Cholesterol - How to Understand Yours

To understand the normal cholesterol level in human body, we must know the different types of it present in our body. The first type is LDL or low-density lipoprotein which is bad cholesterol. It can block the arteries. The second type is HDL or high density lipoprotein, which is good as it removes unhealthy stuff from bloodstream. Another type is triglycerides which can create problem if it's too high.

Cholesterol is required in our body but to a certain level. Too much or too little of it can create many diseases. When cholesterol is too high, it sticks on the walls of artery. This leads to the blocking normal supply of oxygen and blood in body.

The normal cholesterol level is 200 or below. 200to 239 is considered as borderline. Over 240 are typified as high level. If HDL or good cholesterol is high, it is beneficial for health. Remember, it helps to get rid of the bad cholesterol. Normal level for HDL is 60 or above. If it is below 40, then it is prone to vessel damage, stoke or heart-attack. The normal triglyceride level is 150 and below. Borderline high is 150 to 199. High level is considered to be 200 to499. If the level crosses 500, and then you are open to heart-attack or stroke anytime.

To keep up your normal cholesterol level, healthy life-style should be maintained. Intake of saturated fats and Trans fats in daily diet leads to high cholesterol level. Stay away from high fat foods such as junk food and fast food. Proper and regular cardio exercises can help in a long way. It may not be rigorous or strenuous. Fifteen to thirty minutes of walking, jogging, spot-jogging slow running will help a lot.

Diet low in saturated fats help to maintain normal cholesterol level. This includes fat free diary products like milk, sour-creams, cottage-cheese along with skinless poultry, fish and shellfish. Oil used for cooking must be high in unsaturated fats like corn, canola, sunflower, sesame and soybean. Eating more high fiber food is also beneficial.

Doctors often prescribe drugs to come back to the normal cholesterol level. They are known as Statins. It can also be harmful with serious side-effects like kidney-damage, memory-loss, sexual inability or disinterest, muscle weakness, dizziness, constipation, sleeping disorder, diarrhea, indigestion gas, headache, nausea and vomiting. Proper exercise, balanced diet right medication helps to maintain the normal cholesterol level. However, going to the doctor after sometime for reading of the cholesterol level is necessary.

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