Cholesterol ideal is extremely useful to maintain a life free from disease. To prevent heart disease and diabetes, we need to keep the ratio of LDL cholesterol less than that of HDL. Cholesterol in cell membranes is beneficial in the arrangement of cell membranes in mammals. The American Heart Association indicates that a healthy diet, staying active and avoiding smoking is the right cholesterol, which affects the whole body in a helpful way.
Having high cholesterol levels in your blood is one of the risk factors, which increases your chances of getting heart disease.
One of the best ways to prevent heart disease is to keep your cholesterol at a healthy level. The following information will outline ways to help you do this.
Cholesterol is a type of fat found in your blood. You need a certain amount of cholesterol for all your body cells and to produce important hormones. However, if there is too much cholesterol in your blood, it sticks to the inner lining of your artery or blood vessels to form atheroma.
As a result of this build-up on the artery walls, your arteries become narrowed. This process is called hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis. If an artery supplying the heart muscle becomes blocked completely, the heart muscle becomes damaged. This is known as a heart attack. If an artery to the brain is completely blocked, it damages the brain. This is called a stroke.
To read a more in-depth article on what is cholesterol, click here.
Cholesterol is made in the body mainly by the liver. This is often called blood cholesterol. The body can produce all the cholesterol it needs to carry out its many functions and can usually maintain a healthy level of blood cholesterol. However, sometimes the balance goes wrong and there is an increase in blood cholesterol. This may result from inherited problems or from eating too much saturated (animal) fat or too many foods from the top shelf of the Food Pyramid (Fats, High Fat/Sugar Snacks, Foods and Drinks, etc.).
The level of cholesterol in your blood is affected by the amount of saturated fats you eat every day.
Some foods such as eggs, liver and shellfish contain cholesterol. However, the amount of cholesterol in these foods does not greatly affect the amount of cholesterol in your blood. You can eat foods that contain cholesterol in moderation as part of a healthy varied diet.
The relationship between cholesterol and heart disease is very complicated but it helps to look at how cholesterol is carried around in the bloodstream.
There are two main types of cholesterol:
HDL cholesterol (high density lipoprotein)
LDL cholesterol (low density lipoprotein)
HDL cholesterol is called good cholesterol or healthy cholesterol, because it mops up cholesterol left behind in your arteries and carries it to the liver where it is broken down and passed out of the body. Regular physical activity and exercise can help increase your HDL level.
High levels of HDL cholesterol can protect you against getting heart disease.
LDL cholesterol travels from the liver through the arteries to other parts of the body. LDL is called bad cholesterol because it sticks to the walls in your arteries - making them narrow. This reduces the blood supply to your heart or brain. Eating too many foods high in saturated fat can raise your LDL cholesterol.
High levels of LDL cholesterol increase your risk of heart disease.
|
LDL CHOLESTEROL |
|
|
Less than 100 |
Optimal Goal |
|
100 to 129 |
Close to Optimal |
|
130 to 159 |
Borderline High |
|
160 to 189 |
High |
|
190 or higher |
Very high (definite risk) |
|
HDL CHOLESTEROL |
|
|
Less than 40 |
Low (High Risk) |
|
60 or higher |
High (Optimal) |
|
TRIGLYCERIDES |
|
|
Less than 150 |
Optimal Goal |
|
TOTAL CHOLESTEROL |
|
|
Less than 200 |
Optimal Goal |
|
200 to 239 |
Borderline High |
|
240 or higher |
High |
Having your cholesterol checked to determine the range of where the cholesterol level falls is an important step to better health!
A good rule to follow is that any "total" cholesterol reading below 200 is good and anything over 240 indicates that you are at risk for developing coronary disease. In addition, your LDL cholesterol should measure below 130 and your HDL cholesterol should range between 35 and 40. When the HDL, or "good" cholesterol, reaches 60 or higher, you actually have the benefit of reducing your chance of heart attack.
Not everyone is thrilled about having blood drawn, but bear in mind that this particular test is quite simple and very inexpensive. To get accurate results, be sure to have the test performed by a qualified physician. Using portable devices or home-based kits often times produce inaccurate results.
Some things will alter the test and not provide a true reading. If any of the items listed below apply to you, be sure you notify your physician and lab technician before your blood is drawn:
Exercise immediately preceding the test
Pregnancy
Illness
Certain medications
Recent surgery
To get the best cholesterol reading possible, there is some preparation involved:
Do not eat or drink anything other than water for a minimum of 14-16 hours before the test is done
Do not exercise before blood is drawn
Get plenty of rest before the test.
