Vol. 4, No. 2, 1998 Page 3&7 
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Vol. 4, No. 2, 1998 Page 3&7 |
A new review of human and animal studies strongly suggests that low cholesterol is a risk factor for violent death and violent behavior.
Many studies have linked low cholesterol to violence (see related article, Crime Times, 1996, Vol. 2, No. 4, Page 1), while some have found no relationship. Reviewing the data from 32 different studies, Beatrice Golomb concludes that overall, "the evidence in the literature is consistent with a causal connection between low or lowered cholesterol levels and violence, and agreement across study types is striking."
Golomb found that:
Golomb says that "human and animal research indicates that low or lowered cholesterol levels may reduce central serotonin activity, which in turn is causally linked to violent behaviors" (see related articles, Crime Times, 1998, Vol. 4, No. 2, Page 1 and Crime Times, 1998, Vol. 4, No. 2, Page 1&4 ). She adds that the relationship between lowered cholesterol and violence is more clear for men than for women. While cholesterol-lowering drugs may play some role in increased violence, Golomb notes that "low cholesterol levels are linked to violence in populations that are not receiving cholesterol-lowering medications."
Golomb concludes that "concerns about increased risk for violent outcomes should figure in risk-benefit analyses for cholesterol screening and treatment."
"Cholesterol and violence: is there a connection?" Beatrice A. Golomb, Annals of Internal Medicine, Vol. 128, March 15, 1998, pp. 478-487. Address: Beatrice A. Golomb, San Diego Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive 111N-1, La Jolla, CA 92161.