Suicide attempters have low cholesterol levels

This study was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders 2012 Dec 10. pii: S0165-0327(12)00799-9

 

Study title and authors:

Plasma total cholesterol in psychiatric patients after a suicide attempt and in follow-up.

Papadopoulou A, Markianos M, Christodoulou C, Lykouras L.

Department of Psychiatry, Attikon General Hospital, Athens University Medical School, Greece. Electronic address: athanpapad@hotmail.gr.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23237826

This study investigated the association of cholesterol levels with suicide attempts. The study included 51 subjects who had been admitted to a psychiatric clinic after a suicide attempt, who were compared with normal age-matched subjects.

The study found that the suicide attempters had significantly lower cholesterol levels than the normal subjects.

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Low cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of suicidal behaviour

This study was published in Psychiatria Polska 1996 Sep-Oct;30(5):699-712

Study title and authors:
The study of the relationship between cholesterol and lipid concentration and suicidal behavior in patients with schizophrenia affective illness
Rybakowski J, Ainiyet J, Szajnerman Z, Zakrzewska M.
Kliniki Psychiatrii Dorosłych AM w Poznaniu.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8984512

This study investigated the association of cholesterol levels with suicidal behaviour in patients admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Cholesterol levels were recorded in 143 patients with either schizophrenia, depression, or mania.

The study found:
(a)  Patients with suicidal behaviours had significantly lower levels of cholesterol compared with patients without such behaviours.
(b) Patients with suicidal behaviours had significantly lower levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol compared with patients without such behaviours.

The finding of the study reveal that low cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of suicidal behaviour in patients with psychiatric disorders.

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Low cholesterol associated with depression in elderly men

This study was published in the Lancet 1993 Jan 9;341(8837):75-9

Study title and authors:
Plasma cholesterol and depressive symptoms in older men.
Morgan RE, Palinkas LA, Barrett-Connor EL, Wingard DL.
Department of Community and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0628.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8093404

The study investigated the relationship between depressive illness and low cholesterol levels in 1,020 elderly men.

The study found that among men aged 70 years and older, depression was three times more common in the group with low cholesterol levels (less than 4.14 mmol/L or 160 mg/dL) than in those with higher concentrations.
 
Morgan concluded: "Our finding that low plasma cholesterol is associated with depressive symptoms in elderly men is compatible with observations that a very low total cholesterol may be related to suicide and violent death".

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Low cholesterol is associated with major depressive disorder and death from suicide

This study was published in the British Journal of Psychiaty 1999 Sep;175:259-62

 

Study title and authors:

Association of low serum total cholesterol with major depression and suicide.

Partonen T, Haukka J, Virtamo J, Taylor PR, Lönnqvist J.

Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland. timo.partonen@ktl.fi

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10645328

The aim of the study was to investigate the association between total cholesterol levels, depression and suicide. The study included 29,133 men aged 50-69 years who were followed up for 5-8 years.

The study found low total cholesterol levels were associated with low mood and subsequently a heightened risk of hospital treatment due to major depressive disorder and of death from suicide.

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The adverse health effects of low cholesterol

This paper was published in Beijing Da Xue Xue Bao (Journal of Peking University) 2010 Oct 18;42(5):612-5

Study title and authors:
Primary and secondary hypocholesterolemia

Song JX, Ren JY, Chen H.
Department of Cardiology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20957025

In this review of the literature Song examines the influence of low cholesterol levels (hypocholesterolemia) on health.

He found:
(a) Low cholesterol levels are common in the population.
(b) Physicians pay little attention to the diseases, causes and consequences of low cholesterol in clinical practice.
(c) Low cholesterol levels can result in some adverse events, such as increased death rates, intracerebral hemorrhage, cancer, infection, adrenal failure, suicide and mental disorder.
(d) Despite the adverse health consequences of low cholesterol, physicians are increasingly prescribing cholesterol lowering treatments such as statin drugs.

With all the adverse health effects of low cholesterol Song concludes: "It's high time that physicians attached more importance to hypocholesterolemia."

Links to other studies:
Stroke patients with low cholesterol are more likely to die and have poor neurological outcomes
Low cholesterol levels lead to a 20.2% increase in death rates in those who have had a stroke
Low cholesterol and serious complications after an ischemic stroke

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Low cholesterol levels associated with fatigue and depression

This study was published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research 2002 Feb;52(2):61-3

Study title and authors:

Cholesterol and mood states at 3 days after delivery.

Nasta MT, Grussu P, Quatraro RM, Cerutti R, Grella PV.

Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11832250

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between cholesterol and mood states in women immediately following childbirth. The study included 72 women who had their mood analysed and cholesterol levels measured three days after giving birth.

The study found that women with lower cholesterol levels immediately following childbirth had major feelings of fatigue and a depressed mood.

