Todd wrote:
>
>On page 180 of _Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution_ he writes, "I
>admit that there are individuals who are fat-sensitive and will
>develop a less favorable cholesterol level on a high-fat diet
>than on a low-fat diet.  Intensive study of medical reports
>strongly suggests that fewer than one person in three falls into
>this category."

First of all, thanks for the reference from Atkins' book.  The "fewer than one
person in three" statement seems to correlate with Atkins' ascertion that only
25-30% of heart disease can be attributed to factors like faulty cholesterol
metabolism or elevated levels of Lipoprotein (a), and homocysteine.

>The trouble is that some people's HDL level is very difficult to
>budge.

Have you tried checking your thyroid function by recording your body
temperature over several days?  Supplements may also help.

>I don't have a reference, but I seem to recall reading that
>Lipoprotein(a) levels also have a strong genetic component.

According to Atkins, Liprotein (a) or Lp(a) is one of "the big three of the
atherosclerosis gang" along with homocysteine and triglycerides.  Lp(a) occurs
naturally, a sticky protein that's made from LDL.  Like cholesterol, some
people are genetically prediposed to have high Lp(a), but mainly is caused by
poor food choices.  It endangers the heart by causing artery blockages and
disables the body's main natural clot buster, plasminogen.

One of the primary causes of high Lp(a) is hydrogenated or partially
hydrogenated vegetable oils (trans fats).  One of the best dietary treatments,
ironically, is saturated fats (see: Journal of the American College of
Nutrition, vol. 15, no.4, pp.325-339, 1996).  Atkins also recommends
supplements (anti-oxidants) particularly Vit. C.  This is based on research by
Linus Pauling and Mathias Rath, MD (see:  Proceedings of the National Academy
of Sciences, vol.7, no.16, pp. 620-47, 1990).

I don't know what the estimates of Vit. C intake is with paleolithic period
diets.  I believe Westin Price, DDS in "Nutrition and Physical Degeneration"
estimated the Inuit consumed approx. 2-3 grams of ascorbate acid.  They
obtained this quanity from consuming internal organs of sea mammals.
Supplementing Vit. C may be necessary , considering that humans do not produce
their own Vit. C.

Ed Campbell, DC, CSCS