My numbers were never anywhere near as bad as your husband's, but they were elevated. Low carbing got my triglycerides way down (52 at my last reading) and hdl up (56 at my last reading). Those readings were taken last spring after nine months of low carbing -- I have now been low carbing for almost 1-1/2 years and I will get them done again this spring. Given how good they were, my doctor doesn't see any reason to do the bloodwork more than once a year.
This lowering of triglycerides and raising of hdl seems pretty standard from what I have seen on this board. The Protein Power book (by the Eades) has the best explanation I have read of why this happens. UInfortunately, from what I have read and seen on this board, low carbing seems to have less effect on ldl. Mine was 132 at the last reading and I'd like to get it lower. I've been exercising a lot and I hope that will help. My hdl/ldl ratio is good, however, and some people think that is more important than the absolute ldl reading.
In addition to low carbing, I have been staying away from anything with transfats (partially hydrogenated oil) in it. That means I eat mostly whole foods -- vegetables, meat, chicken, fish, eggs, a little low carb fruit (berries and melon), a little nuts, some cheese, and even some cottage cheese. A lot of the lowcarb specialty foods have transfats in them -- you need to read the labels. From what I have read, transfats are the absolute worst for your blood cholesterol levels.
If I were your husband, I would try strict low carbing for a full two months and then get the bloodwork done again. Given his health history, he really doesn't want to risk it longer than that.
Good luck to both of you and welcome to the forum! Discovering low carbing is the best thing that has happened to me in years. I struggled with my weight for decades trying to eat a lowfat diet and all I did was gain weight, increase my cholesterol, and develop high blood pressure. Now I have lost over 100 pounds, my blood pressure is normal, and my cholesterol numbers are quite good! For me, this way of eating has been a miracle! (FYI, I am about your age -- 46.)
Last edited by liz175 : Thu, Dec-25-03 at 09:42.
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