What Are The Healthy Cholesterol Levels?
Cholesterol is a naturally occurring chemical produced by the human body. The liver produces most of the cholesterol in our circulation (75%), with the remaining 25% coming from the foods we eat. Although we all know that high blood cholesterol is bad for your health, the appropriate cholesterol levels are necessary for maintaining cell membranes and manufacturing hormones. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one-third of Americans have high cholesterol.
LDL Cholesterol: "Bad Cholesterol"
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, sometimes known as "bad" cholesterol, is the form that tends to build up on artery walls. The LDL cholesterol combines with white blood cells to produce artery-narrowing plaque, which inhibits blood flow. For most people, an LDL cholesterol level of 100 mg/dL or less is ideal. If you have heart disease, you should keep your LDL levels below 70 mg/dL.
HDL Cholesterol: "Good" Cholesterol
Cholesterol isn't all terrible. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is referred described as "good" cholesterol because it prevents LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, from accumulating in your arteries. HDL levels should be as high as possible. HDL cholesterol levels of 60 mg/dL or above can help lower your risk of heart disease. On the other hand, HDL values of 40 mg/dL or less are considered a significant risk factor for heart disease.
