A small change in diet changed my cholesterol numbers

[Villages PL]

As I mentioned several months ago, I decided to make a few small changes in my diet so as to get more iodine for a slightly slow thyroid. One thing I changed was to start eating 3 eggs per week. (I was a vegan and that made me a vegetarian.) The eggs (and other changes) helped my thyroid function but raised my cholesterol and triglycerides.

So now I'm going back to veganism, (no eggs) it's healthier for me. It's amazing how only 3 eggs per week changed my blood-test numbers for the worse; see where "moderation" got me? And the eggs were spaced out - one on Monday, wednesday, and Friday. And this was done over a long period of time because I know that cholesterol numbers can change slowly. The beginning test was on 01-23-13 and the ending test was on 02-25-14.

First test: Total cholesterol 159 - second test: 182

First test: HDL 63 - second test: 68

First test: LDL 81 - second test: 100

I just thought others might benefit from knowing that even small changes in diet can push your numbers in another direction. In my case it was in the wrong direction.

So now I have decided to boost my iodine consumption by taking a small kelp suplement. Kelp is a natural source of iodine. No more eggs or iodized salt. Now I'm just using a small amount of "Real Salt", which is unprocessed.

It may not work the same for everyone but this was my experience. Has anyone else tried making small changes between blood tests to see what the result would be?

[tippyclubb]

I can tell you when I add more fiber to my diet it really improves my cholesterol numbers. I try to get 30-35 grams of it daily. It needs to be insoluble fiber which you will find in old fashion oatmeal or steel oats. All kinds of dry beans are very high in fiber and many vegetables, fruits contain fiber. I eat oatmeal and beans daily just for the fiber. From what I understand cholesterol binds to the soluble fiber and carries it out of your body.

I had cholesterol testing a few weeks ago and it went up by 15 points but I had been cheating a little on the diet. It showed in the numbers, although everything is well within range, except HDL. I'm back on track now and eating more fiber.

How did you get your HDL to go up by 5 points? I really struggle with the HDL at 44. It was higher in the 50's before I went on this cholesterol lowering diet. I tried the fish oil and that didn't help. The last few weeks I have been eating sardines (yuck) twice a week to see if that will help. Any other suggestions.

[Abby10]

How timely that you should start this thread, VillagesPL, as I recently got some fantastic test results back also. I am not a vegan, however, I did change my diet dramatically about 5 months ago by cutting out all sugar and flour. I was expecting to see a change in my blood sugar levels, but was amazed by the even more dramatic changes in my cholesterol levels! About a year ago my levels were HDL=55, LDL=117. Just last week my results were HDL=61, LDL=83. My total cholesterol was previously as high as 197 and is now at 157. Also, triglycerides went from 78 to 65. I am ecstatic! I have records going back 15 years and have never had those kind of numbers. I'm wondering if my numbers were even that good in my 20's! I told my husband to be prepared, I might live to be 100 - lol!! Really happy and very motivated to continue on a more healthy lifestyle!

[mgjim]

How timely that you should start this thread, VillagesPL, as I recently got some fantastic test results back also. I am not a vegan, however, I did change my diet dramatically about 5 months ago by cutting out all sugar and flour. I was expecting to see a change in my blood sugar levels, but was amazed by the even more dramatic changes in my cholesterol levels! About a year ago my levels were HDL=55, LDL=117. Just last week my results were HDL=61, LDL=83. My total cholesterol was previously as high as 197 and is now at 157. Also, triglycerides went from 78 to 65. I am ecstatic! I have records going back 15 years and have never had those kind of numbers. I'm wondering if my numbers were even that good in my 20's! I told my husband to be prepared, I might live to be 100 - lol!! Really happy and very motivated to continue on a more healthy lifestyle!

This is timely for me as well. I stopped eating sugar and wheat and increased my daily fiber intake 3 months ago, and started taking fish oil about 6 months ago. Last year my values were: HDL=58; LDL=107; Total Cholesterol=183. I'm getting a blood test next week and can't wait to see if my dietary changes made much of a difference.

