HDL and Triglyceride Levels vs LDL
What would cause your HDL Level (66) and Triglyceride Level (71) to be fine, but the LDL to be above optimal (in 130s range)?
What can be done to bring it (LDL) down to a good number (100 or so)?
Thank you.
Hi TeddiAngel,
Your HDL and triglyceride levels are great - good job!
HDL, triglycerides, and LDL are affected by a variety of factors that overlap, but I'm going to give you the big ones for each.
HDL - Physical activity has the greatest impact. You want to keep yourself above 60 mg/dL and being physically active 5 or more days each week for at least 30 minutes will keep you there or even boost you higher.
Triglycerides - Sugar and alcohol have the greatest impact on triglycerides.
LDL - Affected by saturated and trans fat intake.
The action I recommend to bring your LDL down:
1. Look at your saturated fat and trans fat intake and see where you can make cuts. This would include what you select when dining out, reading food labels to eliminate trans fats, selecting lean cuts of meat (loins and rounds are leanest), etc.
2. Increase your dietary fiber intake. A high fiber diet (especially soluble fiber) promotes lower LDL levels.
3. Evaluate the other areas in your life, such as your weight (do you need to lose or maintain), are you active enough (most days a week?), do you smoke (is it time to stop?).
It's great that you are staying on top of your numbers and doing what you can to get in the optimal range.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson, RD, LN
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