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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High levels of von Willebrand Factor implicated in diabetes complications - high fat diets lower the levels of von Willebrand Factor

This study was published in Metabolism 1994 Nov;43(11):1406-9

Study title and author:
Decrease in von Willebrand factor levels after a high-monounsaturated-fat diet in non-insulin-dependent diabetic subjects.

Rasmussen O, Thomsen C, Ingerslev J, Hermansen K.
Medical Department of M (Diabetes & Endocrinology), Aarhus Kommunehospital, Denmark.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7526126

High levels of von Willebrand factor (a protein used in blood clotting) have been reported in diabetics with cardiovascular complications, suggesting a role for this protein in the development of cardiovascular complications in type two diabetics.

This study investigated the effects of a low fat, high carbohydrate diet and a high fat diet on the blood levels of von Willebrand factor. 15 patients with type two diabetes received either diet for three weeks and their levels of von Willebrand factor was measured.

The diets were:
(i) 50% carbohydrate, 20% protein, 30% fat (low fat, high carbohydrate diet).
(ii) 30% carbohydrate, 20% protein, 50% fat (high fat diet).

The study found:
(a) The levels of von Willebrand factor decreased by 12.5% on the high fat diet.
(b) The levels of von Willebrand factor increased by 5.7% on the low fat, high carbohydrate diet.

This study shows how a high fat diet decreases the levels of von Willebrand Factor, and therefore decreases the risk of complications from diabetes.

Links to other studies:
A high fat/low carbohydrate diet reduces high blood sugar levels
High fat diets reduce dangerous C-reactive protein levels by 52.6%
Professor says that low-carbohydrate, high-fat diets are the preferred method for treating type 2 diabetes

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High fat diets may be beneficial in the treatment of diabetes

This paper was published in Diabetes Care 2009 May;32(5):959-65

Study title and authors:

Influence of fat and carbohydrate proportions on the metabolic profile in patients with type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis.

Kodama S, Saito K, Tanaka S, Maki M, Yachi Y, Sato M, Sugawara A, Totsuka K, Shimano H, Ohashi Y, Yamada N, Sone H.

Department of Lifestyle Medicine and Applied Nutrition, Ochanomizu University, Tokyo, Japan.

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19407076

This paper is a meta-analysis of 19 studies which compared the effects of replacing dietary fat with carbohydrate in patients with type II diabetes.

The average composition of the diets were:
(i) 58% carbohydrate, 24% fat (low fat, high carbohydrate diet).
(ii) 40% carbohydrate, 40% fat (high fat diet).

The study found:
(a) The (bad) fasting insulin levels were 8% higher on the low fat, high carbohydrate diet compared to the high fat diet.
(b) The (bad) triglyceride levels were 13% higher on the low fat, high carbohydrate diet compared to the high fat diet.
(c) The beneficial high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were 6% lower on the low fat, high carbohydrate diet compared to the high fat diet.

The findings of the study suggest that a high fat diet may be beneficial in the treatment of diabetes compared to a low fat, high carbohydrate diet.

Links to other studies:
Diabetes rates have tripled since the low fat crusade started in 1977
High fat, low carbohydrate diets are an effective tool in the treatment of diabetes
High dietary intake of fructose leads to diabetes

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Low fat diets increase the risk of heart disease in diabetics

This study was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and  Metabolism 1993 Feb;76(2):347-51

Study title and authors:

Effect of variations in dietary fat and carbohydrate intake on postprandial lipemia in patients with noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

Chen YD, Swami S, Skowronski R, Coulston AM, Reaven GM.

Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, California.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8432777

The effect of dietary composition on concentrations of triglyceride levels was studied in eight patients with type II diabetes. In the study two diets were consumed by each patient for two weeks.

The diets consisted of:
(i) 60% carbohydrate, 15% protein, 25% fat (low fat diet).
(ii) 45% carbohydrate, 15% protein, 40% fat (high fat diet).

The study found that triglyceride levels were higher after the low-fat (high carbohydrate) diet, and as high triglyceride levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease, the low-fat diet should not be consumed by patients with type II diabetes.

Links to other studies:
Low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets, similar in composition to the recommendations of the American Diabetes Association, have deleterious health effects when consumed by patients with type 2 diabetes
High-fat, carbohydrate-restricted diets are a superior treatment option for type 2 diabetes compared to a low-calorie, low fat diet
LDL cholesterol size: does it matter?

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Higher-fat diets are a more effective treatment for diabetes than low-fat diets

This study was published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice 2004 Sep;65(3):235-41

Study title and authors:

Beneficial effect of low carbohydrate in low calorie diets on visceral fat reduction in type 2 diabetic patients with obesity.

