If your total cholesterol level is too low, you’re at increased risk for anxiety, depression, and even suicide, as well as increased risk of strokes, cancer, digestive diseases and respiratory diseases.
A study by Suarez in 1999 in Psychosomatic Medicine found a relationship between low cholesterol and increased anxiety and depression in women. And in a 2008 paper in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry it was reported that when total cholesterol is less than 160 mg/dl (milligrams per decililter), there may be an increased risk of suicide.
An interesting 1992 editorial in the journal Circulation reported that these same levels were also associated with increased risk of death from strokes, cancer, and digestive and respiratory diseases. In addition, this editoral emphasizes that, among women, there is no association between high blood cholesterol and cardiovascular deaths.
Dr Mark Hyman, MD is one of my favorite integrative physicians and he writes extensively on cholesterol and why it may not be the cause of heart disease. He talks about the importance of ratios (total cholesterol to HDL and triglycerides to HDL) and considering additional testing if you’re concerned about heart disease: NMR Lipid Profile to look at particle sizes, Hemoglobin A1c, Cardio C-reactive protein for inflammation, Homocysteine, Fibrinogen, Lipoprotein (a) and others.
Low total cholesterol is a topic that I address in The Antianxiety Food Solution: How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood and End Cravings, available in major books stores, at Amazon and via www.antianxietyfoodsolution.com. It is just one of many factors that need to be considered for anxiety and mood issues.
Thanks for sharing this Trudy. I had no idea that low cholesterol could affect anxiety, depression, and suicide. It is amazing the signals our body sets out to get our attention, and yet modern medicine has not figured out the manual to interpret correctly.
Karen
Yes our bodies are amazing
Trudy
Trudy your knowledge sharing as always is spot on. One of my clients had a colleague commit suicide just last week, herself a young medical professional – there is so much more we can all learn and benefit from if only we listened to what our bodies are telling us. Thanks for making a difference
Heidi – thanks for sharing this very sad story – and you’re so right, there is so much we can learn from our bodies
Trudy
It’s good to read an article that talks about LOW cholesterol, since almost everything one reads talks about the opposite problem. Amazing that both can be serious issues. Thanks for your expert knowledge, Trudy.
Sue
Yes, we place way too much emphasis on high cholesterol! (and that’s another whole topic because meds are way over-prescribed for this!)
Trudy
Hi Trudy, Great information… I had no idea… People usually talk about high cholesterol and it’s effects but not low. I learn something valuable everytime I read your blog! Thanks
Gail
So pleased this is valuable information!
Trudy
Trudy,
I was well aware of the danger of HIGH cholesterol but had no idea you also had to be cautious about LOW cholesterol. Is it possible to have high cholesterol and then lower it too much?
Write on!~
Lisa Manyon
Lisa
Yes, it certainly is very possible to have high cholesterol and then lower it too much – and this often happens with too aggressive statin use or when statins are used when they are not needed. In my experience, statins are way over-prescribed, especially for menopausal women.
Trudy
Trudy,
An enlightening article. Had no idea.
Mitch
Mitch
Glad to be enlightening….
Trudy
Whoa! I have never heard of this — I only thought cholesterol could be too high. I love that you educate us!!! Thank you, Trudy.
Carmen
I’m pleased you found this useful
Trudy
Great information Trudy. I wonder how many people are visiting therapists when in reality they should be cleaning out their cupboards and refrigerators.
Kiyla Fenell
My total cholesterol is 89 and I do suffer from anxiety and depression. I’m also 220lbs at 5’7, so obese. LDL is 103 and HDL is 54, Triglycerides 67, HA1C 5.5. I see an endocrinologist for PCOS but no longer have any of the symptoms, level wise….never had ovarian cyst. Had high DHEA, testosterone but all are normal now, DHEA was on the high side of normal 8 months ago but I’ll bet thats changed too. Just hair on my face and belly fat to deal with now…but have lost 44lbs the last 2 years. I have been screaming Cushings for years but no one seems to be listening. I’ll be seeing a new endo soon – hopefully someone will listen about Cushings. Have been treating thyroid issues homeopathically with various herbs I research but not much is changing.
I do only eat about 2x/day (depression) and I am hypervigilant about bad fat. I also have been reducing meat intake the last 6-7 weeks, on my way to being vegetarian as I prep to start juicing for 90 days. But after I got my results today and reading this, I’m going to have a big burger! 🙂
Hi Cini
Wonderful about the weight-loss! Eating regularly to help control blood sugar and hence mood, is really important. And so is eating good quality protein so make sure to eat a grass-fed burger!
