CHOLESTEROL LEVELS AND WHAT IS NORMAL

Do we need cholesterol? Yes, we do. Our cholesterol levels are important since our body uses it in various ways.

However, our liver produces most of what we need in that department. And of course we get it also from our foods. Learn how to lower cholesterol without drugs!

But, if we get too much, it starts to build up in our arteries.  This is what is commonly referred to as hardening of the arteries. And as we get older the situation gets worse and we are more susceptible to getting too much. It’s like a drain line that gets clogged in our plumbing system at home. When it builds up bad enough the water can’t get through.  In our case with our arteries, the blood can’t get thru. When that happens we have a heart attack or stroke.

We want to make sure we never get to that point, so certain preventive measures are in order. Watching our cholesterol levels is very important. There is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. Having a normal level is what we strive for. If we have too much of the bad then we are concerned with lowering it.  If we don’t have enough good then we want to raise that level.

But what should our cholesterol levels be? What is normal?  A good place to start is by looking at your total cholesterol number.

• Best is less than 200.
• Borderline high is 200 to 239. Even borderline is dangerous.
• High is 240 or above.

Cholesterol starts to rise after about age 20 and tends to level off after age 50 for men. Women usually don’t have a problem until menopause. Then it can rise about like it does in men. In some cases a problem with cholesterol is inherited which calls for treatment an an earlier age.

LDL are the bad cholesterol which is mostly fat with not much protein. This is what clogs arteries and causes a danger. You will be treated to lower your LDL.

HDL is the good cholesterol which is more protein than fat. It will help clear the bad cholesterol from your blood and keep your arteries open. High levels of HDL can protect you from heart problems.

• LDL should be less than 100. LDL increases your risk of heart problems, so the lower your LDL, the better. A level of 160 or above is high.
• HDL should be more than 40. HDL over 60 helps protect against a heart attack. HDL below 40 increases your risk of heart problems. The higher your HDL, the better. A high HDL number can help offset a high LDL number.
• Triglycerides should be less than 150. A level above 150 may increase your risk for heart problems.

If you suffer from high levels of the wrong kind of cholesterol then you want to pay attention to certain factors. Your diet has to much fat in it. Take steps now to change it. Your weight can be a problem for you to pay particular attention to. How active are you? Exercise can do the trick in many cases. Smoking can be the death of you if you smoke. It is your enemy.

Age also plays a part. As you age keep an eye on the levels and your overall health. And of course family plays a part. Is it hereditary? You may have to seek treatment at an earlier age. Any treatment will focus on lowering your bad cholesterol (LDL) and possibly raising your good cholesterol (HDL). There are medicines on the market to do it and lifestyle changes are in order.

Make yourself familiar with the normal levels and keep a watch on yours. Seek natural ways of keeping healthy when you can. Be physically active every day. Walk, dance, play sports, garden, do aerobics, run with the dog and keep your weight in check. Also plan on having your cholesterol checked on a regular basis. And know that sometimes just a lifestyle change can make the difference. And whatever you do, don’t smoke!

Know your cholesterol levels and what is normal.