WHAT IS CHOLESTEROL AND TRIGLICERIDES, AND WHAT ARE THE NORMAL LEVELS?
ANS. Cholesterol is white, waxy fat normally found in the body and is essential for building cell walls and producing certain hormones. There are two types of cholesterol, the HDL (high-density lipoprotein) or the “good” cholesterol, and the LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or “bad” cholesterol. The HDL will clean the arteries, while the LDL will clog them by forming waxy buildups in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. This reduction in blood can cause many types of symptoms and eventually heart attack. Plaques can also break away from the artery wall and form a Thrombus that can completely block a vessel and leading to a heart attack, Triglicerides are sugars that in turn become fats within the body. Normal values for total cholesterol should be fewer than 200. Normal HDL is 35-40 (higher is better), and normal LDL should be less 130. Triglicerides should be less than 200. Genetics are a major factor in how the body assimilates and utilizes the fats and sugars we ingest. Diet, t
