When it comes to being heart healthy, having the correct good and bad cholesterol levels is very important. The key to achieving desired good and bad cholesterol levels is knowing what strategies exist for doing so. There are a number of strategies for achieving a normal HDL cholesterol range or even higher.

HDL, or good cholesterol, is the cholesterol that has the primary responsibility for removing excess LDL, or bad cholesterol, from the bloodstream.

The end result of properly functioning HDL is the prevention of excess build-up of plaque in the arteries, which in turn reduces the risk of heart disease and other heart related complications.

So what exactly is the normal HDL cholesterol range?

For men, the normal range generally falls somewhere between 40 and 50 mg/dL, and the normal range for women is usually between 50 and 60 mg/dL.

Levels above 60 mg/dL are typically considered to be ideal.

How does one achieve HDL numbers within or above the normal range?

There are a number of strategies that can be used to increase HDL cholesterol counts and decrease LDL cholesterol counts.

One effective strategy for doing so is maintaining a well balanced diet.

A diet that is filled with many healthy foods such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, protein, whole grain foods, soy based products, and fish can help reduce the production of LDL cholesterol and increase the production of HDL cholesterol.

Eliminating foods that are high in trans fat and other harmful substances will also greatly reduce the production of LDL cholesterol, which in turn helps improve the good cholesterol level.

Another strategy that can keep you within or above the normal HDL cholesterol range is regular exercise.

Aerobic exercise, when sustained for 20 to 30 minutes on a regular basis is an effective way to improve the overall health and physique of the human body.

Not only that, but regular exercise can also have an effect on cholesterol in the body as well.

HDL levels can be increased and LDL levels can be decreased when exercise is performed on a regular basis.

There are other strategies that can also help achieve the normal HDL cholesterol range.

One strategy is to quit or avoid the habit of smoking, which is known to cause an increase in bad cholesterol.

Another strategy is to reduce the amount of alcohol that is consumed on a daily basis. One to drinks per day is acceptable for men, and one drink per day is acceptable for women.

If you are ready to achieve the normal HDL cholesterol range and LDL cholesterol range to protect yourself against heart disease, then visit my website today for quality information to guide you to success.

Mary Ruddy is a former high cholesterol sufferer, from a family with a history of heart disease, and has successfully achieved perfect cholesterol levels, reversing and eliminating the risk of heart disease, and is a strong advocate of natural health care. Mary enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily at: http://www.curing-cholesterol.com/

View the original article here