nice story, mark! you were very kind to your cardiologist, which is probably the best way to teach the ignorant.

You could still get your HDL up and LDL down, but you don't want to lower your total cholesterol any more than this. Though correlation does not equal causation, still, total cholesterol numbers under 160 are associated with higher rates of stroke, accident, suicide, murder (don't ask me! I'm just reporting the stats! lol), and cancer.

If we didn't have cholesterol in our cells (and therefore in our bloodstream, available to be utilized), we'd melt into a pile of goo, not unlike the wicked witch of the west.