Hi.  I have been mostly lurking for some time but thought I would jump in.
Ravnskov readily admits that high cholesterol is a risk factor for heart
disease.  However, as Todd says that does not mean high cholesterol causes
heart disease.  e.g. insulin could cause inflammation which could cause
heart disease and raise cholesterol.

I was on Atkins for about 3 years and switched to Paleo 2 years ago.  Just
before switching to Paleo my LDL was high and my HDL was high, giving me a
ratio in the "normal" range.  On Paleo I feel much better.  When I went on
Atkins, I started running 3 times a week, 3 miles per time (but often
missing my run althogether).  In the last 15 months, I have been regularly
running 4 times per week, 4 miles per time (at a stately 11 minutes per
mile).

Whether it is due to the increased exercise or the Paleo diet, I was very
pleased with my cholesterol numbers from my checkup last week.  My LDL has
fallen to the normal range, my HDL is even higher (my MD called it "superb")
giving me a very low risk ratio.  My MD ( very PC, anti low carb, never
heard of Paleo) described it as an "excellent lipid profile".  So, based on
my experience, I think someone who had a heart attack  should definately
consider Paleo rather than a low fat diet.

Ken
----- Original Message -----
From: "Todd Moody" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2002 8:13 PM
Subject: Re: paleo for heart?


> On Mon, 27 May 2002, Ken Stuart wrote:
>
> > I would have hoped it would already be well known in this group that
> > high cholesterol has no real connection with any illness - see:
> >
> > http://www.ravnskov.nu/cholesterol.htm
>
> I am certainly familiar with that web site, as well as the book,
> but the claim you have made is not what Ravnskov says.  His point
> is that high cholesterol has not been shown to play a *causal*
> role in any illness, but he doesn't deny that it can be a
> *marker* of other health problems.
>
> Todd Moody
> [log in to unmask]