| Reaching and sustaining safe cholesterol levels is an | | | | numbers. |
| important part of heart health. But what is cholesterol | | | | For the average person safe cholesterol levels for |
| anyway? And what are safe cholesterol levels? | | | | HDL (good cholesterol) is between 50 and 60 mg/dl, |
| These are just a couple of the question we will | | | | with anything over 60 considered optimal; for LDL |
| answer about safe cholesterol levels. | | | | (bad cholesterol) a safe reading would be 130 mg/dl or |
| Cholesterol is a wax like substance that is both | | | | less, with anything under 100 considered optimal; and |
| produced by the body and consumed through diet. It is | | | | total cholesterol between 200 and 239 mg/dl would be |
| your liver that produces the cholesterol. For most | | | | borderline high with anything less than 200 mg/dl |
| people the liver produces just about the right amount | | | | considered to be optimal. |
| of cholesterol for body and cell health. For about one | | | | While the above numbers are an accurate reflection |
| half of one percent of the population the liver produces | | | | for the average person they do not accurately reflect |
| way too much. This condition is called familial | | | | healthy readings for those in the higher risk category. |
| hypercholesterolemia. But generally, our liver does a | | | | High risk would describe anyone with two or more |
| good job of producing the right amount to keep us | | | | major risk factors such as age (over 60), smoking, |
| healthy and avoid coronary blockage. | | | | heredity, obesity, and inactivity. For these individuals the |
| As you can see we really don't need to add any | | | | above numbers will need to be tweaked 10% to15%. |
| additional cholesterol through diet. Nevertheless we | | | | For example a total cholesterol reading of 180mg/dl or |
| often do, but as in most cases the body has a plan B | | | | less would be considered optimal for those with two |
| to make sure things don't get out of hand. | | | | or more high risk factors. |
| The bodies answer to excess cholesterol are high | | | | Safe cholesterol levels are easily achievable for most |
| density lipoproteins which are known as good | | | | through a simple program including a low saturated fat |
| cholesterol. They round up excess cholesterol and | | | | diet, staying away from tobacco, staying active, and a |
| dispose of it in the form of solid waste. As long as | | | | cholesterol reducing supplement if needed. After all you |
| your HDL molecules are in a ratio of about 3 bad | | | | don't want to be one of the one million individuals who |
| (LDL) to 1 good (HDL) chances are your cholesterol will | | | | have a heart attack this year. |
| be in a heart healthy range. Let's look at a few | | | | |