[Abby10]

This is timely for me as well. I stopped eating sugar and wheat and increased my daily fiber intake 3 months ago, and started taking fish oil about 6 months ago. Last year my values were: HDL=58; LDL=107; Total Cholesterol=183. I'm getting a blood test next week and can't wait to see if my dietary changes made much of a difference.

Hope you get some good results!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

It's being discovered and accepted more and more that there is no link between dietary cholesterol and coronary disease.
The medical profession has been getting to get us to lower cholesterol through diet, (which is almost impossible by the way due the fact that only 20% of our serum choleseterol comes from diet.) and having us risk many other diseases such as diabetes and alzheimers.

Buy the way, HDL and LDL are not cholesterol.

[NotGolfer]

It's being discovered and accepted more and more that there is no link between dietary cholesterol and coronary disease.
The medical profession has been getting to get us to lower cholesterol through diet, (which is almost impossible by the way due the fact that only 20% of our serum choleseterol comes from diet.) and having us risk many other diseases such as diabetes and alzheimers.

Buy the way, HDL and LDL are not cholesterol.

This is true!!!! There are TWO excellent books out now re: "diet" and how it's affecting our culture. The 1st one is "Wheat Belly" by Dr. Wm. Davis and the 2nd one is "Grain Brain" by Dr. Perlmutter (this book is a #1 best seller at our local Barnes and Noble). The former is a preventative cardiologist who "walks his talk". The latter is a neurologist. BOTH have see what the gmo's, processed foods etc. have done to the health and well-being of our country. You can go into the sites on Facebook and see the plethora of people who are having better than good results. It's NOT a "diet" but a way of living!!!

[Villages PL]

I can tell you when I add more fiber to my diet it really improves my cholesterol numbers. I try to get 30-35 grams of it daily. It needs to be insoluble fiber which you will find in old fashion oatmeal or steel oats. All kinds of dry beans are very high in fiber and many vegetables, fruits contain fiber. I eat oatmeal and beans daily just for the fiber. From what I understand cholesterol binds to the soluble fiber and carries it out of your body.

I had cholesterol testing a few weeks ago and it went up by 15 points but I had been cheating a little on the diet. It showed in the numbers, although everything is well within range, except HDL. I'm back on track now and eating more fiber.

How did you get your HDL to go up by 5 points? I really struggle with the HDL at 44. It was higher in the 50's before I went on this cholesterol lowering diet. I tried the fish oil and that didn't help. The last few weeks I have been eating sardines (yuck) twice a week to see if that will help. Any other suggestions.

Your diet sounds a lot like mine. I have steel-cut oats with walnuts for breakfast, after eating a small bowl of fresh fruit. Lunch usually consists of a big salad with beans and for dinner I'll have vegetable soup with beans. It's all natural whole-foods high in fiber. A snack would consist of a piece of fruit and a few nuts.

I don't know how I got my HDL to go up 5 points. That was strange. I don't take fish oil but I do use a little extra virgin olive oil (one teaspoon) on salads and soups. (Note: I never cook olive oil with the soup; extra virgin olive oil sould never be cooked.) No other suggestions at this time.

They say you're not supposed to eat anything after 9:00 pm to be fasting for the test on the following morning. I didn't, but I had a big meal at 8:00 pm and I'm wondering if that might have messed up my LDL number. Also my thyroid number (TSH) was a little high. Next time I'll try to have my dinner between 5 and 6 pm and see if that might help a little. Also, I'll be looking to see if the small iodine (kelp) supplement helps to push my thyroid number in the right direction. I'm taking 1/2 a tablet (75 micrograms) each day.

[Villages PL]

It's being discovered and accepted more and more that there is no link between dietary cholesterol and coronary disease.
The medical profession has been getting to get us to lower cholesterol through diet, (which is almost impossible by the way due the fact that only 20% of our serum choleseterol comes from diet.) and having us risk many other diseases such as diabetes and alzheimers.

