That Happened!

Previously, researchers and medical professionals believed that low cholesterol could lead to a higher risk of cancer. Recent studies reveal, however, that low cholesterol actually helps reduce the risks of cancer, particularly aggressive prostate cancer in men.

The results of the studies were published on November 3 by the Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. The studies included almost 30,000 men, over a period of 18 years. It is the most extensive study of its kind.

Dr. Elizabeth Platz, a research leader at the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, stated, “For many reasons, we know that it’s good to have a cholesterol level within the normal range. Now, we have more evidence that among the benefits of low cholesterol may be a lower risk for potentially deadly prostate cancers”.

Dr. Demetrius Albanes, a senior investigator at the National Cancer Institute, also stated, “In terms of a public health message, we found that higher levels of ‘good’ cholesterol seem to be protective for all cancers”.

These studies are not conclusive and more research must be done. Yet, there is no doubt that low cholesterol levels reap great health benefits.