Why Cholesterol Matters for Women - Maximed Turkey

Why Cholesterol Matters for Women

For the first time, new research has found that cholesterol is important for women, too. For decades it had been thought that men's and women's cholesterol levels were about the same. But it turns out that only about 15% of women have normal levels of "good" HDL cholesterol and they need higher levels than men for a healthy heart.

In a nationwide survey of cholesterol testing in the United States, researchers found that women have lower levels of HDL compared to men and more often have the type of LDL cholesterol that is linked with a greater risk for heart disease. Those findings were published in the November 1, 2007 issue of JAMA.

The research found that one in four women had a "normal" level of cholesterol (HDL greater than 60 mg/dL) compared to three out of four men (the researchers defined normal as total cholesterol less than 200 mg/dL; HDL greater than 40; LDL less than 130; and triglycerides less than 150). Many had unhealthy levels, however.

Understanding the Highs and Lows of Cholesterol

A lot of the confusion about the role of cholesterol in heart disease has come from a misunderstanding of some basic distinctions:

·    Total cholesterol: It is expressed as a single figure, and is the sum of HDL and LDL levels. Total and HDL levels are related, but not identical; you cannot simply add up your numbers to get your total since HDL comes in many different forms. The bottom line is that you must get both HDL and LDL checked even though it may be more difficult for an individual to change which kind of cholesterol they have (or get more of one).

·    LDL: This is generally considered the "bad" cholesterol. However, all LDL is not bad. Some researchers have shown that a certain kind of LDL protects the body from infection and cancer. So this term should not be used as a label for "bad" cholesterol, but as a label for a type of cholesterol whose levels need to be monitored closely.

·    Triglycerides: This isn't a measure of cholesterol, but it is an important indicator of overall health. It measures how much fat there is in the blood and is high in people who eat more fat and sugar or who are overweight or obese. There are many things you can do to lower yours (see below).

What to Know About Triglycerides In Your Blood

Triglycerides are a type of fat that is found in the bloodstream. They are also known as "TG" or "TGL". The most common measure of triglycerides is measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L). When your triglyceride level is low, this indicates that you have lower than normal blood cholesterol levels. A triglyceride level that's too high can be an indicator of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other health conditions. This article will help you understand how to calculate your blood triglycerides levels and what this number may mean for your health.

Why Cholesterol Affects Women Differently

Diabetes and other problems may be part of the reason women's cholesterol is lower than men's and why women should be more concerned about it. For example:

Diabetes: Khoriki has found that women with diabetes have higher levels of cholesterol. While those levels are not as high as those in those who do not have diabetes, they should still be monitored closely.

Genetics: Women's typically low total cholesterol also runs in families, which can make women more vulnerable to heart disease than men whose blood cholesterol may be higher because of other factors – such as male hormones – that affect the liver and overall health.

Is It Harmful To Have High Cholesterol?

While high cholesterol levels may be associated with heart attacks and other serious problems, there is no such thing as "good" or "bad" cholesterol. Your level of HDL and LDL depends on your dietary habits combined with your genetics.

How much you eat and how often you exercise usually determines which kind of cholesterol you make, but there is also a wide range in healthy levels of both. Many things can raise your blood cholesterol – even if it turns out to be normal – including smoking, stress, lack of exercise, and certain medications. Eat a healthful diet that includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products.

How To Lower Your Cholesterol?

If your cholesterol is high you can decrease it with changes to your diet and exercise. Eating foods that are low in saturated fat, trans fat, total fat, cholesterol, and sodium; exercising; losing weight; not smoking, and managing stress can all help you get it under control. Maximed Turkish doctor can direct you to resources for help with this process. We recommend the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which was developed by the National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health specifically to lower blood pressure.