TOTAL CHOLESTEROL CALCULATIONS

As I mentioned before, my initial articles on our blogs were long and frequently complex. Therefore, I want to remind all readers that I revised and shortened all the columns for your ease of readings. I also modified the headings as I belief that total cholesterol calculations are more accurate than the words “normal values.”

When you get your cholesterol checked at your Doctors, you may get ratings for Total, LDL and HDL, without a clear understanding of what it means or differences between Total, LDL and HDL cholesterol. You enjoy a relatively low risk of coronary heart disease, if your total blood cholesterol scores below 200 mg/dL and the LDL, HDL and triglyceride levels are also at desirable levels. All this assumes you have no other risk factors for heart disease such as smoking, high blood pressure, stress or poor eating habits.

If your Total Cholesterol calculation for Blood (or Serum) Level is between 200–239 mg/dL, then your Total cholesterol is Borderline to High Risk. If this is the case, then ask your doctor to evaluate your levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides. It is possible to have borderline-high total cholesterol numbers and still have normal levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol balanced by high levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.

If your Total Cholesterol calculation for Blood (or Serum) Level is 240 mg/dL and over, this is a High Risk. People who have a total cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL or more typically have twice the risk of coronary heart disease as people whose cholesterol level is desirable (200 mg/dL). I recommend further testing. There are several ways to order this testing. If your test didn’t show your LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides, your doctor should order a fasting profile. It is prudent to rule out any effects from your eating.

I found it interesting to learn about the proven correlation between HDL and Alzheimer’s. If you have Alzheimer’s in your family, consider this justification for monitoring your HDL and taking preventative action such as using natural cholesterol lowering products. Two of our websites have information on a new product called NuCardio. The sites are: http://www.folkherbwisdom.com and http://nutronix.com/helpingyou. Both sites recommend getting the testing before taking the products. Having your total cholesterol calculations is a wise piece of information.

LOWERING LDL CHOLESTEROL

The BAD ones

Initially, we wrote one article about Total, HDL and LDL Cholesterol. After reviewing the publication we realized it needed modification. Hence, due to the complexity of this article we decided to break it down into three articles, (1)total cholesterol normal values, (2)HDL cholesterol levels and now (3)lowering LDL cholesterol. All three have desirable levels. When you lower your LDL cholesterol, you lower your risk of heart attack and stroke. In fact, it's a better gauge of risk than total blood cholesterol. Generally, LDL levels fall into these categories:

Less than 100 mg/dL	Optimal
100 to 129 mg/dL	Near Optimal/ Above Optimal
130 to 159 mg/dL	Borderline High
160 to 189 mg/dL	High
190 mg/dL and above	Very High

It is important to remember that each body functions in its own way. A healthy level for you may not be healthy for your friend or neighbour. Discuss your levels and your treatment options with your doctor or health care provider to develop a plan unique to you. Your other risk factors for heart disease and stroke help determine what your LDL level should be, as well as the appropriate treatment for you.

If you are feeling smug because you have low LDL Cholesterol levels, it is still smart to eat a heart-healthy diet, get regular physical activity, avoid tobacco smoke and stress. Have your cholesterol levels checked every five years or as your doctor recommends.

Key points for managing good cholesterol levels are:

· Work with your doctor to create a prevention and treatment plan that's right for you.

· Make lifestyle changes, including eating a heart-healthy diet, getting regular activity, and avoid tobacco smoke.

· Ask your doctor how often you should have your cholesterol rechecked. If you have LDL (bad) cholesterol, you may also need medication.

· Become informed.

· Check out alternatives.

The number one person in control of your health is you. The Medical industry offers you the testing for total cholesterol as well as HDL and LDL. They provide tradition methods of lowering your LDL cholesterol. There are many NATURAL alternatives and remedies available today. I came across a new, FDA approved product that gives a safe alternative. Learning about this product allows you to ask informed questions. Go to our website if you have questions or comments for us. It is http://www.folkherbwisdom.com or http://nutronix.com/helpingyou

DESIRABLE HDL CHOLESTEROL LEVELS

The Good ones

In the article about Total Cholesterol Normal Values, we explained why we modified the original column, dividing it into several sections. We discussed Total Cholesterol normal values and its importance but that is only one third of the puzzle. This section covers the HDL Cholesterol levels and why it is important to keep the HDL level as high as possible.

When you are grading the HDL in the body, the higher levels are better. Low HDL cholesterol puts you at higher risk for heart disease. This is less than 40 mg/dL for men and less than 50 mg/dL for women.

In the average man, HDL cholesterol levels range from 40 to 50 mg/dL. For the average woman, they range from 50 to 60 mg/dL. An HDL cholesterol of 60 mg/dL or higher offers some protection against heart disease.

Of course other bad habits affect our health. Smoking, being overweight and being sedentary can all result in lower HDL cholesterol. People with high blood triglycerides usually also have lower HDL cholesterol and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Progesterone, anabolic steroids and male sex hormones (testosterone) also lower HDL cholesterol levels. Female sex hormones raise HDL cholesterol levels.

The key point for managing total cholesterol, including LDL and HDL cholesterol levels is lifestyle changes. This includes eating a heart-healthy diet, getting regular activity (30-60 minutes per day), and avoiding tobacco smoke. It is important to work with your doctor to create a prevention and treatment plan that's right for you.

It is up to the individual to make the necessary changes to continue staying healthy. The Medical industry gives you the testing for total cholesterol as well as HDL and LDL. If the ratings are NOT what you desire, you can then search out NATURAL alternatives and remedies. I came across a new, FDA approved product that gives a safe alternative. Gathering information on alternatives always allows you to ask informed questions. Go to our website if you have questions or comments for us. For more information on a natural alternative, also go to our website: http://www.folkherbwisdom.com

Total Cholesterol Normal Values

Previously, we published a long article about cholesterol on our blog – “Cardinal Comments” When we realized just how long it was we compressed the information and created multiple columns. Total Cholesterol, Normal Values is one of these.

Can you answer the question: “What is the difference between Total Cholesterol, High Density and Low Density?”

Health and medical officials and literature talk individually about HDL – high density, and LDL – low density but do they talk about Total Cholesterol? Usually, your Doctor tells you whether your scores are “normal” or not. Hearing that you conform to the Total Cholesterol Normal Value scales brings you a brief sense of relief. Normal is open to such a varying interpretation. If you want to manage your health, then you need to know and understand your total cholesterol.

Your Total Cholesterol consists of these two scores, HDL and LDL. Although there are two different scales used in the world, the majority of articles refer to the popular one from the United States and Europe. Before you can understand anything, you first need a cholesterol check.

Sometimes your Doctor orders a fasting blood test. This produces accurate results for all three, TOTAL, LDL and HDL. But the fasting is not necessary for total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol testing. What you eat affects the amount of LDL (bad) cholesterol level and triglycerides in your body. For this reason, a LDL test MUST be done on an empty stomach.

No, you cannot subtract the HDL from the total cholesterol!

For detailed information about HDL-bound cholesterol, I recommend the article on “HDL Cholesterol.”

Total Cholesterol Normal Values change with many of our lifestyle habits. For example -- how old are you? What is your family history? Do you smoke or do you have high blood pressure? What are your eating habits? Are you under stress?

If your Total Cholesterol, Blood (or Serum) Level, is less than 200 mg/dL, then this is the Desirable rating for your total cholesterol normal value. In another article, I will talk more about Cholesterol and what you can do about it. If you cannot wait, then check out one of our many websites: http://www.folkherbwisdom.com or http://nutronix.com/helpingyou