Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that plays an essential role in your body’s health. It’s necessary for building cell walls, producing hormones and making vitamin D and bile acids. However, too much can lead to serious health problems. Cholesterol is vital for the human body, but like many things in life, balance is key.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is produced in the liver and travels through the blood by lipoproteins, which are small particles made of lipids and proteins, as the name insinuates. There are two types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Cholesterol is also measured with triglycerides. Here’s a more detailed overview:
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is known as the “bad” cholesterol. Having high levels of LDL is harmful to the body, increasing your risk for heart attack and stroke. The optimal level is about 100 mg/dL.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as the “good” cholesterol. Having high levels of HDL reduces the risk for heart disease. The optimal level is about 40 mg/dL in men and 50 mg/dL in women.
- Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood that’s utilized for energy. This should be less than 150 mg/dL.
Overall, your total cholesterol level should be about 200 mg/dL.
How is it measured?
Cholesterol is measured through a blood test, typically called a lipid panel or lipid profile. For most blood testing, fasting is recommended beforehand to ensure the results are accurate. This means no eating or drinking anything (except water), for 9-12 hours before the test. Food can alter levels and give a false reading. It’s best to follow your health care provider’s instructions.
Apart from a recommended, optimal level of cholesterol measured in mg/dL, cholesterol is measured with a ratio. This calculation helps determine a person’s risk for heart disease. The ratio is calculated by dividing a person’s total cholesterol by their HDL. A higher ratio indicates a higher risk of future health issues. Here are some guidelines:
- Ideal: ratio of 3.5 to 1
- Good: ratio below 3.5 to 1
- High risk: ratio above 5 to 1
Additionally, levels can vary from person to person for what is considered “normal.” Getting regular bloodwork done with your primary care provider will help you understand what your baseline is.
Where does cholesterol come from?
Cholesterol comes from two places: it’s produced in your liver, and it can be consumed through a diet of animal-based foods, such as meat, seafood, poultry, eggs and dairy products. It can also be found in highly saturated foods or trans fats.
The human body should produce enough cholesterol on its own, without needing to supplement it with animal-based foods. If your cholesterol is too high, limiting animal products in your diet is always recommended.
What happens if my cholesterol is too high?
Whan your cholesterol levels are too high, excess plaque sticks to the walls of your arteries, causing them to become too narrow or blocked. This can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, heart attacks, high blood pressure or coronary artery disease. High cholesterol is also linked to medical conditions like diabetes or obesity, or otherwise genetic.
There are no physical signs or symptoms of high cholesterol, therefore it is recommended that you visit your primary care provider for an annual physical and blood work to monitor your cholesterol.
What happens if my cholesterol is too low?
Lower cholesterol is considered healthy for your body, reducing risks of serious health issues like heart attack and stroke; however, can it be too low?
Known as hyperlipidemia or hypocholesterolemia, very low cholesterol is not common, but it can signal health concerns, such as malnutrition, malabsorption, anemia, thyroid issues, liver disease, types of infections, cancer, or be related to severe illness or injury. It’s important to consult your physician.
How to keep your cholesterol at a healthy range?
Fortunately, high cholesterol is manageable and easy to prevent. Here are some lifestyle changes that you can make for better outcomes:
- Eat a healthy diet
- This involves reducing animal products, reducing saturated fats, eliminating trans fats, eating omega-3 fatty acids, increasing soluble fiber and adding whey protein to your diet.
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Monitor your blood work annually
- Quit smoking
- Drink alcohol in moderation
If lifestyle changes are not enough to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, medications can assist that would be prescribed by your physician. Healthy lifestyle decisions will still contribute to keeping the dosage of the medication low.
Overall, cholesterol is essential for good health and your body needs it to function, but it’s important to keep it in check and ensure the ranges are healthy. Regular blood tests and healthy lifestyle choices can help you manage it and reduce the risk of serious health problems related to high cholesterol.
Do you need a primary care provider? Maury Regional Medical Group (MRMG) is a network of physician practices that includes primary care providers and physician specialists. The medical group is affiliated with Maury Regional Health and maintains multiple convenient locations in Maury, Lewis, Marshall and Wayne counties. Learn more about MRMG at MauryRegional.com/MRMG.