Tilvis, RS et al. “Prognostic significance of serum cholesterol, lathosterol & sitosterol in old age, a 17-year population study” published in Annals of Medicine. 2011 Jun;43(4):292-301
Professor Reijo Tilvis, at the University of Helsinki, orchestrated this 17-year study investigating the effect of cholesterol on death rates in 623 people aged 75 and over.
The results showed that:
Total cholesterol declined with old age, and low cholesterol was associated with poor health.
Cholesterol below 5.0 mmol/L (193 mg/dL) was associated with a 54% accelerated death rate.
Cholesterol below 5.0 mmol/L (193 mg/dL) was associated with a 113% increase in stroke & heart disease.
Professor Tilvis concluded: “Low cholesterol levels are associated with deteriorating health and indicate impaired survival in old age”.
Links to the supporting article can be found here: