Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLow CholesterolCausesRisksSymptomsNormal LevelsHealthy Cholesterol
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Low Cholesterol
Causes
Risks
Symptoms
Normal Levels
Healthy Cholesterol
It is possible for cholesterol to be too low, but it is very rare for low cholesterol to lead to health problems.
Most cholesterol problems are associated with highlow-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol, but some people can also have very low levels of LDL cholesterol. Some health experts believe that low LDL can cause can cause problems like anxiety, nervousness, or sleep problems. Others believe that for LDL, lower numbers are always better.
It is also possible to have levels ofhigh-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterolor “good” cholesterol that are too low.
This article explores the role of HDL and LDL, what happens if either number drops “too low,” and what you can do to keep your cholesterol levels in the right place.
Verywell / Laura Porter
What Is Cholesterol?Cholesterol is a waxy substance that your liver makes. It is also present in many of the foods we eat. Despite its association with heart disease, your body needs cholesterol. The problem is that many Americans are fond of foods that are high in saturated fats and sugar. This often results in too much cholesterol in the body.
What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that your liver makes. It is also present in many of the foods we eat. Despite its association with heart disease, your body needs cholesterol. The problem is that many Americans are fond of foods that are high in saturated fats and sugar. This often results in too much cholesterol in the body.
Can Cholesterol Be Too Low?
Low levels of HDL cholesterol can put you at risk for certain health conditions, but some researchers also believe your LDL cholesterol can be too low.
When LDL cholesterol is too low, some of these important functions may not work as well as they should.
What Is The Difference Between HDL and LDL?LDL cholesterol is considered “bad” cholesterol, while HDL cholesterol is considered “good” cholesterol. LDL cholesterol can build up in your arteries, while HDL cholesterol helps remove cholesterol from your bloodstream.
What Is The Difference Between HDL and LDL?
LDL cholesterol is considered “bad” cholesterol, while HDL cholesterol is considered “good” cholesterol. LDL cholesterol can build up in your arteries, while HDL cholesterol helps remove cholesterol from your bloodstream.
What Causes Low Cholesterol?
It is possible to have levels of both “good” cholesterol (HDL) and “bad” cholesterol (LDL) that are too low.
Lower “Bad” LDL Cholesterol While Raising “Good” HDL Cholesterol
Low HDL Cholesterol
Other factorsassociated with low HDL levelsinclude:
Malnutrition can also contribute to chronically low HDL levels.
Be ProactiveYou can increase “good” cholesterol levels in three ways:By following a heart-healthy dietDoing cardio exercisesQuitting smokingThe same habits—plus keeping extra weight off your mid-section—can lower “bad” cholesterol, too.
Be Proactive
You can increase “good” cholesterol levels in three ways:By following a heart-healthy dietDoing cardio exercisesQuitting smokingThe same habits—plus keeping extra weight off your mid-section—can lower “bad” cholesterol, too.
You can increase “good” cholesterol levels in three ways:
The same habits—plus keeping extra weight off your mid-section—can lower “bad” cholesterol, too.
Low LDL Cholesterol
Most of the time, lifestyle changes that lead to lower LDL levels are good for your health. However, when cholesterol levels drop in the absence of these efforts (hypobetalipoproteinemia), it can indicate a health problem such as:
These are uncommon occurrences. Far more commonplace is the likelihood of people taking medication to lower their cholesterol. This may be an option if someone’s LDL level is 190 mg/dL or higher. There has been some concern that these medications may drop LDL too low.
In two large medical trials, though, researchers found that low LDL isn’t an issue.Some participants recorded LDL levels of 25 mg/dL or even lower—and reported no negative side effects.
What Are the Risks of Low Cholesterol?
From the standpoint of heart health, a total cholesterol level can never be too low. However, HDL and LDL cholesterol levels can be too low, and may cause different kinds of health problems.
Risks of Low HDL
HDL that drops below 40 mg/dL is considered too low. Quite simply, the less HDL there is in your blood, the less cholesterol you can clear from the body. This, in turn, increases the risk ofatherosclerosis(hardening of the arteries),heart attack, andstroke.
