Having a low total cholesterol level could be a sign of undiagnosed cancer rather than a cause, new research has suggested.

Two studies reported this week in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, offer new insights into the relationship between cholesterol and cancer.

Cholesterol is carried in the bloodstream by lipoproteins, both high-density (HDL) particles and low-density (LDL) particles.

It appears that when men reach their mid-40s their odds of having a stroke rise dramatically.

HealthDay News reports that even at this earlier age, the risks associated with stroke are very similar to risk factors for older patients according to a new study published in the journal Stroke.

In particular, "silent strokes" are common in the younger group of men, which have no obvious symptoms but may cause residual damage.

Your risk of having a stroke is related to the number of fast-food restaurants near your residence according to a new study.

CNN reports University of Michigan researchers led by Dr Lewis Morgenstern recorded 1,247 strokes caused by blood clots in Nueces County, Texas between January 2000 through to June 2003.

They then mapped the 262 fast-food restaurants in the area, and adjusted for socioeconomic status and demographics to find a statistically significant correlation.