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.

Low cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of oral cancer

This study was published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology 2013 Jan;17(1):4-9

 

Study title and authors:

Estimation of plasma lipids and its significance on histopathological grades in oral cancer: Prognostic significance an original research.

Sherubin EJ, Kannan KS, Kumar DN, Joseph I.

Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Sree Mookambika Institute of Dental Sciences, Kulasekharam, Tamil Nadu, India.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23798822

This study investigated the association between cholesterol levels and the risk of oral cancer. The cholesterol levels of 50 patients with oral cancer, aged between 20 and 60 years, were compared with normal cholesterol levels.

The study found:
(a) The cholesterol levels of patients with oral cancer were 16-45% lower than normal cholesterol levels.
(b) The low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels of patients with oral cancer were 45% lower than normal LDL cholesterol levels.
(c) The cholesterol levels of patients with the most invasive form of oral cancer were 14% lower than patients with the mildest form of oral cancer.
(d) The low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels of patients with the most invasive form of oral cancer were 17% lower than patients with the mildest form of oral cancer.

The results of the study reveal that low cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of oral cancer.

High cholesterol levels associated with a reduced risk of kidney cancer

This study was published in the International Journal of Cancer 2012 May 1;130(9):2118-28

Study title and authors:
The interplay between lipid profiles, glucose, BMI and risk of kidney cancer in the Swedish AMORIS study.

Van Hemelrijck M, Garmo H, Hammar N, Jungner I, Walldius G, Lambe M, Holmberg L.
King's College London, School of Medicine, Division of Cancer Studies, Cancer Epidemiology Group, London, UK. mieke.vanhemelrijck@kcl.ac.uk

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21630265

This study assessed possible links between cholesterol levels and kidney cancer risk. The study included 542,924 subjects, aged 20 years or older, who were followed for 13 years.

The study found:
(a) Those with the highest cholesterol levels (above 6.5 mmol/L or 251 mg/dL) had a 13% decreased risk of kidney cancer compared to those with the lowest cholesterol levels (below 4.9 mmol/L or 189 mg/dL).
(b) Those with the highest levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (above 4.25 mmol/L or 164 mg/dL) had a 9% decreased risk of kidney cancer compared to those with the lowest cholesterol levels (below 2.82 mmol/L or 109 mg/dL).
(c) Those with the highest levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (above 1.8 mmol/L or 69 mg/dL) had a 36% decreased risk of kidney cancer compared to those with the lowest cholesterol levels (below 1.25 mmol/L or 48 mg/dL).

The study reveals that high cholesterol levels are associated with a reduced risk of kidney cancer.

High levels of HDL cholesterol associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer

This study was published in Cancer Causes and Control 2013 Mar 16

 

Study title and authors:

Metabolic factors and breast cancer risk in Korean women.

Noh HM, Song YM, Park JH, Kim BK, Choi YH.

Department of Family Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Irwon-ro 81, Gangnamgu, Seoul, 135-710, South Korea.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23504150

This study evaluated the association between various factors and breast cancer. The study included 270 women with breast cancer and 540 women free from breast cancer.

Regarding high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, the study found that women with HDL cholesterol levels below 1.29 mmol/L (50 mg/dL) had a 10% increased risk of breast cancer compared to women with HDL cholesterol levels above 1.29 mmol/L (50 mg/dL).

The most effective dietary way to raise to raise HDL cholesterol is to consume a diet rich in saturated fat see here, here and here.

High cholesterol levels are associated with a reduced risk of cancer

This study was published in PLoS One 2013;8(1):e54242

 

Study title and authors:

Total serum cholesterol and cancer incidence in the metabolic syndrome and cancer project (me-can).

Strohmaier S, Edlinger M, Manjer J, Stocks T, Bjørge T, Borena W, Häggström C, Engeland A, Nagel G, Almquist M, Selmer R, Tretli S, Concin H, Hallmans G, Jonsson H, Stattin P, Ulmer H.

Department of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Health Economics, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23372693

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between cholesterol levels and cancer incidence. The study included 289,273 male and 288,057 female participants who were followed for 11.7 years.

