Everyone is aware of dry fruits’ benefits for health, however,…
Pista Benefits, Nutrition And Side Effects You Need To Know
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There is so much nowadays going on in everyone’s lives, that we forget about ourselves and our health. The busy schedule, no free time, busy routine, so much into taking care of others, earning for a luxury lifestyle, etc. But what is the point of a good lifestyle when you are not healthy?
Until and unless you are 100% fit, you can not expect to live a life in the way you want because you will keep having health issues, and probably, and this is one of the reasons, it is said: ” Health is Wealth.”
So now is the high time to start taking care of yourself also, and to begin with this, make an appointment with the doctor now, and visit him to get your cholesterol levels checked. This, however, should be your first step towards a healthy lifestyle.
Yes, it is important that you have normal cholesterol levels otherwise you might suffer from certain diseases including heart problems.
Now, before you make a visit, it is important you know what levels of cholesterol are considered to be normal or high and why is it important.
So, we have mentioned to you all about it, which will help you with good information about cholesterol.
What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in all the cells in your body. Your body, however, makes all the cholesterol it needs and requires it to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. Cholesterol is also found in foods from animal sources, like egg yolks, meat, and cheese.
To note: If your body has too much cholesterol in your blood, then further, it can combine with other substances in the blood to form plaque which sticks to the walls of your arteries which is called atherosclerosis. However, this results in the narrowing and blocking of coronary arteries leading to coronary artery disease.
What Are The Types Of Cholesterol?
Now before we discuss normal levels of cholesterol, it is important to understand and know the types of cholesterol.
- HDL cholesterol is high-density lipoprotein and is called good cholesterol because it carries from other parts of your body back to your liver. Your liver then removes the cholesterol from your body.
- LDL is low-density lipoprotein and is bad cholesterol because its high level leads to the buildup of plaque in your arteries.
- VLDL is a very low-density lipoprotein and is also bad cholesterol because it contributes to the buildup of plaque in your arteries like LDL. But VLDL and LDL are different as VLDL carries triglycerides and LDL carries cholesterol.
Why Are Cholesterol Numbers Important?
It is therefore important to know the cholesterol numbers because they help you know your risk for heart disease. Cholesterol travels through your blood silently turning into plaque silently. You, however, might not notice its presence for a long time or even not have any symptoms until you have a heart attack or stroke. Therefore, with high cholesterol levels you can live for many years and not even know it. This is why it’s essential to get your cholesterol numbers checked on a regular basis if you want a healthy lifestyle.
So, if your cholesterol numbers are too high you have hyperlipidemia, which is a red flag for you as with this you can have heart disease.
Normal Levels Of Cholesterol
So, here is a table for you to know what are the normal levels of cholesterol according to the age group.
Age 19 Or Younger
So, this is the normal range for people who are 19 years old or less than it.
| Types Of Cholesterol | Healthy Levels |
| Total Cholesterol | Less than 170mg/dL |
| Non-HDL | Less than 120mg/dL |
| LDL | Less than 100mg/dL |
| HDL | More than 45mg/dL |
Men Aging 20 Or Older
For men who are 20 years old or more, for them, the below are the number of cholesterol levels.
| Types Of Cholesterol | Healthy Levels |
| Total Cholesterol | 125 to 200mg/dL |
| Non-HDL | Less than 130mg/dL |
| LDL | Less than 100mg/dL |
| HDL | 40mg/dL or higher |
Women Aging 20 Or Older
For females who are 20 years of age and more, below are the different ranges of the levels of cholesterol.
| Types Of Cholesterol | Healthy Levels |
| Total Cholesterol | 125 to 200mg/dL |
| Non-HDL | Less than 130mg/dL |
| LDL | Less than 100mg/dL |
| HDL | 50mg/dL or higher |
The Cholesterol Levels That Are Higher Than Normal
So, here is a table, mentioning what could be the higher levels of cholesterol in your body.
| Age | Total Cholesterol | Non-HDL Cholesterol | LDL CHolesterol |
| 19 and younger | 170-90: Borderline High 200 or more: High | 120-144: Borderline High 140 or more: High | 110-129: Borderline High 130 or more: High |
| 20 and older | 200-239: Borderline High 240 or more: High | 130 or more: High | 100-129: Near-Optimal 130-159: Borderline High 160-189: High 10 or more: Very High |
How To Lower The Cholesterol Levels?
So, when you know that your cholesterol levels are high, then you should also, know how to lower them. Here is, the whole blog, telling you about it.
What Are The Recommended Levels Of Cholesterol By Doctors?
So, above were the levels that are considered to be normal, but below are the levels that are recommended. Also, know what doctors consider these cholesterol levels to be.
Total cholesterol: under 200 mg/dl is healthy for adults
- According to doctors’ readings, 200–239 mg/dl is as borderline high and at least 240 mg/dl is high.
LDL cholesterol: This should be less than 100 mg/dl.
- So, in this situation, doctors might not express concern for people with no health issues but might suggest treatment at this stage for people with risk factors of heart disease.
