QUOTE: The ideal TG/HDL is <1. The TG/HDL is an indicator fo how well yu control insulin, and also whether you have the harmless non-sticky kind of LDL, or the more dangerous sticy type of HDL (< 2 = non sticky LDL; > 2 = sticky LDL). Unfortunately the TG/HDL doesn't tell you inflammation levels or how much fish oil you need. For that, you need the AA/EPA test. END QUOTE

I think Sue meant "...more dangerous sticky type of LDL ..."
INSTEAD OF: "... more dangerous sticy type of HDL ..."
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It is LDL and NOT HDL that can be dangerous, but only the "sticky" type.
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Dr. Sears describes in his book as good kind as "fluffy, beach ball type" and the bad kind as "small dense".
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Though one point of clarification, LDL and HDL are NOT, repeat are NOT types pf cholesterol.
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Cholesterol is cholesterol is cholesterol and is necessary to the body. It is one of the elements the body is constantly making, using, and recycling.
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LDL and HDL are lipoproteins, carriers of cholesterol.
It is the LDL (Low Density lipoproteins {carriers}) that are of two types.

John, good points.

I think we all tend to refer to HDL as "good cholesterol" and LDL as "bad cholesterol" when they are really lipoproteins, and that not all LDL is even that bad. Certainly the general public probably does not understand this, and I have not seen too many physicians focus on the good vs. bad, either (with respect to LDL), nor the TG/HDL ratio.

But, it is coming!

I would add that the AA/EPA test is the best way to judge one's level of inflammation, but in the absence of that, the TG/HDL ratio coupled with the written "silent inflammation profile" (SIP) are excellent tools to use in making a generalization regarding one's inflammation levels. There could be exceptions, but most people with favorable TG/HDL and SIP are likely to have low levels of inflammation. So, those of us who have not done this test due to access or financial constraints can still get some good information regarding inflammation.

Hmm, okay, thanks with the information! ...and yes, I've also read a lot about cholesterol, lastly from the Taubes book Good calories, bad calories, it's really not as simple as good and bad, like nothing in life (deep ain't I ;-)). But for now I'm happy that at least my HDL/Trigly ratio is very good.

But WHAT is the Silent Inflammation Profile? Is it possible to fill out somewhere or is it a test of some sort? Maybe I'll just google it :-)

Again thank you for contributing! I'm so happy about my blood results not just cause they mean I'm healthy but because I'm coaching several people and I do think that the couch needs to set a good example that the "methods" are working, in many levels. Hooray! :-D

Eating's good here in Thailand, maybe a bit generous but mostly on the veggie side and some extra protein prolly. But no grains, dairy or sugar as it should be for me. Also my new enzymes to make my indigestion work better seem to work O_O I've always had a problem with that so that's super news if there's a way to get it better. Loving it, quite a relief.

But now I'm off to the Bamboo Island to freedive and take pictures or all sorts of sea animals (Food! ;-D) and to watch the sunsets at the sea in the evening... It's only 9 am now :-) Uuh, life is good, don't you just LOVE vacation <3

Be well, my friends! I'll get back to you again :-)

Ps. Currently reading Primal Body, Primal Mind, again an highly interesting book! Also read my old aussie friend Shauna Reid's Dietgirl (book based on her blog) which is heartwarming and hilarious. OOh, finally time to READ!

Meri, I'm envious. :-) What a vacation!

The SIP consists of 14 questions. Dr. Sears first developed it when he was testing the Zone on athletes. Interpreting it takes a little detective work at times, because in some cases similar symptoms can point to opposite things (you'll see what I mean when you read how to interpret it). To find it by it's other name, the Eicosanoid Status Report (it's the same as the SIP, only difference is the name), go to this page. Scroll down and you'll find the link near the end of the column on the right. Have fun with it!

http://www.drsears.com/ZoneResource...fault.aspx

Thanks for pointing out my typo John. I had accidentally typed the H in that one spot. Hopefully the readers here realized it was a typo, since everywhere else I talked about LDL in that same sentence, I referred to it correctly as LDL. I've corrected that typo and also the typos in the words "of" and "you". :-)

Re lipoproteins, they are made of cholesterol and proteins. LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) contains more cholesterol and less protein, and HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) contains less cholesterol and more protein. There's also VLDL (very low density, I think I remember that this becmes LDL) and and anotehr one (is it IDL? Well, something like that ...I don't quite remember).

Lipoproteins contain cholesterol and protein.

Sounds like you are having a fabulous vacation Meri! And congratulations on the job promotion. WTG!!!!!