• Published on: Nov 03, 2021
  • 3 minute read
  • By: Second Medic Expert

What Should My Cholesterol Level Be At My Age?

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What should my cholesterol level be at my age?

For healthy people (especially under the age of 20), the optimal cholesterol level is total cholesterol of less than 200mg/dL, LDL cholesterol of less than 130mg/dL. Anything over that should be approached cautiously and you may want to work with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action. Based on your health condition, lifestyle habits, family history, and more, they may recommend supplementing your diet with specific high-quality plant sterols which - after some time - can decrease LDL particles in the blood gradually through lowering blood triglyceride levels.  This might not be necessary for everyone but it never hurts to listen to expert advice.

A person's cholesterol level should be measured after fasting, or after not eating for 12-14 hours. If you are male, your total blood cholesterol should be below 200 milligrams per deciliter, while females can have a high of 220 milligrams per deciliter. Some people have to modify their diet to lower their levels.

Half of the population will need less than or equal to 200 mg/dL, while the other half will need more than 200 mg/dL. Having said that - it is best if these numbers are as close together as possible; higher HDLs and LDLs would mean better heart health conditions overall (and lower cardiovascular risk).

Your total cholesterol should not exceed 200.

This number is the sum of your HDL, LDL, and VLDL. The AHA Recommendations state that LDL levels below 160 are recommended for people with CAD (coronary artery disease) or who have one risk factor for heart attack or stroke. If you do not have CAD or risk factors for heart attack or stroke, LDL levels below 130 are recommended to maintain healthy coronary arteries. If you have a high level of HDL then a slightly higher range may be appropriate depending on what kind of diet and lifestyle choices you make. So start by looking at your total cholesterol – which can be found through a regular blood test – and work from there to meet the optimal goals set out

Lipids are used by the body to store energy. Cholesterol is needed for certain cells in the body, including neurons, and it's used to make certain hormones like estrogen and testosterone. Low levels of cholesterol can be dangerous because they can result in mood swings, abdominal cramps (due to inadequate digestive function), breathing difficulties (due to insufficient cell membrane fluidity) or muscle or joint pain (if they are not maintained). For most people, there's no issue with cholesterol levels around 240mg/dL.

The value of cholesterol is measured in the bloodstream by looking at the ratio between "low-density lipoprotein" (LDL) and "high-density lipoproteins" (HDL). The ideal level is to have high ratios or an HDL that is two times as high as LDL. A number like 170/120 would represent an excellent ratio for someone your age.

Lower levels can lead to elevated triglycerides, which are unhealthy fats found in blood, liver, heart muscle cells, and adipose tissue; small bumps on red blood cells; fatty scars inside coronary artery walls; arteriosclerosis; decreased regulation of blood sugar control in diabetes patients - all mechanisms that increase the risk for strokes. Your cholesterol level should be higher the older you get. Your children have a more diverse pool of cholesterol, so their levels won't necessarily be as high as yours will. To keep our cells thriving and healthy, we need a certain amount of this neutral lipid molecule in order to maintain a stable membrane around each cell that separates the inside from the outside. In some ways, an appropriate balance is necessary because too much cholesterol can clog your arteries or cause health problems for those with familial hypercholesterolemia.

Generally, a good cholesterol level is 150mg/dL or lower. And this number becomes even more important when it's been consistently that way for many years. If there are any changes over the years, let your physician know so they can investigate any unanticipated health problems.

A low cholesterol level can protect against heart diseases by decreasing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol particles and preventing them from sticking to artery walls. Plus, HDL or high-density lipoprotein increases with decreases in dietary fat, so limiting the fat intake will also lead to decreased oxidized LDLs and unclogging arteries due to less fatty plaque build up on the lining of blood vessels. Bottom line: eat right and exercise!

Appropriate cholesterol levels vary quite widely, making the blanket “200 is healthy” sound like more of a guideline than anything. It can go up to 600 mg/dL (nanomoles per liter), but usually only if there are other health issues present. There are complications to hypercholesterolemia or excessively high cholesterol, but it's difficult for an individual to know at what point they've crossed the threshold without consulting their doctor for more details about their specific health situation.

There's no easy answer to this question. It depends on your diet, weight, and genetics. For most people, the cholesterol levels rise about 20-30?tween the ages of 20 and 65. After that time period, they usually start decreasing slowly until they reach 200-300mg/dL at about 85-90 years old (depending on various factors). Sometimes higher than optimal HDL cholesterol may be associated with more longevity.

More Information: Cholesterol is found in two forms - high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which are both types of "good" cholesterol; there is also referred to as "bad" cholesterol because LDL can cause plaque buildup in arteries.

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How Weekly Onsite Yoga Benefits Corporate Wellness: A Preventive Approach to Workplace Health

How Weekly Onsite Yoga Benefits Corporate Wellness: A Preventive Approach to Workplace Health

Corporate wellness programs are evolving rapidly. Traditional initiatives such as annual health checkups and gym memberships are no longer sufficient to address modern workplace health challenges. Rising stress levels, sedentary routines and burnout have pushed organisations to adopt preventive, sustainable wellness strategies. One of the most effective among these is weekly onsite yoga.

Understanding how onsite yoga weekly benefits corporate wellness highlights why this ancient practice has become a modern workplace necessity. Yoga addresses both physical and mental health, making it uniquely suited for today’s high-pressure corporate environments.

