What is normal cholesterol? Its rate depends on the gender and age of the individual. This substance is involved in many biological processes of the body, therefore, an increase or decrease in its permissible values directly affects the state of he alth. Many patients try to reach and maintain their levels within the allowed range.
What is cholesterol?
What is normal cholesterol? Before answering this question, let's consider what it is. This compound is a fatty (lipophilic) alcohol that is found in the cell membranes of an individual and takes part in various biochemical processes. The year of discovery of cholesterol is 1769. About eighty percent of this water-insoluble substance is synthesized by the liver, gonads, intestines, kidneys and adrenal glands. With food, only twenty percent of it enters the body. Of the functions that he performs, it should be noted participation in:
- Synthesis of differenthormonal substances - estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, aldosterone, cortisol, as well as bile acids.
- Vitamin D production.
- Digestion.
- Maintaining immunity.
The body needs a certain amount of this substance, so it is important to know what the rate of cholesterol in the blood should be. With a lack or excess of it, an individual has he alth problems.
Classification and types
Insoluble fatty alcohol in the blood attaches to proteins and exists in the body in the form of lipoproteins or they are also called lipoproteins, which, depending on the ratio of two substances, are:
- Very low density (letter designation - VLDL) - contains almost no protein. If their indicator exceeds the norm, then the risk of serious endocrine pathologies increases - jaundice, kidney failure, viral hepatitis.
- Low density (LDL) or "bad" - its main role is to transfer fatty particles from the liver structures to the peripheral sections. It is the predominance of this type of lipoprotein that increases the risk of vascular and heart pathologies.
- High density (HDL) or "good" - for cell membranes, it serves as a building material, the more of this sterol, the better for the body. This compound has a beneficial effect on the walls of blood vessels, making them stronger, more elastic and denser. In addition, it contributes to the dissolution of plaques, i.e., it performs the function of cleansing, relieving blood vessels of cholesterol deposits. Shortits level provokes a malfunction of the cardiovascular system.
- Intermediate Density (IDL) - live in the blood for a fairly short period. Their main job is to move sterol from the liver to all cellular tissues of the body.
Cholesterol - harm or benefit?
This compound is natural for humans, it takes part in many biochemical processes. What cholesterol should be normal: "bad" or "good"? The division into two varieties is rather conditional. Both types are needed by the body in a certain amount. Even the “bad” one is very important, and if it weren’t there, then the individual would not be able to live. However, its excess beyond the allowable values is more dangerous than the "good" one. In addition, it is necessary to have information about the amount of total cholesterol. The main part of this substance is produced in the liver, but if considered separately, then:
- HDL - most of it is synthesized directly in the liver.
- LDL - Three-quarters is made in the liver, and twenty-five percent comes from food. For this reason, doctors recommend eating a he althy diet.
In addition, cholesterol contains:
- Triglycerides - they are considered the most common fats in the body of an individual fat, which are a source of energy and play an important role in metabolic processes. They are esters of glycerol and higher fats. If their number is normal, then there is no reason to worry, and if the level is too high, then this phenomenon is just as dangerous as an increase in “bad”cholesterol. In this state, a person burns little energy, but consumes a lot. As a result, the pressure numbers go up, the amount of glucose increases and fat deposits appear.
- Very-low-density lipoproteins are involved in the clogging of blood vessels, so their number must also be monitored. Their main function is to transport fats to the liver.
Each type of cholesterol has its own norm. It depends on gender and age, the excess or decrease of which is fraught with pathological disorders.
What factors affect cholesterol levels?
What level of cholesterol should be normal and what causes it? Doctors recommend checking this indicator every five years after the age of twenty. The average allowable value (in mmol / l) for all ages, regardless of gender, is 5 total cholesterol and 4 LDL. His concentration is affected by:
- Physical activity - regular exercise increases the content of "good" and reduces the "bad" sterol in the blood.
- Age and gender - its level increases with age. Women before menopause have lower numbers than men in the same period. However, after menopause, "bad" cholesterol goes up.
