controlling blood cholesterol levels

The word 'cholesterol' is often pronounced by many, especially for those aged parents. Actually, what is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a substance formed by the liver (liver) of saturated fat from food, & coupled with the already existing cholesterol in animal foods such as meat, egg yolks, or milk products.
Actually, cholesterol is needed by the body to maintain health, because cholesterol is the precursor of steroid hormones that regulate various body metabolism, bile acids, & component of cell walls in the body.
However, if the levels of cholesterol in the blood is too high, will increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. This is caused by excess cholesterol that bodies need not be deposited on the walls of blood vessels that causes constriction of blood vessels, called atherosclerosis. If there's too much, it will clog the blood vessels so that the total blood can not flow.
If this situation occurs in the blood vessels that drain the muscles of the heart, then there was a heart attack. Whereas if this happens to blood vessels in the brain, then there was a stroke.
So, to prevent the incident, it is advisable to perform measurements of blood cholesterol levels on a regular basis for those aged over 35 years. In those who tend to be high blood cholesterol levels and other risk factors for heart disease & stroke, it is advisable to perform measurements more frequently as directed.
Cholesterol in the body is actually composed of various kinds, which is a combination of fat-protein substances called lipoproteins. Low-density lipoprotein (low density lipoproteins / LDL), serves to send the cholesterol from the body into blood vessels. While high-density lipoprotein (high density lipoproteins / HDL) function to remove cholesterol from the bloodstream.
That is why LDL is often called 'bad cholesterol' that amount should not be too much, while HDL-called 'good cholesterol'. Besides those two things, known also that even lower LDL levels of VLDL density, & triglycerides are often known as 'neutral fat' which is the most widely circulating fats in the blood vessels.
To achieve good blood cholesterol levels, so as not to cause increased risk of various diseases but still enough to keep the various functions of the body, it takes a balance of different types of cholesterol exist.
For example, if the levels of total blood cholesterol was high due to high LDL levels, the risk for heart disease or stroke is high. Whereas if high blood cholesterol levels due to high levels of HDL, the risk for heart disease or stroke is not high.
The following values ​​can be a reference in the assessment of blood cholesterol levels in the fasting state (all sizes in mg / dl):
Total blood cholesterol levels
Under 200: good
Between 200 to 239: the upper limit
Above 240: a high risk of heart disease & stroke
LDL
Less than 130: good
Between 130 to 159: the upper limit
More than 160: a high risk of heart disease & stroke
Levels of HDL
Less than 40: a high risk of heart disease & stroke
More than 60: reduction of risk of heart disease & stroke
Triglyceride Levels
Less than 200: good
Between 200 to 399: the upper limit
More than 400: a high risk of heart disease & stroke
There are many things you can do to control blood cholesterol levels & reduce risk of heart disease & stroke:
- Stop smoking;
- Set up your diet with emphasis on vegetables & fruits, limit the number of calories, reduce your intake of saturated fat & cholesterol from animal foods, & stop at all the innards (intestines, tripe, spleen, liver, lung, brain, fat, skin);
- Exercising regularly 2-3 times per week;
- Lose weight berata for those who are overweight;
- Controlling blood pressure;
- Controlling blood sugar levels when exposed to diabetes (diabetes).
If required, to consult a doctor, can be used various kinds of drugs that can lower blood cholesterol levels. But remember, by using cholesterol-lowering drugs does not mean arbitrarily can live with continued smoking, do not adjust your diet, & stop exercising.
The types of blood cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins, consisting of, class of niacin (a type of vitamin B), & fibrate acid group. Your doctor will choose the type of drugs that are tailored to the results of blood cholesterol. However, because treatment for lowering blood cholesterol levels can not be done in a short time, ask your doctor prescription generic drugs for treatment costs are not expensive.
By controlling blood cholesterol levels, then in addition to reducing the risk of heart disease & stroke, as well as the body will function normally so that they can enjoy a longer healthier life.