|
doctor will order bloodwork that among other things will
measure your levels of total cholesterol and also High
Density Lipoproteins (HDL). Should the numbers show outside
of the normal range, your doctor may ask for a fasting
cholesterol test. For this, you won't eat or drink other
than water for twelve hours prior to the test. This test
will show your Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and
triglyceride levels, in addition to the total cholesterol
and HDL.
The National Cholesterol Education Program has presented
goal cholesterol levels, which are as follows:
Total Cholesterol Level (mg/dl)
Desirable: Below 200
Borderline: 200-239
Undesirable: 240 and above
LDL Cholesterol (mg/dl)
Desirable: Below 100
Above Average: 100-129
Borderline: 130-159
Undesirable: 160-189
Very Undesirable: 190 and above
HDL Cholesterol (mg/dl)
Desirable: Above 60
Borderline: 40-60
Undesirable: Below 40
Serum Triglycerides (mg/dl)
Normal: Below 150
Borderline: 150-199
Undesirable: 200-499
Very Undesirable: 500 or above
Cooking A Cholesterol-Free FeastWhen it comes to lowering one s cholesterol levels, it is a must
that one changes his or her eating lifestyle. Cholesterol
buildup in the body is actually caused by eating way too much of
the sinful types of food like processed meat, fried food, sugar
rich foods and beverages like chocolates (although dark
chocolate, the bitter kind is actually proven to help lower
one s cholesterol levels) and soft drinks.
1. Eliminate Catalyst Factors
It is also important to note that people who have bad lifestyle
habits are the usual targets of having incredibly high
cholesterol le ..
Some laboratories will calculate the cholesterol ratio
(total/HDL), but it is far more important to get the
individual numbers for the total cholesterol, HDL and LDL.
Notice that lower numbers are desirable for everything
except HDL. The high density lipoproteins are known as good
cholesterol. If your HDL levels are lower than 40 mg/dl, you
can increase them by
Quitting smoking
Losing weight
Getting physically active for at least 30-60 minutes per
day.
Your cholesterol levels, along with your other risk factors
will determine the course of action that your physician will
recommend. Some of these risk factors are
Obesity
Family history
Lack of physical activity
Age
Sex
Alcohol consumption
Stress
Body shape
Diabetes
Smoking
Some of these factors you have no control over, such as age,
family history and sex. But you need to take care of
business with the others. Quitting smoking is a given.
Adding exercise to your daily schedule can help you with
multiple factors, including reducing weight, reducing stress
and lowering cholesterol levels. Watch your diet by eating
less saturated fats and trans fats.
What Are Cholesterol Blockers?Cholesterol is produced by the liver and is a fat-like waxy
substance. Although cholesterol is usually thought of as a bad
thing , the truth is that cholesterol is important to your
overall health and helps body function. Every one of your cells
within your body is supported by good cholesterol. When
cholesterol gets old or if it goes bad then level becomes
elevated, it can be dangerous. The good cholesterol helps to
get the bad cholesterol back down to safe levels. Whenever the
bad (LDL & VLDL) cholesterol level climbs higher it becomes a
serious situation. Untreated it c ..
Another alternative treatment method is medication. There
are many to choose from, prescription and
non-prescription, but there may be side effects or they may
react unfavorably with other medicines that you are taking.
Be sure to check with your physician before trying any of
these.
Make sure to check with your physician before starting any
new diet or exercise regimen.
Copyright 2005, K. MacKenzie
http://www.lower-your-cholesterol.net
[ You have permission to publish this article in your web
sites, newsletters, ezines or electronic publications, as
long as the complete article is used including the resource
box, all links (clickable) and copyright information. ]
About the author:
Ken is a successful writer and online entrepreneur. He has developed http://www.lower-your-cholesterol.netas a portal for presenting articles, information, resources and links about lowering your cholesterol.
Ken MacKenzieYour Cholesterol Levels
|
