When talking about "average" health statistics, there is often a gap between what most people have and what the experts recommend. For example, the average daily calorie consumption in America is more than 150% of the USDA suggested allowance. For cholesterol levels, however, the American Heart Association reports that more than half of Americans have scores in the recommended range.
Kinds of Cholesterol
Nutritionists once thought there was just one kind of cholesterol and that it was bad for you. They now recognize three kinds of blood serum cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol is the bad cholesterol they've known about for decades. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, actually contributes to your circulatory health by cleansing your blood of LDL. A third kind of cholesterol called triglycerides, which are more associated with blood glucose than fat, have some negative effect on your circulatory health.
LDL Levels
High levels of LDL cholesterol is what most people mean when they say "high cholesterol." The recommended range of LDL cholesterol is below 200 mg of LDL per dL of blood. Scores above that indicate higher risk of heart and circulation problems. Very low scores can indicate diseases of some organs. The average American falls within the healthy range for LDL.
HDL Levels
You want high HDL levels, since this kind of cholesterol actually reduces your risk for heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke. Recommended levels of HDL cholesterol are at 50 mg per dL or higher, preferably 60 mg/dL or more. As with LDL cholesterol, average American scores fall within the recommended range.
Triglyceride Levels
Triglycerides form in response to the presence of blood glucose, especially quick increases of blood glucose levels that come from eating sugar and refined carbohydrates. They are harmful to your circulatory health and can indicate a higher risk for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Healthy triglyceride counts are below 150 mg per dL. Unlike other kinds of cholesterol, Americans average in the "borderline high" category for this cholesterol -- between 150 and 199 mg per dL.
Total Cholesterol
Total cholesterol is a number that takes into account the different effects of each kind of cholesterol on your circulatory health. To calculate total cholesterol, subtract your HDL count from your LDL count to reflect how HDL fights LDL in your bloodstream, then add 1/5 of your triglyceride count. Healthy total cholesterol is below 200 mg per dL, and again the average American count falls within this range.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Cholesterol Basics
- CDC: About Cholesterol
- "You: The Owner's Manual"; Roizen & Oz; 2006
- "Good Calories, Bad Calories"; Gary Taubes; 2007
