In some countries of the world, the blood fats are quite low, cholesterol being around 90 to 120, whereas in this country we have not been excited if an adult shows a cholesterol level of 200 to 250. We now believe, however, that a cholesterol level below 180 is beneficial and the lower the better. The heart attack rate is four times greater if the cholesterol is above 260 than if it is below 200. The same can be said generally of triglycerides, another type of blood fat. The ideal for triglycerides is surely below 140, and probably below 100 is safer.
Many people can achieve an enviable triglycerides level the same as their age.
The heart attack rate is two times higher if the triglyceride level is above 250 as compared to below 170. Ninety percent of overweight people have increased triglycerides. Other causes of increased triglycerides are alcohol, sugar, the fatty acids in dairy products and the refined carbohydrates such as white bread, white flour products, white pastries, and white starch. One can bring the cholesterol down by reducing the fat content of the diet, by increasing exercise, and by learning to deal with tension. One good way to deal with tension is through vigorous exercise.