Question:

     It was also suggested that you increase SOUBLE FIBER and concentrate on monosaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats, reducing intake of beef and pork while adding more chicken, fish and seafood.      Good luck on finding the answer you’re looking for. Lee Rodgers The Lowcarb Retreat http://www.lowcarb.org The Lowcarb Retreat http://www.TheWhoosh.com Home of TheWhoosh(tm)

Response:

Actually, I had read some time ago that to achieve a true cholesterol reading, one SHOULD fast for a day or two before the test. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – fasting for 36 hours CAN be contributing to the elevated levels! — read and post, rosie Indeed life is much like a game-both a deadly serious one and one that demands laughter, relaxation, and the ability to play., Either way, life demands attention.                                        -hegarty http://www.everdream.com "Everdream. . .saving business from computers." I may be wrong here and hopefully someone more knowledgeable can jump in here and save me, but I’m thinking it has something to do with the fact that you fasted so long beforehand.  Don’t they only ask you to do 12 hours? For some reason I’m thinking that that sort of fasting causes your cholesterol to jump up temporarily. I could be just blowing hot air here because I can’t remember where I got this idea from. — Nancy S+13 Atkins Since 7/1/99 167/136/125 I have been on a low carb diet since November and have lost 60 pounds. Last February my total cholesterol jumped from 169 to 234 and my LDL went from 104 to 182.  The triglycerides dropped from 212 to 142.  HDL stayed about the same (23 to 24).  At that time I posted my concern about the rise.  It was suggested that it was normal for a short-term rise and to give it some time. Well my results are back from last week’s test: Total up to 256, LDL up to 205, and triglycerides down to 103.  Fortunately, the HDL also went up to 30, which is as high as it has ever been. BTW, I fasted for about 36 hours before each of the last two tests. I want to continue losing weight but not at the risk of heart disease (especially given my family’s history). I am already taking gugulipid, lecithin, and lysine among other vitamins.  I also get light to moderate exercise.  I plan to start a fiber program involving flax seed, psyillium, and Benefiber. I do not want to take drugs, but expect I’ll have to if this profile doesn’t change soon. Any otherr syggestions welcomed, Steve

Response:

Well my results are back from last week’s test: Total up to 256, LDL up to 205, and triglycerides down to 103.

Steve: This is a very late reply to your question…my computer has been at the doctors.  Anyway, have youconsidered a sensitivity to arachodonic(sp?) acid? The Eades, in Protein Powerl, describe experiences similiar to yours and attribute it to this sensitivity. Egg yolks and red meat are among the foods that are high in it..  The good news is they give some marinade for the red meat that neutralizes the arachidonic acid.  And egg yolks just have to be avoided.  Might be worth considering! BarbF

Response:

Are you using flax meal, psyllium husks, or guar  &/or xanthum gums, or agar and other seaweed?  i have read many studies that significant improvements in lipids using any of these foods.

I have been using Benefiber (A soluable fiber).  I was also taking a quarter cup flax seed, but stopped for the diet because I would usually take it with grape juice.  I recently started the flax seed again – this time with water (ugh).  I also started adding some psyllium.  I thought I was doing pretty good because I was drinking a gallon of water each day, but will try to up that to 2 gallons. Hope this works.

Response:

I usually drink about a gallon of water a day.  Since I was not eating and water was my only intake, I about doubled it to two gallons. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – you dehydrated yourself by fasting for 36hrs before those blood tests! that will AUTOMATICALLY give you false results! — read and post, rosie Indeed life is much like a game-both a deadly serious one and one that demands laughter, relaxation, and the ability to play., Either way, life demands attention.                                        -hegarty http://www.everdream.com "Everdream. . .saving business from computers." I have been on a low carb diet since November and have lost 60 pounds. Last February my total cholesterol jumped from 169 to 234 and my LDL went from 104 to 182.  The triglycerides dropped from 212 to 142.  HDL stayed about the same (23 to 24).  At that time I posted my concern about the rise.  It was suggested that it was normal for a short-term rise and to give it some time. Well my results are back from last week’s test: Total up to 256, LDL up to 205, and triglycerides down to 103.  Fortunately, the HDL also went up to 30, which is as high as it has ever been. BTW, I fasted for about 36 hours before each of the last two tests. I want to continue losing weight but not at the risk of heart disease (especially given my family’s history). I am already taking gugulipid, lecithin, and lysine among other vitamins.  I also get light to moderate exercise.  I plan to start a fiber program involving flax seed, psyillium, and Benefiber. I do not want to take drugs, but expect I’ll have to if this profile doesn’t change soon. Any otherr syggestions welcomed, Steve

