Cholesterol warning for elderly

Blood tests revealed low levels of cholesterol

Older people with very low cholesterol levels may be at higher risk of dying, claims a scientific study.

Many doctors focus on tackling high cholesterol levels as there is a wealth of evidence that this can lower the risk of heart disease.

However, the latest research, published in the Lancet, suggests that there is danger at the other extreme.

A team of scientists from the University of Hawaii looked at more than 3,500 men aged between 71 and 93, measuring the levels of cholesterol in their blood over a 20 year period.

Men with the most consistently low levels were 65% more likely than the average to die.

Risk of death

Dr Irwin Schatz, who led the research, said: "Our data ... show that long-term persistence of low cholesterol concentration actually increases risk of death.

"Thus, the earlier that patients start to have lower cholesterol concentrations, the greater the risk of death.

"These data cast doubt on the scientific justification for lowering cholesterol to very low concentrations."

In old age, it's still important to eat as balanced a diet as possible

Dr Frankie Robinson, British Nutrition Foundation

This is not the first study to suggest that very low cholesterol levels could be associated with death.

Some research papers have spotted a link between low cholesterol and violent death, particularly suicide.

No-one has explained why this might be the case, although one theory suggests that cholesterol plays a role in helping the body produce various hormones - which might have vital functions in the body.

However, Dr Frankie Robinson, from the British Nutrition Foundation, said that the cholesterol levels linked to death in the latest research were extremely low.

"We have been aware for some time that very low levels of cholesterol might increase the risk of death.

"But there is no reason to stop doctors recommending that patients of all ages try to reduce very high cholesterol levels.

"In old age, it's still important to eat as balanced a diet as possible."