Query

[savita1234]

my CHOL / HDL RATIO is 5.0 as per reports. I would like to know if it is in the acceptable range or not. do I need to take medicine to control the cholesterol level. Please suggest.

[sandybrown]

I am afraid you need to look at all the numbers and the ratio, general health.

You need to discuss this with your GP first and then look for answers to your question on the web!

Cholesterol can be controlled by food and drinks intake control, regular exercise and watching out for free sugar and hidden sugar in food.

What was the reason for cholesterol bold test?

[Bazza1234]

The ratio CHOL/HDL does not tell the whole story. My current CHOL/HDL ratio is 6.5 and my total cholesterol is 8.7 millimoles/L. My Doctor wants me to get my total Chol down to less than 4 milliimoles/l and my HDL above 1 millimole/L - which would give a ratio of 4 -- BUT , my current HDL is very good and already exceeds the figure of 1 that he wants to see ( it is 1.34 millimoles/L) - so if I can manage to reduce total chol to 4 but maintain the HDL at 1.34 , my ratio would then be only 3!!

[sos007 Ambassador in reply to Bazza1234]

Read my post 'Coming off statins - Update October 18'.

Your ratio is way too high in spite of good HDL. My LDL is 1.95 mmol/l and my HDL is 1.89 mmol/l. My TC/HDL ratio is 2.2. You need to move in the direction of these numbers. How I achieved these things is in my posts. You may have to make a major lifestyle change involving your diet and exercise.

Good luck.

[sandybrown]

And more,

Please ask you GP to put your cholesterol numbers in to JBS2 calculator and explain the out come and vary the numbers and explain by reducing the numbers how this can help you to a better healthy life. The calculators are only a guide line.

NHS has a online heart's age calculator, may be you can check this to give you a better understanding.

[kasibarndoor]

An HDL ratio of 5 is what I dreamed of when I believed cholesterol was the culprit for CVD now I am not so sure. The more I read suggests that refined carbohydrate particularly fructose causes oxidation, it is more important to ensure that your diet is high in antioxidants such as garlic (preferably black), tumeric, olive oil and olive leaf extract

[sandybrown]

In one of today's new paper front page news on heart problems and also research on the food we eat!

There is a reason for news papers to write this type of information on the front page.

Who need to change an individual or the NHS?

[sos007 Ambassador]

Your ratio is too high. Your doctor should be giving you guidance. In general, you need to make a major lifestyle change to reduce consumption of meat, cheese and other high-fat dairy, simple carbohydrates such as desserts, white bread, white rice and white pasta. You must increase consumption of berries, vegetables, fish, nuts, and green tea. Reduce portion sizes and begin an exercise program. Meds have bad side effects so a lifestyle change is preferable.

[brooks2591]

The diet advice above is good. I do believe there is also an element of different things working for different people. I track my cholesterol every 2 months or so (I like to make sure its going down, which is sadly not always the case), giving up soft drinks, drinking 4 cups of green tea a day and of course, making sure I take my statins have been the three biggest impacts. I tried no meat for awhile, it didn't really move my results. Interested to hear if anyone else noticed some things working better than others?