Low cholesterol and cancer.

PURPOSEThe relation between plasma cholesterol (CH) concentration and mortality is complex. The plasma CH concentration correlates positively with mortality from coronary heart disease, but some studies have shown a negative relation with death from cancer. If these two relations reflect causal mechanisms that are reversible by changing the plasma CH concentration, the benefits of lipid reduction for heart disease might be offset by an increased mortality from cancer. Different aspects between lipid metabolism and cancer, as well as new insights into this interesting field, are discussed.METHODSThe literature was searched using MedLine through 1966 and January 1996.RESULTSThere is no evidence from the data available at present that the association between low CH and a higher risk of cancer is causal.CONCLUSIONThis issue should not affect the advice on health matters offered by doctors, especially to patients with other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The possibility that hypercholesterolemia (HC)...