Response:

I usually drink about a gallon of water a day.  Since I was not eating and water was my only intake, I about doubled it to two gallons.

A 36 hour fast plus a substantial change in your fluid intake may very well have an impact on your test results.  There are significant changes occuring in your body chemistry during the first few days of a fast.  If possible, I would suggest repeating the test after a normal 12 hour fast (dinner as normal, blood test in the morning).  I’m not sure that you will see any differences, but you might. Lisa A. P.S.  The purpose of "fasting" blood tests are to eliminate the normal fluctuations in blood chemistry after meals.  12 hours is a more than sufficient time to accomplish this.  Reference ranges usually assume a 8-12 hour fast, particularly for lipids. Before you buy.

Response:

     The Los Angeles Times carried the following article yesterday, re Triglycerides and Cholesterol.   Very interesting, at least to me, since my total cholesterol just tested at 249, but my HDL was 93, and my triglycerides were 48….. (read the last sentence especially…) .      Triglycerides Linked to Fatal Heart-Attack Risk      High levels of a blood fat called triglycerides can sharply increase a person’s risk of dying from a heart attack even if his or her cholesterol level is normal, according to researchers from the University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine in Seattle.      Epidemiologist Melissa A. Austin and her colleagues used medical history data collected in the early 1970s from 101 families in which cardiovascular disease was prevalent and levels of triglycerides were high. They then traced the health status and cause of death for 685 family members over the next two decades.      They reported in Tuesday’s Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Assn. (http://circ.ahajournals.org/) that the risk of death from heart attacks was 70% higher in patients with a genetic condition that predisposes them to both high triglyceride and cholesterol levels than in their normal spouses, and 100% to 200% higher in those with a genetic predisposition to elevated triglyceride levels.      Triglycerides have long been associated with heart disease, but the new study is the first to show that high levels can, independently of cholesterol levels, predict the risk of heart attack deaths years in advance. Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

Response:

Makes me wonder. Which is more important lower triglycerides or lower LDL? Clearly there’s some sort of tradeoff here. MD wants me on cholesterol meds. Any thoughts?

I read a reference recently that suggests that triclycerides were a better indicator of heart disease than LDL.  So, at least the bad stuff is going done.  Now, if the LDL would just follow suit. Sounds like this is more common though than the book would have us believe.

Response:

Are you using flax meal, psyllium husks, or guar  &/or xanthum gums, or agar and other seaweed?  i have read many studies that significant improvements in lipids using any of these foods. d – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been on a low carb diet since November and have lost 60 pounds. Last February my total cholesterol jumped from 169 to 234 and my LDL went from 104 to 182.  The triglycerides dropped from 212 to 142.  HDL stayed about the same (23 to 24).  At that time I posted my concern about the rise.  It was suggested that it was normal for a short-term rise and to give it some time. Well my results are back from last week’s test: Total up to 256, LDL up to 205, and triglycerides down to 103.  Fortunately, the HDL also went up to 30, which is as high as it has ever been. My results are similar with less weight loss, though. I’ve been on LC since last August. Was ovo-lacto vegetarian before.                 Two years ago   After LC 10 months Total Cholest.  191             239 HDL             31              32 LDL             99              163 Triglycerides   304             222 Glucose         115             131 Makes me wonder. Which is more important lower triglycerides or lower LDL? Clearly there’s some sort of tradeoff here. MD wants me on cholesterol meds. Any thoughts?

