online edition - PRO Sports Club

science pulseBy James Krieger, M.S., M.S., ACSM-HFIIf you follow the sport of baseball, you know that it’s a numbersgame. Everything is there to satisfy the stat-hungry fan, from battingaverage to number of hits against left-handed, blonde-haired pitcherson cloudy days. Believe it or not, health is also a numbers game. Hereare 20 numbers that relate to your health in some way.The ideal level for your HDL, or “good” cholesterol, inmilligrams per deciliter. If you’re at this number or higher,your risk for heart disease decreases.Your total cholesterol, in milligrams per deciliter,should be below this number.The optimal level for your LDL, or “bad” cholesterol.Ideally, it should be at or below this number. Even numbersbelow 130 will reduce your risk of heart disease.The number of extra calories women eat eachday if they don’t eat on a regular schedule. Tryto stick with a regular meal schedule and eat 5-6times each day.The number of minutes that obese people sit per day,beyond how much lean people sit. If you are trying to loseweight, try to incorporate more walking into your day. Itreally can make a difference. Walking at only one mph willdouble your energy expenditure over sitting.If the top number of your blood pressure reading ishere or higher on a regular basis, than you have systolichypertension (high blood pressure). This numberrepresents the pressure on your artery wallswhen your heart contracts.If the bottom number of your blood pressure reading ishere or higher on a regular basis, than you have diastolichypertension. This number reflects the pressure on yourartery walls when the heart relaxes.The number of extra calories people eat per day whenthey skip breakfast. Believe it or not, you’ll eat fewercalories during the entire day if you eat breakfast.The number of extra calories you will expend per day if youconsume a high protein diet versus a high carbohydratediet. It takes your body more energy to digest protein thanit does carbohydrate. In addition, you get the bonus thatprotein helps you feel more full.32 PRO PULSE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2006