Low levels of LDL cholesterol associated with an increased risk of cancer

This study was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology 2012;59(13s1):E1622-E1622.

Study title and authors:
THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN LOWER LEVELS OF LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN CHOLESTEROL AND CANCER PREDATES THE DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER BY 18 YEARS                                                                                             

Paul Michael Lavigne; Haseeb Jafri; Richard Karas

This study can be accessed at: http://content.onlinejacc.org/article.aspx?articleid=1205620

This study investigated the association of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels with the incidence of cancer. The study included 201 cases of cancer and 402 matched controls. Their LDL cholesterol levels were measured at four time points throughout an average of 18.7 years prior to diagnosis of cancer.

 

The study found that LDL cholesterol levels were lower in cancer subjects than matched controls at each point of assessment throughout the 18.7 years prior to diagnosis.

Men who die from cancer have lower cholesterol levels

This study was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology 1980 Sep;112(3):388-94

 

Study title and authors:

Total serum cholesterol and cancer mortality in a middle-aged male population.

Cambien F, Ducimetiere P, Richard J.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7424886

This study investigated the relationship between cholesterol levels and death from cancer. The study included 7,603 men, aged 43-52 years, who were followed for an average of 6.6 years.

The study found:
(a) Those who died from cancer had lower cholesterol levels than those who survived.
(b) Cholesterol levels increased steadily with survival time.

The adverse health effects of low cholesterol

This paper was published in Beijing Da Xue Xue Bao (Journal of Peking University) 2010 Oct 18;42(5):612-5

Study title and authors:
Primary and secondary hypocholesterolemia

Song JX, Ren JY, Chen H.
Department of Cardiology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20957025

In this review of the literature Song examines the influence of low cholesterol levels (hypocholesterolemia) on health.

He found:
(a) Low cholesterol levels are common in the population.
(b) Physicians pay little attention to the diseases, causes and consequences of low cholesterol in clinical practice.
(c) Low cholesterol levels can result in some adverse events, such as increased death rates, intracerebral hemorrhage, cancer, infection, adrenal failure, suicide and mental disorder.
(d) Despite the adverse health consequences of low cholesterol, physicians are increasingly prescribing cholesterol lowering treatments such as statin drugs.

With all the adverse health effects of low cholesterol Song concludes: "It's high time that physicians attached more importance to hypocholesterolemia."

Links to other studies:
Stroke patients with low cholesterol are more likely to die and have poor neurological outcomes
Low cholesterol levels lead to a 20.2% increase in death rates in those who have had a stroke
Low cholesterol and serious complications after an ischemic stroke

Analysis of 519,643 people reveals low cholesterol increases the risk of dying from pancreatic cancer by 27%

This study was published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention 2006 Dec;15(12):2435-40

 

Study title and authors:

The effect of modifiable risk factors on pancreatic cancer mortality in populations of the Asia-Pacific region.

Ansary-Moghaddam A, Huxley R, Barzi F, Lawes C, Ohkubo T, Fang X, Jee SH, Woodward M; Asia Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration.

The George Institute, University of Sydney, Australia.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17164367

This analysis of 30 studies assessed the connection between cholesterol levels and death rates from pancreatic cancer. The study included 519,643 men and women with 3,558,733 person-years of follow-up.

This analysis of  519,643 people revealed that those with the lowest cholesterol, below 4.8 mmol/L (185 mg/dL) had a 27% increased risk of dying from pancreatic cancer compared to those with the highest cholesterol, over 5.8 mmol/L (224 mg/dL).

Links to other studies:
Red meat and eggs decrease the risk of pancreatic cancer
High margarine consumption is associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer
High consumption of soft drinks lead to a 93% increased risk of pancreatic cancer

Low HDL cholesterol levels are associated with increases in deaths from heart disease and cancer

This study was published in Arteriosclerosis 1988 Nov-Dec;8(6):737-41

Study title and authors:

High density lipoprotein cholesterol and mortality. The Framingham Heart Study.

Wilson PW, Abbott RD, Castelli WP.

Framingham Epidemiology Research Section, NHLBI, Massachusetts.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3196218

This 12 year study examined the association of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels with death rates from heart disease and cancer. The study included 2,748 participants aged 50 to 79.

The study found:
(a) Both men and women with the highest HDL cholesterol levels also had the highest total cholesterol levels.
(b) Men with the lowest HDL cholesterol levels had a 92% increase in death rates compared to the men with the highest HDL cholesterol levels.
(c) Women with the lowest HDL cholesterol levels had a 47% increase in death rates compared to the women with the highest HDL cholesterol levels.
(d) Men with the lowest HDL cholesterol levels had a 309% increase in heart disease death rates compared to the men with the highest HDL cholesterol levels.
(e) Women with the lowest HDL cholesterol levels had a 207% increase in heart disease death rates compared to the women with the highest HDL cholesterol levels.
(f) Men with the lowest HDL cholesterol levels had a 17% increase in cancer death rates compared to the men with the highest HDL cholesterol levels.
(g) Women with the lowest HDL cholesterol levels had an 8% increase in cancer death rates compared to the women with the highest HDL cholesterol levels.

The results of this study show that men and women with the lowest HDL cholesterol levels also had the lowest total cholesterol levels, and that low HDL cholesterol levels are associated with increases in deaths from heart disease and cancer.

Eating a diet rich in saturated fat is the best way to raise HDL cholesterol levels. See here.

High HDL cholesterol gives protection from lung cancer.

This study was published in Lung Cancer 2008 Sep;61(3):292-300

Study title and authors:

HDL-cholesterol and the incidence of lung cancer in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

Kucharska-Newton AM, Rosamond WD, Schroeder JC, McNeill AM, Coresh J, Folsom AR; Members of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27514, United States. Anna Newton@unc.edu

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18342390

This 13 year study examined the association of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels with the incidence of lung cancer in 14,547 people.

The study found that those with the lowest HDL cholesterol had a 45% increased risk of lung cancer.

The best way to raise your HDL cholesterol levels is to consume a diet high in saturated fat. See here, here and here.

Red meat and dietary cholesterol offer protection from pancreatic cancer

This study was published in the International Journal of Cancer 2009 Sep 1;125(5):1118-26

Study title and authors:

Meat and fat intake and pancreatic cancer risk in the Netherlands Cohort Study.

Heinen MM, Verhage BA, Goldbohm RA, van den Brandt PA.

Department of Epidemiology, Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, The Netherlands. mirjam.heinen@epid.unimaas.nl

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19452526

This study examined the relationship between pancreatic cancer risk and intake of fresh meat, eggs, total fat, and different types of fat. The diets of 120,852 men and women were analyzed over a 13.3 year period.

The study found:

• Those that consumed the most meat had a 24% decreased rate of pancreatic cancer compared to those that consumed the least meat.
• Those that consumed the most red meat had a 46% decreased rate of pancreatic cancer compared to those that consumed the least red meat.
• Those that consumed the most pork had a 25% decreased rate of pancreatic cancer compared to those that consumed the least pork.
• Those that consumed the most eggs had a 16% decreased rate of pancreatic cancer compared to those that consumed the least eggs.
• Those that consumed the most fat had a 5% decreased rate of pancreatic cancer compared to those that consumed the least fat.
• Those that consumed the most meat fat had a 37% decreased rate of pancreatic cancer compared to those that consumed the least meat fat.
• Those that consumed the most dietary cholesterol had a 27% decreased rate of pancreatic cancer compared to those that consumed the least dietary cholesterol.

This study reveals that red meat, fat and dietary cholesterol offer protection from pancreatic cancer.

HDL cholesterol levels are 43% higher in healthy people compared to patients with gastric cancer

This study was published in Hepato-gastroenterology 2003 Dec;50 Suppl 2:cclxxiii-cclxxv.

Study title and authors:

Serum paraoxonase levels in gastric cancer.

Akçay MN, Yilmaz I, Polat MF, Akçay G.

Ataturk University Medical Faculty, Department of General Surgery, Erzurum, Turkey.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15244199

High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were measured in 20 patients with gastric cancer and in 20 age-and gender-matched healthy controls.

The study found that HDL cholesterol levels were 43% higher in healthy people compared to patients with gastric cancer.

Consuming a diet rich in saturated fat is the best way to raise HDL cholesterol levels. See here, here and here.

High levels of HDL cholesterol are associated with lower levels of breast cancer

This study was published in Cancer Causes and Control 1992 Sep;3(5):403-8

Study title and authors:

Serum lipids and breast cancer risk: a cohort study of 5,207 Danish women.

Høyer AP, Engholm G.

