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What Causes Low HDL Cholesterol?

The health-conscious know that low levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol and high levels of "good" HDL cholesterol are important for heart health. If you've ever been to the doctor and been told that your overall cholesterol was OK but that your HDL level was too low, you might wonder how that happened. Here are some common causes of low HDL cholesterol.

  1. Gender

    • Men tend to have lower HDL levels than women. A good HDL reading in men is 40 or over, while a good HDL level for women is 50 or over.

    Heredity

    • According to the National Institutes of Health, an important factor in HDL levels and overall cholesterol is heredity. If your parents had low HDL, you probably inherited the same tendency.

    Weight

    • Gaining weight is associated with lower HDL levels, and losing weight tends to raise HDL levels.

    Lack of exercise

    • Sedentary lifestyles are associated with low levels of HDL, and regular intense aerobic activity increases HDL.

    Lifestyle

    • According to the American Family Physician and other medical sources, smoking tobacco is associated with low HDL.

    Diet

    • Eating a diet high in saturated fats and low in soluble fiber can contribute to low HDL cholesterol readings.

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