Cholesterol is a waxy substance made in your liver. Your body needs it to build your cells’ walls, digest fat, and make some hormones. Every day your liver makes enough for what your body needs, so you don’t need to add extra to your diet.
From hamburgers to cheese, cholesterol hides in some of our favorite foods. The average American man eats 337 milligrams of it each day, which is 37 milligrams more than the American Heart Association says is healthy.
Although 37 milligrams doesn’t seem like much, in a week, that adds up to 259 extra milligrams. A diet high in fat and cholesterol is the main reason for heart disease, which is the #1 cause of death in the United States.
Bad cholesterol can happen at any age to anyone, regardless of shape, size, or gender.
Guidelines
|
Total Cholesterol Level |
Category |
|
Less than 200 mg/dL |
Good |
|
200-239 mg/dL |
Borderline High |
|
240 mg/dL or higher |
High |
|
LDL (Bad) Cholesterol Level |
Category |
|
Less than 100 mg/dL |
Best |
|
100-129 mg/dL |
Good |
|
130-159 mg/dL |
Borderline High |
|
160 mg/dL or higher |
High |
|
HDL (Good) Cholesterol Level |
Category |
|
60 mg/dL or higher |
Best |
|
Less than 40 mg/dL |
Too Low |
Source: The American Heart Association
Talk to your doctor to find out your numbers. The sooner you know them, the sooner you can plan for better health.
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