re: Cholesterol: is hdl of 38 bad if total cholesterol is <100?

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Behavior is a very strong modifier of HDL levels. Work out (30+ minutes of physical activity a day, 4+ days/week), drink 2 glasses of Pinot Noir a day if you're a male, one glass of Pinot Noir a day if you're a female. It's definitely not all genetics.

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agreed, but genetics out-weighs environmental factors.

my best numbers were while I was at my heaviest with a poor diet. My GP was actually stunned at my results. That said, my BP is not ideal (80/130). Can't have it all;)

ETA: at my heaviest I was big into lifting, so I wasn't a complete fatass. AND, its about the ratio folks: LDL/HDL.....you want 4:1 or lower.

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HDLs (good cholesterol) are generally thought to help keep LDLs (bad cholesterol) in check.

A low HDL is not neccessarily harmful in and of itself, but it suggests a generally poor diet and/or activity level. Ideally, you want to get that number up to above 50 and preferably 60+ to prevent the development of heart and/or artery disease. This is especially true if you have other risk factors for heart disease.

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poor diet

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Yep...sounds about right

It's only for a while though...thanks man

We don't know what causes heart disease. We just say, these people with heart disease have this, so this must cause heart disease. Actually we do know that HD is caused by inflammation, just not what causes inflammation. We also know that cholesterol main job is to stop inflammation. Cholesterol has been vilified for years.blaming cholesterol Is like finding cops at a crime scene and blaming them. IMO inflammation is caused by sugar or insulin. We know that diabetes ravages small vessels in the kidneys, eyes and feet, why not in the heart. HD is the #1 killer