PostsAs if there aren’t already enough health issues to concern us. Many of the various diseases, general ailments, and less serious discomforts we experience at least demonstrate some visible signs of wear on the body or mind. But out-of-balance cholesterol levels aren’t so kind.
Do you know what a normal cholesterol level is? Have you ever had your cholesterol levels measured? Do you understand the adverse effects of a cholesterol level that’s too high? If you want to learn more about cholesterol, how it affects your health and how you can improve it, keep reading.
An Introduction to Cholesterol and a Normal Cholesterol Level
Cholesterol is basically like fat in the blood. It’s essential to your body’s functioning, but too much of it can cause major problems like clogged arteries, heart disease and heart attacks. And if the arteries leading up to the brain become clogged, high cholesterol can even result in a stroke.
To test your cholesterol levels, your doctor will draw blood and do what’s called a lipid fat test. In this test, they’ll check for triglycerides, high density lipid protein and low density lipid protein (a bad fat). When measuring your cholesterol levels, they are measured as milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood - so, mg/dL.
A good or normal level of cholesterol is less than 200mg/dL. A borderline level of cholesterol is between 200 and 239 mg/dL, and a high level of cholesterol is anything above 239 mg/dL.
High Cholesterol Symptoms
There are no normally visible symptoms to indicate you have a high cholesterol level, and it is impossible to determine your levels without taking a lipid test. A high cholesterol level in conjunction with the adverse lifestyle factors listed above increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
How High Cholesterol Levels are Treated
Typically, your doctor will assess your condition on an individual basis, taking into account the number of risk factors you have for heart disease. If your levels are higher than they should be, your treatment will likely aim to lower those levels by modifying your lifestyle and possibly through taking medication.
Dietary therapy is a fundamental part of any cholesterol treatment program. Weight loss is a primary goal in patients who are overweight. Losing fat cells is sometimes all that’s necessary to lower cholesterol.
Studies have shown that a Mediterranean diet lowers LDL levels and elevates HDL levels, HDL being a good type of cholesterol. This diet consists of lots of mono-unsaturated fats like olive oil, whole grains, fish, vegetables, chicken and fruit.
This type of diet can help bring patients back to a normal cholesterol level when combined with 20 minutes a day of moderate aerobic activity like walking. Increasing fiber in the diet and the elimination of smoking can also help.
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