It is common to hear people talking about cholesterol, but equally common to not really understand it. Is HDL the good kind or is it LDL? Most, usually can’t remember. This article examines what is a good cholesterol level.
To understand cholesterol it is necessary to know what it is. The body makes this fatty substance and it is found in some foods. The body actually needs this fatty substance to work properly, but when the body accumulates too much then it can lead to strokes and heart attacks. When the body has too much of this substance it acts like sticky debris that clogs the walls of the bodies blood vessels and this, in turn, makes them vulnerable to a heart attack or a stroke.
The two kinds of cholesterol are HDL and LDL. HDL is called by some the “good” kind. This type helps protect from the issues that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Then there is LDL. This is often called the “bad” kind. It is the type that clogs the arteries and makes the body vulnerable to strokes and heart attacks.
What Is A Good Cholesterol Level?
One hundred seventy or lower is considered good. 170 to 199 is borderline level. 200 and higher puts a person at risk. The best action is to start as early as possible to ensure a good outcome. Children that are with-in a healthy weight range, are reasonably active and eat well-rounded meals often have healthy levels of cholesterol.
What Can Adults Do To Have Healthy Levels Of Cholesterol?
If testing reveals someone has high cholesterol there is good news. Studies conclude that changes in diet and exercise can reduce bad cholesterol. When someone exercises they boost their HDL. This can be achieved with 30 to 60 minutes a day with cardiovascular exercise.
Everyone should eat more fiber. Fiber can allow a person to pass their bad cholesterol in their stool. Consume healthy fats over alternatives. Nuts, avocado and olive oil are healthy forms of fat. These do not raise the bodies levels of LDL.
The one thing that everyone should understand is that each person is unique. There is no one solution fits all for issues with cholesterol.
It is necessary that adults have regular testing to make sure their levels are with-in healthy ranges. If it is found that levels are at a range the puts them at risk, they should consult a health care professional to see what can be done to bring their body back to healthy levels.
Some will find it is simply a matter of a little bit of daily exercise along with a mild change in the type of food they consume daily. Sometimes a person may find their situation is a bit more stubborn and a change in diet and daily exercise is not enough. In this case, there are medications a doctor can subscribe to help get to within a healthy range of total cholesterol levels.