Importance of Your Cholesterol Reading

If you are older than 20, then your doctor has probably already taken a cholesterol test as part of a physical exam. You have probably already had your cholesterol reading explained to you and, if necessary; have discussed any necessary changes to your lifestyle outlined. By now, you should understand how your cholesterol reading impacts your life. Where do you go from here? You learn as much as you can about cholesterol.

The Numbers

Your cholesterol reading should have LDL levels under 100 for the best results and below 130 for good results. LDL is the bad cholesterol and you have to keep that number low. If your cholesterol reading shows LDL of 130 or above, your doctor has very likely suggested an improvement in diet or exercise.

Your cholesterol reading should have HDL levels above 60. HDL is the good cholesterol and you have to keep that number high. If you are a man and your HDL is below 40 - 50 for a woman - then your doctor has suggested ways to improve it. Your cholesterol reading for triglycerides should be under 150. Triglycerides are fats from excess calories, alcohol or sugar. They travel through your blood and can cause coronary artery disease. Your cholesterol reading should be below 200.

If you need to improve your cholesterol reading, you should be aware of the common misconceptions about cholesterol. It is important to avoid saturated fats and trans fats. There are butter substitutes that have very low levels of these kinds of fats, but most margarine isn't among them. Look for specially labeled spreads but use all fats sparingly. Being overweight sometimes indicates high cholesterol.

That doesn't mean however that thin people are safe from it. It really can be about the metabolism. If you are thin but eat cholesterol-rich foods or have a hereditary predisposition to high cholesterol, you will be much better off getting a test and knowing for sure.

Just because your doctor hasn't mentioned high cholesterol, don't assume you're safe. Get tested and find out what your cholesterol reading means. If you think your doctor isn't being proactive enough, double check the information on the Internet. To be on the safe side, adopt a low fat diet and exercise regularly. Don't smoke. The label may say "low-cholesterol" but check the nutrition label too. Avoid saturated and trans fats.

Be sure to check the serving size. If it is half or a quarter the size you thought it was, remember to multiply calories and fat grams by that number to get a realistic idea. Some people believe that cholesterol isn't a problem if you are taking cholesterol medication, if you are a woman or if you are young. All of those beliefs are wrong. The best thing you can do is find out the facts, take the test and understand your cholesterol reading.

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