The study found:
(a) Men with the highest cholesterol levels had a 6% reduced risk of cancer compared with men with the lowest cholesterol levels.
(b) Men with the highest cholesterol levels had a 86% reduced risk of cancer of the liver/intrahepatic bile duct compared with men with the lowest cholesterol levels.
(c) Men with the highest cholesterol levels had a 48% reduced risk of pancreas cancer compared with men with the lowest cholesterol levels.
(d) Men with the highest cholesterol levels had a 33% reduced risk of non-melanoma skin cancer compared with men with the lowest cholesterol levels.
(e) Men with the highest cholesterol levels had a 32% reduced risk of cancers of the lymph-/hematopoietic tissue compared with men with the lowest cholesterol levels.
(f) Women with the highest cholesterol levels had a 14% reduced risk of cancer compared with women with the lowest cholesterol levels.
(g) Women with the highest cholesterol levels had a 77% reduced risk of gallbladder cancer compared with women with the lowest cholesterol levels.
(h) Women with the highest cholesterol levels had a 30% reduced risk of breast cancer compared with women with the lowest cholesterol levels.
(i) Women with the highest cholesterol levels had a 39% reduced risk of melanoma of skin cancer compared with women with the lowest cholesterol levels.
(j) Women with the highest cholesterol levels had a 39% reduced risk of cancers of the lymph-/hematopoietic tissue compared with women with the lowest cholesterol levels.

The data from the study shows that high cholesterol levels are associated with a reduced risk of cancer.

 

Review of Low Cholesterol Leads To An Early Death

 

Links to other studies:

Increased risk of breast cancer related to statin use

Statin users have a 25% increased risk of developing Merkel cell carcinoma

Trend of increased kidney cancer risk with statins





Low LDL cholesterol levels are associated with an elevated risk of death from liver cancer

This study was published in the Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine 2013;229(3):203-11

 

Study title and authors:

Low Serum LDL Cholesterol Levels Are Associated with Elevated Mortality from Liver Cancer in Japan: the Ibaraki Prefectural Health Study.

Saito N, Sairenchi T, Irie F, Iso H, Iimura K, Watanabe H, Muto T, Ota H.

Department of Public Health, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23445767

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and liver cancer death rates. The study included a total of 16,217 persons (5,551 men and 10,666 women), aged 40-79 years, who were followed for 15 years. The participants were divided into four categories of LDL cholesterol levels.
(i) Less than 80 mg/dL (2.06 mmol/L).
(ii) 80-99 mg/dL (2.06-2.56 mmol/L).
(iii) 100-119 mg/dL (2.57-3.07 mmol/L).
(iv) More than 120 mg/dL (3.1 mmol/L).

The study found:
(a) Those with LDL cholesterol levels below 80 mg/dL (2.06 mmol/L) had a 333% increased risk of death from liver cancer compared to those with LDL cholesterol levels of 100-119 mg/dL (2.57-3.07 mmol/L).
(b) Those with LDL cholesterol levels of 80-99 mg/dL (2.06-2.56 mmol/L) had a 3% increased risk of death from liver cancer compared to those with LDL cholesterol levels of 100-119 mg/dL (2.57-3.07 mmol/L).
(c) Those with LDL cholesterol levels above 120 mg/dL (3.1 mmol/L) had a 57% REDUCED risk of death from liver cancer compared to those with LDL cholesterol levels of 100-119 mg/dL (2.57-3.07 mmol/L).

The researchers conclude: "Low LDL cholesterol levels are associated with elevated risk of liver cancer mortality".

 

Review of: Low Cholesterol Leads To An Early Death

 

Links to other studies:

High cholesterol levels reduce the risk of stomach cancer

High cholesterol helps the elderly with high blood pressure to live a longer life

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

Low cholesterol levels are associated with an inreased risk of Hodgkin's disease

This study was published in Cancer 1992 Feb 15;69(4):1042-6

Study title and authors:
The prognostic significance of total serum cholesterol in patients with Hodgkin's disease.

Muller CP, Trilling B, Steinke B.
Medizinische Universitätsklinik II, Tübingen, Germany.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1735071

The study investigated the prognostic significance of cholesterol levels at the time of diagnosis in patients with Hodgkin's disease. The study included 179 subjects and age- and sex-matched controls.

