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This is based on an old study (published in 1990), but in a recent blog, Dr. Briffa discusses research that shows that reducing cholesterol levels (whether by means of diet change or by taking medications) results in a significantly increased risk of increased mortality due to various seemingly unrelated adverse events, including accidents, suicide, and aggressive, violent behavior. This is in addition, of course, to the adverse effects associated with decreased learning ability and other central nervous system issues that can be attributed to reducing cholesterol levels.
It's not nice to fool Mother Nature, and evidently, tampering with cholesterol levels doesn't set well with Mother Nature.There is some experimental evidence that modifying the fat in the diet has both neurochemical and behavioural consequences. In laboratory rats these include altered fluidity and cholesterol content of cell membranes within the central nervous system and effects on maze learning, pain threshold, and physical activity. Monkeys fed a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol (modelled on American Heart Association recommendations) were significantly more aggressive than control animals consuming a diet high in fat and cholesterol.
Evidence links cholesterol-reducing interventions with increased risk of dying from accidents, suicide and violence
Here's the full version of the original research article. Considering the almost rabid popularity of statins among the medical community, it's not surprising that we never heard of this research before. And that also probably explains why this line of research has not been continued or expanded — no one wants to contradict such a well-established and long-accepted policy.
Lowering cholesterol concentrations and mortality: a quantitative review of primary prevention trials.
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