On Tue, 28 Oct 1997, Edward Campbell wrote:

> Remember, the most reliable indicator of heart disease risk is the ratio of
> triglycerides to HDL, not total cholesterol.  This ratio should be <2:1.  If
> the ratio is higher, it is a marker for insulin resistance.  If this is the
> case, you should lower your carb intake, especially fruits and fruitjuices.

Ed, I am curious about the TRI:HDL ratio; I have not seen
anything written about this.

It is my understanding that triglycerides and LDL are typically
co-variant, so that if the LDL:HDL ratio is high, the TRI:HDL is
also likely to be high.

In my own case, however, my LDL is quite high, but TRI is not.
That is, LDL=250 (roughly; I don't have the exact figure handy),
but TRI=96, which is not considered an elevated value.  My HDL is
low, however, at 35, which is considered just barely acceptable.

>   In almost all cases, reduction in carb intake will lower triglceride
> levels.

It certainly did in my case.  Previously my triglycerides were
close to 200.

Todd Moody
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