The study found:
(a) Cholesterol levels were significantly lower in Hodgkin's patients than in age- and sex-matched controls.
(b) Subgroups of Hodgkin's patients with advanced stages, poor response to therapy, and relapse after complete response had lower cholesterol levels.
(c) The 5-year survival rate was 2.5 times higher in patients with cholesterol levels above 140 mg/dL (3.6 mmol/L) than in patients with cholesterol levels below 140 mg/dL (3.6 mmol/L).

The results of the study reveal that low cholesterol levels are associated with an inreased risk of Hodgkin's disease and an higher risk of death in patients with Hodgkin's disease.

Low HDL cholesterol levels increase the risk of gastric cancer.

This study was published in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2012 Oct;27(10):1635-40

 

Study title and authors:

Evaluation of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels as a prognostic factor in gastric cancer patients.

Tamura T, Inagawa S, Hisakura K, Enomoto T, Ohkohchi N.

Department of Surgery, Doctoral Program in Clinical Science, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22647147

The study investigated the relationship between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels and the risk of gastric cancer. The study included 184 patients who had undergone gastrectomy (gastrectomy is a partial or full surgical removal of the stomach).

The patients were divided into two groups:
(i) Normal levels of HDL cholesterol group.
(ii) Low levels of HDL cholesterol group.

The study found:
(a) In the low HDL cholesterol group the cancer had significantly increased in the lymphatic and vascular systems.
(b) The prognosis of the patients in the normal HDL cholesterol group was significantly better than those in the low HDL cholesterol group.

The results of the study show a correlation between low HDL cholesterol levels and an increased risk of gastric cancer.

A diet high in saturated fat raises HDL cholesterol levels. See here here and here.

Cancer patients have low HDL cholesterol levels years before diagnosis - Best way to raise HDL is to eat saturated fat

This study was published in the Journal of American College of Cardiology 2012;59(13s1):E1764-E1764.

HIGH-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN CHOLESTEROL AND CANCER INCIDENCE: DATA FROM THE FRAMINGHAM HEART STUDY

Paul Michael Lavigne; Haseeb Jafri; Richard Karas

This study can be accessed at: http://content.onlinejacc.org/article.aspx?articleid=1205851
 

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

 

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

 

The best way to raise your HDL cholesterol levels is to consume a diet rich in saturated fat, see here.

High cholesterol significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer

This study was published in Ethnicty and Disease 2012 Summer;22(3):281-7

Study title and authors:
Cholesterol, lipoproteins, and breast cancer risk in African American women.

Llanos AA, Makambi KH, Tucker CA, Wallington SF, Shields PG, Adams-Campbell LL.
Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22870570

The study investigated the relationship between cholesterol levels and the risk of breast cancer. The study included 97 African American women with breast cancer and 102 control subjects.

The study found:
(a) Higher levels of cholesterol were associated with a 54% reduction in breast cancer risk.
(b) Higher levels of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were associated with a 59% reduction in breast cancer risk.
(c) Lower levels of High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were associated with a 99% increase in breast cancer risk.

The data from the study demonstrates significant reductions in breast cancer risk with high levels of total cholesterol & LDL cholesterol and significant increase in risk when HDL cholesterol levels are low.

Low cholesterol associated with hepatitis C related liver cancer

This study was published in the International Hepato Pancreato Biliary Association Journal 2010 Nov;12(9):625-36

 

Study title and authors:

Evidence of aberrant lipid metabolism in hepatitis C and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Wu JM, Skill NJ, Maluccio MA.

Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. jw17@iupui.edu

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20961371

The association of cholesterol levels with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HCV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) was assessed in 73 patients with HCV-associated cirrhosis and cancer and 103 normal controls.

The study found that the cholesterol levels of the patients with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HCV-related liver cancer were 19% lower than the normal controls.

High cholesterol levels reduce the risk of stomach cancer

This study was published in Acta Oncologica 1988;27(1):39-42

Study title and authors:
Risk of stomach cancer in association with serum cholesterol and beta-lipoprotein.

Törnberg SA, Carstensen JM, Holm LE.
Department of General Oncology, Karolinska Sjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3365353

Beta-lipoprotein equates to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.

This study investigated the relationship between cholesterol levels, beta-lipoprotein levels and the risk of stomach cancer. The study included 92,710 individuals who were followed for 18 years.

