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Cholesterol
and Triglycerides
Elevated blood cholesterol has been shown
to be a major risk factor for the development of
heart disease, stroke, and atherosclerotic vascular
disease. Some cholesterol is produced by the body,
while another part is contributed through the diet.
Triglycerides are other fatty substances
often measured at the same time as cholesterol,
in order to evaluate cardiac risk. Mildly elevated
triglycerides, in the absence of high cholesterol,
have not been shown to increase the risk of heart
disease. Some studies show that those with triglyceride
levels of 1000 mg/dl, or more, may have an increased
risk of heart disease even if their cholesterol
level is normal.
Normal Triglyceride Level
10-150 mg/dl
Knowledge of these blood levels has become increasingly
important to both the general public and today’s
physician. Control of dietary cholesterol and fat
continues to be an important measure in limiting
the risk of heart disease (and some cancers). Home
diagnostic kits for evaluating cholesterol levels
have been developed and are soon to be marketed.
Cardiac Risk
(general assessment as it relates to blood cholesterol
levels for adults)
|
Relative Risk |
|
Total Cholesterol |
|
Very Low |
|
150 mg/dl |
|
Low |
|
200 mg/dl |
|
Average |
|
225 mg/dl |
|
Moderate |
|
260 mg/dl |
|
High |
|
greater than 300 mg/dl
|
If a child or adolescent has at least one parent with
a high cholesterol level (240 mg/dl or greater) his
or her blood cholesterol level should be tested.
For children and teens, a total cholesterol of 200
mg/dl or more is considered high, 170 to 199 borderline
high, and less than 170 mg/dl acceptable.
Strict vegetarians may have serum cholesterol levels
of less than 100 mg %, considerably less than their
lactocarnivorous peer group.
Some of the cholesterol in food is partly digested,
or not absorbed, and does not appear in the overall
body cholesterol equation. Cholesterol synthesizes
in the liver, at the rate of 1000 mg/day. A similar
amount of cholesterol per day is secreted in bile
by liver cells and circulates through the gastrointestinal
tract (GIT). One way to decrease total body cholesterol
is to increase GIT loss. The use of binding resins
or fiber, such as plant fibers or the semi-synthetic
resin, cholestyramine, to trap bile salts and cholesterol,
can lower serum cholesterol levels.
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