Cholesterol levels - Renew Wellness

What is cholesterol levels?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body. It travels through your blood attached to proteins called lipoproteins. There are two main types of lipoproteins that carry cholesterol throughout your body:

• LDL cholesterol - often called "bad" cholesterol because having high levels can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries and result in heart disease and stroke.
• HDL cholesterol - often called "good" cholesterol because it carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver which removes it from your body, thus protecting against heart disease.

The main factors that affect your cholesterol levels are:

• Diet - Saturated and trans fats can raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
• Weight - Being overweight tends to increase your LDL cholesterol level.
• Physical activity - Exercise increases HDL (good) cholesterol).
• Age and gender - As women and men get older, their cholesterol levels rise.
• Genetics - High cholesterol can run in families.

So when are cholesterol levels too high? The optimal lipid profile is:

• Total cholesterol level below 200 mg/dL
• LDL cholesterol level below 100 mg/dL
• HDL cholesterol 60 mg/dL or higher
• Triglycerides below 150 mg/dL

High cholesterol usually doesn't have any signs or symptoms. As a result, many people don't realize that their cholesterol levels are higher than they should be. That's why getting your cholesterol checked is important.

If your cholesterol levels are higher than recommended, your doctor may prescribe medications and lifestyle changes like:

• Losing weight
• Exercising more
• Quitting smoking
• Eating healthier foods

The good news? By taking these steps, you can lower your LDL cholesterol levels and raise your HDL cholesterol. Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels reduces your risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other health issues.

So in summary - know what your cholesterol numbers are and take action to keep them at healthy levels. This will lead to better heart health and lower risk of many dangerous diseases down the road.