Cholesterol To Low?
Having cholesterol to low is not a problem many people have to worry about, but it can happen. An overall cholesterol level of under 200 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter of blood) is recommended, with an LDL (low density lipoprotein – the “bad cholesterol”) level of below 100. Having cholesterol levels higher than this puts you at risk for heart disease. But what if yours are lower than this? Studies suggest that cholesterol that is to low can lead to increased cancer deaths – not increased cancer rates (so a low cholesterol level doesn’t cause cancer), but higher death rates in those who do develop cancer. They also suggest a link between cholesterol that is to low and anxiety or depression because of reduced serotonin levels working effectively in the brain, as shown by several studies. A Japanese study showed cholesterol to low can lead to early mortality. On the other hand, Dr. Steven Nissen of the Cleveland Clinic, when discussing the findings of a 2003 study on two cholesterol-lowering drugs, said that the findings showed that no level of LDL cholesterol (low density lipoproteins, known as the “bad cholesterol”) was too low.
As with many medical issues, there is some division on whether cholesterol to low can be a problem. Your body does need cholesterol to function. It produces bile acid and hormones, and also helps with the processing of vitamin D and maintenance of cell membranes. That said, however, your liver should be creating all the cholesterol that you need. If your liver isn’t producing enough, and you’re not getting more through diet, the result will be a very low cholesterol level.
If you are worried about cholesterol to low, also be sure to look at both your overall cholesterol level and the ratio of LDL and HDL cholesterol. As mentioned, LDL cholesterol is the “bad cholesterol,” so you will definitely want to keep this number in check. HDH cholesterol is considered the “good cholesterol,” so keep this in mind. If you’re worried that your HDL is not high enough, it may be that you have enough for your overall levels. Check with your physician to see if you have acceptable levels in each of these categories. Your HDL level should be 40 mg/dL or higher. Far, far more people need to worry about too high of a cholesterol level than cholesterol to low. If you do have a very low level, you could consider adding a moderate amount of cholesterol into your diet, such as by eating an egg for breakfast each day. If you find that you still have cholesterol to low and are worried that it is causing health issues for you, then you should see a doctor. He or she may want to discuss specific diet options with you, or if medication may be useful.
As you can see, diet is important for many reasons, not just to overcome obesity. However, diet alone will not help you reach your weight loss goals. You will need to follow a strategy that is proven to bring about the weight loss that you seek such as the steps below.
Fortunately, a healthy diet often conquers many problems all at the same time. So, go ahead. Foolow the steps above to start losing weight and feeling great today.
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