Q. How important is it to lower cholesterol levels to reduce the overall risk of death from heart disease? I worry about the possible unintended consequences of lowering cholesterol if you don’t need to. Will it increase the risk of cancer?
I read a study suggesting a shift in focus and would welcome any information you can offer.
A. Although cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, its importance has become increasingly controversial (Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, Sept. 2006). Some researchers believe that inflammation may be a better predictor of heart problems. Others suggest that hostility is a key risk factor (American Journal of Cardiology, online May 2, 2013).
We are sending you our Guide to Cholesterol Control and Heart Health for more details on the pros and cons of cholesterol-lowering drugs and more information on alternative approaches to reducing cardiovascular risk. People with multiple risk factors are the most likely to benefit from a statin to lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation.
A new Japanese study shows a link between low LDL cholesterol and an increased risk of liver cancer (Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine, March, 2013). The authors suggest that low LDL cholesterol may be a marker for preclinical cancer.
For three decades, researchers have been debating whether low cholesterol increases the risk of cancer or whether early cancer causes cholesterol levels to drop. This issue has not been resolved.
