Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol is a steroid that is used to perform important functions by the body's cells.  It can be made by most of the cells, but the main supply is produced in the liver.  Without cholesterol we would not be here, so its importance cannot be overstated. 

Cholesterol gets bad press because in today's society we have an abundance of fatty foods. Saturated fats are the culprits. In general, the more saturated fats we eat, the higher our cholesterol levels become. Other factors to consider are the common heart disease risk factors such as smoking, lack of aerobic exercise, obesity, and heredity. If you can say yes to most of these factors than your cholesterol levels are high or soon will be.

Total Cholesterol 

Total cholesterol consists of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, and triglycerides which are other fats in the blood stream. The National Institutes of Health classifies total cholesterol levels of less than 200 mg/dL as desirable. Values of 200-239 mg/dL are borderline high and 240 mg/dL and above are considered high.

LDL cholesterol has been termed the 'bad cholesterol' and HDL cholesterol is termed the 'good cholesterol'. LDL cholesterol particles are like miniature dump trucks carrying cholesterol from the liver to the cells that require it. HDL cholesterol has the opposite function - it carries cholesterol from the cells back to the liver for disposal.  

The ratio of LDL to HDL levels in the blood is critical. There must be enough HDL particles to remove any left over cholesterol because this cholesterol becomes available to do damage to the cell walls and promotes heart disease.

Levels of LDL and HDL in the Blood 

The National Institute of Health recommends the following levels for LDL Cholesterol in the blood:

Less than 100 mg/dL  is optimal or ideal

100-129 mg/dL  is near optimal/above optimal

130-159 mg/dL  is borderline high

160-189 mg/dL is high

190 mg/dL and above is very high

HDL Blood Cholesterol levels:

Less than 40 mg/dL  is a major heart disease risk factor

60 mg/dL and above gives some protection against heart disease

Triglycerides

Less than 150 mg/dL  is desirable

150-199  mg/dL  is borderline high

200-499 mg/dL is high

500 mg/dL and above should be lowered by medication to prevent further complications.

How to Lower LDL Levels and Raise HDL Levels

As stated above the consumption of saturated fats is the main problem. If you limit your intake of them you will go a long ways towards lowering your LDL levels and raising you more protective HDL levels. 

Are you overweight? If you are you have to get control of it and bring your weight down.

Do you exercise frequently? The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day for five days a week. Remember to check with your doctor first before you start an exercise program.

Do you smoke? Smoking introduces many toxins to the blood system that directly translate into higher cholesterol levels and advance the damage to the artery-cell wall. Some heart doctors have said that when a person stops smoking they're reducing the risk of heart disease by 50 percent. That's a dramatic gain.

Test Your Cholesterol Levels at Home

By working on limiting or eliminating the above risk factors and eating a more heart-friendly diet, you can modify your cholesterol levels, and bring them more in line with those recommended by the American Heart Association. You can purchase your own Home Cholesterol Test kits to monitor your cholesterol levels. From the convenience of your own home you may see the results of your efforts. Click on the link and get more information on a wide variety of test kits.