Low levels of HDL cholesterol lead to an increased death rate

This study was published in the Journal of Lipid Research 2012 Feb;53(2):266-72

Study title and author:

Fifty-three year follow-up of coronary heart disease versus HDL2 and other lipoproteins in Gofman's Livermore Cohort.

Williams PT.

Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. ptwilliams@lbl.gov

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22128321

This study assessed the relationship of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels with total death rates and heart disease death rates. The study lasted for 53 years and included 1,905 men.

HDL cholesterol is made of HDL 2 and HDL 3. HDL 2 is larger than HDL 3.

After analysing 53 years of data the study found:
(a) Those with the lowest HDL 2 cholesterol had a 22% increase in total death rates.
(b) Those with the lowest HDL 2 cholesterol had a 63% increase in total heart disease death rates.
(c) Those with the lowest HDL 2 cholesterol had a 117% increase in premature heart disease death rates.
(d) Those with the lowest HDL 3 cholesterol had a 28% increase in total heart disease death rates.
(e) Those with the lowest HDL 3 cholesterol had a 71% increase in premature heart disease death rates.

The results of the study show that low levels of HDL cholesterol, especially HDL 2 cholesterol, are associated with higher total death rates and higher death rates from heart disease.

The best dietary way to raise HDL cholesterol levels is to eat a diet high in saturated fat. See here.

Men with the lowest cholesterol have a three-fold increased risk of death from AIDS compared to men with the highest cholesterol

This study was published in AIDS 1997 Jun;11(7):929-30

Study title and authors:

Low serum cholesterol and risk of death from AIDS.

Neaton JD, Wentworth DN.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9189220

The study investigated the relationship of cholesterol levels, measured prior to HIV infection, with risk of death from AIDS. The study included 332,547 men aged between 35-57 who were followed for 16 years.

The study found that men with the lowest cholesterol levels, below 160 mg/dL (4.2 mmol/L), had a three-fold increased risk of death from AIDS compared to men who had cholesterol levels above 240 mg/dL (6.2 mmol/L).

Links to other studies:
Men with low cholesterol have a 66% increase in HIV infection compared to men with higher cholesterol
High cholesterol is a marker for longevity

Increase in colorectal cancer cases in statin users

This study was published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology 2011 Dec 21;17(47):5197-202

Study title and authors:
Statin use and the risk of colorectal cancer: a population-based case-control study.

Cheng MH, Chiu HF, Ho SC, Tsai SS, Wu TN, Yang CY.
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan, China.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22215945

The aim of the study was to investigate whether the use of statins is associated with colorectal cancer risk. The study included 1,156 colorectal cancer cases and 4,624 controls.

The results of the study revealed that those who were prescribed statins had a 9% increased risk of colorectal cancer compared to those who did not take statins.

Links to other studies:
Statins increase the risk of colon adenomas by 54%
Statins increase cancer rates by 41% and the overall death rate by 4%
Statins increase lymphoid malignancy rates by 124%

Higher cholesterol levels in both men and women are linked to a longer life

This study was published in the Journal of Internal medicineVolume 254, Issue 4, pages 353–362, October 2003

Study title and authors:
Total cholesterol and mortality in the elderly

E. Casiglia, A. Mazza, V. Tikhonoff, R. Scarpa, L. Schiavon, A. C. Pessina

Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Padova, Italy

This study can be accessed at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-2796.2003.01200.x/full

The objective of the study was to evaluate whether cholesterol levels are associated with death rates  and to verify whether or not this is true for both genders. The study lasted 12 years and included a total of 3,257 subjects aged 65–95 years.

The study found:
(a) Women with the highest cholesterol levels had a 34% lower death rate than women with the lowest cholesterol levels.
(b) Men with cholesterol levels over 4.66 mmol/L (180 mg/dL) and a Body Mass Index above 25 had a 28% lower death rate than men with cholesterol levels below 4.66 mmol/l (180 mg/dL) and a Body Mass Index above 25.
(c) Men with cholesterol levels over 4.66 mmol/L (180 mg/dL) and a Body Mass Index above 25 had a 38% lower death rate than men with cholesterol levels below 4.66 mmol/l (180 mg/dL) and a Body Mass Index below 25.

The results of the study indicate that higher cholesterol levels in both men and women are linked to a longer life.