- If a person’s reading is 130–159 mg/dl, then it is borderline high, readings of 160–189 mg/dl are high, and a reading of 190 mg/dl is very high.
HDL cholesterol: The levels of HDL should be high
- HDL readings of less than 40 mg/dl have a risk of heart disease.
- While readings of 41–59 mg/dl, are borderline low.
- Optimal HDL levels are 60 mg/dl or higher.
Cholesterol Levels For Children
- Total cholesterol readings should be under 170 mg/dl.
- Readings of 170–199 mg/dl are in the borderline high range, and a reading of 200 mg/dl or over is high.
- While LDL cholesterol levels should be under 110 mg/dl and the borderline high range is 110–129 mg/dl, and any reading over 130 mg/dl is high.
Normal Cholesterol Vs Your Weight
A healthy weight plays an important role, in normal cholesterol levels. This, however, goes side by side and can help you maintain a healthy range.
If you are overweight then losing weight will help with your cholesterol levels because it will reduce the amount of fat you have in the body and further, make you less likely to have inflammation. Moreover, when you get old, LDL cholesterol tends to rise.
If your weight is perfect according to your body type and age, then your cholesterol levels might also, be normal.
However, for females also, it is important to maintain a healthy weight. So, they should take a proper diet plan if they are underweight or overweight. Therefore, here are tips to gain weight for females that could help them in the same.
Diet Plan For High Cholesterol
Here is a diet plan for you if you have high cholesterol which can also, help you prevent heart disease.
How often Should You Get Your Cholesterol Level Checked?
So, getting your cholesterol checked up, however, depends on your age, family history, and risk factors. Take a look at the below recommendations and know how often you should visit a doctor for it.
People who are age 19 or younger:
- The first test should be between the age of 9 to 11 years
- Children should get their test done after every 5 years
- If there is a family history of high blood cholesterol, then a child can have the test starting at age 2
People who are age 20 or older:
- Younger adults should get their test done after every 5 years
- Men aged between 45 to 65 and women aged between 55 to 65 should get it done after 1 to 2 years
What Is Health?
Till now, most of you were wrong about health and why you will get to know after this video by Dietitian Mac. Also, you will know what exactly is health. So, watch now.
When To Speak To A Doctor
Getting checked the levels is very important before you get into trouble. However, below are the guidelines on when to go see a doctor for it.
A doctor should check a child’s cholesterol levels himself before the age of 18 at least twice. If there is a family history of heart disease, being overweight, or other health conditions, doctors may recommend checking levels of cholesterol more often.
While in adults aged 20 or older, every 4–6 years cholesterol levels should be checked.
The doctor also can recommend treatment in the below cases,
- The results show high or borderline high levels of total and LDL cholesterol.
- The person is overweight or obese.
- The person has a family history of heart disease.
Summarization Of Normal Levels Of Cholesterol:
After having read about it, you now must be aware of why maintaining healthy levels of cholesterol is important. So, to live a healthy life, it is, however, important that you often get yourself and your family checked for it. It is moreover, better to know about a problem than to know it later as you can then avoid treatment and medications and cure it naturally. We have also, mentioned the normal, high, and low levels of cholesterol so that you have knowledge about the right numbers.
So, take some time out for yourself and take a step towards a healthy you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Which are The Foods That Can Help Reduce Cholesterol?
Ans: To lower cholesterol levels you can add oats, whole grains, barley, beans, eggplant, etc. to your diet.
Q. Can You Lose Weight With High Levels Of Cholesterol?
Ans: It is, however, first important to maintain normal cholesterol levels, and moreover the diet you will eat to do so, will also, help you in weight loss.
Q. What Is The Normal Cholesterol In Blood?
Ans: A total cholesterol level of less than 200 mg/dL (5.17 mmol/L) is considered to be normal.
Q. Can You Lose Weight Without Having A Normal Cholesterol Level?
Ans: Nothing is impossible for dietitians of Fitelo. So, yes, you can lose weight but with the guidance of an expert dietitian. Here is a transformation of a woman who lost weight, suffering from the same issue.
Fun Fact
Rajma chawal always brings a big smile to the face, when cooked for lunch. It is because this dish is a favorite of everyone and from kids to aged everyone relishes it. Well, it is loved because of its taste but have you ever thought about how it is beneficial for your body? Yes, rajma chawal is the best meal to be eaten because it has to offer you several benefits also. Click on the link to know more.
Contact Us Today
We understand it is a bit tricky which diet plan will work for you and which will not, it can be complicated and confusing, hence you need to consult a professional. So, contact us today if you are looking for a customized diet plan or any diet plans, and we will help you fulfill your new year’s resolution.
Disclaimer
This blog post was written to help you to make healthy and better food choices altogether. So, be aware and take care. The important thing to consider is your health before starting a restrictive diet. Always seek advice from a doctor/dietitian before starting if you have any concerns.
Eat Healthy, Live Healthy. Enjoy a long happy life.
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