- Heredity - genes influence the amount of sterol produced.
- Body weight - Being overweight is a major risk factor for high blood cholesterol levels in adults.
- Food –eating foods rich in sterols and fats also contributes to high levels of it in the blood.
- Diabetes - constant monitoring of the course of the disease is necessary.
In addition, certain medical procedures and medications can cause an increase in blood cholesterol.
The role of cholesterol in the male body
Despite the fact that this substance is present in any organism, there are some peculiarities of its metabolism in males. This phenomenon is connected with the different purpose of both sexes, the difference in the hormonal background, which contributes to the formation of the skeleton and muscular frame according to the male type. This compound is involved in the production of steroid and sex hormones - cortisol and testosterone, which are responsible for the growth of muscle mass and sexual function.
Cholesterol is found in red blood cells, neurons, hepatocytes, and is also part of bile. It has an impact on maintaining the balance of vitamin D and immunity, is involved in the synthesis of phospholipid, which forms the basis of nerve fibers. Its level, in addition to hormonal metabolism and sexual nuances, is affected by a lifestyle that includes poor-quality nutrition (preference for fast foods), lack of concern for one's he alth. As a result, men consume more potentially harmful foods, which leads to gastrointestinal problems, vascular and heart diseases, as well as endocrine disruptions.
The norm of blood cholesterol levels by age in men
As men age,hormonal shake-ups and indicators of fat metabolism undergo changes. From the age of thirty, the likelihood of pathologies of the cardiovascular system increases. Therefore, doctors advise taking biomaterial for cholesterol every ten times, and upon reaching the age of fifty - every five years. Consider the rate of total cholesterol in the blood (mmol / l) depending on age:
- From 30 to 40 - 3, 57-6, 99. After thirty years, the regenerative capabilities of the body decrease, there is a danger of developing hypercholesterolemia. In a blood test, the level of low-density lipoproteins is also checked, since it is the control of this indicator that is important in assessing the risks of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.
- From 40 to 50 - 3, 91-7, 15. During the period of hormonal adjustment in men, testosterone production decreases, the layer of subcutaneous fat increases, which, together with an unhe althy lifestyle, contributes to the development of obesity and diabetes. These factors also negatively affect the state of blood vessels.
- From 50 to 60 - 4, 09-7, 15. If you do not give up bad habits, do not follow your diet and do not exercise, then the risk of pathology of the cardiovascular system increases significantly.
- Over 60 - 4, 09. There is a low level of lipids, but with the slightest exacerbation of chronic diseases and leading an unhe althy lifestyle, their concentration increases. Therefore, regular monitoring is required.
More information aboutwhat cholesterol should normally be in a male is presented in the table.
High cholesterol in men: what is the danger?
Exceeding the permissible values leads to damage to the walls of blood vessels, inside which an atherosclerotic plaque is formed. As a result, such serious complications develop as:
- endocrine pathology;
- IHD;
- thromboembolism;
- myopathy;
- angina;
- cardiosclerosis;
- heart failure;
- hypertension;
- arrhythmia;
- migraine;
- dementia;
- stroke;
- pre-infarction condition;
- atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels;
- fatty liver;
- kidney failure;
- varicose veins of the lower extremities;
- gangrene;
- convulsions;
- failure of reproductive function;
- trophic ulcers;
- obliterating endarteritis.
Thus, deviations from acceptable values negatively affect the work of all organs and systems of the individual's body. Therefore, it is important to know what cholesterol in the blood should be normal. Degenerative changes quickly become irreversible.
Acceptable cholesterol levels (mmol/l) for women
In youth, even with some errors in nutrition, metabolic processes proceed quickly and the level of sterol does not increase. However, long-term dietary disorders, diseases of the endocrine system, malfunctions in the liver and age-related changes provoke an increase in the level above the norm.blood cholesterol in women. For beautiful ladies over thirty, the allowable values are slightly higher, since during this period the metabolism slows down. At forty years and beyond, due to a decrease in childbearing function, the amount of estrogens, which protect against an increase in cholesterol, also decreases. With the onset of menopause, its level can rise sharply. Particular attention is paid to this indicator during the waiting period for the baby, since significant deviations from the permitted values \u200b\u200bcan harm not only the expectant mother, but also the baby.
