We’ve all been warned about the long term medical consequences that can ensue from eating foods with high fat and cholesterol content. Our immune system depletes in age thus making us susceptible to various illnesses and slow to recover from them.

Cholesterol is no longer considered to be a health hazard for the elderly. In fact, a new Israeli study suggests that people in their 80s should forgo their low cholesterol diets and eat French Fries, ice cream and steak instead.

Researchers at the Belinson Medical Center in Petach Tikvah have tested 500 elderly patients over a period five years and reported that those with higher cholesterol live longer. The average age of the patients was 82.

Dr. Abraham Weiss, deputy director of the Department of Geriatrics, said that cholesterol, long thought to be risk to good health and a contributing cause to heart disease and brain damage, is actually good for people once they reach the Golden Age.

The Maariv newspaper reported the researchers’ conclusions Thursday and pointed out that the patients were not given any drugs to reduce cholesterol during the study.

Every person is different, but Dr. Weiss estimates that the surprising findings indicate that cholesterol has a reverse effect for the elderly and actually helps soften the arteries.

He also warned that the study should not be accepted as conclusive but that doctors should think twice before assuming that it is advisable to give the elderly drugs that lower cholesterol.

In the meantime, those under the age of 80 should continue to keep their cholesterol levels low and maintain a healthy low-fat diet.

February is American Heart Month in the United States, and the U.S.-based Home Access Health Corporation advised this week, “We all know people who have suffered a heart attack or stroke unexpectedly which is why it’s important for people to manage their cholesterol levels as part of an overall approach to good health.”

But once you have reached your 80s, you might be able to healthily go back to enjoying your favorite treats.