What Is Low Cholesterol?

While many dieters struggle to keep their cholesterol levels from rising, it can be dangerous to let cholesterol levels drop too low. Abnormally low cholesterol levels have been linked to a variety of ailments, including depression.

Significance

• A cholesterol level lower than 150 milligrams per deciliter in the blood is considered to be low. Commonly marathon runners, extreme athletes, and those who are sick with chronic or fatal illnesses may experience low cholesterol.

Risks of low cholesterol

• According to Dr. Thomas Behrenbeck of The Mayo Clinic, abnormally low cholesterol levels "may be associated with an increased risk of certain types of cancer. Other studies associate a low total cholesterol level with depression and anxiety, perhaps because low cholesterol may reduce levels of the brain chemical serotonin."

Identification

• Although low cholesterol is commonly seen in the sickly or elderly, if you are healthy and potentially at risk for low cholesterol it is wise to pay attention to any red flags such as depression, pain, or fatigue. Your body may be reacting to an undiagnosed problem.

Effects

• According to drweil.com, studies have found a connection between low cholesterol and depression and anxiety. Just as with Dr. Behrenbeck and the Mayo Clinic's findings, a study at Duke University Medical Center found that "healthy young women with cholesterol levels below 160 mg/dl were more likely to score high on measures of depression and anxiety than women with normal or high cholesterol." Additionally, the BBC News reported in 1999 that low cholesterol has been linked to depression in men. The lower the cholesterol, the lower the serotonin levels in the brain.

Prevention/Solution

• If you are diagnosed with low cholesterol, switching to a diet that is high in fats can can help.