Like blood pressure, cholesterol levels can also go up and down. Most people complain of high cholesterol levels, but low cholesterol to below normal limits can cause health complaints. What are the symptoms when experiencing low cholesterol levels? Come on, find out the answer in the following review!
Characteristics of low cholesterol levels in your body
Cholesterol is a fat that the body needs to build tissues and cells, produce hormones, and help the digestive system work optimally. Most people know cholesterol as a bad fat, but this is not entirely true.
Cholesterol is divided into two types, namely LDL (low density lipoprotein) and HDL (high density lipoprotein). The type of LDL is known as bad cholesterol, while HDL is considered the good cholesterol. Actually, the presence of these two types of cholesterol is not dangerous as long as the levels are normal.
According to the American Heart Association website, high cholesterol levels, namely LDL, can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. That is why, it is very important for you to maintain normal cholesterol levels.
In some people, cholesterol levels may be below normal levels. Some theories suggest this condition is linked to cancer, stroke, depression, anxiety disorders, and premature birth if the mother has this condition. It can also occur due to the use of high doses of statin drugs.
Low cholesterol levels in some people may not cause symptoms. However, it may also cause the following characteristics according to some studies if cholesterol levels in the body are low enough.
1. Decreased cognitive function of the brain
Cholesterol is essential for the formation and maturation of synapses, which are where nerve cells in the brain connect. Nearly 25% of total body cholesterol is used by the brain to improve memory, learning, and produce various hormones.
If cholesterol levels are low, the normal function of the brain may also decrease. This may make it difficult for a person to concentrate and make decisions. According to a study in the Journal of Alzheimer's disease, cholesterol levels that are too low or too high are associated with an increased risk of dementia.
Dementia itself is a disease that causes a decrease in the brain's ability to think, remember, make decisions, and speak. The risk of this disease increases with age.
2. Bad mood
Low cholesterol levels according to several studies are associated with depression. Depression is a mood disorder that makes a person constantly feel sad and lonely. Most likely, the characteristics of people with low cholesterol levels tend to have a bad mood. Whether it's irritable, more sensitive to the surrounding conditions, or also continue to feel sad.
Are low cholesterol levels dangerous?
Until now researchers are still looking for further health effects of low cholesterol levels. Some researchers worry that this condition can interfere with normal cellular function, especially in organs that have high concentrations of lipids (fats), such as the brain, liver, and reproductive organs. Likewise with its relationship with an increased risk of osteoporosis.
In people with high cholesterol, the use of statin drugs in high doses can cause muscle pain and an increased risk of diabetes. Statin drugs work to lower cholesterol levels in the body. However, so far it is not known for certain whether the appearance of this condition is a side effect of statin drugs or the body's response to low cholesterol in the body.
Harmful or not low cholesterol levels in the body still shows gray results, so further research is needed. Moreover, each person shows a different body response, namely some have severe symptoms, some have mild symptoms, or do not feel any symptoms at all.
If you experience the characteristics of low cholesterol levels, as mentioned above, don't hesitate to check with your doctor. You usually need to check your cholesterol levels first, before your doctor makes a diagnosis. This is because the symptoms mentioned could be due to other conditions, not low cholesterol levels.
The most important thing is to keep cholesterol levels within normal numbers. You can maintain it by reducing high-fat foods by increasing vegetables and fruit, getting enough sleep and exercising diligently, quitting smoking and controlling weight.