Cholesterol levels - Optimal Hormone Solutions

What is cholesterol levels?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs. However, cholesterol also comes from the foods you eat.

There are two main types of cholesterol:

• LDL cholesterol, also called "bad" cholesterol - LDL cholesterol builds up in the walls of your arteries, making them hard and narrow. Higher levels of LDL cholesterol raise your risk for heart disease and stroke.
• HDL cholesterol, also called "good" cholesterol - HDL cholesterol helps remove LDL cholesterol from your arteries. Higher levels of HDL cholesterol lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.

When there's too much cholesterol in your blood, it starts to build up on the walls of your arteries. This buildup is called plaque. Plaque causes arteries to get narrower, which can slow or block blood flow to the heart and other parts of the body.

What Affects Cholesterol Levels?

The biggest influence on your cholesterol levels is your diet, especially foods high in saturated fats and trans fats. Lack of exercise can also raise LDL cholesterol.

Heredity plays a part, too. High cholesterol runs in families. Age and gender also impact your cholesterol levels. Women tend to have higher HDL and lower LDL cholesterol levels. Cholesterol typically rises as you get older.

Checking Your Cholesterol Levels

The general goal for maximum heart health is to have:

• Total cholesterol under 200 mg/dL
• LDL cholesterol under 100 mg/dL
• HDL cholesterol over 60 mg/dL
• Triglycerides under 150 mg/dL

Getting your cholesterol checked is important to understand your risk for heart disease. You should start getting your cholesterol levels checked regularly at age 20. If you have risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity or a family history of heart disease, your doctor may suggest earlier screening.

The best way to check cholesterol levels is to get a lipoprotein profile, also called a lipid panel or lipid profile. This is a blood test that measures your levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Improving Cholesterol Levels

The good news is that lifestyle changes can go a long way toward controlling your cholesterol. Try these tips:

• Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds
• Limit foods high in saturated fats like fatty meats, full-fat dairy and baked goods
• Reduce trans fats by avoiding partially hydrogenated oils in processed foods
• Get regular exercise for at least 30 minutes per day
• Reach and maintain healthy weight
• Don't smoke - smoking damages blood vessels and raises LDL

Medications may also be recommended if cholesterol targets can’t be reached through lifestyle alone. Statins are commonly prescribed to help lower LDL cholesterol.

We recommend visiting our friends at Optimal Hormone Solutions. Their team of nutritionists and endocrinologists can help diagnose high cholesterol and create a tailored treatment plan involving lifestyle, diet and if needed, hormone supplements or medication. Book a consultation today to take control of your heart health!