A variety of healthy cholesterol levels in humans is less than 200mg/dl. These figures are the normal values. It is important to the total amount of HDL cholesterol. The ideal ratio of LDL-HDL ratio was 4.4:1. You can make sure your own situation by this simple calculation: Divide the goal of LDL-cholesterol by the HDL. If this ratio is underneath 4.4, you should try to increase the HDL increased by exercise.
A fit person should contain their blood profile done on a regular origin. The American Heart Association advises testing each five years for 20 years or more. Your doctor may prescribe a cholesterol test for the young if they are overweight or have other danger factors like hypertension and smoking. If you smoke, the more you smoke the harder to stop this unnecessary habit. However, you should try to stop immediately. Watch some pictures on bad effects of smoking. His heart is in danger because smoking causes the blood to oxidize LDL, oxidized LDL cholesterol and sign in the arteries of the forms as soon. This information is not new to many smokers to make a wise decision itself.
Some of the belongings that cause high cholesterol is obesity and excessive alcohol consumption. Some genetic diseases and hereditary factors are also factors. To stay in healthy diet rich in cholesterol width, which is low in saturated fats, is recommended. A smaller amount than 7% of daily calories should approach from saturated fats, which are egg yolks, beef, cheese, pork and poultry. Total fat intake has a stronger position than is serum cholesterol. Type of fat you eat is essential.
Plant foods like walnuts and flaxseed, which contains healthy cholesterol, such as compounds called phytosterols. Most nutrition experts recommend that 25-30% of total calories should approach from fat, but vegetable oil, and greasy fish are the most excellent choices for fat in the diet.
When it comes to HDL cholesterol -- "good" cholesterol -- the higher the number, the lower your risk. This is because HDL cholesterol protects against heart disease by taking the "bad" cholesterol out of your blood and keeping it from building up in your arteries. The table below explains what the numbers mean.
|
HDL Cholesterol |
HDL-Cholesterol Category |
|
60 and above |
High; Optimal; associated with lower risk |
|
Less than 40 in men and less than 50 in women |
Low; considered a risk factor for heart disease |
Lowering your LDL cholesterol is easier to do than raising your HDL cholesterol. However, there is great benefit in bringing your HDL numbers up and even greater benefit by doing both - lowering LDL/raising HDL.
For a long time, focus was primarily on LDL and the need to bring numbers down. However, researchers and physicians have now identified that bringing the HDL level up is just as beneficial and a natural way of fighting off bad cholesterol.
Although more difficult to accomplish, there are definite steps you can take to help raise your HDL:
Weight Loss
Exercise
B3 (Niacin)
Some studies have shown that when antioxidants are coupled with cholesterol-reducing medications such as Statin-type drugs along with Niacin, there was some level of benefit.
Further research suggests that in women with high plasma levels of HDL, the risk of heart attack becomes reduced.
The higher your HDL levels the better. Today, the average for women is between 50 and 55 mg/dl and for men 40 to 45 mg/dl. Again, getting this level over 60 is a very effective start toward improving overall cholesterol ratios.
To read a more in-depth article about HDL Cholesterol and HDL Cholesterol Levels, click here.
LDL cholesterol can build up on the walls of your arteries and increase your chances of getting heart disease. That is why LDL cholesterol is referred to as "bad" cholesterol. The lower your LDL cholesterol number, the lower your risk. The table below explains what the numbers mean.
|
LDL Cholesterol |
LDL-Cholesterol Category |
|
Less than 100 |
Optimal |
|
100 - 129 |
Near optimal/above optimal |
|
130 - 159 |
Borderline high |
|
160 - 189 |
High |
|
190 and above |
Very high |
If you have heart disease or blood vessel disease, some experts recommend that you should try to get your LDL cholesterol below 70. For people with diabetes or other multiple risk factors for heart disease, the treatment goal is to reach an LDL of less than 100, although some physicians will be more aggressive.
Without a doubt, lowering LDL cholesterol is a huge benefit in bringing total cholesterol down to a safe level. There have been numerous studies conducted where data indicated the chance of having a heart attack is actually decreased by as much as 25% for every 10% drop in cholesterol level.
The top four benefits of lowering LDL include:
Decreases the chance of heart attack and/or stroke
Reduces the formation of new cholesterol plaques
Eliminates existing plaques
Prevents the rupture of existing plaques
A particular study conducted in 1994 called Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study, or 4S, confirmed that lowering LDL not only reduced risk for heart attacks, but death. In this study, more than 4,000 people with confirmed heart disease were given either a cholesterol-lowering drug or a placebo. The drug of choice for this study was Statin. The results showed that for the people taking the Statin, the total cholesterol levels were reduced 25%, LDL was lowered 35%, and death occurring from heart disease was reduced by a staggering 42%.
