Healthy Cholesterol Levels
For good health and its maintenance it is important that you obtain and maintain healthy cholesterol levels. But what is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a fat, which in the language of chemistry is called an ester, found in human blood and is needed by the body in a nominal amount. If it crosses the moderate limit, it may create a lot of problems such as hypertension, heart disease, atherosclerosis and other ailments. Thus keeping the cholesterol level within the prescribed limit is necessary to lead a disease-free, sound life.
There are 3 types of cholesterol: LDL (bad), HDL (good) and triglycerides. Cholesterol level is measured in milligram per deciliter (mg/dL). Less than 200 mg/dL is considered optimum, whereas 200-239 mg/dL has been termed as “Borderline” and greater than or equal to 240 mg/dL is high risk level. Coronary heart diseases are less likely if your cholesterol level is optimum, but normal physical activity and balanced diet are still on.
But for people with borderline cholesterol level, LDL remains nearly normal, while HDL is high. A balanced diet plan with exercise is necessary to keep your cholesterol levels in check. Before doing these, a physician should be contacted.
For people with high risk cholesterol level, treatment must be taken as soon as possible. Delaying could make the condition worse. These people should be under a doctor’s treatment and take medication as needed.
As mentioned earlier, there are 3 types of cholesterol. If you consider them individually, not all of them are good if they are kept low. HDL (good) should be kept above 40 mg/dL for men, and 50 mg/dL in case of women. It has been found that if HDL cholesterol level is higher than 60 mg/dL, it helps protect heart diseases.
If LDL (bad) cholesterol level is below 100 mg/dL it is considered optimum, more than 160 mg/dL is dangerous, leading to heart failures and strokes.
Triglyceride level is normal when it’s below 150 mg/dL, borderline if it is between 150-199 mg/dL, high if it is upto 499 mg/dL and very high if it is more than 500 mg/dL. Obese, smokers, and alcoholics are more likely to accumulate high triglyceride in blood.
To avoid high cholesterol level, one should refrain from smoking and consuming too much alcohol. Also avoidance of exercise can aggravate the problem. High cholesterol foods, such as egg, milk, beef, and pork should be avoided as much as possible.
It is advised that you have your cholesterol level checked at least once a year or when you go to the doctor for a checkup.
