In this fast age of technology, when everyone is extensively consumed in routine activities, the consumption of junk food has also increased with the passage of time.
And with that now almost everyone is familiar with the word cholesterol.
But what is cholesterol? We have a vague impression that it is a type of fat molecule and always do harm.
But what if i tell you that there is a type of cholesterol which is good for your health. Without cholesterol, there would be no existence of living things on this planet. This cholesterol has a lot more to it.
So in this blog we will be discussing major types of cholesterol, their function in the body, the normal cholesterol level and much more. Without further ado, let us jump straight into the main topic of discussion.
Table of Contents
Cholesterol
It is a waxy substance that you get mostly from the animal sources. Cholesterol is not soluble in water and has structural importance in your life. We know that our body is an aggregation of millions of cells. These cells have cholesterol in them that maintain their shape and structure.
Moreover the function of cholesterol is not limited to the cells only. Our body muscles have an adequate amount of cholesterols in them. Cholesterol is made by our body as well. Liver is the organ which is concerned with the production of cholesterol.
Then this cholesterol is used to make many important hormones and vitamins. The major vitamin which is made by cholesterol is vitamin D. So you see that cholesterol is not always the bad guy to blame.
But why are healthcare providers emphasising to cut the consumption of extra cholesterol?
The answer to this question is in the question itself i.e. extra cholesterol. This extra cholesterol is dangerous for your health and body. The condition is often pronounced as hyperlipidemia. This excessive cholesterol in the body will then do harm to the sensitive organs like heart and liver.
Normal Cholesterol Level
The question which comes quite naturally in this regard would be that how much is too much?
The data collected from the hopkinsmedicine will help you in this regard. There are ranges of cholesterol that have different meanings and the values are determiners of your health.
Normal level : less than 200 mg/dL (milligram per deciliter)
Borderline high level: 200 to 239 mg/dL
High level: 240 mg/dL or above
How is Cholesterol Measured?
The normal levels of cholesterol in the blood are determined by performing tests called lipid profile tests. This test has other names as well. It is sometimes called lipid test or lipid panel.
Blood is collected after a fasting period of at least 12 hours. This is done to ensure that you are not taking any other cholesterol from diet that can possibly interfere with the readings of the test.
To get yourself checked for cholesterol levels, make an appointment today for a lipid profile test and get the verified results at your doorstep.
Types of Cholesterol
There are two major types of cholesterols. The details of them are given below:
- LDL
- HDL
LDL
LDL or low density lipoproteins may sound less dangerous but the reality is a total contrast. This type of cholesterol is dangerous for your body due to the infamous role that is why it is called bad cholesterol.
This low density lipoprotein sticks to the wall of arteries and blood vessels. This cholesterol can block the arteries and small capillaries. Also there are high chances of plaque buildup inside the blood vessels. This plaque if gets dislodged then it may obstruct the blood vessels leading to the heart and brain.
Hence this cholesterol should be kept in a required range. The normal and high range for this type of cholesterol is as follows:
Normal range: Less than 100 mg/dL or in some cases 100-129 mg/dL( milligrams per deciliter)
Borderline High range: In between 130-159 mg/dL
Extremely high range: From 170-190 mg/dL OR higher
HDL
The other type of cholesterol called HDL is the abbreviation for HIgh Density Lipoproteins. This cholesterol is the good cholesterol which is necessary for the normal functions of the body.
Out of many important functions, this cholesterol is concerned with the delivery of cholesterol to the liver, the main organ where the purification is carried out.
The normal range for HDL is as follows:
It should be maintained above 40 mg/dL in the blood.
There are studies that have shown that this cholesterol is linked with lowering the risk of heart diseases.
The above mentioned ranges of different types of cholesterol are almost the same for both genders. Men and women both should try to maintain the value in the required range.
Factors that can Influence the Levels of Cholesterol:
There are many things that can affect the level of cholesterol in your blood. The major factors that can affect the levels of cholesterol in bad way are as follows:
Diet
If you are consuming a diet which is high in lipids and fat then there are chances that the cholesterol levels will surge up in your body. Most importantly, the type of cholesterol called LDL is obtained from saturated fats. These saturated fats are obtained mostly from animal sources like ghee and butter.
There are 10 amazing foods you can try to lower cholesterol.
Weight:
If you are maintaining an ideal weight then the chances of contracting high levels of cholesterol are reduced already. But being obese and overwight puts an additional stress on the body and that is in the form of increased cholesterol levels.
So try to maintain a balanced weight to maintain the amount of cholesterol within required range.
Genetics;
The conditions called hyper familial cholesterolemia and many other diseases related to the heart tend to run in the family. So be careful in maintaining the essential cholesterol levels if any of your parents have high cholesterol issues
What if the amount of cholesterol exceeds the normal cholesterol level?
It is a matter of grave concern as it can lead to many health issues. High cholesterol in blood may lead to heart diseases particularly, heart attack and coronary artery disease.
There are some changes that can be made to treat the high levels of cholesterols:
- Lifestyle changes should be done. Sedentary lifestyle gives rise to increased levels of cholesterol in the blood. Try to maintain a healthy weight. Inculcate exercise in your daily routine.
Know about these high cholesterol foods that you should avoid.
- Avoid smoking as it can increase the chances of plaque buildup within the blood vessels. It can also lead to a malfunctioning liver which is unable to remove extra cholesterol from the body.
- There are cases when your healthcare provider may suggest taking medications called statins that can help in lowering blood cholesterol levels.
The Takeaway
Cholesterol is no doubt essential for our survival but it is also essential to control the high levels of cholesterols.
If you are worried about your dietary intake, then make an appointment today with the best nutritionist and get the best diet plan which can help to balance the levels of cholesterols.
To read more on this issue, visit our website healthwire.pk.
