Cholesterol Ratio

Is Calculating Your Cholesterol Ratio Important?

Everyone has heard their doctor talk about a cholesterol ratio at one time or another, but few people really understand what it is and what it does in the body. Cholesterol is actually a fatty substance that occurs naturally in human blood. The liver produces it, and it is also digested in the foods you eat. Cholesterol is essential when it comes to hormone and tissue formation. It helps the digestive process, and it protects the nerves. Cholesterol helps create the structure of all the cells in the body.

The body needs cholesterol to maintain good health. There are two types of cholesterol, and too much of one type can cause a stroke or heart disease. The real villain that everyone fears when it comes to cholesterol is low-density lipoprotein, which is better known as LDL cholesterol. The good cholesterol is high-density lipoprotein or HDL, and that is what keeps the heart and the arteries functioning effectively. Both types of cholesterol are present in the body so there must be a healthy cholesterol ratio in order to prevent coronary heart disease.

A cholesterol ratio is achieved by dividing your HDL or high-density lipoprotein, which is the good stuff into your total cholesterol reading. For example, if your HDL cholesterol is 50 mg/dL and your total cholesterol is 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) your cholesterol ratio is 4-to-1. A 4-to-1 ratio or lower is acceptable. A higher ratio will increase the chances of heart disease and stroke. It's important to know the numbers for all cholesterol levels in order to maintain a healthy ratio.

What Is A Good Cholesterol Ratio?

Once you identify your cholesterol numbers, your doctor will help find the ideal ratio for your metabolism. An ideal cholesterol ratio can be achieved by making some simple lifestyle changes like exercising regularly, eating a heart-healthy diet, and taking a cholesterol supplement. When you lower your LDL level and increase your HDL level you reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The benefit of increasing your HDL level lies in the fact that HDL carries LDL cholesterol back to the liver. This natural process cleanses cholesterol from the bloodstream.

Medications That Treat Cholesterol Issues

There are several prescription medications on the market that help reduce LDL levels in the bloodstream. Medications are expensive and can have adverse side effects. Taking a supplement, like Vasacor, is a strong option. Vasacor is less expensive, and more convenient to use, plus there are no side effects. The active ingredients in Vasacor's formula have been the subjects of numerous studies on cholesterol levels. The studies indicate that Vasacor's ingredients are important tools when it comes to achieving an acceptable ratio, especially when the ingredients are combined with a healthy lifestyle.

Vasacor's formula is a blend of Omega-3 fish oils, niacin, policosanol, and plant phytosterol esters, as well as other ingredients that promote healthy cholesterol levels. Vasacor is effective when it is used in conjunction with exercise and a diet that is low in saturated fat. For more information about Vasacor and an acceptable cholesterol ratio visit: www.vasacor.com.