Response:

you dehydrated yourself by fasting for 36hrs before those blood tests! that will AUTOMATICALLY give you false results! — read and post, rosie Indeed life is much like a game-both a deadly serious one and one that demands laughter, relaxation, and the ability to play., Either way, life demands attention.                                         -hegarty http://www.everdream.com "Everdream. . .saving business from computers."

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been on a low carb diet since November and have lost 60 pounds. Last February my total cholesterol jumped from 169 to 234 and my LDL went from 104 to 182.  The triglycerides dropped from 212 to 142.  HDL stayed about the same (23 to 24).  At that time I posted my concern about the rise.  It was suggested that it was normal for a short-term rise and to give it some time. Well my results are back from last week’s test: Total up to 256, LDL up to 205, and triglycerides down to 103.  Fortunately, the HDL also went up to 30, which is as high as it has ever been. BTW, I fasted for about 36 hours before each of the last two tests. I want to continue losing weight but not at the risk of heart disease (especially given my family’s history). I am already taking gugulipid, lecithin, and lysine among other vitamins.  I also get light to moderate exercise.  I plan to start a fiber program involving flax seed, psyillium, and Benefiber. I do not want to take drugs, but expect I’ll have to if this profile doesn’t change soon. Any otherr syggestions welcomed, Steve

Response:

Steve- In his book, Dr. Atkins says that some people are "fat sensitive" which you may well be. He recommends you eat turkey roll, skinless chicken breast, fish, farmer cheese, lean cuts of meat but don’t increase your carb levels. His most current book has even more supplements for you to take. Your decreased triglycerides and the increase in the HDL are certainly good so if you can stand to modify your fat intake, I’d do it and stick with the diet. If you go back to lowfat/high carb, you know you’ll be hungry and gaining weight. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been on a low carb diet since November and have lost 60 pounds. Last February my total cholesterol jumped from 169 to 234 and my LDL went from 104 to 182.  The triglycerides dropped from 212 to 142.  HDL stayed about the same (23 to 24).  At that time I posted my concern about the rise.  It was suggested that it was normal for a short-term rise and to give it some time. Well my results are back from last week’s test: Total up to 256, LDL up to 205, and triglycerides down to 103.  Fortunately, the HDL also went up to 30, which is as high as it has ever been. BTW, I fasted for about 36 hours before each of the last two tests. I want to continue losing weight but not at the risk of heart disease (especially given my family’s history). I am already taking gugulipid, lecithin, and lysine among other vitamins.  I also get light to moderate exercise.  I plan to start a fiber program involving flax seed, psyillium, and Benefiber. I do not want to take drugs, but expect I’ll have to if this profile doesn’t change soon. Any otherr syggestions welcomed, Steve

Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

Response:

fasting for 36 hours CAN be contributing to the elevated levels! — read and post, rosie Indeed life is much like a game-both a deadly serious one and one that demands laughter, relaxation, and the ability to play., Either way, life demands attention.                                         -hegarty http://www.everdream.com "Everdream. . .saving business from computers."

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I may be wrong here and hopefully someone more knowledgeable can jump in here and save me, but I’m thinking it has something to do with the fact that you fasted so long beforehand.  Don’t they only ask you to do 12 hours? For some reason I’m thinking that that sort of fasting causes your cholesterol to jump up temporarily. I could be just blowing hot air here because I can’t remember where I got this idea from. — Nancy S+13 Atkins Since 7/1/99 167/136/125 I have been on a low carb diet since November and have lost 60 pounds. Last February my total cholesterol jumped from 169 to 234 and my LDL went from 104 to 182.  The triglycerides dropped from 212 to 142.  HDL stayed about the same (23 to 24).  At that time I posted my concern about the rise.  It was suggested that it was normal for a short-term rise and to give it some time. Well my results are back from last week’s test: Total up to 256, LDL up to 205, and triglycerides down to 103.  Fortunately, the HDL also went up to 30, which is as high as it has ever been. BTW, I fasted for about 36 hours before each of the last two tests. I want to continue losing weight but not at the risk of heart disease (especially given my family’s history). I am already taking gugulipid, lecithin, and lysine among other vitamins.  I also get light to moderate exercise.  I plan to start a fiber program involving flax seed, psyillium, and Benefiber. I do not want to take drugs, but expect I’ll have to if this profile doesn’t change soon. Any otherr syggestions welcomed, Steve

