Cholesterol Levels

In order to understand why it is important to lower cholesterol, it is necessary to first understand what cholesterol is. Cholesterol is a fatlike waxy substance and is produced by the liver. Although cholesterol has purposes and is important to overall health and body function, too much cholesterol in the body has damaging effects.

To recap, a normal total cholesterol level would be less than 200 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dl) of blood. This will be made up of LDL or “bad” cholesterol which should be maintained at between 100 - 130 mg/dl and “good” cholesterol which should be more than 40 or 50 mg/dl.

There is now medication available to control cholesterol levels but the good news is that one doesn’t have to resort to drugs to improve the lipoid profile (levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood). This advice will help you:

As someone who is affected personally with the task of lowering my own cholesterol levels, I would like to share some of the steps you can take to decrease your bad cholesterol and raise your good cholesterol.

I have a B.S. in Biological Science with a minor in Human Physiology. Although I offer educated information and research, the information in this article should not be used in substitute for a doctor’s recommendation, and is not intended to cure any disease.

Studies over the last 60 years have shown that people who exercise are healthier than those who do not. Over the last 10 years, many studies have shown that the more intense the exercise, the greater the protection. A report from Italy shows that physical activity is very important in helping to control cholesterol (Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Volume 44, 2006). Healthy male sedentary controls had their blood cholesterol fractions compared to those of male professional cross-country skiers and professional road cyclists. The athletes had much more healthful numbers for total cholesterol, the good high-density cholesterol, triglycerides, and the bad low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The concentration of another heart attack risk factor called Lp(a) or lipoprotein(a) was the same in both groups because it is a hereditary factor that is not influenced by lifestyle. Every single scale of susceptibility for heart attacks except the Lp(a) was better in the athletes.

Cholesterol is like the calibre of staff. LDLs are the dysfunctional staff and the HDL the good ones cleaning up the mess left by the LDLs. The human body requires some cholesterol to function properly. These cholesterol - “good” (high density lipoprotein or HDL) and “bad” (low density lipoprotein or LDL) ones - are found in all cells which help to carry fats in the body.

About a year ago, my wife encouraged me to get my cholesterol level checked. She had recently had her cholesterol checked and the results were normal. I went ahead and scheduled a test and fasted for twelve hours prior to the blood work being done.

The test itself was uneventful. The nurse checked my blood pressure, asked a few questions, and withdrew some blood. I was told to expect results within a few days. If I didn’t hear from the doctor’s office with a few days, I was to call back.

Everybody knows that cholesterol has much to do with heart disease. Do not worry too much about the dangers of high cholesterol. Knowing what cholesterol is and how it affects you will undoubtedly help you avoid high cholesterol.

1. Cholesterol And Heart Disease