How To Grasp Cholesterol Readings On A Diet To Lower Cholesterol

Everyone should understand the significance of cholesterol whether you are a fitness freak or someone who never works out. Often times though, cholesterol is misunderstood by those who do not know very much about it and it is constantly underestimated by those who do not know they suffer from high cholesterol. Cholesterol is good because it is essential for our bodies to function but it can also be bad if improperly used. It is also extremely important when you are on a diet to lower cholesterol that you understand the difference between the good cholesterol and the bad cholesterol.

Our good cholesterol is identified as HDL cholesterol which is commonly known as high-density lipoprotein. Its main goal is to make our body parts function properly by taking the cholesterol that we have and flushing it from our system. This keeps our arteries clean and helps us avoid experiencing a heart attack in addition to a stroke.

The bad cholesterol is called LDL cholesterol which stands for low-density lipoprotein). An overabundance of this in your body can cause you to either have a heart attack or a stroke. It operates by slowly building up on your cell walls over time. It gradually narrows your arteries and eventually clogs them which results in you having a heart attack or a serious stroke.

This is why it is extremely important to get cholesterol readings. They typically include three items: a HDL cholesterol reading, a LDL cholesterol reading, and a total cholesterol reading. Most people just look for total cholesterol readings, but you need to keep an eye on all three readings.

It is good to know the normal cholesterol reading so when you get your cholesterol reading back from your doctor, you will know exactly what your cholesterol levels are. You HDL cholesterol levels should be over 45 and you will need to consult your doctor if they fall below 40. Your LDL cholesterol levels should be under 130 and if they reach 160 or higher, then you will need to start on a diet to lower cholesterol. Your total cholesterol levels should be less than 200 and if they reach 140 you should check with your doctor because it can be extremely dangerous.

To get your cholesterol tested, you should consult your doctor and he will be able to test your cholesterol levels. If you do wind up having a high cholesterol level, then you can change some things in your diet to lower cholesterol which will help in reducing cholesterol before your next visit. Make sure your diet has plenty of protein which you can find in dark meat and fish. Also include 6 servings of fruit and vegetables in your daily means and try to stay away from foods high in fat.

Once you understand all about cholesterol, you will feel more at ease when you acquire your cholesterol readings from your doctor. Just remember that you require more of the HDL cholesterol and you require less of the LDL cholesterol. Knowing your test outcome will greatly help you verify if you need a diet to lower cholesterol or medication.

Related Articles

• Cholesterol Facts
• A Diet To Lower Cholesterol Is Essential To Your Health
• Keeping A Healthy Cholesterol Level
• Cholesterol Control
• How to Lower Cholesterol Naturally - Is Lower the Better ?