LDL is associated with “bad cholesterol”. Why would low values be harmful?
LDL protects humans against infection. Deadly staphylococcus bacteria produce endotoxins that have the ability to kill human cells including red blood cells. LDL was found to protect human red blood cells from this toxic effect of endotoxin while HDL was not protective. A study at the University of Pittsburgh found that in young and middle aged men the total number of white blood cells and the number of various types of white blood cells were significantly lower in the men with LDL-cholesterol below 160 mg/dl than in men with LDL-cholesterol above 160 mg/l. Immune deficiency is a common symptom in individuals with SLOS. The rate of infections goes down rapidly after cholesterol supplementation to the people affected by SLOS syndrome.
