Low levels of HDL cholesterol lead to an increased death rate

This study was published in the Journal of Lipid Research 2012 Feb;53(2):266-72

Study title and author:

Fifty-three year follow-up of coronary heart disease versus HDL2 and other lipoproteins in Gofman's Livermore Cohort.

Williams PT.

Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. ptwilliams@lbl.gov

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22128321

This study assessed the relationship of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels with total death rates and heart disease death rates. The study lasted for 53 years and included 1,905 men.

HDL cholesterol is made of HDL 2 and HDL 3. HDL 2 is larger than HDL 3.

After analysing 53 years of data the study found:
(a) Those with the lowest HDL 2 cholesterol had a 22% increase in total death rates.
(b) Those with the lowest HDL 2 cholesterol had a 63% increase in total heart disease death rates.
(c) Those with the lowest HDL 2 cholesterol had a 117% increase in premature heart disease death rates.
(d) Those with the lowest HDL 3 cholesterol had a 28% increase in total heart disease death rates.
(e) Those with the lowest HDL 3 cholesterol had a 71% increase in premature heart disease death rates.

The results of the study show that low levels of HDL cholesterol, especially HDL 2 cholesterol, are associated with higher total death rates and higher death rates from heart disease.

The best dietary way to raise HDL cholesterol levels is to eat a diet high in saturated fat. See here.