Question: You have stated that a very low cholesterol level is a “recipe for disaster.” I have always had total cholesterol below 160, but recently it was the lowest it’s ever been at 136. What can I do to get my cholesterol numbers up?
Dr. Brownstein's Answer:
With all the media hype, you would think that lowering your cholesterol levels to the lowest amount possible would be a healthy thing. But nothing could be further from the truth. Low cholesterol levels (below 150 mg/dl) are associated with a plethora of serious health issues including Parkinson’s disease and cancer.
Cholesterol is essential for many bodily functions including protecting nerve tissue, acting as an antioxidant, and buffering the cells of the body from toxic agents. Furthermore, cholesterol is necessary for protecting cell membranes, maintaining memory, and production of vitamin D and the adrenal and gonadal hormones.
The first way to elevate cholesterol levels is to eat a healthy diet full of unrefined foods, along with good fats and proteins. In my experience, it is nearly impossible to raise cholesterol levels eating a vegetarian or vegan diet.
© 2011 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