Response:

I may be wrong here and hopefully someone more knowledgeable can jump in here and save me, but I’m thinking it has something to do with the fact that you fasted so long beforehand.  Don’t they only ask you to do 12 hours?  For some reason I’m thinking that that sort of fasting causes your cholesterol to jump up temporarily. I could be just blowing hot air here because I can’t remember where I got this idea from. — Nancy S+13 Atkins Since 7/1/99 167/136/125

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been on a low carb diet since November and have lost 60 pounds. Last February my total cholesterol jumped from 169 to 234 and my LDL went from 104 to 182.  The triglycerides dropped from 212 to 142.  HDL stayed about the same (23 to 24).  At that time I posted my concern about the rise.  It was suggested that it was normal for a short-term rise and to give it some time. Well my results are back from last week’s test: Total up to 256, LDL up to 205, and triglycerides down to 103.  Fortunately, the HDL also went up to 30, which is as high as it has ever been. BTW, I fasted for about 36 hours before each of the last two tests. I want to continue losing weight but not at the risk of heart disease (especially given my family’s history). I am already taking gugulipid, lecithin, and lysine among other vitamins.  I also get light to moderate exercise.  I plan to start a fiber program involving flax seed, psyillium, and Benefiber. I do not want to take drugs, but expect I’ll have to if this profile doesn’t change soon. Any otherr syggestions welcomed, Steve

Response:

introduce guar, psyllium and flax meal — Count DF grams, to be sure you are getting 35-45g / day.  (with DM2, i aim for 50-75g / day, depending on how hungry i am, (and how active). d Don’t forget hydration, which also helps flush the toxins out of your system. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been on a low carb diet since November and have lost 60 pounds. Last February my total cholesterol jumped from 169 to 234 and my LDL went from 104 to 182.  The triglycerides dropped from 212 to 142.  HDL stayed about the same (23 to 24).  At that time I posted my concern about the rise.  It was suggested that it was normal for a short-term rise and to give it some time. Well my results are back from last week’s test: Total up to 256, LDL up to 205, and triglycerides down to 103.  Fortunately, the HDL also went up to 30, which is as high as it has ever been. BTW, I fasted for about 36 hours before each of the last two tests. I want to continue losing weight but not at the risk of heart disease (especially given my family’s history). I am already taking gugulipid, lecithin, and lysine among other vitamins.  I also get light to moderate exercise.  I plan to start a fiber program involving flax seed, psyillium, and Benefiber. I do not want to take drugs, but expect I’ll have to if this profile doesn’t change soon. Any otherr syggestions welcomed, Steve

Response:

I have been on a low carb diet since November and have lost 60 pounds. Last February my total cholesterol jumped from 169 to 234 and my LDL went from 104 to 182.  The triglycerides dropped from 212 to 142.  HDL stayed about the same (23 to 24).  At that time I posted my concern about the rise.  It was suggested that it was normal for a short-term rise and to give it some time. Well my results are back from last week’s test: Total up to 256, LDL up to 205, and triglycerides down to 103.  Fortunately, the HDL also went up to 30, which is as high as it has ever been. BTW, I fasted for about 36 hours before each of the last two tests. I want to continue losing weight but not at the risk of heart disease (especially given my family’s history). I am already taking gugulipid, lecithin, and lysine among other vitamins.  I also get light to moderate exercise.  I plan to start a fiber program involving flax seed, psyillium, and Benefiber.   I do not want to take drugs, but expect I’ll have to if this profile doesn’t change soon. Any otherr syggestions welcomed, Steve

Response:

Related Articles

• Margrove and others: Anixety and Omega 3s (EPA and DHA)
• New member: See story inside…
• Caffeine, Stress and Your Health: Is Caffeine Your Friend or Your Foe? 1/30/06
• reversing Heart Blockage
• Lupron & Heart Disease
• Natural healing
• Omega-3