Miyashita Y, Koide N, Ohtsuka M, Ozaki H, Itoh Y, Oyama T, Uetake T, Ariga K, Shirai K.

Center of Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolism, Sakura Hospital, School of Medicine, Toho University, 564-1 Shimoshizu, Sakura-City, Chiba 285-0841, Japan.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15331203

The aim of this 4 week study was to compare the effects of a low calorie high fat diet and a low calorie low-fat diet in obese subjects with type II diabetes.

22 diabetics received diets of either:
(i) 1000 calories per day, 65% carbohydrate, 25% protein, 10% fat (low-fat diet).
(ii) 1000 calories per day, 40% carbohydrate, 25% protein, 35% fat (higher-fat diet).

The study found:
(a) The harmful fasting high blood insulin levels were reduced by an extra 20% in the higher-fat diet group compared to the low-fat diet group.
(b) The beneficial high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol increased in the higher-fat diet group by 15% but did not increase in the low-fat diet group.
(c) There was a four-fold larger decrease in visceral fat area in the higher-fat diet group compared to the low-fat diet group. (Abdominal, or visceral, fat is of particular concern because it’s associated with a variety of health problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and stroke — much more so than subcutaneous fat, which is found just under the skin. Visceral fat, on the other hand, lies out of reach, deep within the abdominal cavity, where it pads the spaces between the abdominal organs).
(d) The ratio of visceral fat area to subcutaneous fat area did not change in the low-fat diet group, but it decreased significantly in the higher-fat diet group.

The results of the study suggest that, a low-calorie/higher-fat diet might be more effective treatment for a reduction of visceral fat, improved insulin sensitivity and an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels than a low calorie/low-fat diet in obese subjects with type II diabetes.

Links to other studies:
Diabetes treated successfully by high fat, low carbohydrate diets
High fat/low carbohydrate diet decreases risk of heart disease
The case for high fat/low carbohydrate diets in diabetes management

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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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High fat/Low carbohydrate diets are particularly effective in reducing the dangerous visceral fat in type II diabetics

This study was published in Diabetes Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity 2011;4:167-74

Study title and authors:

Effects of a moderate low-carbohydrate diet on preferential abdominal fat loss and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Sasakabe T, Haimoto H, Umegaki H, Wakai K.

Department of Clinical Nutrition, Haimoto Clinic, Yayoi, Kasugai, Aichi, Japan;

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21779148

Visceral fat refers to the fat that surrounds the internal organs. Subcutaneous fat is body fat that is close to the skin's surface and is considered less dangerous, and easier to lose than visceral fat.

Studies have shown that those with visceral fat are more susceptible to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and high blood pressure.

This study examined the effects of a low carbohydrate diet on visceral fat, subcutaneous fat and heart disease risk factors in patients with type II diabetes. The study included 52 type II diabetes patients who consumed a high fat/low carbohydrate diet for six months.

The main principle of the low carbohydrate diet used in the study was to eliminate carbohydrate-rich foods depending on each patient’s HbA1c levels:

(i) Patients with HbA1c levels less than 9.0% eliminated carohydrate-rich foods from their dinner. 

(ii) patients with an HbA1c level more than 9.0% were asked to eliminate carbohydrates from breakfast and dinner. 

Patients were allowed to eat as much protein and fat as they wanted, including saturated fat. There were no other dietary restrictions.

The study found:

(a) The high fat/low carbohydrate diet resulted in a 14.2% visceral fat loss in men and an 18.9% visceral fat loss in women, as well as a 9.0% subcutaneous fat loss in men and an 8.8% subcutaneous fat loss in women. 

(b) Men lost 2 kg in weight and women lost 1.7 kg in weight.

(c) The unhealthy high HbA1c levels decreased by 1.9% in men and by 1.6% in women.

(d) The unhealthy high fasting glucose levels decreased by 21 mg/dl (1.16 mmol/l) in men and by 20 mg (1.11 mmol/l) in women.

(e) The unhealthy high triglyceride levels decreased by 16 mg/dL (.18 mmol/l) in men and by 7 mg/dL (.08 mmol/l) in women.

(f) The levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol rose by a healthy 5 mg/dL (.13 mmol/l) in men and 1 mg/dL (.03 mmol/l) in women.

The results of the study suggest that as well as been effective for absolute fat loss, the high fat/low carbohydrate diet is particularly effective in reducing the dangerous visceral fat. Additionally the diet reduced the values of many risk factors of heart disease and diabetes complications.

Links to other studies:
As children eat less saturated fat and cholesterol - their obesity rates have soared
Obese and diabetic patients lose more weight on a high fat diet compared to a high carbohydrate diet
High-fat diets are better than high-carbohydrate diets in the treatment of type 2 diabetes

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