What happens if LDL is too low?
Chronically low LDL levels may impair brain and hormonal activity and increase the risk of hypobetalipoproteinemia, a condition linked to depression, cirrhosis, preterm birth, hemorrhagic stroke, and certain types of cancers. These conditions can affect both sexes but tend to impact females with an LDL below 50 mg/dL.
What causes low LDL?
What Causes Low Cholesterol?
- A rare disorder that runs in your family.
- Malnutrition (not eating enough, or not eating enough healthy foods)
- Malabsorption (your body doesn’t absorb enough fat)
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Thyroid issues.
- Liver disease.
- Some types of infections (like hepatitis C)
What should I eat if my LDL is low?
Foods that make up a low cholesterol diet can help reduce high levels
- Oats.
- Barley and other whole grains.
- Beans.
- Eggplant and okra.
- Nuts.
- Vegetable oils.
- Apples, grapes, strawberries, citrus fruits.
- Foods fortified with sterols and stanols.
How can I raise my LDL?
Here are nine healthful ways to raise HDL cholesterol.
- Consume olive oil. Share on Pinterest Including olive oil in the diet is one possible way to increase HDL cholesterol levels.
- Follow a low carb or ketogenic diet.
- Exercise regularly.
- Add coconut oil to the diet.
- Quit smoking.
- Lose weight.
- Choose purple produce.
Is it bad to have low LDL?
There is no consensus on how to define very low LDL cholesterol, but LDL would be considered very low if it is less than 40 milligrams per deciliter of blood. Although the risks are rare, very low levels of LDL cholesterol may be associated with an increased risk of: Cancer. Hemorrhagic stroke.
How do you treat low LDL?
A few changes in your diet can reduce cholesterol and improve your heart health:
- Reduce saturated fats. Saturated fats, found primarily in red meat and full-fat dairy products, raise your total cholesterol.
- Eliminate trans fats.
- Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
- Increase soluble fiber.
- Add whey protein.
Is low cholesterol a bad thing?
A high blood cholesterol level increases your risk of coronary artery disease. Lower cholesterol is usually better, but in rare cases having a very low level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol or a very low total cholesterol level has been associated with some health problems.
Can low LDL cause stroke?
Having extremely low cholesterol may increase the risk for stroke, a new study suggests. Researchers found that very low LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, and very low triglycerides are associated with an increased risk for hemorrhagic stroke, the type caused by a ruptured blood vessel in the brain.