Normal Range of Cholesterol Levels - What is Acceptable?

The normal range of cholesterol levels is between 160 and 199 mg/dl. If the blood level falls below 160, there is an increased risk of depression, cancer, stroke, tears in the aorta and respiratory disease.

If the blood level is over 199 for long periods of time, there is an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. So, either problem can be deadly.

With the increased use of statin drugs to inhibit the body's production of cholesterols, there has been increased concern about the possibility of decreasing the level to below 160, which could cause the same kind of diseases that the drugs are designed to prevent. As with all things in the human body, it is balance that it the key to health and longevity.

If you happen to be taking statins, it is important to request that your doctor checks your blood profiles on a regular basis, particularly if you begin to experience depression, difficulty breathing or loss of libido. Decreases sex drive is another of the symptoms of hypo-cholesterolemia, defined as a total level below 160.

It is also important, when taking statin drugs, to notify your doctor of any leg muscle pain. By interfering with the pathway through which cholesterols are produced, statins also interfere with the body's production of coenzyme Q10, which is essential for muscles.

In addition to the normal range of cholesterol levels and coenzyme Q10 production, your blood profiles should include the estimated level of HDL (high density lipoprotein) and LDL (low density lipoprotein) particles in the bloodstream. Ideally, LDL should be below 100mg/dl and HDL content should be above 50mg/dl. But, there is a range that is still considered healthy, which I will cover in a moment.

First, you need to understand the significance of LDL and HDL particles. Even if the total count is within the normal range of cholesterol levels, LDL and HDL particles could still have an impact on your cardiovascular health.

LDL particles are smaller and less dense. They can become trapped in the walls of the arteries. If oxidation occurs, the body will produce more inflammatory molecules, as a response to the perceived injury. The oxidized particles can continue to build up and the inflammation can continue to get worse until eventually the arteries become very narrow. The result can be death.

If you are within the normal range of cholesterol levels, but your LDL particles are over 129mg/dl, you may need to change your diet or consider taking a supplement that helps raise HDL particles. Low HDL particles, especially a level lower than 35mg/dl is also dangerous, because HDLs help to clear the bloodstream of fats, before they can become oxidized.

Things known to raise LDLs and reduce HDLs include partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, also known as trans-fatty acids. Things known to have the opposite effect (raising HDLs and lower LDLs) include rice bran oil and Phytosterols.

Some of the better health supplements can help you attain readings in the normal range of cholesterol levels and improve your overall health. Just do a little more reading, before you buy.

If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels, talk with your physician before deciding to use natural cholesterol lowering supplements for reducing high cholesterol.

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