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Understanding Your Cholesterol Numbers & Health
Cholesterol is an important factor of overall health and wellness, and it’s important to have an understanding of both normal and abnormal cholesterol numbers to maintain proper health. Knowing how to interpret your cholesterol numbers can help you determine your risk of certain diseases and illnesses, as well as provide guidance for your dietary and lifestyle choices.
Cholesterol Explained
Cholesterol is a type of fat-like substance, produced in the liver, and is necessary for metabolism and maintaining healthy cellular structures. However, too much cholesterol can lead to a variety of health issues, such as atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, or stroke. It’s important to understand how cholesterol works and how it can impact your health.
Good Cholesterol, Bad Cholesterol: What It Means
Cholesterol can be divided into two categories: HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) . HDL cholesterol is often referred to as “good cholesterol” because it removes cholesterol from your body, reducing the risk of heart disease.
On the other hand, LDL cholesterol is often referred to as “bad cholesterol” because it can cause plaque to form in your arteries, leading to increased risk for stroke and heart disease.
What Numbers Mean
Your doctor will perform a cholesterol test and provide you with numbers that indicate your overall cholesterol levels. Your numbers may come in one of two ways: a numeric value, like 200 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter); or a ratio, like 3.5.
The numeric value shows the total amount of cholesterol in your blood, and it’s important to keep this number under 200 mg/dL. A higher number indicates an increased risk for heart disease. The ratio, on the other hand, indicates the ratio of LDL to HDL, with a higher number signifying a higher risk of heart disease.
Managing Your Cholesterol and Health
If your cholesterol numbers are high, there are a few lifestyle changes you can make to help improve them. Eating a healthy diet, high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and low in fat and processed foods, is recommended. Regular exercise is important for keeping your cholesterol levels in check, as well as overall health. Lastly, maintaining a healthy weight is also important.
By understanding how to read and interpret your cholesterol numbers, you can make better decisions to protect your health. There are many ways to manage cholesterol levels and maintain a healthy lifestyle, and it all starts with understanding what your numbers mean.