With PCOS, insulin resistance is often a factor so I encourage you to get this checked out too. Since you mention Cushings, consider having an adrenal saliva test done as this measures cortisol at 4 different times of the day and shows your daily pattern. The adrenals (and high/low cortisol) tie in with sex hormones, thyroid, weight-loss resistance and mood.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting
Trudy
I recently discovered I have low chlosterol levels,HDL and LDL. And I suffer from extreme anxiety and depression. What do I need to do?
Rebecca
Low total cholesterol is one of many factors in anxiety and depression. When it’s low I think about how much good quality healthy fats are in the diet (butter, coconut oil, animal fats, oily fish, olive oil, eggs etc) and is fat digestion good. There is also a product called Sonic Cholesterol that can be used to raise total cholesterol.
May I ask what your levels are?
I so very much appreciate how generous you are is taking time to consider my question!! I’ve followed you for sometime now. I’ve been taking Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega for over 2 years. My test results come from a recent jobsite wellness screening and I would question the accuracy but my results
just 5 months earlier were similar on all measures.
– 174 lbs. Waist: 33in
– BMI: 29
– total cholesterol: 152
– HDL: 34
– LDL: 78
– Triglycerides: 203
Rebecca
I cannot offer specific advice but with total cholesterol of 152 I’d work with my client making sure healthy fats are in the diet (butter, coconut oil, animal fats, oily fish, olive oil, eggs etc) and possibly add an enzyme to help with fat digestion. If their gallbladder has been removed the addition of ox bile often helps. As I mentioned Sonic Cholesterol can also be used to raise total cholesterol.
Keep in mind that this is just one factor to address. We’d also be looking at all of these possible causes too https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/60-nutritional-biochemical-causes-of-anxiety/
I’ve been having bad anxiety, depression and just down right feeling crazy for years. Been to several Dr’s and a psychiatrist but no one seemed to care, finally found a Dr willing to take the time to see what was wrong. Said I had Lymes disease and that my total cholesterol was 107. I started daily taking 3T of extra virgin coconut oil, about 1/4C of extra virgin olive oil a teaspoon of grapeseed oil and a tablespoon of this $80 Phyto Brain-E oil for raising cholesterol and was told to eat bison and other meats. Did that loyally for 3 weeks, got retested and my total cholesterol dropped to 89!! Why and How could that happen!? HDL was 42 and Triglycerides was 66. Please help! My Dr didn’t really have any advice other than he’s ordering me more oils in. But they obviously work!! I’m 5’3 and weigh 101 pounds
Ashley
I’m really pleased you have a doctor working with you on this. I’d share this product with him – Sonic Cholesterol http://www.nbnus.net/shopexd.asp?id=399 (each capsule contains 250 mg of pure medical grade cholesterol)
Could you share a little more about Sonic Cholesterol? I have looked at their site, but would love to know how it is made and how it works. My cholesterol numbers are on the low end of fine (181 total) but I take Cholestyramine for Mold exposure, so feel like my Cholesterol is depleted.
Anne
I’ll have to add this to my list for a future blog 🙂 as I don’t have that info except to say it’s made from sheep lanolin/raw sheep wool (I’m not even sure how that is done) and raises total cholesterol. I would only be concerned when total is 160 or lower.
Feel free to reach out to them in the meantime and do come back here and share what you find
I will share progress and info. Thanks for the reply!!
How extremely interesting I have had unusually low Cholesterol all my life and have suffered with anxiety and depression , All your studies and research are getting us closer and closer to healing soon!! Thank you Trudy!!
Hi there..ever since i was 24 ive had very low LDL..im 52 now and its the lowest its been on this years physical..my ldl has never been over 22…not sure what my total cholesterol is for sire but my ldl is 11 this year..At 24 years old it was 22..my pcp called me on the phone then and told me to eat more fat..other doctors over the years have all, each and everyone and specialty dr has said ill live forever..i have been obese for that long as well..i also have high anxiety and depression on and off..My father has the same ldl as me…The drs want our secret and to sell our blood on ebay…lol..I do not have any special diet or use any statins…nor have i ever…im thinking this is all in the genes…my mother had terrible problems with her bloodwork..my question is simply this..Am i going to suffer from something catastrophic such as a stroke or cancer? These dont run in my family.
Lisa
This article and research is about low total cholesterol and not low LDL. When I see low LDL with clients I do look into fat consumption (is enough being eaten) and fat malabsorption