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Cholesterol Depletion

As a component of all cell membranes and precursor of steroid hormones and bile salts, cholesterol is essential to human health. Cholesterol depletion has far-reaching effects because it causes a functional failure of cell membranes.

  1. Definition

    • The phrase "cholesterol depletion" refers to cholesterol body content that has been artificially reduced below normal levels. In hypocholesterolemia, cholesterol levels are abnormally low for natural (biological) reasons.

    Causes

    • Biological causes of low cholesterol include: hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), liver disease, malabsorption of nutrients from the intestines and malnutrition. Cholesterol depletion (artificially induced) mostly results from long-term drug use, such as the cholesterol-lowering statins.

    Effects on Muscular System

    • Cholesterol depletion limits the production of certain proteins involved in muscle metabolism and function. This may lead to myalgia (muscle pain), myopathy (muscle pain and dysfunction), or rhabdomyolysis (a potentially life-threatening rapid breakdown of skeletal muscle fibers).

    Metabolic Effects

    • Cholesterol depletion can cause pancreatic and liver dysfunction. A 2008 study by Fuzhen Xia and colleagues indicates that cholesterol depletion interferes with blood glucose control by reducing the body's ability to make and secrete insulin.

    Effects on Nervous System

    • Very low cholesterol can also lead to cognitive loss (thought-processing dysfunction). neuropathy (nerve damage) and psychiatric problems. Elderly patients are particularly at risk.

    Other Effects

    • Other possible effects of very low cholesterol levels include: digestive problems, immune dysfunction (e.g., lupus-like syndrome), sexual dysfunction, rash and skin problems, and sleep disorders.

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