The Steps Can Take To Balance Your Cholesterol Readings!
Cholesterol readings what do they mean? What is high cholesterol mean? Often a cholesterol imbalance is christened ‘high cholesterol’.
Cholesterol is manufactured by your liver and is necessary for good health and your survival. The two most common cholesterols talked about are:
HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) commonly referred to as ‘Good’ cholesterol LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) commonly referred to as ‘Bad’ cholesterol
The reality is there is no such thing as good or bad cholesterol. Only an imbalance of cholesterols, which is where cholesterol readings come in.
Testing for your cholesterol levels. The cholesterol readings for both the good and the bad cholesterol need to be in the normal range. That being:
Total cholesterol — of 199 mg/dL (Milligrams per Deciliter) is the optimal reading because anything this level and lower will do reduce your odds for coronary heart disease. Readings of 200 to 239 mg/dL total cholesterol increases you risk of heart disease and 240 and above more than doubles you chances of heart disease.
HDL — the good cholesterol needs to be at 60 mg/dL or above to be considered protective against heart attack. Low HDL is a serious risk factor for heart disease. So even if your total cholesterol is below 200.
If your HDL is below 40 mg/dL (for men) (50 mg/dl for women). You have a cholesterol problem and will have to have — both your LDL and triglyceride levels monitored with a lipoprotein profile.
Depending on those cholesterol readings, your health care provider will determine how often you will need your cholesterol tested.
The optimal LDL Cholesterol Level is less than 100 mg/dL. 100 to 129 mg/dL is considered near optimal. 130 to 159 mg/dL is borderline high. 160 to 189 mg/dL is high and 190 and above is very high.
The level of LDL your body needs to what it can tolerate is a range depending on risk factors you may have. If you do not have diabetes or heart disease and no other risk factors are involved your LDL can be as high as 160 mg/dL
One risk factor and you need to have your LDL at less than 160 mg/dL — two risk factors it needs to be less than 130 mg/dL.
If you are suffering from heart disease and/or diabetes you LDL cholesterol readings need to be less than 100 mg/dL.
Triglycerides–the forgotten fats. If these are found to be high, the combination of low HDL and/or high LDL can be a cause for concern. This combo seems to speed the build-up of fatty plaque in the arteries — greatly increasing the risk of heart attack and/or stroke.
If your cholesterol readings are looking grim? There are safe effective natural ingredients that will balance your cholesterol. You just need to find them!
Terry Johnston
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