1. PBRC
Cholesterol and you
AUGUST 2009 PUBLICATION # 55
About Cholesterol
Special points of interest:
In the bloodstream arterial walls. Eventually
cholesterol is carried in this buildup can narrow Types of Cholesterol
lipid particles called your arteries and cause a
lipoproteins. There are blood clot to form, which Cholesterol guidelines for chil-
several versions of these may lead to a heart attack dren
lipoproteins, but two are or a stroke.
relevant in cholesterol Cholesterol guidelines for adults.
A person's cholesterol
control:
level is one part of the LDL
HDL—High density lipo- equation for determining
proteins, or good choles- risk for cardiovascular HDL
terol, which attempts to disease (CVD). Other
remove fatty deposits of risks for CVD include Facts & Statistics
plaque from your arteries. smoking, obesity, high
blood pressure, family
LDL—Low density lipo-
history of heart disease,
proteins, or bad
and age (older than 45 for
cholesterol, which tends
men and older than 55 for
to leave fatty deposits that
women).
accumulate in your blood-
stream and build up on
Cholesterol Guidelines for Children and Adults
Cholesterol Level Guidelines for Children* Cholesterol Level Guidelines for Adults*
(mg/dL) : (mg/dL) :
Total Cholesterol Total Cholesterol
<200 Desirable
Acceptable = less than 170 200-239 Borderline high
Borderline = 170 to 199 >240 High
High = 200 or greater
LDL Cholesterol
Inside this issue:
LDL Cholesterol <100 Optimal
Acceptable = less than 110 100-129 Near /above optimal
Borderline = 110 to 129 130-159 Borderline high
Facts About LDL 2
160-189 High
High = 130 or greater
>190 Very high
Facts About HDL 2
HDL Cholesterol
<40 Low
>60 High
Cholesterol Fact Sheet 3
*Cholesterol guidelines are evaluated and updated by the National Cholesterol Education Program About Our Company 4
(NCEP) Expert Panel by the National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
The latest version of the ATP III Classification of LDL, Total, and HDL Cholesterol (mg/dL) is the
Third Report by the Panel. National Cholesterol Education Program’s Expert Panel on Blood
Cholesterol in Children and Adolescents sets the acceptable level for children and adolescents.

2. CHOLESTEROL AND YOU Page 2
Facts About LDL Cholesterol
High cholesterol level, par- those who are on In order to reduce LDL
ticularly high LDL choles- cholesterol lowering cholesterol you should:
terol, is a major risk factor medication, should eat less exercise regularly; eat a diet
for coronary heart disease, than 200 mg of cholesterol that is low in cholesterol,
heart attack, and stroke. daily. saturated fat, and trans fat,
maintain a healthy weight
LDL levels in the blood are Postmenopausal women
and BMI (body mass index
controlled by the liver and who are diagnosed with
= weight in pounds multi-
the intestines. Liver heart disease should treat
plied by 703, then divide
synthesizes LDL high LDL levels with drug
the total by your height in
cholesterol, and disposes it, therapy together with a diet
inches squared), and avoid
and the intestinal track is that is rich in fruits, vegeta-
smoking.
the site of lipoprotein bles, whole grains, high
absorption. Many drugs can fiber foods, and low fat Limit cholesterol intake to
be used to block the dairy products. 300 mg daily.
absorption of cholesterol
Substituting soy protein for
from the intestinal track.
animal protein has been
In order to lower your LDL shown to lower LDL
cholesterol levels, limit cholesterol levels.
foods that are high in
saturated fats and trans fats.
Individuals with high LDL
blood cholesterol levels, or
Facts About HDL Cholesterol
HDL cholesterol assists in
the removal of cholesterol
from the bloodstream.
When LDL cholesterol is too
high, cholesterol begins to be
deposited into the walls of
arteries. This attracts other
material such as fat, calcium,
cholesterol, cellular waste,
and fibrin. Plaque begins to
a risk factor for heart avoid smoking, cut trans
build up and overtime, ather-
disease. fats from your diet, add
osclerosis develops. This may
soluble fiber such as fruits,
eventually lead to a heart HDL levels that are greater oats, beans, and nuts), and
attack or even a stroke. High than 60 tend to have car- increase the amount of
HDL lowers your chance of dio-protective effects. monounsaturated fats.
getting atherosclerosis
or heart disease, by remov- Ways to raise your HDL Consuming no more than 1
ing the cholesterol and pre- Cholesterol levels include: or 2 servings of alcoholic
venting the plaque buildup. exercise regularly, maintain beverages per day.
a healthy weight and BMI,
An HDL level less than 40 is

