Quote Originally Posted by Brandi View Post
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.