CHOLESTEROL AND YOUR HEALTH
What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that your body makes and uses. Cholesterol is also found in animals. Foods from animals, like meats, milk, eggs, fish, and poultry give us dietary cholesterol. Eating too much cholesterol can be unhealthy.
Why is too much cholesterol harmful?
Too much cholesterol in your blood is a major cause of fatty deposit build-up along the inside of your blood vessels. This build-up (atherosclerosis) puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke.
What is HDL and LDL?
HDL and LDL are two kinds of cholesterol. HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) removes the excess cholesterol from the walls of your blood vessels to the liver and then out of your body. HDL is often called the "good" cholesterol.
LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) carries and leaves cholesterol on the walls of your blood vessels. LDL is often called the "bad" cholesterol.
How can I measure my cholesterol?
Cholesterol is measured by a blood test.
What do the numbers mean?
Total cholesterol
- Desirable Less than 200
- Borderline 200-239
- High 240 or greater
Your HDL Cholesterol Number
The higher your HDL cholesterol level the better, because this means that you have more good lipoproteins to remove stuck cholesterol from your blood vessels.
- Desirable 35 or greater
- Low Less than 35
Your LDL Cholesterol Number
The higher the number of bad lipoproteins, or LDL´s, in your blood, the more likely cholesterol is beginning to stick to your blood vessels.
- Desirable Less than 130
- Borderline 130-159
- High 160 or greater
Action plan
- Watch your weight- if you weigh too much your body stores more fat and cholesterol.
- Exercise- regular exercise can help raise your HDL level, can help you lose weight, and help lower other heart risks.
- Reduce other heart risks- stop smoking, control your blood pressure & diabetes, and reduce the stress in your life.
- Change your diet- eat less fat and cholesterol, eat more fiber and starches, and if you drink alcohol, be moderate.
- Pick your fats wisely- choose monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats from vegetable sources and decrease your intake of saturated fat from animal sources
- Read food labels and eat correct portions sizes
- Recipe adjusting/substitution
- Get health check-ups and get your cholesterol checked regularly
CSUB Student Health Services 661/654-2394 ED 3/0