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Scientific research shows that low-fat diets and low cholesterol levels are associated with increased rates of psychological and mental problems. Cholesterol levels below 160 mg/dL have been found to cause depression and suicide (1, 2). It also causes aggression and violent behavior in people (3). A major health related misconception is that a low-fat & low cholesterol diet lowers blood cholesterol which is good for health. Scientifically, this is not true.

Let's look at the following Diet and Blood Cholesterol Math (4):

• The blood volume of a person is 5 to 7 liters or 50 to 70 dL.
• Assume the person has 200 mg/dL of cholesterol in the blood.
• This will make it 10,000 to 14,000 dL cholesterol circulating in the blood.
• If the person eats a high cholesterol diet and consumes 400 mg of Cholesterol a day, only half (200 mg) will get absorbed.
• It would increase blood cholesterol from 200 mg/dL to 203-204 mg/dL. It hardly makes any difference.

Therefore, it is foolish to avoid eating fat or cholesterol to lower blood cholesterol. The only effective way to make the blood cholesterol level very low is with medicines. Our body produces 3 to 4 times more cholesterol than we eat. If we eat more of it in the diet, the body produces less of it, and if we eat less of it, the body produces more of it. This natural mechanism has made sure that this important fat cannot be reduced to very low level by the diet.

Following are the scientific reasons why it is required by the body (5)

• It is essential to life
• The body cannot function without it
• It is the basic building block for many hormones
• It is a vital component of cell membranes
• Our brain is largely made of cholesterol
• It is a potent anti-oxidant that protects the body from free radical attack
• It is used by the body to heal itself naturally

An Italian study found that people with high levels of cholesterol tend to survive a stroke whereas those with low levels tend to die more often

Another Italian study of hospitalized disabled elderly patients (7). found that 14.5% participants with total cholesterol (TC) less than 200 mg/dL recovered where as 23.1% of those recovered who had TC above 240 mg/dL. In other words, 62% more people recovered due to their high level of TC. The scientific evidence is clear: low cholesterol causes serious neurological and other health problems. Nature has put cholesterol in our body for a good reason, and that is to heal & protect us. Trying to restrict and control natural mechanisms always has repurcussions. So, go ahead and enjoy your Butter, clarified butter & eggs. They are good for your brain and overall health.

Reference

1. Rabe-Jablonska J., et al. Levels of serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in patients with major depression in acute period and remission. Medical Science Monitor. May-Jun 2000;6(3):539-47.
2. Brunner E, Davey Smith G, Pilorim J, Marmot M. Low serum cholesterol and suicide. Lancet 1992;339:1001-2
3. Editorials. Cholesterol, violent death, and mental disorder. BMJ 1994;309:421-2
4. Enig MG. Know Your Fats: The Complete Primer for Understanding the Nutritional of Fats, Oils and Cholesterol. Bethesda Press. 2001.
5. Ravnskov U. The Cholesterol Myths. New Trends Publishing. 2000.
6. Zuliani G., et al. Low cholesterol levels are associated with short-term mortality in older patients with ischemic stroke. Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences & Medical Sciences. March 2004;59(3):293-7.
7. Onder G., et al. Total serum cholesterol and recovery from disability among hospitalized older adults. Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences & Medical Sciences. July 2006;61(7):736-42.

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