Interesting relationship between HDL-cholesterol and cancer risk

HDL-cholesterol (high density lipoprotein) the so called good cholesterol has for a long time been used as one of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. High HDL is considered to be good and reduce cardiovascular risk.

A recent study investigated the relationship between HDL and cancer in large randomized controlled trials (Jafri H, et al. 2010). 24 trials were included in this study with 625, 477 person-years of follow up.

The results showed that it was an inverse relationship between HDL and the incidence of cancer. For every 10 mg/dl increment in HDL, there was a 36% relative lower rate of the development of cancer. This was independent of other risk factors like age, body mass index, diabetes and smoking.

Dietary habits and a lifestyle that will increase HDL-cholesterol are not only beneficial for the cardiovascular system, but it can also reduce the risk of cancer.

Baseline and on-treatment high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the risk of cancer in randomized controlled trials of lipid-altering therapy. Jafri H, Alsheikh-Ali AA, Karas RH. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010 Jun 22;55(25):2846-54.