Cholesterol & Your Heart

You hear a lot about cholesterol, because it has been linked to heart disease, the #1 cause of death in the U.S.A. Cholesterol is a waxy substance that your body needs to grow new cells; it is found in meat (including poultry), eggs, dairy products and seafoods, and your body manufactures its own. It can become a problem if it builds up in arteries, leading to arteriosclerosis ("hardening of the arteries"), heart disease and heart attack.

Ask your doctor about the cholesterol blood test, measuring either your total cholesterol level, or the substances that carry cholesterol in your blood: HDLs (high density lipoproteins) and LDLs (low density lipoproteins). For most people, total cholesterol will be between 150 and 300. If the total seems high, your doctor may also test your HDLs and LDLs. HDLs help rid the body of cholesterol, while LDLS seem to cause it to build up. Your total cholesterol should be as low as possible, and, with HDLs, the higher the number, the better. Some doctors believe that the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL should ideally be around 4.5 to 1. Most adults should try to reduce their total cholesterol to below 200; here are the current guidelines from the National Institutes of Health:

Desirable Level: below 200
Borderline: High 200-239
High: 240+

Cholesterol levels are a function of what you eat, how much your exercise, whether or not you smoke, and possibly hereditary factors. Most people can bring their cholesterol level down just by changing what they eat. According to the American Heart Association, the average adult should consume no more than 300 mg of cholesterol a day, and no more than 30% of total calories should come from fat. Meats, eggs, most dairy products, palm oil and coconut oil contain the most cholesterol, while it is not found in grains, fruits, vegetables and vegetable oils. Lowering your cholesterol intake does not mean giving up good-tasting foods -- just eating sensibly.

Disclaimer: All information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for advice by your physician. You are advised to consult your physician regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations appearing here.

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