When you hear the word “cholesterol” what are your first thoughts? Perhaps you think, ‘my doctor says mine is high.’ Or ‘I’m taking medication to control my cholesterol.’ Or you may be thinking that you’ve only heard about high cholesterol, and didn’t realize it could be low.

For years we have heard doctors and the media proclaim that we need to keep our cholesterol levels down to protect our cardiovascular system. Yes, cholesterol plays a part in atherosclerosis, but it’s not really the bad guy. Our bodies actually use cholesterol to patch areas in our arteries that have been damaged by high glucose levels.

When your blood test shows that your total cholesterol is creeping up, your doctor will suggest a medication to bring it down. However, I have worked with several clients for whom the medication is so effective that it has brought their cholesterol too far down.

What Does Cholesterol Do?

Cholesterol plays several crucial roles in maintaining your body’s functions. It’s a waxy substance that is a key building block for your cell membranes, providing structural integrity and fluidity. It is also a precursor for hormones that are part of your body’s operating system. And, cholesterol aids in the production of Vitamin D from sunlight exposure, which contributes to bone health and immune function.

In your digestive system, cholesterol assists in the formation of bile acids, which are needed for the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins. It is also integral to myelin sheath formation, which enhances nerve signal transmission in your body.

You can see that cholesterol is indispensable for optimal health and it plays a protective role as you age.

Assumptions Disrupted

Recently published research challenges the conventional position that lower cholesterol is always better. The study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology revealed a link between low total cholesterol (TC) and increased mortality risk in those over 85.

The study reported that “low TC levels may contribute to common diseases in older people, such as atrial fibrillation.” The report continues to note that TC may regulate inflammatory markers that affect the body’s response to inflammation. Thus, individuals with low TC levels may have enhanced inflammation leading to disease.

What did the study identify as the optimal range for total cholesterol? That would be 170 mg/dL.

Increased Diabetes Risk

Another important study revealed that low cholesterol levels in adults aged 65 and older were also associated with a higher risk of diabetes. In fact, the study noted that both very low and very high cholesterol levels were associated with greater diabetes risk.

I believe this is connected to findings in other studies that show a significant increase in diabetes risk for menopausal women who take statin medications. These are among the most-prescribed drugs in the U.S. which have many side effects, including depletion of CoQ-10 which is vital for cardiovascular function.

This again challenges the idea that “lower is better”, especially for older adults. Your body needs a certain level of cholesterol for optimal health throughout life, including in your latter years.

Role Of Cholesterol In Brain Health

Your brain is dependent on the maintenance of adequate cholesterol levels as you age. I’ve already mentioned cholesterol’s vital role in cell membranes, and it is also essential for formation of lipid rafts. These are specialized regions in cell membranes that are crucial for learning and memory.

When cholesterol levels are too low, it can disrupt the function of lipid rafts and affect memory consolidation and cognitive function.

A study focused on post-menopausal women found that those with TC levels below 153 mg/dL had a significantly higher risk of developing dementia. And women with cholesterol levels above 201 mg/dL had a reduced risk of developing dementia. It appears that maintaining adequate cholesterol levels is particularly important for cognitive health in menopausal women.

Optimizing Cholesterol Levels

Maintaining optimal levels goes beyond focusing on numbers in a lab report. As with many functions in the body, it is a complex process in which liver and gut health play significant roles.

Modern lifestyle factors can disrupt the balance of bacteria in the gut. These factors include high-stress levels, poor diet including little vegetable consumption, insufficient sleep, and inconsistent movement.

Clearly, cholesterol isn’t the bad guy that it has been painted to be in the past several decades. Are you wondering what else you can do to support your future health? If so, I invite you to schedule a call with me. I will listen to your situation and concerns and share how I can help you shift those lifestyle factors to reclaim your health.

I believe in the body’s resilience. It’s not too late to improve your health as you pursue wellness.