This information is not really new as nearly 8 years ago I posted a study from Circulation. If you go to my old article you will find a direct link to the free full text Circulation study so you can read as many details as you want.

The bottom line is that the ratio of your triglycerides to HDL is a key factor to determining your heart disease risk. The lower this number is the better. Anything above two can be a problem and ideally it should be below one. Simply divide your fasting triglyceride by your HDL to get the number (triglyceride/HDL),

Since research has shown that cholesterol levels are highest in the fall and winter months, now is an especially key time to make sure you are keeping your cholesterol levels healthy. However, if your cholesterol levels are already high, the following recommendations should normalize them.

Healthy Cholesterol Guidelines

1. Normalize your insulin levels to eliminate sugar and grains. (This works for most people unless they have a genetic called familial hypercholesterolemia that causes high cholesterol.) High levels of insulin can cause major damage to your body such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and of course, high levels of cholesterol. All of these conditions are caused by eating too many carbohydrates, which results in high insulin levels.

   Many people struggle with this sugar/grain restriction. That is why I suggest adopting the energy psychology tool Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), which I use to successfully treat emotional stresses, including food cravings such as those related to sugar and grains.

2. Take a high-quality fish oil that is chock full of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. It is important to find a fish oil that is independently tested by a lab and found to conform to the highest purity guidelines. This will ensure that the oil is free of mercury and other toxins. One such brand, which I have found to be of superior quality, is Carlson's fish and cod liver oil.

   Folks, high-quality fish oil is more important than any supplement you can take, because it is NOT a supplement: It is an essential food. If you are taking a multi-vitamin and not taking fish or cod liver oil, you are not making a wise logical choice. You need the fish or cod liver oil far more than you do the multi-vitamin.

3. Regular exercise is another important tool. Not only will it reduce your risk of heart disease, but it is also a form of a good cardiovascular program. Ideally, you should exercise for about one hour, as many times a week as possible. Once you are at a normal weight, the exercise can be reduced to three times a week. However, the vast majority of people seem to require six or seven days of intense exercise a week to obtain maximum cardiovascular benefits.

   The key is to exercise at a level that makes it somewhat difficult to talk to the person next to you. However, if it is TOO difficult to talk, then the exertion is probably a bit excessive and the intensity should be slightly reduced.

If you are interested in learning more about cholesterol and how it affects your life, I strongly encourage you to read The Cholesterol Myths, by Uffe Ravnskov. This book thoroughly elaborates on the lack of connection between diet, blood cholesterol levels and heart disease and questions the widespread use of cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Related Articles:

The Dangers of Statin Drugs: What You Haven't Been Told About Cholesterol-Lowering Medication

Cholesterol Guidelines Fraught With Massive Conflict of Interest

Low-Fat Diet Raises Bad Cholesterol

U.S. Cholesterol Levels Remain Unchanged

How to Determine Your Cardiovascular Health