Biochemically cholesterol is a steroid synthesized by your liver and intestines. Cholesterol is also the precursor of several important steroids such as the bile acids, adrenocortical hormones, sex hormones, D vitamins, cardiac glycosides, sitosterols of the plant kingdom and some alkaloids. In elevated levels, cholesterol can cause atherosclerosis, a vascular disease that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
HDL and LDL Cholesterol
Your body transports lipids in your blood as large lipoproteins. There are several major classes of lipoproteins including high-density lipoproteins and low-density lipoproteins. HDLs consist of proteins with small amounts of cholesterol. Doctors consider the HDL the good type of cholesterol because HDLs take cholesterol from your artery walls to your liver for elimination from your body. LDLs, on the other hand, consist of mostly cholesterol and very little protein. Doctors consider the LDLs the bad type of cholesterol because LDLs deposit cholesterol on the walls of your arteries.
Cholesterol Ratios
Your ratio between total and HDL cholesterol helps doctors predict your risk of developing atherosclerosis. You can obtain this ratio by dividing the value of total cholesterol in your body by the value of HDL cholesterol in your body. According to "Integrative Medicine," if you have a high ratio, you are at greater risk of having a heart attack. The average ratio is 4.5. However, ideally you want to have a ratio between 2 and 3. This ratio is not as accurate as the LDL/HDL ratio. However, doctors commonly use this ratio because it is less expensive.
HDL and LDL Ratio
A more accurate ratio for determining your risk of developing atherosclerosis is the HDL/LDL cholesterol ratio. You can obtain this ratio by dividing your HDL level by your LDL level. According to "Integrative Medicine," the average ratio is 0.3. However, your ideal ratio is above 0.4. Commonly accepted medical guidelines concerning cholesterol levels and atherosclerosis focus on the absolute numbers rather than on the ratios. Doctors typically set goals in the absolute numbers of total, LDL, HDL and triglycerides to help prevent heart attacks, strokes and metabolic syndrome and complications. It is not common for doctors to use cholesterol ratios.
Importance of Cholesterol Ratios
Cholesterol ratios can help give you an idea about your risk of developing heart diseases, but they don't give directions regarding the treatment. According to "Integrative Medicine," ideally you want to have total cholesterol levels less than 200 mg/dL, LDL levels between 80 and 100 mg/dL and HDL levels above 40 mg/dL. Keeping your cholesterol levels at or near these guidelines is especially important if you have any risk factors such as genetic predisposition, tobacco use, hypertension or diabetes.
