TOTAL CHOLESTEROL

General Goal less than 170

 TRIGLYCERIDES

General Goal less than 100

Cholesterol is present in all parts of the body including the brain and nervous system, muscle, skin, liver, intestines, heart, skeleton, etc.  Your body produces cholesterol to meet these needs.  Your body can also use the cholesterol in your diet.  Cholesterol is found only in animal foods. Cholesterol is not found in plant foods.

The cholesterol level of your blood is affected by:

- the cholesterol your body  produces
- the saturated fat, cholesterol,     fiber and total calories in your diet.
- your genetics

High blood cholesterol levels increase your risk of heart disease.

LDL is the form of cholesterol which can clog your arteries.  This is why LDL is often called bad cholesterol.

LDL can often be reduced with a low saturated fat, low cholesterol, high fiber diet. Saturated fats are found mainly in high fat dairy products (butter, cheese, whole milk, ice cream), fatty meats (sausage, bacon, prime rib, hot dogs, bologna), and some deep-fried foods.  Unsaturated fats found in nuts, peanut butter, olive oil, and canola oil do not raise your LDL level.  High fiber foods that can help reduce your LDL include whole grain breads and cereals, oatmeal, barley, vegetables, and fruits, and dried peas and beans.

Drug therapy may also be prescribed if LDL does not respond to diet and lifestyle changes.

High LDL levels increase your risk of heart disease.

If  HDLs are low (below 45), it is a risk factor for heart disease, even if your total cholesterol is less than 200. 
You have a lower risk for developing coronary heart disease if your HDLs are high.

To help raise HDLs, lose weight (if needed), and become physically active.  Including some unsaturated fats on a daily basis (a handful of nuts or a serving of peanut butter) may also help increase your HDL level.  Eating fish such as salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, and sea bass regularly (two times per week) can raise your HDL.

The lower your HDLs, the greater your risk for heart disease. 

 Weight loss (if needed) and regular exercise are the best ways to reduce triglycerides.  In addition, avoid most sweet drinks (soda, fruit juice, fruit drinks), reduce the amount of starchy foods (breads, rice, pasta, potato, corn) at meals, and limit sweet snacks or desserts to small servings.  Eating several small meals per day rather than one or two large meals can also help reduce triglycerides.

If diabetic, good control of blood sugar and a Hemoglobin A1C blood test less than 7% will also lower triglycerides.

High triglyceride levels increase your risk of heart disease and very high levels can lead to pancreatitis.