Cholesterol Level

Cholesterol Level
HDL levels (good)
vs.
LDL levels (bad)

Your cholesterol level and healthy heart welcomes you to the HDL levels versus LDL levels ring match...in the home corner weighting in at sub-200 is HDL the good side. And in the other corner, visiting us from junk food alley and weighting in at over 200 is LDL ... the dark side.

The Good, the Bad and the Healthy Heart

The difference between good versus bad cholesterol can mean the difference between a healthy heart and coronary disease. It is not a fat, but it is closely related to fats. LDL (the bad cholesterol) can contribute to atherosclerosis (blood vessels are narrowed by deposits of fatty tissues) in which all are made up of cholesterol. This can cause angina and increase the risk of a blocked artery in your heart causing a heart attack.

The HDL (good cholesterol) protects the heart against attack. The HDL carries the cholesterol away from the arteries and back into the liver where it is eventually passed from the body, according to researchers. Researchers even go so far as to say that HDL removes excess plaque from the arteries.

Note: If you have a monthly blood test, it will indicate the level of LDL and HDL in your body.

If your cholesterol level is below 200, you are in good shape. If it is above 200, then you need to change your diet, exercise, and/or take cholesterol medication to lower the bad and raise the good. In addition, your doctor will advise you to cease smoking. However, sometimes cholesterol is normally produced by the body, and you may be on medication for life; or there may be a family history of cholesterol. In either case, there are safe drugs available today such as Crestor and Lipitor, which are non-habit forming, and which can lower the bad cholesterol by as much as 50%.

A healthy diet should consist of natural foods including:

fruits
vegetables
and, whole grains

And, stay away from foods which contain large amount of cholesterol such as:

eggs
shellfish
shrimp
and, liver

Here are some tips:

avoid unsaturated fats --- for instance, use vegetable oil when cooking
drink skim milk instead of whole milk
choose skinless chicken; lean beef and pork
try to limit the portions (you know that diets work if the portions are smaller)

Okay...I said smaller portions this doesn't mean you have to starve yourself! Eating small portions of food 3 or 4 times a day is fine, as long as you stick to the low-fat, non dairy plan. (click here to visit Healthy Food Tips - Information, Guides, and Suggestions)

eat slowly; use smaller plates
use smaller plates
put your fork down between each bite

And the last tip I have for you: There is an old saying, "never go food shopping on an empty stomach." It is so true! You tend to buy everything you see in the junk food aisle - all of which is not good for you.

Finally, decrease your cholesterol level through exercise. It has been proven that 30 minutes of exercise daily can increase the good and decrease the bad cholesterol. If you have no idea what your cholesterol level is; have your doctor give you a blood test so that you know where you stand. It is important for your health and heart!

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Cholesterol LevelHDL levels (good)vs.LDL levels (bad)

Cholesterol Level
HDL levels (good)
vs.
LDL levels (bad)