Aur you understanding Your Cholesterol Level?

Do you understand Your Cholesterol Level?

Your doctor has told you that you need to lower your cholesterol to live a healthier life. The blood tests you had done show that your total cholesterol level is over 200. But what does that mean, and how can you lower your cholesterol? First of all, cholesterol is a naturally occurring substance made by your body, and cholesterol is derived from your food.

Most lab results will tell you where your blood is within a specific desirable range. These lab tests look at five different components:

Cholesterol

This is the total cholesterol. Levels above 200 are considered elevated. A good cholesterol level is 175 mg/dL or less.

Triglycerides

These are the lipids in the blood. They are elevated after a high-fat meal and require a fasting test to be accurate. The desired range is 30-175 mg/dL.

HDL

This is good cholesterol. The higher the level, the better. The average value for adult women is 55 mg/dl.

LDL

This is the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The higher the value, the greater the risk of arteriosclerosis. A level below 130 mg/dl is desirable for adults.

Cholesterol/HDL ratio

A value of less than 4.5 indicates a lower risk of coronary heart disease.

HDL and LDL levels, along with triglyceride levels, make up your "lipid profile."

In summary: Elevated cholesterol levels are a significant risk factor for heart disease. Lipoproteins are how cholesterol and fat are transported through the body. The LDL leaves the liver and can be deposited on the inside of the blood vessel walls. HDL brings cholesterol back to the liver for excretion and can help remove plaque from artery walls. An excellent way to remember what HDL and LDL levels are desirable is to think of high HDL levels and low LDL levels.

Most people don't like sudden, radical dietary changes and do better if they develop good eating habits over a more extended period. You can simplify this complicated issue by limiting the most significant sources of saturated fat in your diet.

Fortunately, there are simple methods to alter your intake of these essential foods.
For eggs, all you need to do is reduce the number per week; two eggs per week is a good ratio.
Instead of butter, use soft or liquid margarine. There is evidence that solid margarine is not much different from butter.
For milk, use only low-fat or fat-free dairy. The calcium and other nutrients in milk are perfect for you.
As for animal fats, you should not eat these foods often. A good rule for many people is not to eat red meat for two days in a row. This is easy and adds variety to your diet. Remember that the problem is the white fat in red meat. Pork, bacon, hot dogs, and sausage are not "red" but usually contain a lot of animal fat. If you have a heart, choose a less tender cut, trim most of the fat off before cooking, grill it so the fat burns or drains off during cooking, and cook the meat a little more.

If possible, do not fry foods, as this usually adds saturated fat. If you do fry, avoid saturated fats, palm oil, and coconut oil. Monounsaturated fats such as olive oil, peanut oil, and canola oil may be good for you.