What are normal cholesterol levels ? 

Before we discuss about what are normal cholesterol levels , why not start with what exactly cholesterol is. Cholesterol is a type of fatty substance that does not dissolve easily in the blood stream. But surprisingly, cholesterol has its many uses and important functions.

High cholesterol is common in modern life that is completely automated. Less body moves into one of the causes of high cholesterol accumulation in the blood. Each person has a cholesterol level that is different. Approximately 80% of cholesterol produced by the body and the rest of the food we eat. Cholesterol is at issue is the cholesterol that comes from food, although not all cholesterol from food is evil.

Normal Cholesterol Levels
Cholesterol levels are determined through a blood test. Before getting a blood test done, always ask for a lipid profile this will measure the cholesterol but also give a distinct report on LDL and HDL cholesterol. It is important to know what are normal cholesterol levels should be so as not to get paranoid about every thing you read in the blood and lipid profile report. If you want normal cholesterol levels, it is important to make a lifestyle change.

Here what are normal cholesterol levels:

* Overall cholesterol level normally should be between 135 to 200 mf/dL.
* LDL Cholesterol, which is harmful, should normally be less than 130mg/dL.
* HDL Cholesterol, the good cholesterol should be above 30mf/dL.
* The normal ratio of Total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol should be 4.0 to 6.0 for men and 3.7 to 5.7 for women. This ratio helps in indicating how healthy a person is.

Initially medical health care professionals would insist on decreasing LDL cholesterol levels, which was the bad cholesterol. But these days the stress is on increasing the HDL levels which is the good cholesterol. While understanding levels of cholesterol, it is important to know that know that both men and women will have different levels of normal cholesterol.

The guideline for LDL cholestrol is :

Less than 100mg/dl is optimal

100mg/dl to 129 mg/dl is near optimal

130mg/dl to 159mg/dl is borderline high

160mg/dl to 189mg/dl is high

190mg/dl is very high

HDL cholesterol is considered to be good cholesterol because it helps transport excess cholesterol back to the liver where it is excreted.

The guideline for HDL cholesterol is the higher the better. The threshold is 40mg/dl for men and 50mg/dl for women. Any lower than those readings would be considered high risk for heart disease.

The key to reducing LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol is to eat a healthy diet of fresh and low fat foods. You should exercise regularly. Try to get 30 minutes of exercise per day. Quit smoking because it lowers the amount of HDL cholesterol in the body.

I Hope This article about what are normal cholesterol levels helpful for you