Why did your LDL go up on Low Carb?
Mods, could you sticky this one? It's asked so frequently I think it'd be worth having it readily available.
A few doctors, extremely few unfortunately, understand the problem. http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/...nking-the-myth/ Dr. Eades Quote:
Dr. Davis, a cardiologist, has written extensively about how unreliable the calculation is for people with low triglycerides. Multiple articles To sum up. If you have triglycerides under 100 the Friedewald calculation used in every "standard" cholesterol test is going to be messed up. You need to have your cholesterol directly counted, which can be done with an NMR or VAP cholesterol test. You might be able to get your doctor to order one, or you can order it yourself but they are rather pricey. So stop panicking and flush those statins down the toilet, or better yet turn them over to the hazardous waste management service in your area, and keep doing what you're doing. |
Benefits of a high-saturated fat diet on the heart
http://drbganimalpharm.blogspot.com...t-diets-in.html Quote:
Dietary fats, carbohydrate, and progression of coronary atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women. Quote:
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Here's another article on the failure of the calculated LDL test on low carbers:
When Friedewald Attacks And the cool part is it offers an alternative calculation when your triglycerides are below 100. Quote:
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Want a better reading of your LDL?
Here's a calculator that'll do a better job if your triglycerides are under 100. http://homepages.slingshot.co.nz/~geoff36/LDL_mg.htm Example for me: Total Cholesterol: 250 HDL: 66 Triglycerides: 59 Friedewald LDL: 172 New Calculation: 143 |
Along the lines of low carbing and cholesterol results, you can pay and have an expensive NMR or VAP test done and find out if you're a pattern A or pattern B or you can probably figure it out from your el cheap-o test by looking at HDL and triglycerides.
The Diet-Heart Hypothesis: Subdividing Lipoproteins From Whole Health Source (great blog by neurological doctorate student). Pattern B (for BAD!): LDL particles are small and dense. HDL is low. Triglycerides are high. Your risk of heart attack is 3x normal. Pattern A: LDL particles are large and bouyant. HDL is high. Triglycerides are low. Risk of heart attack is much less, even though your LDL might be higher (see the other articles I posted as to why the LDL is higher... it's a breakdown of the Friedewald calculation used to calculate cholesterol). So what happens when you eat low fat? Quote:
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This is terrific to know. Thank you for posting it.
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Cholesterol/LDL levels
I'm sorry to butt in on your thread but I can't find where or how to post a new thread.
I received my bloodwork back from last week and I thought with this woe that all my levels would be EXCELLENT!!!! Ok, at least better than the last time I had them checked!! :lol: Well, last July (08), I had my tests done and my cholesterol was 186, while my triglycerides were high at 167. This year my cholesterol is 211 and my tris are down to 120. HDL is good -- last year was 34, this year it's 53. But my bad cholesterol went from 119 to 134 which they recommend having the levels below 130. I'm really hoping my dr doesn't want to put me on any medication. About 3 years ago it was just over 200 and she said we'd see what the numbers looked like the following year and if they weren't down, she was going to put me on medication. Well, I was able to get them below 200 for the last couple of years...until NOW!!!! I don't believe I eat a lot of red meat and have cut way down on egg consumption. I'm just wondering if anyone else has the same problem?!?!? What can I do to get the levels back down? I know we're suppose to eat "regular" foods and not fat-free or non-fat so that's what I do. TIA for any info you can provide |
medication
"I'm really hoping my dr doesn't want to put me on any medication"
Are you not aware that you can say no? Say it with me, no,no, no!! See you can do it. Your doc will feign anger and wring her hands [she answers to the drug companies] but it is your body.BTW your numbers look fine to this layman. Enjoy some red meat and eat eggs every day if you like them, both will make you a healthier, happier person. Do some research!! be well Art |
Niacin, fish oil and more exercise can bring cholesterol down in addtition of a l/c diet usually doing it...
I've also had luck with Chinese herbs and teas.... |
For what it's worth, my cholesterol first went high in my teens the year I had an extremely low fat diet, just mainly low-calorie salads (with nonfat dressings) and veggies with a little bit of lean fish and lean meat.
Low thyroid is one thing that can cause cholesterol to go high, and to that end making sure you're not starving yourself is good. As is some reasonable exercise. |
thank you for the replies...
artp -- yes, I have every intention of NOT taking the meds...I would like to try to lower it by my own means. Cajunboy -- I have been vlc for over a year now so I was hoping my numbers would have been a lot better!!! I already take fish oil pills (errr..at least I TRY to take them every day -- they are quite a pill to swallow!! :) Anyway, my ex-husband had a bad reaction when taking niacin pills (red hot flush breakout) so I'm not too keen on the idea of taking THOSE!! I guess I rely on my multi-vitamins having enough niacin in them so taking a supplement wouldn't be necessary. I totally agree with you regarding the exercise -- I could certainly use more of that!! I was planning to swim more this summer and firm everything up but the doggone weather this summer certainly hasn't cooperated! I really need to start firming everything up -- I have so much loose skin especially on my legs. I notice it all kinda "shivers" when I walk :lol: Thanks again for the responses -- I really appreciate someone else's view! |
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We have a friend that lives in Columbus, the northeast side and she swims at a nearby indoor YMCA pool everyday, even in winter, from what she tells us, anyway.... |
Yes, I use to do that too when I belonged to the "Y". Now we have a huge pool in the backyard that I love to get in after work every day. I really hate to see the colder weather come! :( Hubby has been talking about getting a membership to the Y, so we'll just have to wait and see....
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If you read the first page or so of this thread it explains why your LDL levels go up and why it isn't anything to worry over. At least read the first page or so. I have a lot of info there that I posted so you can calculate your REAL LDL values and why you shouldn't be concerned anyway. The only thing I wonder about is why your triglycerides are still > 100. If you're being faithful to your low carb diet and not cheating, or eating a bunch of fruit/fructose, then they shouldn't be that high. Do you drink a lot? I think that might account for the high triglycerides too. |
I'm not sure, but tests have a percentage error and if your fasting is 10 hours prior to testing compared to 14 hours, it can probably have an impact on the result also, but I'm just guessing this. I had a Nurse Practioner tell me this a long time ago and didn't check it out, but I always fast 14 hours when I do blood work...
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