The correlation between cholesterol levels and health is usually expressed in an oversimplified equation: low cholesterol equals better health. But the equation is more complex, and more closely resembles an algebraic formula than simple arithmetic.

A cholesterol level is the number that expresses two separate measures of cholesterol in the blood. One measure is for Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL). LDL is commonly referred to as the bad cholesterol. These Lipoproteins transport the cholesterol manufactured by the liver to various parts of the body to perform cellular functions. Should the liver overproduce (a situation that occurs due to various factors) the LDL level is too high. This is the number that doctors want to see reduced when telling their patients their cholesterol is too high. This number should be around 100 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter of blood).

The other measure is that of the High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and it is referred to as good cholesterol. These Lipoproteins carry cholesterol from various body parts to the liver. The liver then processes them so they can be eliminated from the body. This number needs to be at least 60 mg/dl. If this number is too low, the cholesterol is not being carried away for disposal.

A combined cholesterol level of between 160 and 200 is average, and can be healthy providing the LDL is low and the HDL is high respective.

So if the HDL level is lower than 60 mg/dl, it is too low. There are not enough High Density Lipoproteins to carry away excess cholesterol.

But can the LDL levels be too low? What if the combined cholesterol level is 120 and the HDL level is 60 mg/dl? Is 60 mg/dl of LDL so low as to be dangerous?

Perhaps. There is speculation that there is a correlation between serotonin levels in the brain and lowered cholesterol levels. When LDL levels drop too low, they could affect the way cells receive serotonin; the flow of serotonin is blocked. Exactly how this happens is not yet understood.(1)

Lower serotonin levels are seen in patients suffering from depression. Though a direct link between very low LDL levels and depression has not yet been established the theory is being studied in the medical community. A study during the late 1990s at Duke University Medical Center indicated that healthy women with combined cholesterol levels below 160 mg/dl suffered from various degrees of depression.(1)

Though the total cholesterol number should be low, around 160 to 180 mg/dl, the HDL measure of that number should be at least 60 mg/dl and ideally should be higher. This means the LDL portion of that number should not be higher than 100 to 120 mg/dl. Ideally, the LDL should be closer to 80 mg/dl.

The equation now changes: Good Health = HDL measure + LDL measure with HDL measure being greater than 60 mg/dl and LDL measure being less than 100 mg/dl but greater than 70 mg/dl.

Yes, cholesterol levels can be too low, but in decidedly different ways and with different results. The highly touted equation of low cholesterol equals good health is oversimplified and further study on the subject is needed.

1)http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ id/QAA43423

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