BUYING GUIDES..since 1995
|
GALT HOME:
Internet Guides - Finance - Audio/Video - Travel - Household/DIY - Health - Cars - Fashion - Sports - Entertainment - Cell Phones |
| MENU: Technology and Internet Guides | Travel | Health | Household | Sports ...independent online guides since 1995 |
What is cholesterol? What is considered to be high or bad cholesterol levels?:Cholesterol is a soft, fatty substance found in your bloodstream and in all your body's cells. Everyone has cholesterol and it's an important part of a healthy body. If you have a high level of cholesterol in your blood, you increase your risk for coronary heart disease (which causes heart attacks) and strokes. Hypercholesterolemia is the term for high levels of blood cholesterol. You get cholesterol from 2 sources - your body either produces it or you eat animal products (meats, poultry, fish, butter, cheese, milk) that contain cholesterol. Some foods contain trans-fat which causes your body to make more cholesterol. Foods with saturated fats have the same effect on your body. Cholesterol and other fats have a hard time dissolving in your bloodstream and that is where the risk for heart attacks occur since they can block your arteries. There are 2 kinds of lipoproteins in your body. Low density lipoprotein (LDL), which is the bad cholesterol, can lead to strokes and heart attacks if not treated. HDL (High density lipoprotein), is the "good" cholesterol. Your body makes HDL for your protection since it carries cholesterol away from your arteries. High levels of HDL cholesterol reduce your risk of a heart attack. Healthy levels of total cholesterol in your system are less than 200 mg/dl. High risk levels are over 240 mg/dl, although experts continually reduce that number and many doctors now want total cholesterol levels at 180-190 or less.
LDL Cholesterol Levels:As mentioned above, your LDL (Low density lipoproteins) determines much of your cholesterol risk to having strokes or heart attacks due to clogged arteries. LDL cholesterol is based around 5 categories:
Cholesterol Diet (Help Reduce and Lower Cholesterol):If it is proven that you have high LDL levels of cholesterol in your body, then diet is one of the main ways to help reduce the bad cholesterol without having to take medication. Some general dietary guidelines for lowering cholesterol levels are below:
Cholesterol Treatment and Medication:If you are diagnosed with high "bad" cholesterol levels, then your doctor will probably start with treatment in terms of a diet low in saturated fats, cholesterol, and fatty foods. If after 6 months the cholesterol has not been reduced, exercise and weight loss may need to be looked at. Some people, unfortunately have a genetic trait that produces too much "bad" cholesterol and they need to consider a cholesterol medication to help reduce their overall cholesterol to safe levels. Many of the statin drugs used to treat cholesterol are successful but they all carry side effects, so please discuss them carefully with you doctor. The most recognized cholesterol lowering drugs are Lipitor, Zocor, Norvir, Pravachol, Baycol, Lescol, and Fortovase.
Is there a test for cholesterol I can take at home?There are cholesterol tests you can take at home but all require you to send the blood sample to a lab for testing. So unlike, diabetes home tests for insulin levels, cholesterol tests are not as sophisticated as they need to be. The best cholesterol tests we found on Drugstore.com were Care Cholesterol Plus, Home Test Kit ($29.99) and CholesTrak Home Cholesterol Test ($16.99). In the reviews for all of the cholesterol tests we found many complaints about not having adequate space to put the blood sample on the test itself and we also read that the test results varied by as much as 30% so the accuracy is in question. Please take these tests with the knowledge that they are only a guide and not completely accurate.
Do you have a quality site or product that belongs in this guide? We are always happy to evaluate or review new products and websites. Feel free to contact us at the email address below and let us know about you. If you have a demo product you'd like us to look at, please contact us before sending anything. Thank you.
Send email to: galtemail (@) yahoo.com
|
