Dr. Rowen does not treat total cholesterol levels, and neither do I. Rather, we look at the ratios between so-called good and bad cholesterol—the HDL and LDL—as well as your triglycerides. These are far more potent markers for heart disease. I have seen a number of people with total cholesterol levels over 250 who actually were at low heart disease risk due to their HDL levels. Conversely, I have seen even more who had cholesterol levels under 200 that were at a very high risk of heart disease based on the following additional tests:
- HDL/Cholesterol ratio: Divide your HDL level by your total cholesterol. This percentage should ideally be above 24 percent
- Triglyceride/HDL ratio: Divide your triglycerides by your HDL level. This percentage should be below 2
In my experience, high triglycerides specifically, and elevated cholesterol in general, is typically related to excessive consumption of grains and sugars. A high-fructose, high grain-carb diet contributes to insulin resistance, which will cause your liver to produce more cholesterol and more inflammatory LDL particles, raise your triglycerides, and increase your risk of metabolic syndrome.
Other heart disease markers Dr. Rowen recommends paying close attention to include:
- Ferritin levels, because iron participates in the oxidation of cholesterol
- Homocysteine levels, which can show potential deficiencies in crucial B vitamins
- Lipoprotein A (LPA), as it affects your blood coagulation
- 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, and
- Blood viscosity
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