Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 27, 2026

Cholesterol Efflux Assay
07:54

Cholesterol Efflux Assay

Published on: March 6, 2012

Seasonal variation in serum cholesterol levels--evidence from the UK and Japan

D Robinson1, E A Bevan, S Hinohara

  • 1BUPA Medical Research and Development Limited, London, UK.

Atherosclerosis
|July 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Seasonal variations significantly impact serum cholesterol levels, with winter levels 3-5% higher than summer levels in both UK and Japanese populations. This finding is crucial for epidemiological studies.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Epidemiology
  • Environmental Health

Background:

  • Serum cholesterol levels are a key indicator of cardiovascular health.
  • Previous research suggests potential seasonal influences on lipid profiles, but large-scale data is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate seasonal variations in serum cholesterol levels across large populations in the UK and Japan.
  • To determine the relationship between seasonal changes in cholesterol and environmental factors like temperature and body mass.

Main Methods:

  • Spectral analysis was applied to longitudinal data from over 170,000 men and 44,000 women in the UK and Japan.
  • Serum cholesterol levels were analyzed for seasonal patterns and correlated with mean monthly air temperatures and body mass index.

Main Results:

  • A significant seasonal effect on serum cholesterol was observed in both countries and sexes, with levels 3-5% higher in winter than summer.
  • These seasonal variations in cholesterol were independent of changes in body mass.
  • Mean monthly cholesterol levels showed a strong negative correlation with mean monthly air temperatures (r = -0.60 to -0.71).

Conclusions:

  • Seasonal fluctuations in serum cholesterol are a robust phenomenon, exceeding analytical variability.
  • These findings have significant implications for the design and interpretation of long-term epidemiological and clinical intervention studies on cholesterol.

More Related Videos

A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data10:46

A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data

Published on: December 9, 2015

Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles09:15

Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles

Published on: November 10, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements01:18

Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements

Lipids are an essential component of a balanced human diet. Triglycerides, which make up the majority of dietary lipids, are found in both saturated fats—commonly present in meat, dairy products, and certain tropical plants like coconut, and hydrogenated oils such as margarine and baking shortenings (trans fats)—and unsaturated fats, which are abundant in seeds, nuts, olive oil, and most vegetable oils. The main sources of cholesterol include egg yolks, various meats and organ meats, shellfish,...
Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation01:29

Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation

Although not a source of energy, cholesterol plays a significant role as a foundational structure for bile salts, steroid hormones, and vitamin D, as well as being a crucial component of plasma membranes. Approximately 15% of blood cholesterol is derived from our diet, with the remainder synthesized from acetyl CoA by the liver and intestines. Cholesterol is eliminated from the body through its conversion into bile salts, which are eventually discarded in the feces.
Considering cholesterol and...
Bias in Epidemiological Studies01:29

Bias in Epidemiological Studies

Biases can arise at various stages of research, from study design and data collection to analysis and interpretation. Recognizing and addressing these biases is essential to ensure the validity and reliability of epidemiological findings.Broadly speaking, biases in epidemiology fall into three main categories: selection bias, information bias, and confounding. A more detailed description of possible biases is:
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile01:25

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile

Understanding serum lipids is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health and preventing heart disease and stroke.
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
Self-Esteem and Culture01:26

Self-Esteem and Culture

Self-esteem, a core psychological construct, is intricately shaped by cultural context and varies significantly between collectivist and individualistic societies. In collectivist cultures such as Japan, self-esteem tends to be flexible, context-sensitive, and influenced by relationships. A Japanese student, for instance, may show restraint in formal settings like school but behave more openly among close friends, reflecting the flexible and dynamic nature of self-concept in such...