Understanding cholesterol levels

A woman’s instinct has proven to be quite accurate over the years. However, when it comes to your man’s health, it’s still best to let the numbers do the talking.

Seeing the doctor and having his cholesterol level checked is undoubtedly one of the more important things to consider, especially with today’s current health trend.

With at least 23 percent of the population or 10 percent of the Filipino males falling victim to the silent enemy known as cardiovascular disease, the need to monitor your partner’s cholesterol level becomes even more important.

According to popular US dietician Anne Collins in her Diet and Cholesterol website, higher cholesterol levels indicate greater risks for heart disease.

Here’s a quick look at what the numbers mean when it comes to cholesterol levels. If his total blood cholesterol level is:

• Below 180, the blood cholesterol level is ideal.

• 180-199, the blood cholesterol level is acceptable.

• 200-219, the blood cholesterol level is borderline high.

• 220 or higher, the blood cholesterol level is too high.

Based on this list, when the total blood cholesterol level is greater than 200, it’s high time to review one’s lifestyle and seek medical attention to determine if one is really at risk.

This is not to say that as long as cholesterol levels do not reach 220, one’s partner is free to do anything and eat everything he wants. Indeed, the wisest move is to constantly and consciously try to help him lower the number and deter the onslaught of heart disease.

Here are some of the easy and effective ways to take good care of a partner’s heart:

• Be wise: Make him exercise.

It might take a little prodding but convincing your loved one that he needs to get up and get moving can do a whole lot for his health. Regular exercise helps increase the amount of good cholesterol in his blood and gets rid of excess fat.

Cardiovascular exercises done at least 30 minutes a day are particularly good for him since it strengthens the heart muscles and increases blood circulation. And probably one of the easiest and most romantic ways to get him on his feet is to teach him how to dance. It won’t just get his heart pumping, it’s also going to be a lot of fun.

• Food for the heart

You don’t have to be a culinary expert to serve the best dishes to one’s husband. Actually, the dishes that are best for him are those that are simple enough to prepare. Load him up on fruits and veggies by experimenting with salad recipes and delicious yet low-calorie desserts.

It’s also a good idea to include whole grains in the menu as they are rich in complex carbohydrates, and are cholesterol-free and usually low in fat. Remember, the total fat in his diet should average no more than 30 percent of his daily calories.

The cholesterol should also be kept below 300 milligrams a day. For instance, a whole egg contains as much as 500 mg whereas eating only the egg white will give him zero cholesterol. Gradually changing his usual diet is truly a major step toward a healthy and low-cholesterol lifestyle.

• Make your hubby drink his milk

An even easier way to lower his cholesterol level is to introduce him to the latest breakthrough product from Nestlé. Nesvita Pro-Heart is a low-fat milk which contains Acticol, a clinically proven cholesterol-reducing agent that comes from plant sterols.

Clinical studies have shown that regular intake of Nesvita Pro-Heart for 30 days effectively diminishes the risk of bad cholesterol from the body, a surefire way to battle cholesterol. <