Today the word "cholesterol" can be found in television programs dedicated to health, both in commercials and in the form of an inscription on the packaging of products: "Does not contain cholesterol." There is a lot of information about the horrible consequences of excess cholesterol: to atherosclerosis, to myocardial infarction, to gangrene of extremities, and even to a heart attack.
Nevertheless, cholesterol is contained in the blood of animals, including humans, and one can not direct the fight against cholesterol to adjust health in only one way - to reduce its quantity. The ancient Greeks were right when in their philosophical discussions they determined that the golden mean was important in everything. Indeed, as practice shows, low cholesterol is dangerous for health as well as overestimated. Let's take a closer look at this topic and determine the rate of this substance, find out why we need it and consider what affects its level.
What is cholesterol and why does it need a person?
The norm of cholesterol in the blood of a person ensures the normal activity of cells. The fact is that cholesterol is the basis of cell membranes, and therefore, if its content decreases, then the "building material" will be feeble and cells will not function well, quickly breaking down. The cell can not be divided without cholesterol, so in its absence, growth is impossible, which implies that it is important for children in particular. The human body itself produces cholesterol in the liver (it is also able to synthesize all cells except red blood cells, but in comparison with the liver, they supply a small amount of this substance), and it in turn also participates in the formation of bile.
Cholesterol also helps the adrenal glands to create steroid hormones and is involved in the formation of vitamin D3, which allows bone tissues to be strong.
Given this information, a logical question arises: why lower cholesterol levels?
But here it turns out that everything is much more complicated, because the excess of this substance leads to aging: it accumulates in the cell membranes, settles on the vessels and forms plaques that disrupt the oxygen exchange, and therefore the whole body suffers. Therefore, you do not need to fight with cholesterol, it needs to be regulated.
A blood test for cholesterol and normal values
To monitor the level of cholesterol, you need to periodically give blood for an analysis that will show the contents of different forms of this substance:
- total cholesterol;
- HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein);
- LDL-cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein);
- triglycerides.
Today, there is an opinion that some forms of cholesterol are harmful, while others are useful. When describing the norm (further), this position will be taken into account.
What is the norm of cholesterol in the blood with the unit of measurement mol / l?
In some laboratories, cholesterol is measured in units of mmol / L. Pre-donation of blood can not be about 6-8 hours and overload yourself with physical exercises, tk. this can affect its level.
- If you have a total cholesterol in the blood from 3.1 to 6.4 mmol / l, then this is the norm, and for concern there is no reason.
- The permissible norm of LDL cholesterol in the blood - for women from 1.92 to 4.51 mmol / l, and for the stronger sex - from 2.25 to 4.82 mmol / l. It is believed that this is the most "harmful" cholesterol, dangerous for health, because it forms plaques on the vessels.
- HDL cholesterol in men is normal, if contained in the range from 0.7 to 1.73 mmol / l, and the norm of this cholesterol in women is from 0.86 to 2.28 mmol / l. This is the so-called "useful" cholesterol, however, the lower it is, the better.
- It should also be taken into account that some doctors are of the opinion that for different ages there is a norm of cholesterol and also sugar in the blood, but they also admit that it is better to strive for a common biological norm. Therefore, if in laboratory the overestimated parameters of these substances are defined, it is desirable to address to several physicians for definition of a reliable picture of health.
What is the norm of cholesterol in the blood with a unit of mg / dl?
- The total cholesterol in this measurement system is normal, if the figure is not higher than 200 mg / dl, but the maximum allowable value is 240 mg / dl.
- HDL should be at least 35 mg / dl.
- LDL - no more than 100 mg / dl (for a person with cardiovascular diseases) and not more than 130 mg / ml (for healthy people).
If the figure rises from 130 to 160 mg / dl, it means that the level of cholesterol is at the maximum permissible level and it needs to be adjusted by diet. - Triglycerides are normal if they are contained in the blood to 200 mg / dL, and the maximum allowable value here will be from 200 to 400 mg / dl.
How much, and also whether the normal level of cholesterol in the blood, will tell the ratio of LDL and HDL: if the first is lower than the second, then this is a favorable prognosis (this is done to assess the risk of vascular disease).