On Fri, 27 Oct 2000, Cave Chick wrote: > I just had had my yearly physical and am concerned about my bloodwork: > > Total Cholesteral: 247 (this rose 41 points!) > > HDL: 91 (this dropped 2 points) > > LDL: 149 (this rose 49 points!) > > Triglycerides: 36 (this dropped 30 points) > > I am really concerned about the bad cholesteral going so much higher. I'm going to assume that you've visited http://home2.swipnet.se/~w-25775/index.htm and read everything there at least twice. If you haven't, then do so. It's important to counterbalance the propaganda that you, and all of us, have been bombarded with for decades. I'm saying this as a person who would like to have the lipid numbers that you have just given us. The thing is, you have to decide what to believe about cholesterol. There is a staggering amount of confusing and conflicting information on the subject. Loren Cordain, for example, basically agrees with the mainstream ideas concerning HDL and LDL and would probably find cause for concern in your rise in LDL (and the slight drop in HDL, I suppose). Ray Audette and Troy Gilchrist also do not challenge the thesis that cholesterol is an important risk factor for heart disease. The Eades, on the other hand (along with Atkins) think that the TG:HDL ratio is what is most important, in which case you are in very good shape indeed. Your TG:HDL ratio is about .4, which is the lowest I've ever heard of. But many, many scientists and physicians do not accept the primacy of the TG:HDL ratio. A diet that is high in saturated fats -- especially palmitic and myristic acid -- will tend to raise LDL cholesterol in many (but not all) people. Although low-carb enthusiasts may tell you that by controlling insulin, LDL cholesterol will be lowered, the truth is that this may not happen. Insulin isn't the only player in the game. The saturated fats that I mentioned have the effect of downregulating LDL receptors, resulting in higher circulating LDL levels. So, while *some* people can get a reduction in LDL by carb restriction, it simply doesn't work for all people, for reasons that I don't think anybody really understands yet. > I've > been eating much more oily fish -- I thought this was supposed to help. The studies of the effects of fish oil on LDL have given very mixed results. > Any thoughts??? Also, any paleos know of any paleo friendly doctors in the > NYC area? My doctor is insisting I see his nutritionist to get on a "high > carb low fat regime) to bring my cholesteral down. There is no way I will > do this but would appreciate any thoughts you all might have. If you decide that you really want to reduce the LDL, you'll probably have to reduce your saturated fat intake. That doesn't mean that you have to go on a high-carb diet, however. Todd Moody [log in to unmask]