Triglycerides to HDL ratio is most important

The strongest predictor of heart health is not your LDL or total cholesterol

The ratio of your triglycerides to your HDL is much better

It’s an excellent predictor of overall metabolic health too!

Both can typically be found in routine lab work

Here's where you want to be...

As you have probably heard, LDL is considered the "bad cholesterol".

And HDL is considered the "good cholesterol".

Your triglycerides are elevated when you consume more refined sugars and processed carbs.

Triglycerides are 3 fatty acids held together by a carbohydrate.

Triglyceride levels (mg/dL):
•under 150- normal
•150-199- borderline high
•200-499- high
•500+ is extremely high

If they are routinely elevated, chances are you're prediabetic or diabetic.

HDL is a transport molecule that takes cholesterol to your liver, to be processed for energy.

The more readily your body can do this, the better the metabolic health.

This is why a higher HDL level is associated with lower heart disease risk

HDL levels (mg/dL):

Men-
•Less than 40 (1.0 mmol/L) at risk
•60 or above (1.5 mmol/L) is desirable
•80 or above (2.0 mmol/L) is optimal

Women-
•Less than 50 (1.3 mmol/L) at risk
•60 or above (1.5 mmol/L) is desirable
•80 or above (2.0 mmol/L) is optimal

Here's how to calculate your ratio:

Whatever your triglyceride number is on your lab work, take that number.

Then divide it by your HDL number.

That final number is your triglyceride to HDL ratio.

Here are the ranges of where you should fall...

In (mg/dL):
•0.8 to 1.2 is optimal
•less than 2 is ideal
•above 4 is too high

If above 4, there is a high probability of a cardiovascular event (heart attack) in the future

If your ratio is not where you want it to be, what should you do?

•Lose weight
•Eat a low-carb diet
•Consume more healthy fats (olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, avocados, animal fats)
•Exercise
•Consider taking a good quality Omega 3 supplement more