Estrogen is an important hormone found in both men and women. Healthy estrogen levels vary from individual to individual, but normally men have lower estrogen levels and higher testosterone levels than women. It is important for both men and women to have proper balances of estrogen and testosterone levels.
Men produce estrogen, too, although not in the same amounts that women do. If estrogen levels vary from the normal range, you may experience fertility problems. The ovaries in women produce estrogen; men produce estrogen from m...
Moderate consumption of caffeine doesn't pose a health risk, however. If you stick to healthy levels of caffeine consumption, you can reap its benefits without encountering its dangers.
About one in six Americans has high cholesterol, which doubles their risk of developing heart disease, America's number one killer. The average American cholesterol level is 200 milligrams per deciliter, which borders on high r...
A total cholesterol level reflects the combined levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and triglycerides. A healthy cholesterol level is approximately 200 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter of bl...
Your liver produces a fatty substance called cholesterol that your cells need to function normally, BreastCancer.org reports. You can also get cholesterol from foods high in saturated fat, such as meat, eggs, some shellfish and...
There are two types of cholesterol: LDL and HDL. Your total blood cholesterol measures the concentration of lipids in your bloodstream. Each type of cholesterol has a level that doctors consider healthy. Although these levels d...
However, you can also ingest cholesterol from animal-based foods. Cholesterol is only harmful if blood levels of it are too high. High cholesterol can lead to negative health conditions, such as coronary artery disease and hear...
Most of the cholesterol you need is produced in the liver, but you also get additional cholesterol from eggs, red meat and shellfish. Blood tests can measure your overall cholesterol, as well as the good and bad cholesterol le...
The thyroid is an endocrine gland, meaning it produces hormones that are secreted directly into your bloodstream. The hormones produced by the thyroid stabilize your metabolism, or the rate at which your body uses energy, and t...
In return, hemoglobin helps you stay active by transporting oxygen through your bloodstream around your body and by removing poisonous carbon dioxide. Normal hemoglobin levels depend on your sex, age and health status.
Platelets are small, round colorless blood cells that allow your blood to clot to prevent bleeding. Of the three major blood cell types, including white blood cells and red blood cells, platelets are the smallest but most numer...
Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is also known as bad cholesterol. It is transported from the blood to the liver. When the amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood is high, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arterie...
Levels of this protein increase as iron levels increase, making it a good indirect measure of your iron levels. You can get your ferritin levels tested with a simple blood test if you think your iron may be too low or too high,...
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is needed by the body to function properly. It is made by the liver and is used by all the cells in the body. Cholesterol can also be found in foods. While the body needs a certain amount of...
HDL cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein, removes plaque buildup from the walls of your arteries and keeps your LDL cholesterol levels from rising to unhealthy amounts. You can take steps to understand your HDL cholesterol ...
The higher your cholesterol gets, the more likely you are to experience heart problems. In order to decrease your risk of heart disease, it is important to keep your cholesterol levels within healthy ranges.
The human body naturally produces creatine from amino acids, mostly in the liver and kidneys. Creatine travels in the bloodstream to the muscles, where it is used to produce energy. Your body stores about 95 percent of its crea...
The lungs also aid white blood cells in fighting against infectious agents; mucus, a substance produced in the lungs, traps infectious agents and exits the lungs when ones coughs, after enough accumulation of harmful agents suc...
Healthy cholesterol levels go beyond your LDL -- low-density lipoproteins -- or bad cholesterol. It includes your HDL -- high-density lipoproteins -- or good cholesterol, too. The levels you should aim for are clear cut; less t...
Department of Health and Human Services. Reducing your cholesterol can be achieved by making healthier lifestyle choices. Total cholesterol levels should be below 200 mg/dL. Your number is determined by a simple blood test. Dis...
Homocysteine is an amino acid, or building block of protein produced by the body. Excessive amounts of this substance have been associated with an increased risk of serious cardiovascular problems, such as stroke, coronary hear...
occur in men and about 50 percent of these men have no prior warning signs. As high cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, adults should have their cholesterol levels checked at least once every five years and ma...
Eating right, exercising and taking medications can keep your cholesterol in check. Taking the vitamin niacin helps maintain a healthy cholesterol level. The Mayo Clinic states that niacin -- either by itself or in addition to...
In most people, levels of DHEA naturally begin to decrease in their 30s, but may be especially low in those diagnosed with some kidney and other endocrine system dysfunction. Understanding healthy levels of DHEA may help you k...
Although cholesterol serves many vital functions, excess amounts or imbalances in the different forms of cholesterol can lead to potentially life-threatening heart disease and hardening of the arteries. Maintaining a healthy ch...
Your total cholesterol number is important for gauging the overall health of your arteries, but knowing your LDL and HDL numbers as well as the ratio between the two is better for understanding what your cholesterol numbers rea...
Knowing your LDL cholesterol level and lowering it if necessary can keep your heart and cardiovascular system healthy. Some factors that affect your LDL include your diet, exercise and smoking habits, and your weight.
High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, is a cholesterol chauffeur -- it transports 1/4 to 1/3 of the cholesterol in the blood, taking cholesterol from the arteries and carrying it to the liver. According to the American Heart Associ...
Thus, cost and convenience often guide the decision of where and what to eat. With fast food a common choice for lunch, high-cholesterol sandwiches and other dishes become the norm for many. Learning how to choose healthier...
Diets high in cholesterol increase risk for many diseases, including obesity, heart disease, coronary artery disease, heart attack and stroke, according to the American Heart Association. While high cholesterol may have a genet...
Women are particularly at risk due to their high rates of heart disease. Maintaining safe cholesterol levels can help keep a woman as healthy as possible.
When excessive amounts of cholesterol accumulate in your blood, you may develop increased risks for ailments such as heart attack or stroke. You can diminish these risks by keeping your blood cholesterol in a healthy range.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cholesterol is a "waxy, fat-like substance that your body needs." The body uses it for many different functions, but too much can lead to health risks and problems, i...
Excessive amounts, however, can build plaques along artery walls, leading to heart disease, heart attack, stroke and possibly death. To prevent low-density lipoprotein, LDL or "bad" cholesterol, levels from growing too extreme,...
Understanding cholesterol levels can be a confusing task. However, getting your cholesterol under control can be a vital factor in your health, because too much cholesterol can lead to serious health problems.
Adults should begin regular cholesterol checks at age 20 and continue with a check-up every 5 years. Total blood cholesterol can indicate risk for heart disease and related conditions such as stroke. A reading of less than 200...
