Healthy Cholesterol Level Article
Cholesterol Ratios
We must have a thorough understanding of cholesterol before studying the term average cholesterol ratios. Most of us are aware that cholesterol is a fatty material introduced into the body by the liver. This soft, waxy substance appears throughout the body. Cholesterol is also acquired by way of animal products in the average diet. Cholesterol plays a starring role in overall body function and health. Cholesterol is important in producing vitamin D, bile acid and hormones. In the blood stream, cholesterol is carried by way of lipoprotein.Two kinds of cholesterol appear in the human blood stream--HDL cholesterol, commonly known as good cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, better known as bad cholesterol. LDL or low-density lipoprotein is the category of cholesterol that collects in the arteries. HDL or high density lipoprotein cholesterol ferries the fatty deposits which have collected throughout the body to the liver to be prepared for excretion. Therefore, if your HDL cholesterol rate is higher, it is better for you.
The measurement of cholesterol levels is the number of milligrams of cholesterol contained in one deciliter of blood, or mg/dL. When you receive the score after a test for cholesterol level, commonly you will receive only the number which represents the total amount of cholesterol. Sometimes you will be provided with both the HDL cholesterol and the total cholesterol level.
A desirable level of total cholesterol would be 200 mg/dL, while the goal for a beneficial level of HDL is greater than 40mg/dL. It is imperative to refrain from food and beverages for at least 12 hours before being tested for your lipid profile the following day. A lipid profile test profiles levels of triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and total cholesterol.
Triglycerides are yet another fatty substance appearing in the flow of the blood stream. Triglycerides comprise over 95% of body fat. A special lipoprotein known as chylomicon carries the triglycerides through the blood stream. If you have a high level of triglycerides and LDL—low density lipoproteins—you are at high risk for the onset of coronary heart disease. Triglycerides attach securely to the membranes of the veins and arteries in the same way as do low density lipoproteins. The thick plaque which develops is known as atherosclerosis.
Two cholesterol ratios should be known in order to understand the test results. These ratios are the LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio and the total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio. Acceptable total cholesterol divided by HDL cholesterol figures should be five to one or below. Optimal range is 3.5:1 or 3.5 to 1.
The LDL/HDL ratio is prepared by dividing the LDL cholesterol by HDL cholesterol. The desirable figure in this calculation is 3.5 or below. The American Heart Association recommends the medical personnel use complete numbers for the total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol report in order to determine beneficial treatment.
The standard cholesterol level recommended by the National Institute of Health is:
* Total cholesterol – 200 mg/dL
* LDL – 100mg/dL
* HDL (man) – 40 mg/dL or higher
* HDL (woman) – 50 mg/dL or higher
* Triglycerides – 150 mg/dL
