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Listeners of Seattle’s Star 101.5 (KPLZ-FM) can get healthier even while they’re sitting in traffic. Every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday morning at about 7:35, Star 101.5 presents the Northwest Hospital Health Tip of the Day. On-air personality Ana Kelly has teamed up with Northwest Hospital to bring listeners useful information and interviews about diet, fitness and preventing disease. Tune in today to learn how to live a happier, healthier life!

Health Tip for 2/7/2012 Do you know your level of HDL cholesterol? Adults should have this checked every five years along with their lipid levels (total cholesterol includes HDL, LDL and triglycerides). High-density lipoprotein or HDL is good because it sponges up excess cholesterol in arteries and sends it to your liver to be disposed. When HDL falls to 50 mg/dL or lower for women or 40 mg/dL for men, it signals an increased risk of heart disease. Levels greater than 60 mg/dL may be protective. Genes strongly influence HDL levels, but you can improve your numbers with regular physical activity and diet. A recent study in the British Medical Journal suggests drinking alcohol in moderation may boost HDL. This means up to one drink daily for women and up to two for men. More important is eating a diet moderate in fat, only 25 to 35 percent of calories. Most should come from polyunsaturated fats (nuts, seeds and their oils plus omega-3 fats in oily fish) and monounsaturated ones (olives and avocados). The real heart disease villain is LDL cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein. Increasing healthy fats and eating these in place of transfats (margarine), saturated fats (full-fat dairy and fatty meats), and refined carbohydrates can lower your level of this ‘bad’ cholesterol.

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