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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