Low Cholesterol and Suicide Risk

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Dr. Mercola

August 08 2001

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Low Cholesterol and Suicide Risk

Canadian investigators examined the relation between low serum total cholesterol and deaths from suicide. Adjusting for age and sex, they found that those in the lowest quarter of total cholesterol concentration had more than six times the risk of committing suicide as did those in the highest quarter.

This effect persisted after the exclusion from the analysis of the first 5 years of follow-up and after the removal of those who were unemployed or who had been treated for depression.

These data indicate that low serum total cholesterol level is associated with an increased risk of suicide.

Epidemiology 2001 Mar;12:168-72

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

As I said in the December 2000 issue:

With so many people taking drugs to lower their cholesterol and half the population predicted to take statin drugs in the future, it is time that we seriously reevaluated what we are doing with them. Just like our weight, there is an optimum with cholesterol as well. Some people believe that the lower your cholesterol, the healthier you are.

Nothing could be further from the truth. If your cholesterol is too low you will have an increased risk of mood disorders, depression, stroke, and violence. And these are only the KNOWN effects right now. There are likely many more currently unknown and unstudied

This best predictor of heart disease with respect to cholesterol is the HDL/total cholesterol ratio.

Unfortunately, many people have low cholesterol who are not taking medications. I am one of them. This is largely due to my having beta thallasemia which is a genetic defect in the size of red blood cells that is also associated with a low cholesterol.

Yes, my risk for heart disease is quite low, but the risk for the other diseases mentioned above is clearly elevated.

It seems that low cholesterol in many individuals is related to a non optimized gall bladder and liver function. However, I have yet to learn of an effectively consistent approach to normalize this issue.

When I do I will certainly share it.

Related Articles:

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Low Cholesterol Linked to Depression

Low Cholesterol Linked to Violence

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Low Cholesterol and Albumin Bad Sign in Elderly

Low Cholesterol May Affect Mood

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Community Comments ( 2 )

michele3d

[ Joined on 09/08 ] [ Posted on

September 16, 2008

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I would like to know more about this, too.

Kathleen, what dose are you taking of post pit? I see Dr. Page practitioners recommend very small doses, such as 6/100 mg., but the smallest I can find is 35 mg.

Michele3d

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KathleenT

[ Joined on 05/08 ] [ Posted on

July 17, 2008

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I had low cholesteral, which may have been due to liver issues, as I had other liver problems (chemical sensitivities). I have recently started taking a supplement of natural posterior pituitary hormone for hormone balancing purposes. But, my cholesteral has come up to optimum levels in the process! I also feel calm and sane for the first time in 15 years!

Dr Mercola--I pray that you would study the work of Dr Melvin Page on hormone balancing and publicize it! The word needs to get out. Manic depression and depression, suicidal thoughts, ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, can all be cured or prevented with posterior pituitary supplement. I am living proof!

Kathleen

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