Keep your daily calorie intake of fat to less than 30%. If you consume too many calories from any kind of food, whether it is carbohydrates, proteins, or fats, your body will take that food and turn it into triglycerides that are then circulated into your bloodstream to be stored as fat.
Simply put the more LDL in your blood stream, the higher risk you have of heart disease. If you currently have heart disease, lowering your level of LDL will have a great impact on your health. No matter what your overall health, if you have high LDL levels, speak with your physician to determine the best course of action in bringing your numbers down.
The good news is that there are several options available for you to control the cholesterol level through traditional treatments, natural and herbal treatments and changing to a healthy lifestyle.
The important factor is to understand your risk factors by identifying your cholesterol levels and how it may affect your overall health and possible risk of a heart attack. It is extremely important to work with your doctor in creating a regimen that encompasses traditional of natural treatments. Research has shown that for every 1% reduction in cholesterol levels, there is a 2% reduction in the rate of heart disease. This should be a strong incentive in controlling your cholesterol levels.
From hundreds of studies and research, we know that following are major approaches available to lower LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Cholesterol Lowering Drugs: Approved drugs such as statins have been successful in lowering cholesterol level by inhibiting the synthesis of cholesterol by the liver. However, these prescription drugs are expensive and there are many side effects.
Natural and Herbal Supplements: Numerous studies have shown that natural and herbal supplements such as Guggul, Policosanol, Pantethine, Curcumin, Fish-Oil, Niacin, Garlic, and Beta Carotene are effective in controlling the high cholesterol and thus reducing the risk of heart disease.
Cholesterol Lowering Foods: Latest research suggest that cholesterol lowering foods such as avocados, almonds, olive oil, soy beans, garlic, shiitake mushrooms, chili peppers, oat bran, beans (kidney, pintos, black, navy, etc.), onions, fatty fish, and flax seed play a crucial role in lowering LDL and sometimes raising HDL levels.
Low Cholesterol Diet: Evidence suggests that a healthy diet is the best defense against heart disease. National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) has even introduced a dietary program as a "prescription" for reducing heart disease risk.
Lifestyle Recommendations: Numerous studies show that lifestyle changes such as exercise, smoking cessation, weight loss and following a healthy diet can reduce cholesterol levels and thus the risk of heart disease.
To read a more in-depth article about LDL Cholesterol and LDL Cholesterol Levels, click here.
To understand normal cholesterol levels, we need to define what cholesterol is. Cholesterol is a fat that does not dissolve readily in blood. Would it surprise you to learn that cholesterol performs a lot of essential functions?
Every cell uses cholesterol to build its protective membrane, protecting it from various substances.
Cholesterol helps keep water from leaving your body too quickly.
Cholesterol provides the basis of important hormones produced in your adrenal glands, ovaries and testes.
Cholesterol helps your body make vitamin D.
Therefore, achieving normal cholesterol levels and getting the right balance of cholesterol in your blood will lead to healthier arteries, and as a result healthier organs.
Identifying an unhealthy level of cholesterol will require you to know the normal cholesterol levels, and the types of lipoproteins that are affecting the protein within your blood. You should be informed on the blood that is being transported to your cardiovascular system and the overall health of your liver.
To find normal cholesterol levels it’s necessary for the individual to have a blood test which will determine the amount of high density lipoproteins and low density lipoproteins that are affecting your level of health. If the blood test results verify that your cholesterol levels are higher than what is considered “normal” you shouldn’t worry, excessively. The numbers should be under the 200’s, and the borderline normal cholesterol level is 230. If it’s above 240 then your cholesterol would be considered high.
Low density lipoproteins should be under 130 for levels of cholesterol to be considered normal. If the LDL are between 160 and 189 then they are borderline high and if they are above 190 then they are dangerously high. If you find that your LDL are high then you will need to discuss with the doctor the action that you are going to take in relevance to your diet, your exercise and possibly what type of medication you will have to take until your cholesterol improves.
Triglycerides are fatty substances that increase your risk of heart disease and don’t come into play with normal cholesterol levels. If the triglycerides are over 150 then they are too high and you should, again, take immediate action. The ratio of the high density lipoproteins to low density lipoproteins and the totally cholesterol is more significant than the total cholesterol when it comes to the predicting of a heart attack and coronary heart disease.
To figure out whether or not your cholesterol is considered to be within the normal levels you can easily divide the total cholesterol number along with the LDL and HDL numbers. This number should be below the number 4 for both women and men. The best cholesterol ratio is around 3 ½, and a 2 is superb. Normal cholesterol levels are less than 2 ½; the ratio of the numbers are the best way to figure out whether or not you may be a candidate for heart problems. Consider the natural remedies before speaking to a doctor about cholesterol medication and the side effects of cholesterol medication.
To read a more in-depth article about Normal Cholesterol Levels, click here.