Things You'll Need:
- knowledge
- bloodtest to check your cholesterol
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Step 1
Cholesterol has been vilified (and for good reason in today's obese society) but it does have a very real purpose in the body. Cholesterol is a lipid that is a waxy fatty coating to each cell in the human body. Cholesterol is a three part item, consisting of HDL, LDL, and triglycerides. When you take a cholesterol test, it should measure each of these parts for a better overall view of how much or how little of each of these cholesterol levels you have.
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Step 2
Cholesterol insulates the nerves in the body and is vital to the life of the cells. They produce hormones for the body and it is coated with a protein that aids in the digestion of food that is taken in to the body. For an average person, the cholesterol in their body is made by the liver and taken by what they eat. Two thirds of a person's cholesterol levels should be from the liver and one third by animal products eaten (meat, eggs, milk, etc).
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Step 3
This cholesterol - protein combination in the cells is called a lipoprotein. It is this lipoprotein that is used to rate HDL and LDL cholesterol in the cholesterol level test (also called a blood lipid test).
LDL - Low Density Lipoprotein - this is the bad cholesterol in your body. It will build up in the cells and the blood vessels to form artery clogging plaque and increase your chances of a heart attack or stroke.
HDL - High Density Lipoprotein - this is the good cholesterol in your body. It will clean other cholesterol from the blood vessels and keep your body healthier. -
Step 4
Cholesterol levels for LDL and HDL are found in the blood lipid test to check for the cholesterol. There are two ranges for HDH and five levels for LDL and it is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood. These ranges are normal in those individuals that are older than 20.
HDL - Under 40 is low and not a risk factor, however over 60 is considered high and a very real risk factor.
LDL - Under 100 is normal, 100-129 is near normal, 130-159 is borderline high, 160-189 is high, and over 190 is very high and an extreme risk for heart related problems. -
Step 5
There are many ways to lower your cholesterol, from medications to diet and exercise. Your doctor will discuss the best methods for your particular needs depending on how your test comes out.
