Cholesterol

[gopo92]

can anone tell me are these readings normal

total cholesterol       160 mg/dl
LDL cholesterol        103 mg/dl
HDL cholesterol         39 mg/dl
triglycerides               91
if not how can i improve

[ed34]

Your Cholesterol levels aren't broken down enough, you need the LDL broken down further. There are two types of LDL to be aware of. There is basically a small one and a large one. The smaller is the one which gets stuck in the arteries, while the larger one is safe. If you have nearly all large LDL lipids, then I don't see the problem of your HDL being a bit low. One things I've been looking for on the internet, but cannot find, is whether HDL actually flags the smaller LDL for return to the Liver.

[erijon]

Your numbers aren't bad, but could be improved. Your HDL is too low, but only by a small amount as it should be over 40. Your LDL is very low for you age which helps off sett your low HDL. The role of HDL is to bind with LDL and take it back to your liver to be recycled or eliminated. The higher the LDL, the more HDL is required, but your LDL is low. Having said that, you need to raise your HDL. Exercise is the best way, 30 mins per day of some moderate activity like a brisk walk will do it. Also, you can take OTC niacin plus fish oil, both will help.

Your numbers are only a point or two of HDL from being great, get some exercise and you'll be right there.

Hope this helps,

Jon

[Mom2four85]

My dr told me to exercise and eat right to raise HDL, mine's not really low but fluctuates often for some strange reason.  I haven't exercised in almost 2 years so it's 49 right now, but when I did exercise it stayed between 60-70.  I did just start a very mild walking program, so it will be interesting to see if exercise does increase it at any level.

HDL levels below 40 can result in an increased risk of coronary atery disease, even in people whose total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels are normal.

Here's some tips:
Aerobic exercise -any exercise, such as walking, jogging or bike riding, that raises your heart rate for 20 to 30 minutes at a time; start slow if you haven't exercised in awhile; then add daily to your time - always ask your doctor first to be safe
Lose weight if you need to
Stop smoking if you do
Cut out the trans fatty acids - 1) reduce the fat intake to 30 - 35% of the total calories in the diet - but probably no lower than 25% of total calories
Avoid Alcohol
Increase the monounsaturated fats in your diet - try to eliminate saturated fats and trans fats from the diet, and substitute monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats instead
Add soluble fiber to your diet

Also Cranberry juice has been shown to increase HDL levels. Fish and other foods containing omega-3 fatty acids can also increase HDL levels.

Hopefully these tips will have a double benefit, raising your HDL while lowering your LDL below 100.

[curmudgen]

HDL is low....hard to raise.  the best advice i can give you is start by reading this web site-
http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/guide/understanding-numbers - and then search for how to raise HDL levels.  You will learn so much more by doing it this way.