a question about cholesterol

[gardeninggal]

I know what too much cholesterol is but can someone tell me if they have heard or read what the too low number may be. I am concerned with too low cholesterol because of the problems that come from not having enough. I know that the statin drug makers would have us believe we should have very low numbers but I would like to hear of a report from someone not selling or having any affiliation with drug companies. If you know of any such report will you share the info.?

[ARIZONA73]

Originally Posted by gardeninggal

I know what too much cholesterol is but can someone tell me if they have heard or read what the too low number may be. I am concerned with too low cholesterol because of the problems that come from not having enough. I know that the statin drug makers would have us believe we should have very low numbers but I would like to hear of a report from someone not selling or having any affiliation with drug companies. If you know of any such report will you share the info.?

Personally, I know of no such report regarding low cholesterol, although I understand that if someone artificially lowers his or her cholesterol too much that it can have undesirable effects, such as an increased risk of cancer, among other side-effects. How much is too low? Who knows? I think it largely depends on the individual.

Now, as far as high cholesterol is concerned, please bear in mind the fact that there are plenty of people walking around with cholesterol levels in the 300+ range who will live well into their 80s and 90s, with no evidence of heart disease. I believe that inflammation is the root cause of heart disease, not some bogus cholesterol number.

[gardeninggal]

Yes Arizona, I agree with you. I just thought it might be good to know if one is lowering ones cholesterol too much. Some of the statins lower it too much and then a whole set of other problems crop up. I am working to lower mine a bit with niacin, fish oil and policosanol and now garlic pills and want to be careful not to go too far. thanks for all your good advice in the past. By the way my garlic came from Puritan's Pride today and I am starting my experiment to see if hubby can detect any odor, I haven't told him I am taking it so we will see. My niacin came also and what a savings.

[Lenin]

There is no "too low number." Almost the entire medical field agrees that the lower the better.
If one has risks of heart disease, lower is necessary.

What we in Western overfed societies see as "normal" cholesterol (to go with "normal" heart disease) is preposteroulsly high compared to some cultures with almost nonexistant heart disease and vanishingly low heart disease rates.

People strolling around in their 90's with cholesterol numbers in the 300's might possibly exist but I'm sure that they are far fewer in number than two pack a day smokers in their 90's who start off with a stogie for breakfast. Bell curve distributions make for the quirks at either end, that's the nature of a large distribution, but rest assured, you can search til you're blue in the face and you'll NEVER come upon someone in his 90's with a cholesterol that has been over 300 for many years...unless you start digging up cemetaries.

[HubbleRules]

Originally Posted by Lenin

There is no "too low number." Almost the entire medical field agrees that the lower the better.
If one has risks of heart disease, lower is necessary.

Lenin,

I don't quite buy into the idea that there is no cholesterol level that is too low.

It is true that when LDL goes <= 70, that atherosclerosis stops progressing, and even starts reversing (slowly).

However, we do need cholesterol. What the optimal level should be is still an elusive question.

But I'm sure if your total cholesterol were to drop close to zero, you'd be dead in a short while... So if going to zero causes death, then at what level does it cause serious health problems short of death?

HubbleRules