The study found:
(a) For every 40 mg/dL (1.03 mmol/L) increase in cholesterol there was a 15% reduced risk of stomach cancer.
(b) Increased levels of beta-lipoprotein were associated with a decreased risk of stomach cancer.

The results of the study show that higher levels of cholesterol are associated with a reduced risk of stomach cancer.

High cholesterol helps the elderly with high blood pressure to live a longer life

This study was published in the Journal of Hypertension 1990 Aug;8(8):755-61

Study title and authors:

Is a high serum cholesterol level associated with longer survival in elderly hypertensives?

Staessen J, Amery A, Birkenhäger W, Bulpitt C, Clement D, de Leeuw P, Deruyttere M, De Schaepdryver A, Dollery C, Fagard R, et al.

Klinisch Laboratorium Hypertensie, Inwendige Geneeskunde-Cardiologie, U.Z. Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2170516

The study, which lasted over three years, investigated the relationship between cholesterol levels and death rates in 822 elderly patients with high blood pressure.

The study found:
(a) The patients who had the highest cholesterol levels lived the longest.
(b) The patients who had the highest cholesterol levels had the lowest amount of deaths from cancer.

The results of the study show that high cholesterol levels are correlated with longer survival in elderly patients with high blood pressure.

Links to other studies:
Low cholesterol levels are associated with an increase in death rates especially from cancer
Analysis of 519,643 people reveals low cholesterol increases the risk of dying from pancreatic cancer by 27%
Low cholesterol is an independent risk factor for developing gastric cancer

Low cholesterol levels increase the risk of death from stroke, cancer and all-causes

This study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association 1995 Jun 28;273(24):1926-32

Study title and authors:
Serum total cholesterol and mortality. Confounding factors and risk modification in Japanese-American men.

Iribarren C, Reed DM, Burchfiel CM, Dwyer JH.
Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033, USA.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7783302

The study investigated the relationship between cholesterol levels and death rates due to major causes. The study included 7,049 middle-aged men who were followed for 23 years.

The study found:
(a) Men with the lowest cholesterol levels, below 4.66 mmol/l (180 mg/dL), had a 141% increased risk of death from hemorrhagic stroke compared to the men with cholesterol levels up to 6.19 mmol/l (239 mg/dL).
(b) Men with the lowest cholesterol levels, below 4.66 mmol/l (180 mg/dL), had a 41% increased risk of death from cancer compared to the men with cholesterol levels up to 6.19 mmol/l (239 mg/dL).
(c) Men with the lowest cholesterol levels, below 4.66 mmol/l (180 mg/dL), had a 23% increased risk of death compared to the men with cholesterol levels up to 6.19 mmol/l (239 mg/dL).

The results of the study show that middle-aged men with low cholesterol are at greater risk of death from stroke, cancer and all-causes compared to men with higher cholesterol.

Links to other studies:
Low cholesterol levels lead to a 20.2% increase in death rates in those who have had a stroke
Low cholesterol leads to increased cancer rates
Low cholesterol levels lead to increased cancer and death rates

Low cholesterol is an independent risk factor for developing gastric cancer

This study was published in the International Journal of Cancer 2008 Feb 15;122(4):909-14

 

Study title and authors:

Impact of serum total cholesterol on the incidence of gastric cancer in a population-based prospective study: the Hisayama study.

Asano K, Kubo M, Yonemoto K, Doi Y, Ninomiya T, Tanizaki Y, Arima H, Shirota T, Matsumoto T, Iida M, Kiyohara Y.

Department of Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. k-asano@intmed2.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17957783

This study examined the association between cholesterol levels and the incidence of gastric cancer. The study included 2,604 subjects aged 40 years or older were followed for 14 years.

The study found:
(a) Men with the lowest cholesterol (under 4.42 mmol/L or 171 mg/dL) had a 78% increased risk of developing gastric cancer compared with men with the highest cholesterol (over 5.77 mmol/L or 223 mg/dL).
(b) Women with the lowest cholesterol (under 4.78 mmol/L or 184 mg/dL) had a 68% increased risk of developing gastric cancer compared with women with the highest cholesterol (over 6.26 mmol/L or 242 mg/dL).

The findings of the study suggest that low cholesterol is an independent risk factor for developing gastric cancer.

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.