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Low cholesterol is significantly associated with schizophrenia

This study was published in Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 2003 Sep;108(3):208-14

Study title and authors:

Serum leptin and cholesterol levels in schizophrenic patients with and without suicide attempts.

Atmaca M, Kuloglu M, Tezcan E, Ustundag B.

Departments of Psychiatry and Clinical Biochemistry, Firat University, School of Medicine, Elazig, Turkey. matmaca_p@yahoo.com

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12890276

The study examined the association of cholesterol levels in schizophrenic patients with and without suicide attempts. The study included 16 medication-free schizophrenic patients with and without suicide attempts and in 16 healthy controls.

The study found:
(a) The schizophrenic patients had lower cholesterol levels compared with the controls.
(b) The schizophrenic patients who had attempted suicide had significantly lower cholesterol levels compared with the schizophrenic patients who had not.
(c) Cholesterol levels were lower in violent suicide attempters when compared with non-violent suicide attempters.

The results of the study show that low cholesterol is significantly associated with schizophrenia, especially in suicide attempters and even more so in violent suicide attempters.

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Low cholesterol linked to an increased risk of suicide

This study was published in Psychiatry Research 2011 Jun 30;188(1):83-7

 

Study title and author:

Low cholesterol is a risk factor for attentional impulsivity in patients with mood symptoms.

Troisi A.

Department of Neurosciences, University of Rome Tor Vergatta, Rome, Italy. alfonso.troisi@uniroma2.it

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21112642

Troisi notes that attentional impulsivity is a demonstrated risk factor for suicide. Attentional impulsivity is related to mania and depression.

The study examined the relationship between cholesterol levels and attentional impulsivity in 301 patients with mood, anxiety, and personality disorders.

The study found:
(a) Lower cholesterol levels were associated with increased attentional impulsivity.
(b) Participants with cholesterol levels lower than 165mg/dL (4.2 mmol/L) were at a significantly increased risk of attentional impulsivity compared with the rest of the group.

The study shows that low cholesterol is associated with increased attentional impulsivity, and considering that attentional impulsivity is a demonstrated risk factor for suicide, the results of the study suggest that low cholesterol may be linked to an increased risk of suicide.

Links to other studies:
Lowering cholesterol levels lead to an increase in death from accidents, suicide, and violence
Low cholesterol levels associated with violence, antisocial behaviour and premature death
Both low cholesterol levels and declining cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk of death from suicide in men

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The lower the cholesterol level - the higher the risk of suicide

This study was published in Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 2003 Sep;108(3):215-21

Study title and authors:
Serum lipid levels and suicide attempts.

Lee HJ, Kim YK.
Department of Psychiatry, Korea University, College of Medicine, Ansan City, Korea.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12890277

The objective of the study was to determine whether a correlation exists between lower cholesterol levels and increased suicide risk. Cholesterol levels were measured in 60 patients who had recently experienced failed attempts at suicide and equal numbers of non-suicidal patients.

The study found:
(a) Total cholesterol levels were significantly lower in suicide attempt patients compared to non-suicidal patients.
(b) Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were significantly lower in suicide attempt patients compared to non-suicidal patients.
(c) The lower the cholesterol level - the higher the risk of suicide.

This study shows the lower the cholesterol level - the higher the risk of suicide.

Links to other studies:
Evidence of how low cholesterol leads to suicidal behaviour
Low cholesterol levels are associated with more suicide attempts
Those with the lowest cholesterol levels have more than six times the risk of committing suicide than those with the highest cholesterol levels

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Low cholesterol levels are associated with higher rates of attempted suicide

This study was published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry 1999 Oct;41(4):300-6

Study title and authors:
Serum lipid profile in suicide attempters.

Verma S, Trivedi JK, Singh H, Dalal PK, Asthana OP, Srivastava JS, Mishra R, Ramakant, Sinha PK.
SANDEEP VERMA, Senior resident Doctor, Department of Psychiatry, K.G's Medical College, Lucknow.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21430801

This study investigated the association of cholesterol levels with suicidal behaviour. Cholesterol profiles of 40 suicide attempters were compared with 40 non suicidal control subjects.

The study found:
(a) Total cholesterol levels were 8.7% lower in suicide attempters compared to non suicidal subjects.
(b) High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were 1.7% lower in suicide attempters compared to non suicidal subjects.
(c) Levels of "the so called bad" low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were 10.5% lower in suicide attempters compared to non suicidal subjects.

The results of this study show that low cholesterol levels are associated with higher rates of attempted suicide.

Links to other studies:
Low Cholesterol, Depression and Suicide in Women
Lowering cholesterol levels lead to an increase in death from accidents, suicide, and violence
Low cholesterol leads to increased suicide

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Both low cholesterol levels and declining cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk of death from suicide in men

This study was published in the British Medical Journal 1996 Sep 14;313(7058):649-51

Study title and authors:
Serum cholesterol concentration and death from suicide in men: Paris prospective study I.

