Heart disease has claimed more than 17 million lives every year worldwide. Cholesterol is now being equated as strips of fat or oily substances and it has earned a very nasty public image because of how television presents it to the masses. But strangely enough, cholesterol plays a vital role in every day life.
There are two types of cholesterol streaming inside our veins: low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is produced by the liver and carries cholesterol through out the body for biochemical processes like hormone production. In contrast, high density lipoproteins sweep the body’s arterial system from extra cholesterol. You can determine blood levels of both cholesterol types by a simple blood exam where you can check a Cholesterol Levels Chart to find out if you have the right balance in your body.
A cholesterol reading of 200mg/dl or less is considered normal. But if you go beyond that, maybe its time for you to consider getting on a treadmill or perhaps a check up with your doctor. In the LDL cholesterol levels chart, a normal reading should be less than 130mg/dl and any higher would put you at risk for heart disease and stroke. However, a reading of 60mg/dl and up means good news in the HDL cholesterol levels chart as this is a good indicator on how effectively your bodies get rid of excess cholesterol. These charts are a valuable tool in determining your health status and can be used as a guide for treatment if necessary and also preventive measures.
As mentioned before, LDL is bad cholesterol if you have high levels of the stuff. Although it is important in the body, too much can be dangerous because this can lead to clogged arteries. Basically, you can maintain normal levels of LDL through proper diet. Eat meat sparingly especially pork and beef. Butter should also be taken in small amounts although margarine is not much of a good substitute because it’s riddled with chemicals. Simply put, limiting fat intake is very important in having normal LDL levels.
On the flip side, having high levels of HDL in the body is beneficial to health. So consuming foods rich in Niacin like eggs, omega-3-fatty acids and also monounsaturated fats help increase the levels of HDL circulating in the body.
Combined with exercise, lifestyle changes like avoidance of smoking and a healthy diet, you can achieve a sense of yin and yang of your cholesterol in your body and achieve bodily and arterial zen.
Heart disease has claimed more than 17 million lives every year worldwide. Cholesterol is now being equated as strips of fat or oily substances and it has earned a very nasty public image because of how television presents it to the masses. But strangely enough, cholesterol plays a vital role in every day life.