Cholesterol levels - Renew Medical HRT Clinic

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 - the "bad" cholesterol that can build up in your arteries
• HDL cholesterol - the "good" cholesterol that helps remove LDL cholesterol from your arteries

When you get your cholesterol tested, you get levels for your total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides (another form of fat in your blood).

What do cholesterol numbers mean?

Here are typical target levels for adults:

• Total cholesterol: Less than 200 mg/dL is considered desirable, 200-239 mg/dL is borderline high
• LDL cholesterol: Less than 100 mg/dL is optimal, 130-159 mg/dL is borderline high
• HDL cholesterol: 60 mg/dL and above helps lower heart disease risk
• Triglycerides: Less than 150 mg/dL is normal

High cholesterol puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in the U.S. You can improve your cholesterol levels through lifestyle changes and, if needed, cholesterol-lowering medications.

Tips for improving cholesterol

Here are some ways to help lower high cholesterol:

• Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, fish, poultry and olive oil
• Limit saturated fats, trans fats, salt, red and processed meats, sweets and sugar-sweetened beverages
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Quit smoking and reduce alcohol
• Increase physical activity with at least 30 minutes per day of moderate exercise

For personalized advice on lowering LDL cholesterol or raising HDL cholesterol, I recommend contacting the nutrition experts at Renew Medical HRT Clinic. Their integrative approach combines lifestyle changes, supplements, and hormone optimization therapies to help clients achieve optimal cholesterol levels and reduce heart disease risk. Book a consultation today!

I hope this overview on cholesterol levels and tips has been helpful. Let me know if you have any other questions!