cholesterol!

[Brandi]

I got results back from a blood test and my ldl was a 100! And my hdl was 64. I am amazed! I try and eat well but didn't think I ate that well! Does this mean I process it well? I mean 100 is really good right?

[Andrea]

Both of those numbers are outstanding!
It's a combination of a sensible diet, exercise, and genetics.

[BikeDutchess]

According to the current American Heart Association guidelines (http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4500), an LDL of 100 is near optimal (you're right on the cut-off of <100 for "optimal," but if you don't have coronary heart disease or diabetes and have one or no risk factors, the LDL goal is less than 160 so you're well below that), and an HDL of 64 is considered "protective against heart disease."

Good job & good genes!

[tulip]

Congratulations! I wish I had your genes! I eat well, am not overweight, exercise, and I still hover around 200 total, borderline for medication. I've gotten it down considerably, though. In college (I was a bit heavier), it was up to 316! yikes!

[Brandi]

So my parents actually did some good? They didn't completly mess me up!:p
I went out and celebrated with a double hot fugde sunday last too! We never do that but I had to have it! It was a small sunday,one scoop ice cream,but double fudge!:eek:

[Possegal]

Yes, your parents did you well. ;) Put very simply, ideally the body is designed to keep cholesterol levels in check. You need cholesterol, it is a building block for steroid hormones. But too much and you do damage. So the liver specifically has receptors on it that should monitor for a proper balance of cholesterol in the system, and take up any extra dietary cholesterol in the blood and remove it. That's the perfect scenario. In some folks, that homeostasis pattern works pretty well. In many, it does not. Not to discount diet and exercise, but man, those liver receptors matter a lot, and therefore your genetics matter a lot!

[Brandi]

You know it is funny,when the dr's ask me what kind of deaseses run in our family it is hard for me to answer that question.
My grandfather died of a heart attack when he was in he's early 40's. He had an illness when he was a child that effected he's heart and made it weak. It was in the Army and probably should not have been (high stress)
My grandmother died of a heart attack when she was 68 ( I miss her so much) but she was from a time when fat and cholestrol was not looked at or tested for. everyone else had alcohol related deaths. Hard to say what my problems might be. I have two great Aunts and my great grandfather who lived (are still living) into their mid 90's. All on my grandma's side. So I figure I just have to try and live a somewhat healthy life. Moderation is really a good key and activity is a must!

[Di bear]

Does this mean I process it well?

I think these numbers are a representation that you lead a well-balanced life. :-)

The media wouldn't have us believe this because we live in a fat-laden society with manufactured foods (I don't like to call them real foods ;)), but cholesterol is incredibly important to your body. Cholesterol is an important component to every membrane in your body, allows the means to digest fats, and plays a role in hormone production. This is a hugely wonderful molecule! Wrap your brain around that. :)

Cholesterol numbers shouldn't be looked at as "how low can you go?" Rather, they are a sign that your body is properly utilizing what it has and getting rid of what it doesn't need. It is important to have a certain blood-cholesterol level, and the reason why there are ranges on all blood tests is because everyone is different. So, while your numbers may be lower than mine, that absolutely does not mean that you are healthier. It doesn't mean either of us is. It does mean that your body is maintaining the proper balance for itself. THIS is awesome.

When the body is overwhelmed by a consistently bad diet, then we have a problem. It's like a kid pestering mom for a new toy. Eventually, mom breaks down and buys the toy. Genetics - think of the body being given bad directions for putting together a bookcase - can cause problems as well.