietary control can potentially reduce cholesterol by up to 30%.

The British film 'Anatomy Of A Fall,' starring Rosamund Pike, is recommended for its portrayal of a female judge balancing work and family while facing a sexual assault accusation.

Lin Chia-lung was unable to travel as planned due to a failure to secure airspace transit permission. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent Deputy Minister Wu Chih-chung to attend a press conference in his absence. Lin is expected to travel to Switzerland for upcoming duties.

The Democratic Progressive Party is observing the 228 Incident, noting that 862 people died or went missing during the event.

The Kuomintang (KMT) expressed interest in cooperating with the Taiwan People's Party to secure seats in the 2026 elections. The Kuomintang (KMT) intends to position itself as a balancer between US and Chinese powers during the 2026 elections.

Political figures in Taiwan are focusing on performance metrics to secure future electoral success. The party's strategy follows a visit to mainland China by the Legislative Yuan President. KMT leadership noted that Donald Trump is expected to visit mainland China next month, which may influence the year-end election landscape. The source stated that to win the mayoral election, a candidate must gain support from swing voters. The focus should shift from 'anti-China, protect Taiwan' rhetoric to municipal construction and citizens' livelihoods. The source also mentioned that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government, under Lai Ching-te, has repeatedly violated the constitution in the past two years.