HDL as Antioxidant
Risks of Low LDL
While it would be fair to assume that low LDL is a good thing, there are circumstances in which chronically low levels may not be desirable.
Very low LDL levels during pregnancy may trigger hormonal imbalances that contribute, at least in part, to premature birth.
Some studies suggest that people who have very low cholesterol may experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.
Some studies have also found that people who have very low cholesterol are at greater risk for developing certain kinds of cancer.Others have found that low cholesterol may be associated with depression and risk of suicide.
Vitamins to the Rescue?Vitamin supplementation, including high-dose vitamin E (100 to 300 milligrams per kilogram per day) and vitamin A (10,000 to 25,000 international units per day), may help normalize LDL levels.
Vitamins to the Rescue?
Vitamin supplementation, including high-dose vitamin E (100 to 300 milligrams per kilogram per day) and vitamin A (10,000 to 25,000 international units per day), may help normalize LDL levels.
What Are the Symptoms of Low Cholesterol?
Research into the health effects of low LDL cholesterol are ongoing. If low LDL contributes to a condition like depression or anxiety, you may experience:
Normal Cholesterol Levels
HDL and LDL levels can (and should) be measured with asimple blood test. For the average American adult, the values, measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), can be put in perspective as follows:
Meanwhile, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology support LDL levels of 100 mg/dL or less. People who are in this range tend to have lower rates of heart disease and stroke.
Other measurements on a cholesterol test includetriglycerides, a type of fat in the blood, andtotal cholesterol, the total amount of LDL, HDL, and triglycerides.
How to Keep Cholesterol at a Normal Level
It’s often difficult to manage low cholesterol with anything other than diet or lifestyle. There are currently no medications able to raise HDL (with the exception of hormone replacement therapy in people who have gone through menopause).
Beyond this, the best ways to get your cholesterol within normal limits is to:
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Current Dietary Recommendations
You may have formed the idea that you need to avoid all dietary cholesterol. But that’s not necessarily so. Specificdaily cholesterol limits were removed from dietary guidelinesbecause there isn’t much evidence that cholesterol from diet affects blood cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol is a fat, and you need fat in your diet. It’s thetypeof cholesterol-containing foods we eat that influence our risk for cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular-related illnesses. Unfortunately, most foods that are high in cholesterol are also high in unhealthy fats.
Cholesterol is just one measure of heart health. So put the full picture into perspective and choose foods with “good” unsaturated fats, avoid “bad” trans fats, and limit foods high in saturated fats:
Saturated Fat GuidelinesEven chicken and nuts contain trace amounts of saturated fat. You just have to keep your eyes on the bigger picture. For example, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that no more than 10% of calories each day come from saturated fat. The American Heart Association is stricter, suggesting that the daily percentage not exceed 7%.
Saturated Fat Guidelines
Even chicken and nuts contain trace amounts of saturated fat. You just have to keep your eyes on the bigger picture. For example, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that no more than 10% of calories each day come from saturated fat. The American Heart Association is stricter, suggesting that the daily percentage not exceed 7%.
By and large, foods that are high in cholesterol tend to be high insaturated fat, the latter of which significantly increases the risk ofcardiovascular disease(CVD).
On the other hand, eggs and shellfish are high in cholesterol but low in saturated fat, making them an ideal source for the cholesterol our bodies need.
Summary
It can be tricky to keep “good” (HDL) and “bad” (LDL) cholesterol straight. HDL values of 60 or higher are considered “good” while anything less than 40 is considered “low.” Meanwhile, LDL values under 100 are considered “optimal,” between 100 and 129 are “near optimal,” between 130 and 159 are “borderline,” and 160 and over are “high.”
Low HDL levels can lead to heart disease, but researchers often disagree whether it’s possible for LDL levels to fall too low. A growing pile of research suggests that “lower is better” when it comes to LDL levels.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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