Lab Reading from Stoney Field

[alisenjafi]

Just received this via email from Stoneyfield- the only yogurt I eat because they don't use corn syrup.

How to Interpret Your Lab Values

by Vicki Koenig, MS, RD, CDN

Ever have lab tests taken and been unsure how to interpret the written results? Well, here’s a brief summary of some important components of your bloodwork, and how to make sense of all those numbers. This is only a quick overview of some basic interpretations. For a thorough understanding of what your specific numbers mean for your health, you should discuss your results with a qualified health professional. Some labs may have slightly different reference ranges. Any values listed here are based on fasting or having not eaten prior to having blood samples taken. Numbers are stated in milligrams per 100 milliliters or mg/dL, unless noted.

Glucose:
Glucose is a simple sugar obtained from digested food and used as a source of energy in the body. High blood glucose values indicate “prediabetes” and diabetes. The reference levels were adjusted in 1999 to help identify prediabetes or early signs of diabetes. If prediabetes is treated with diet and lifestyle, it may be possible to prevent or prolong the diagnosis of diabetes.
Normal
65-99
Prediabetes
100-125
Diabetes
>125

See Dairy and Diabetes for more guidance.

Cholesterol, Lipoprotein, Triglycerides--the Blood Lipids:
Cholesterol is a fatty substance in the body made from the saturated fats in food. It’s the building block of many important hormones. The liver also uses it to produce bile acids, essential for the digestion of fats. And, cholesterol is the main component of cell membranes and bodily tissues. However, with too much cholesterol in the blood, it will deposit inside the walls of your arteries, (arthrosclerosis) and put you at risk of coronary heart disease.

Cholesterol is transported to cells through blood circulation. It is carried on proteins in the blood. These combinations of cholesterol and proteins are called lipoproteins. There are two major forms of lipoproteins:
   •    Low density lipoproteins (LDL), which carry cholesterol from the liver to the cells.
   •    High density lipoproteins (HDL), which return unneeded cholesterol back to the liver.

Triglycerides are the chemical form that most fat exists in food as well as in the body.

The term “blood lipids” refers to all the fatty substances in the blood, including HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

High levels of both triglycerides and blood cholesterol put you at greater risk of heart disease. The risk is particularly high if you also have a low level of HDL cholesterol and a high level of LDL cholesterol.  A high level of triglycerides also increases the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke.

Cholesterol: or “total cholesterol” because it’s the sum of the HDL, LDL and VLDL.
Desirable
<200
Borderline high
200–239
High risk
>240
   •    HDL: High Density Lipoprotein, the good or happy cholesterol, which helps you excrete cholesterol out of the body.
      Smoking and eating trans fats and high levels of triglycerides can lower the good HDLs.
      Exercise, soluble fiber,  monounsaturated fats like olive oil, and moderate alcohol intake can increase HDLs.  

High risk
<40
Okay
41-50
Optimal
>50
   •    LDL: Low Density Lipoprotein is the bad or Lousy cholesterol. It can promote the build-up of plaque in the arteries leading to blockages. Lower your LDL level and you lower the risk of heart attack or stroke.
      Trans fats and saturated fats raise LDLs.
      Weight loss, monounsaturated fats, omega 3 fatty acids like fish oil and a lowfat diet lower LDLs.

Optimal
<100
OK with no cardiac risks
101-129
Elevated
130-159
High
160-189
Very High
>190
   •    VLDL: very low density lipoprotein; a carrier that transports triglycerides.
   •    Triglycerides: Found in food, fat cells and in the blood; too much of all of these can put you at risk for obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
      High fat, refined carbs, trans fats, alcohol and obesity raise them.
      Weight loss, reduced sweets, complex carbs, omega 3 oils lower them.

Recommended
<150
Elevated
150-199
High
200-499
Very High
>500

For ways to improve your blood fats here’s how to Eat for your heart’s health!

Minerals and Electrolytes:
   •    Calcium is a crucial mineral for bone metabolism, protein absorption, muscle contraction, nerve impulses, blood clotting and cardiac function. It will be pulled from the bone if needed to perform these important functions. Abnormal lab values are rare and should be addressed by a doctor.         

Normal: 8.5-10.3 mEq/dl

Optimal: 9.4 mEq/dl
   •    Potassium is an electrolyte that’s vital for proper nerve and muscle functioning, especially the heart. High or low values require attention..

Normal Range: 3.5 - 5.5 mEq/L

Optimal: 4.5 mEq/dl
   •    Sodium is an electrolyte that helps maintain osmotic pressure, acid-base balance and to transmit nerve impulses.     

Normal Range: 135 146 mEq/L. 

Optimal: 140.5 mEq/L

How does your bloodwork look? It’s important to be informed, because what you don’t know can hurt you. 

For additional information, please contact:
   •    High Blood Cholesterol: What you need to know. National Cholesterol Education Program

   •    American Heart Association: Healthy Lifestyle

   •    American Diabetes Association: Pre-diabetes and Prevention of Diabetes


I think besides the fact that there is no corn syrup used the fact tehy are pro active in explaining people's help is why I like them.  Anyone else eat Stoney Field I would suggest joining their Wellness Moosletter.
Johnny