That means the number of milligrams of cholesterol or lipoprotein in 1/10th of a liter of blood. The units used to measure cholesterol are milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). They also provide different ranges for men and women over 20. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) break down healthy levels of cholesterol into people under 19 years of age and those over 20. ![]() ![]() Your cholesterol levels also change naturally, especially if you’re a woman. Healthy cholesterol levels by ageĪs you get older, your risk of heart disease due to high cholesterol increases. Men have more “bad” LDL cholesterol than women, but our researchers saw that, on average, their levels start to drop around middle age. Unpublished research from ZOE found that women have higher levels of “good” HDL cholesterol than men for most of their lives, thanks to the effect of the hormone estrogen.īut later in life, their levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol go up significantly, increasing their risk of coronary artery disease. If this happens in the arteries around your heart or those leading to your brain, it can lead to serious health problems. Too much can lead to buildup of cholesterol on the walls of your blood vessels, making it harder for blood to pass through.Īs these buildups - composed of cholesterol and other deposits - grow over time, it can lead to hardening and narrowing of the blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis. But your body makes as much cholesterol as it needs - what’s in your food is extra. Your body uses cholesterol as building blocks to make vitamin D, the acids in your bile, and the hormones that trigger vital reactions. ![]() The more VLDL you have in your blood, the higher your risk of hardening of the arteries and heart problems.Ĭholesterol is produced in your liver. Very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL): This type of lipoprotein transports triglycerides, another type of fat that your cells store for energy later on, around the body. High levels of LDL can contribute to atherosclerosis, or hardened arteries, and heart disease. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol: This carries cholesterol to the tissues in your arteries, potentially leading to buildups and blockages. You need a high level of good cholesterol to keep down your risk of heart disease. High-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol: This takes cholesterol from the tissues in your body to your liver. As fat and water don’t mix, your cholesterol moves around in little packets called lipoproteins. ![]() Types of cholesterol and what they mean for your healthĬholesterol is a waxy substance that is similar to fat that travels around your body in your bloodstream. You can take a free quiz to find out how ZOE can help you eat the right foods for you.Īnd read on to learn more about healthy cholesterol levels by age. Our research, based on the largest nutrition study in the world, has also shown that responses to food are hugely personal and can make a big difference to your risk of developing conditions like heart disease. Unpublished ZOE research with over 1,000 people found that levels of “bad” cholesterol get higher as we get older, especially in women. Too much of the wrong kind can increase your risk of heart problems like coronary artery disease, where narrowing of the vessels decreases blood flow to the heart. Your body needs it to function properly, and there are several different types of cholesterol that can impact your health in a range of ways. As you get older, your cholesterol levels change naturally, and your health risks due to high cholesterol can increase.Ĭholesterol isn’t simply “bad,” though. A healthy cholesterol level depends on a number of factors, including your age.
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