3. Page 3 PUBLICATION # 55
Cholesterol Facts
Coronary heart disease is tends to protect premen-
the leading cause of death opausal women from hav-
in the United States. ing high levels of LDL
(bad) cholesterol or be at
Over 43 percent of hospital risk for cardiovascular dis-
patients treated for ease.
coronary heart disease are
under the age of 65. Cholesterol levels tend to
increase as we age.
According to the United
States Center for Disease The process of developing
Control, 106.9 million atherosclerosis, usually
American adults have a begins in childhood. High
blood cholesterol level of fat diet in childhood can
200 mg/dL or greater; 37.7 lead to fatty deposit in the
of which have cholesterol bloodstream of children Keep your sodium intake at
levels higher than 240 mg/ (Bogalusa Heart Study). 2300 mg or less daily (1
dL. This places them at an teaspoon). This will help
High intake of Omega-3
increased risk of having with blood pressure control
fatty acids, commonly
heart disease or a stroke. and the work load on the
found in fish, is known to
reduce the risk of heart heart, particularly if you
Everyone 20 and older
disease. have high level of LDL
should have their
cholesterol.
cholesterol levels checked
A diet that is rich in soluble High intake of
at least once every five Use margarine in place of
fiber, fruits and whole Omega-3 fatty
years. butter to avoid saturated
grains will lower blood acids, commonly
cholesterol levels. fats. Choose margarines
The overweight and obese found in fish, is
that have zero grams of
are likely to have higher known to reduce
Ways to help keep control trans fat.
cholesterol level than the the risk of heart
of your cholesterol levels
lean. However, even lean It is important to follow a disease.
include: attending periodic
individuals can have high heart healthy diet from
checks with your physician,
cholesterol level due to childhood which includes
maintaining a healthy
familial hypercholesterole- plenty of fresh fruits and
weight and BMI, participat-
mia. vegetables, whole grains
ing in moderate intensity
exercise for at least 30 and lean meats, and
The liver makes cholesterol,
minutes per day, and eating includes physical activity.
which is used to make bile
a diet that is low in You can be a role model by
acids. The liver also assists
cholesterol, saturated fat, being active and enjoying a
in the removal of cholester-
and trans fat. variety of healthful foods.
ol from the blood.
The intestines have the When selecting food, keep
ability to absorb cholesterol. in mind that the first
Sources of cholesterol in ingredient on the Nutrition
the intestinal track are food Facts Panel is the one that
and bile. is the main ingredient in the
food.
Estrogen, a female
hormone, tends o raise Always choose foods that
HDL cholesterol levels. have fats and oils listed later
This property of estrogen on in the list of ingredients.

4. Your Risk for Heart Disease
Determine your other risk low HDL cholesterol Increasing intake of soluble fiber
factors for heart disease
family history of early coronary heart Reducing weight if you are overweight
If you have already diagnosed coronary
heart disease, atherosclerosis, or diabetes, disease - especially if you have metabolic syn-
the guidelines would place you into the drome
age (for men, age 45 or older; for wom-
high risk category, even if you have no en, age 55 or older) Increasing physical activity—regular
symptoms of heart disease. physical activity is recommended for
Improve your cholesterol
In addition to high LDL, atherosclerosis everyone.
numbers
or diabetes, other important risk factors The new guidelines emphasize preventing Controlling high blood pressure
for heart disease are: heart disease in the short- and long-term,
Quitting smoking
Cigarette smoking and recommend "therapeutic lifestyle chang-
es (TLC)" to lower LDL. These involve: Working with a dietitian or nutritionist is
High blood pressure (140/90 mm extremely helpful.
Hg and above or on blood pressure Reducing saturated fat and cholesterol
medication) intake
About Pennington
Mission:
To promote healthier lives through research and education in
nutrition and preventive medicine.
The Pennington Center has several research areas, including: Pennington Nutrition Series No 55, 2009
Clinical Obesity Research
Authors
Experimental Obesity
Functional Foods
Health and Performance Enhancement Beth Kalicki
Nutrition and Chronic Diseases Heli J. Roy, PhD, RD
Nutrition and the Brain
Dementia, Alzheimer’s and healthy aging
Diet, exercise, weight loss and weight loss maintenance Division of Education
The research fostered in these areas can have a profound Pennington Biomedical Research Center
impact on healthy living and on the prevention of common
chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, 8/10
hypertension and osteoporosis.
The Division of Education provides education and
information to the scientific community and the public about
research findings, training programs and research areas, and
coordinates educational events for the public on various health
issues.
We invite people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in Pennington Biomedical
the exciting research studies being conducted at the Research Center
Pennington Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. If you would 6400 Perkins Road
like to take part, visit the clinical trials web page at Baton Rouge, LA 70808
www.pbrc.edu or call (225) 763-3000. (225) 763-2500
clinical trials web page at www.pbrc.edu www.pbrc.edu
or call (225) 763-3000.