Danish Cancer Registry, Copenhagen.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1525320

The association between high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglyceride levels and breast cancer risk was investigated in  5,207 Danish women, aged 30 - 80 over a 26 year period.

The study found:
(a) Higher triglyceride levels were associated with higher breast cancer incidence.
(b) Women who had the highest HDL cholesterol had a 70% reduction in breast cancer risk.

High Triglyceride levels are caused by low fat, high carbohydrate diets. See here.

The best way to increase your HDL cholesterol levels is to consume a diet rich in saturated fat. See here, here , here, here, and here.

Low cholesterol levels are associated with an increase in death rates especially from cancer

This study was published in the British Medical Journal 1995 Aug 12;311(7002):409-13

Study title and authors:
Low serum total cholesterol concentrations and mortality in middle aged British men.

Wannamethee G, Shaper AG, Whincup PH, Walker M.
Department of Public Health, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7640584

7,735 men aged 40-59 were followed for nearly 15 years to examine the relationship between low cholesterol levels and causes of mortality.

The study found:
(a) Men with low cholesterol (below 4.8 mmol/l (185 mg/dL)) had a 60% increase in total death rates compared to men with cholesterol between 4.8-5.9 mmol/l (185-228 mg/dL).
(b) Men with low cholesterol (below 4.8 mmol/l (185 mg/dL)) had a significant increase in cancer death rates compared to men with cholesterol between 4.8-5.9 mmol/l (185-228 mg/dL).
(c) Low cholesterol levels were associated with an increased prevalence of several diseases and indicators of ill health.

To conclude: Low cholesterol levels are associated with an increase in death rates especially from cancer.

Low cholesterol associated with liver cancer

This study was published in the British Medical Journal 1993 Apr 3;306(6882):890-4

Study title and authors:

Prolonged infection with hepatitis B virus and association between low blood cholesterol concentration and liver cancer.

Chen Z, Keech A, Collins R, Slavin B, Chen J, Campbell TC, Peto R.

Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Infirmary.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8490412

Hepatitis can be caused by viruses that primarily attack the liver cells, such as hepatitis B. About one fifth of the patients with chronic hepatitis B are at risk of developing cirrhosis or cancer of the liver

The study examined 1,556 apparently healthy men aged 35-64 years to determine whether prolonged infection with hepatitis B virus is associated with a lower blood cholesterol concentration. 238 (15%) of the men were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, indicating that they were chronic carriers.

The study found:
(a) Cholesterol levels were 4.2% lower among carriers (that is, positive for hepatitis B surface antigen) than among non-carriers.
(b) Chronic hepatitis B virus infection, which usually starts in early childhood in China, seems to lead not only to a greatly increased risk of death from liver disease but also to a somewhat lower cholesterol levels in adulthood.

The study found that lower cholesterol levels lead to risk of death from liver cancer or from other chronic liver diseases.

Low cholesterol levels lead to increased cancer and death rates

This study was published in the British Medical Journal 1980 Feb 2;280(6210):285-7

Study title and authors:

Cholesterol and mortality in New Zealand Maoris.

Beaglehole R, Foulkes MA, Prior IA, Eyles EF.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7357343

The relationship between cholesterol levels and mortality was studied over 11 years in 630 New Zealand Maoris aged 25-74.

The study found:
(a) Men with lower cholesterol had an 130% increased risk of death compared to men with higher cholesterol.
(b) Women with lower cholesterol had a 90% increased risk of death compared to women with higher cholesterol.
(c) Those with lower cholesterol also had an increased risk of cancer and "other" causes of death.

The results of this study provide evidence for the harmful effects of low cholesterol levels.

High cholesterol is a marker for longevity

This study was published in Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care 2007 Jul;10(4):433-42

Study title and authors:
Risk factor paradox in wasting diseases.

Kalantar-Zadeh K, Horwich TB, Oreopoulos A, Kovesdy CP, Younessi H, Anker SD, Morley JE.

Harold Simmons Center for Kidney Disease Research and Epidemiology, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Center at Harbor-UCLA, Torrance, California 90509-2910, USA. kamkal@ucla.edu

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17563461

Kalantar-Zadeh reviewed the literature concerning cholesterol levels and wasting diseases and found that having high cholesterol leads to higher survival rates in people with chronic kidney disease, chronic heart failure, chronic obstructive lung disease, cancer, AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, and in the elderly.