How Low Should You Go for Ideal LDL Cholesterol?

Having a so-called normal cholesterol in a society where it’s normal to drop dead of a heart attack isn’t necessarily a good thing. What is the ideal cholesterol level?

For more on cholesterol, see:

Thanks for watching. I hope you’ll join in the evidence-based nutrition revolution!
-Michael Greger, MD FACLM

Captions for this video are available in several languages; you can find yours in the video settings.

[blackrosenuk]

As a kid, I had high blood pressure, with an LDL around 190. I was told that it was largely due to genetics. Now, as an adult vegan, my LDL 33. I don't think my genetics changed... 🤔

[myHealthSciences]

Love it! I just had mine tested and it came back in the mid 50's. I'm 99% whole foods plant-based while avoiding added salt, oil, and sugar.

[justinhamilton]

Because of How Not to Die I have been Vegan for one year now. Down 50lbs and my numbers keep seeing great improvements. Forever grateful for the work you do.

[UTBanjo]

Sitting here with my LDL at 59 mg/dL after being WFPB for 6 years. I was 127 before I started! Everyone in my family is high, and says it's genetic. I tell them fried chicken, biscuits, and gravy aren't genetic.

[ima]

Yay, i’m happy to be validated as “normal” even by dr Greger. My LDL pre college days in US was 35. Post college days was 75. My GI said it was good but i should bring it back to my pre college days. After his death, all other GI & cardiologists think that my LDL is too low at 30 w/ no meds (i hate meds).

[RatsPicklesandMusic]

My LDL went from 119 to 53 in FOUR MONTHS once I went Vegan!!

[marianadiaz]

After one year of vegan diet I have LDL of 90 mg/dl and without any effort. Actually, I was still having some processed food an fats that I REALLY need to remove from my diet. Thanks Dr Greguer for this amazing info!

[imhassane]

Just got my blood work result.
In January 2023: HDL -> 46 | LDL -> 113 | Triglicerydes: 65 | Cholesterol total: 173
In May: HDL -> 44 | LDL -> 104 | Triglicerydes: 44 | Cholesterol total: 156
In August (2 months since I stopped any animal food): HDL -> 41 | LDL -> 80 | Triglicerydes: 48 | Cholesterol total -> 130.

I eat around 70g of fiber daily, 300-400g of carbs, 150-220g of protein and around 100-150g of fat (almost all of it from walnuts and almost, and a few times in the month some olive or canola oil but rarely). My kidney function has improved by 10 points since May (it was declining since two years now)

[Kate-zlzl]

Damn! I went to the doctor once for my physical results, and he said all my tests were good except my cholesterol was a little low. I asked if that was all right. He literally shrugged and said he didn't know. Perhaps if he had more intellectual curiosity, he'd be vegan and healthy himself!

[ilgimdemirel]

After I've switched my diet to a vegan one 6 years ago, I discovered Nutrition Facts and all the amazing content. Several years later my Dad got 2 stent simultaneously during an angiography (He was only a year older than his father when he got his first heart attack). He was a sporty, health guy for the most part, but they'd heard that "yogurt" was very health and have been consuming that a lot in the recent years leading to LDL of 170. After his operation, I had a call with him he went No-oil whole woods plant based. And viola, in 2 weeks his LDL was 70. It's been 3 years since, and the LDL is sustained low.

What I want to say is: Dear Dr. Gregor and Nutrition Facts workers Thanks to you! I already had the knowledge and never felt despair for the future.

[vernette]

Thanks for letting us know how to lower our cholesterol.

[aldovirooo]

Vegetarian/vegan for 27 years. My LDL is 33. 👍🏻

[sharit]

Whew! Just got mine done;my LDL with no meds is 67, and I'm in my 50's. Thanks, plants!

[murrayburke]

Attaining an LDL-C that is sub-70 is not impossible for a non-vegetarian. In May 2023, my total cholesterol was 145, HDL-C of 70 and LDL-C of 63. My HbA1c is 5.1% with normal triglycerides, fasting insulin and fasting glucose levels. I’ve tracked my blood factors since 2017. My average LDL-C has been 74. I am in my 60s and I eat a largely Mediterranean diet with a bit more eggs than usual. I do eat fatty fish five days a week (wild salmon, sardines, skipjack tuna, etc.) I eat red meat about once a week. Plus cruciferous vegetables, berries, low carb nuts and seeds. Since 2021, I’ve lost 90 pounds to reverse NAFLD…my liver enzymes show that I’ve been successful. But my lipid panels have not changed significantly. I am active, as I walk two plus miles daily five days a week. I may have inherited my cholesterol level tendencies from my mother’s side of the family.

[jamesmitchell]

My biggest weakness is bread, pastries, pizza etc. It's so hard to avoid those everyday. Dr Greger's BROL (barley, rye, oats, lentils) breakfast makes it easier. On days that I eat that, I'm less likely to eat the processed grains. Thank you doctor!!

[madamecurious]

Vital information! Thank you so much Dr. Greger 🌱

[rossrosskenny]

I am 100% plant based and i consume almost no saturated fat at all. My LDL has never gone lower than 85. You discount that some people just have a genetic predisposition for cholesterol production. Diet is not the silver bullet for all people that you claim.

[butterflytotem]

Thank you so much for this Dr Greger! Will this be available with Spanish subtitles? 🙏💜😀

[deepakhiranandani]

Clear and sharp statement. Thanks. The chart of other factors is also telling as they are clearly stated not to be essential for developing cardio vascular disease as cholesterol is.

[leonardoterzani]

Vegan for 5 years, LDL 73 mg/dl (despite eating vegan junk food quite often). Thank you dr Greger