A slight increase in performance is the norm, this phenomenon is associated with a change in the intensity of lipid metabolism and hormonal changes in the female body. It is important to know what level of cholesterol in the blood is considered normal during pregnancy. For example, an increase in the so-called "bad" cholesterol is the cause of some congenital anomalies of the cardiovascular system in crumbs. In this regard, doctors recommend throughout the interesting position of a woman to monitor this indicator at least three times. After delivery, everything returns to normal. The amount of time required for this will depend on the individual characteristics of the organism.
The above is a table that contains information about what level of cholesterol in the blood is normal for women of different ages.
How to normalize cholesterol levels?
To do this, it is advisable to change your diet by enriching it with the following products:
- tomatoes;
- fish;
- ginger;
- avocado;
- fresh carrots;
- garlic;
- nuts;
- citrus fruits;
- olive oil.
For example, taking ½ avocado daily for three weeks reduces cholesterol by eight, and olive oil by eighteen percent (provided that the individual consumes only this oil, excluding butter and sunflower).
Sports will not only help to cope with an overestimated sterol level, but also normalize weight. Any physical activity - tennis, yoga, running, swimming, aerobics, walking, cycling - should be carried out three times a week for thirty to fifty minutes.
In some cases, doctors recommend taking medications - Simvastatin, Rosuvastatin, Atorvastatin, Fluvastatin and others.
Blood test
According to medical statistics, many men and women have high cholesterol levels. This phenomenon has a negative impact on he alth. To prevent and detect possible pathologies, it is necessary to control some indicators using a lipid profile. Thanks to a detailed clinical blood test for cholesterol, it is not difficult to detect the norm or deviations from it. The study on the lipid spectrum is carried out in the morning. This is an effective and quite informative way by which the doctor has the opportunity to obtain the necessary information about the he alth of the individual, as well aselicit the risk of blood clots and atherosclerosis. Preparation for it includes:
- Restriction of physical and mental activity two days before the delivery of biomaterial.
- No cholesterol-lowering drugs twelve hours before blood donation (as agreed with your doctor).
- No high-fat foods, no food, no alcoholic beverages eight hours prior to procedure.
- In the morning, before going to the laboratory, do not smoke.
An analysis for cholesterol, the norm of which differs for women and men, can be taken at a medical institution at the place of residence. There are also express methods that allow you to do this manipulation at home. It is especially important to control the lipid spectrum for people at risk:
- women after menopause;
- men over 40;
- obese;
- smoking;
- after suffering a heart attack or cerebrovascular accident;
- Sedentary.
Causes of low cholesterol
What should be the norm of cholesterol in a person you now know. However, there are situations in which this figure is underestimated. In this case, the body lacks the necessary material for the construction of new cells and the synthesis of hormonal substances. In addition, it is very dangerous for the brain and nervous system. As a result, the individual develops depression, memory deteriorates. Factorssterol lowering agents are as follows:
- Liver disease, anemia, hyperthyroidism, tuberculosis.
- Fasting.
- Sepsis.
- Cachexia.
- Major burns.
- Malabsorption syndrome.
- Reception of estrogens, MAO inhibitors, and interferons.
Conclusion
After reading the article, you now know what should be the norm of cholesterol in a person. With age, the individual undergoes various changes, the appearance of which requires regular monitoring. Otherwise, there are negative he alth consequences. Cholesterol is recognized as one of the important indicators, the content of which is controlled by donating venous blood. Analyzing the results of laboratory tests, the doctor will be able to identify the risk of developing anomalies of the heart and blood vessels in advance, and take the necessary measures in a timely manner.
