Getting to Know Cholesterol Part 2

29 May

Posted by Business Twins as Health & Fitness

Yesterday I introduced cholesterol. I talked about what is cholesterol as well as what affects your cholesterol levels. Today, I will write about how much cholesterol is too much, how you can lower your cholesterol levels, and ways to treat high cholesterol levels.

How Much Cholesterol is Too Much?
If you are over the age of 20, you should be getting your cholesterol levels measured at least once every 5 years. Once being tested, your doctor may recommend a non fasting or fasting cholesterol test. A non fasting cholesterol test shows your total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. A fasting cholesterol test will measure your low density lipoproteins (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol, and will also measure your triglycerides.

Your doctor may start with the non fasting cholesterol test, but depending on your results he may recommend the fasting cholesterol test also known as the lipid profile.

The recommended cholesterol level is to stay below 200. Here is a breakdown of cholesterol levels:

Less than 200 – desirable
200-239 – Borderline high
240 and above – High

Ways to Lower Your Cholesterol and Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease
Here are some changes that can help lower you cholesterol:

Eat low cholesterol foods. The American Heart Associations recommends that you limit your daily intake of cholesterol to about 300 milligrams. If you have heart disease it is recommended that you limit your daily cholesterol intake to less that 200 milligrams. You can lower your cholesterol intake by keeping your intake of saturated fats low, as well as avoiding foods containing high amounts of saturated fat and foods that contain a large amount of cholesterol. Just think of it, if you are a little overweight or have heart disease eating 1 egg yolk will fill your dietary cholesterol needs in a day. One egg yolk has about 213 milligrams of cholesterol in it alone. You can avoid this by separating the egg whites from the egg yolk.
Exercise. Exercising increases the high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in some people. Even moderate intensity activities done daily can help control weight, diabetes, and high blood pressure, which are all factors for heart disease.
Stop Smoking. Smoking lowers your high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels which is the good cholesterol. This can be reversed if you stop smoking. If you stop smoking you also lower your chances in certain cancers as well.
Medication prescribed by your doctor. Some people just from genetics cannot keep their cholesterol down just by a change in diet and increasing exercise. You may also need to take a cholesterol lowering drug.
How is High Cholesterol Treated?
The main goal in lowering your cholesterol is to raise your high density lipoprotein (HDL) and lower your low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. There are 2 ways to lower your cholesterol:
Eat a heart healthy diet
Take cholesterol lowering medications.

Doctors determine your ‘goals’ for lowering low density lipoprotein (LDL) based on the number of risk factors you have for heart disease. These include:

If you have a 0-1 risk factor for heart disease, you are at a low to moderate risk. Simple lifestyle changes are recommended to keep your cholesterol in check

If you have a risk factor of 2 or more, you are at a moderate or next to highest risk depending on what heart disease factors you have. Your doctor may recommend certain lifestyle changes, but most of the people in this risk range require cholesterol lowering drugs.

If you have diabetes, know heart disease, or other multiple risk factors, you are at a high or very high risk. If you fall in this range you need a combination of cholesterol lowering drugs as well as a lifestyle change to control your cholesterol levels.

Drugs Used to Treat High Cholesterol