Zureik M, Courbon D, Ducimetière P.
National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), Unit 258, Hôpital Broussais, Paris, France.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8811757

The aim of the study was to investigate whether low cholesterol levels or changing cholesterol levels are associated with the risk of suicide in men.

The study contained 6,393 working men, aged 43-52, who had at least three measurements of their cholesterol levels over a 17 year period.

The study found:
(a) Men with low cholesterol (below 4.78 mmol/l (185 mg/dL)) had a 216% increase in suicide compared with men whose cholesterol was between 4.78-6.21 mmol/l (185-240mg/dL).
(b) Men whose cholesterol levels decreased by more than 0.13 mmol/l (5 mg/dL) a year had an 117% increase in suicide compared with men whose cholesterol remained stable.

To conclude: Both low cholesterol levels and declining cholesterol levels were associated with increased risk of death from suicide in men.

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Those with the lowest cholesterol levels have more than six times the risk of committing suicide than those with the highest cholesterol levels

This post includes a summary of a study published in Epidemiology March 2001 - Volume 12 - Issue 2 - pp 168-172 and a recipe for butter chicken.

Books:

Study title and authors:

Low Serum Cholesterol Concentration and Risk of Suicide

Ellison, Larry F.; Morrison, Howard I.

This study can be accessed at: http://journals.lww.com/epidem/Abstract/2001/03000/Low_Serum_Cholesterol_Concentration_and_Risk_of.7.aspx

 
The study examined the relationship between low cholesterol levels and mortality from suicide in 11,554 people.
 
The study found that those with the lowest cholesterol levels had more than six times the risk of committing suicide as did subjects with the highest cholesterol levels.
 
More information on this subject: Books : Scientific Studies : Other Websites : Videos : Food Mall

Recipe of the day

Butter Chicken

Ingredients:

Food Mall: Chicken

•2 x 2 tbsp of pastured, grass-fed butter

•About 1 Kg chicken cut in chunks;
•2 tsp garam masala;
•2 tsp paprika;
•2 tsp ground coriander;
•1 tbsp grated fresh ginger;
•1/4 tsp chili powder (adjust to taste);
•1 cinnamon stick;
•6 bruised cardamon pods;
•1 can of tomato puree;
•3/4 cup coconut milk;
•1 tbsp fresh lemon juice;

Technique:
1.Heat a pan, add the first 2 tbsp of butter and stir-fry the chicken chunks. You can cook them in 2 batches if your pan is too small.

2.Remove the chicken from the pan.

3.Put the second 2 tbsp of butter and slowly heat the spices for a minute or two until you can smell the aroma.

4.Put the chicken back in the pan and stir so you mix in all the spices with the chicken.

5.At this point, add the tomatoes and simmer for about 15 minutes. Stir from time to time.

6.Add the coconut milk and lemon juice and let it simmer for another 5 minutes.

7.Enjoy without guilt! Garnish with fresh herbs and a stick of cinnamon for extra fanciness points.

Butter Chicken



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Low cholesterol levels are associated with more suicide attempts

This post includes a synopsis of a study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders 2011 Apr 25 and a recipe for rib-eye steak with beefy onion sauce.

Study title and authors:
Measurement of total serum cholesterol in the evaluation of suicidal risk.
Olié E, Picot MC, Guillaume S, Abbar M, Courtet P.
Université Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France; CHRU Montpellier, France; INSERM U1061, France.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21521628

Books:

The study investigated the association between suicidal behavior and low levels of cholesterol in men and women. A total of 3207 subjects were included, divided into three groups: 510 patients with a history of suicidal attempts, 275 patients with no history of suicidal attempts, and 2422 controls.

 
The study found:
(a) Cholesterol leves were significantly lower in suicide attempters than in non-attempters and controls for both genders.
(b) The proportion of suicide attempters with the lowest cholesterol levels was significantly higher than those with the highest cholesterol levels.
 
To conclude: Low cholesterol levels are associated with more suicide attempts.
 
More information on this subject: Books : Scientific Studies : Other Websites : Videos : Food Mall 

Recipe of the day

Rib-Eye Steak with Beefy Onion Sauce

Ingredients:

Food Mall: Rib-Eye Steak

2 lean beef rib-eye, sirloin or rump steak

25g/1oz butter

5ml/1tsp tallow

½ large onion, peeled and sliced

5ml/1tsp balsamic vinegar

150ml stock 

Method:

1.Heat the butter and tallow in a pan. Cook the steaks according to preference. During the last two minutes of the cooking time add the onion. Once cooked, remove steaks from the pan and keep warm.

2.Add the balsamic vinegar and stock. Bring to the boil and simmer for 2-3 minutes until reduced by about half.

3.Serve the steak and sauce with the celeriac mash or spinach mash (just stir spinach through the steaming mash to wilt slightly and serve) and seasonal green vegetables.

Rib-Eye Steak

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