"Lowering Cholesterol: A Comprehensive Guide to Measuring, Managing, and Choosing the Right Foods"
To measure cholesterol levels, a blood test called a lipoprotein panel is conducted after fasting for 9-12 hours. The test provides information on total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides levels. Recommended cholesterol values vary based on age and gender. A total cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL or higher is considered high, but borderline high and near optimal categories exist. Making dietary and lifestyle adjustments can help control cholesterol levels.