Cholesterol And Cancer: The Relationship Isn't What You Probably Think

If you've read the hype about high cholesterol, you're likely to have the impression that relationship between cholesterol and cancer is a causal one. That is, it would be easy to surmise that cholesterol causes cancer. The fact is, however, people who have especially low levels of total cholesterol have higher, rather than lower risk of the disease. The relationship between cholesterol and cancer is actually a protective one. Cholesterol protects against cancer.

Epidemiologists usually draw their graphs of the relationship between cholesterol and mortality as an upside-down U. People with unusually high levels of cholesterol are at greater risk of heart disease. And the relationship between cholesterol and cancer is that people with the lowest levels of cholesterol are at greater risk of cancer.

How could anyone ever have too little cholesterol? The fact is, cholesterol is a vital substance. Every cell in the body is protected with a cell membrane or "raincoat" that keeps it from being dissolved in the watery fluids of the bloodstream. Every hormone the body makes is made from cholesterol.

A 17-year study at the University of Basel in Switzerland found that men with the lowest levels of cholesterol (less than 199 mg/dl or 5.16 mmol/L) have a 70% greater risk of stomach cancer after age 60. They have a 100% greater risk of lung cancer, and a 307% greater risk of colon factor.

And even when the scientists introduced control factors for smoking and consumption of beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E, men with cholesterol below 199 mg/dl had a 770% greater risk of prostate cancer by age 60.

Is It Possible To Control Cholesterol Too Tightly?

What the studies tell us is that you can get your cholesterol too low, although very few people do. The greatest risk of cancer occurs when cholesterol falls below about 120 mg/dl (about 3 mmol/L). If laboratory testing at your doctor's office or home testing with your cholesterol meter shows consistent readings below this cut-off point, be sure to speak with your physician about reducing your medication. Consider, instead, controlling cholesterol with diet or with pomegranate juice.

A Great Supplement For Lower Cholesterol

We use a supplement called Cholest-Natural to help keep our cholesterol at a healthy level. It has been extensively researched and designed by one of the world's top bio-scientists and all the ingredients he uses have been supported individually by numerous clinical studies across the globe. Check out Cholest-Natural today.

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