Association of low Serum Total Cholesterol With Major Depression and Suicide

In order to study the association between serum total cholesterol, depression & suicide, a total of 29,133 men aged 50-69 years were followed up for 5-8 years. Serum protein & high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were analysed, as were levels of depression, treatment for depression, & deaths from suicide. The researchers found that low serum total cholesterol was associated with low mood & subsequently a heightened risk of hospital treatment due to major depressive disorder & of death from suicide. (15 refs)