 

Why Corporate Wellness Needs Preventive Solutions

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and workplace health reports, lifestyle-related disorders such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity and mental health conditions are increasingly affecting working professionals.

Key workplace health challenges include:

  • prolonged sitting
     

  • poor posture
     

  • chronic stress
     

  • sleep disturbances
     

  • reduced physical activity
     

Preventive interventions are essential to reverse these trends before they result in chronic disease and productivity loss.

 

What Is Weekly Onsite Yoga?

Weekly onsite yoga involves structured yoga sessions conducted at the workplace by trained instructors. These sessions typically include:

  • stretching and mobility exercises
     

  • breathing techniques
     

  • simple yoga postures
     

  • relaxation and mindfulness practices
     

Sessions are designed to be inclusive, requiring no prior yoga experience.

 

Why Weekly Frequency Matters

Consistency is the foundation of wellness.

Weekly yoga sessions:

  • reinforce healthy habits
     

  • prevent accumulation of stress
     

  • support gradual physical improvement
     

  • encourage long-term participation
     

Unlike one-time workshops, weekly programs deliver sustained impact.

 

Physical Health Benefits of Onsite Yoga

Reduces Musculoskeletal Problems

Desk-based work often leads to back pain, neck stiffness and joint discomfort. Yoga improves:

  • posture
     

  • flexibility
     

  • muscle strength
     

This reduces work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

 

Improves Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health

Regular yoga practice supports:

  • blood pressure regulation
     

  • improved circulation
     

  • better glucose control
     

WHO recognises yoga and similar mind-body practices as beneficial for lifestyle disease prevention.

 

Enhances Energy Levels

Yoga improves oxygenation and circulation, reducing fatigue and mid-day energy crashes.

 

Mental Health Benefits in the Workplace

Reduces Stress and Burnout

Yoga lowers cortisol levels and activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation.

This helps employees:

  • manage deadlines calmly
     

  • recover from mental fatigue
     

  • reduce anxiety
     

Improves Focus and Cognitive Performance

Breathing and mindfulness practices improve:

  • attention span
     

  • mental clarity
     

  • decision-making
     

Better focus directly translates into improved productivity.

 

Supports Emotional Wellbeing

Regular yoga enhances emotional regulation, reducing irritability and improving workplace relationships.

 

Impact on Productivity and Performance

Healthy employees perform better.

Weekly onsite yoga contributes to:

  • reduced absenteeism
     

  • fewer stress-related sick days
     

  • improved work engagement
     

  • sustained productivity
     

EY-FICCI corporate wellness studies show that preventive wellness programs deliver measurable performance benefits.

 

Role in Building a Wellness-Oriented Culture

Onsite yoga sends a strong message that employee wellbeing is a priority.

It helps organisations:

  • foster trust and engagement
     

  • encourage work-life balance
     

  • create a supportive environment
     

Wellness culture improves retention and employer branding.

 

Inclusivity and Accessibility

One of yoga’s biggest strengths is adaptability.

Onsite yoga:

  • suits all age groups
     

  • accommodates different fitness levels
     

  • requires minimal equipment
     

  • can be modified for health conditions
     

This inclusivity ensures broad participation.

 

Cost-Effectiveness and ROI

Compared to advanced medical interventions, onsite yoga is:

  • low-cost
     

  • scalable
     

  • preventive rather than reactive
     

By reducing long-term healthcare costs, yoga delivers high return on investment for employers.

 

Yoga as Part of Preventive Healthcare

Preventive healthcare focuses on reducing risk factors before disease develops.

Weekly onsite yoga supports prevention by:

  • lowering stress-related disease risk
     

  • improving metabolic health
     

  • encouraging active lifestyles
     

  • supporting mental resilience
     

NITI Aayog recognises workplace wellness as a key lever for national health improvement.

 

Integration with Corporate Wellness Programs

Onsite yoga works best when integrated with:

  • preventive health checkups
     

  • stress management initiatives
     

  • nutrition education
     

  • digital health tracking
     

Integrated programs deliver stronger outcomes than isolated activities.

 

Overcoming Common Barriers

Some organisations hesitate due to:

  • time constraints
     

  • perceived lack of interest
     

  • space concerns
     

However, short, well-structured sessions (30–45 minutes) overcome these challenges effectively.

 

Long-Term Impact on Organisations

Organisations that adopt weekly onsite yoga observe:

  • healthier workforce
     

  • reduced burnout
     

  • improved morale
     

  • better long-term healthcare outcomes
     

Lancet workplace health studies show that consistent mind-body interventions yield benefits within 6–12 months.

 

Conclusion

Understanding how onsite yoga weekly benefits corporate wellness reveals why it is more than a fitness activity—it is a preventive health strategy. By addressing physical strain, mental stress and lifestyle risks, weekly onsite yoga supports healthier employees, stronger productivity and sustainable wellness culture. In today’s demanding corporate environment, investing in regular yoga sessions is an investment in long-term organisational resilience and success.

References

  • ICMR – Workplace Health and Lifestyle Disease Reports

  • National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Adult Health and Stress Indicators

  • NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare and Workplace Wellness Strategy

  • WHO – Physical Activity, Yoga and Mental Health Guideline

  •  Lancet – Mind-Body Interventions and Workplace Health Outcomes

  • EY-FICCI – Corporate Wellness and Productivity Report

  •  Statista – Corporate Wellness Program Trends India

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