Buy the way, HDL and LDL are not cholesterol.

I trust the NIH to have the correct information and here is what they say about cholesterol:

My link didn't work: Search - "NIH - National Heart, Lung, And Blood Institute"

[Villages PL]

It's being discovered and accepted more and more that there is no link between dietary cholesterol and coronary disease.

From what I have learned, the answer is "yes" and "no". We are all born with cholesterol receptors but some people have more receptors than others. Those who were born with a lot of receptors can eat lots of eggs and fatty meats etc. without getting coronary disease. Those who were born with too few receptors may have a problem processing animal fats. Their body can't dispose of the cholesterol fast enough and it builds up. That's the way I understand it, based on what I read by Dr. Dean Ornish.

The problem is: We don't know how many receptors we were born with. I think we might get a clue by observing our blood test results. If we have high LDL cholesterol, it must be because we are not disposing of it fast enough.

Another important clue: When they put heart patients (those with coronary artery disease) on a vegan diet, the disease reverses itself.

[Neal2tire]

Been there and done that. Watch 'the perfect diet' on Amazon.

Been through thyroid cancer and every thing one can image since I was 28 years old.

The Perfect Human Diet (I think that's the name)
well worth watching for anyone and well done
Neal G

[Vernster]

As I mentioned several months ago, I decided to make a few small changes in my diet so as to get more iodine for a slightly slow thyroid. One thing I changed was to start eating 3 eggs per week. (I was a vegan and that made me a vegetarian.) The eggs (and other changes) helped my thyroid function but raised my cholesterol and triglycerides.

So now I'm going back to veganism, (no eggs) it's healthier for me. It's amazing how only 3 eggs per week changed my blood-test numbers for the worse; see where "moderation" got me? And the eggs were spaced out - one on Monday, wednesday, and Friday. And this was done over a long period of time because I know that cholesterol numbers can change slowly. The beginning test was on 01-23-13 and the ending test was on 02-25-14.

First test: Total cholesterol 159 - second test: 182

First test: HDL 63 - second test: 68

First test: LDL 81 - second test: 100

I just thought others might benefit from knowing that even small changes in diet can push your numbers in another direction. In my case it was in the wrong direction.

So now I have decided to boost my iodine consumption by taking a small kelp suplement. Kelp is a natural source of iodine. No more eggs or iodized salt. Now I'm just using a small amount of "Real Salt", which is unprocessed.

It may not work the same for everyone but this was my experience. Has anyone else tried making small changes between blood tests to see what the result would be?
Even though your numbers went up, your ratio is still good. I wouldn't worry too much.

[Vernster]

Your diet sounds a lot like mine. I have steel-cut oats with walnuts for breakfast, after eating a small bowl of fresh fruit. Lunch usually consists of a big salad with beans and for dinner I'll have vegetable soup with beans. It's all natural whole-foods high in fiber. A snack would consist of a piece of fruit and a few nuts.

I don't know how I got my HDL to go up 5 points. That was strange. I don't take fish oil but I do use a little extra virgin olive oil (one teaspoon) on salads and soups. (Note: I never cook olive oil with the soup; extra virgin olive oil sould never be cooked.) No other suggestions at this time.

They say you're not supposed to eat anything after 9:00 pm to be fasting for the test on the following morning. I didn't, but I had a big meal at 8:00 pm and I'm wondering if that might have messed up my LDL number. Also my thyroid number (TSH) was a little high. Next time I'll try to have my dinner between 5 and 6 pm and see if that might help a little. Also, I'll be looking to see if the small iodine (kelp) supplement helps to push my thyroid number in the right direction. I'm taking 1/2 a tablet (75 micrograms) each day.

Olive Oil always reduces your total cholesterol. However you should always try to use Extra Virgin Cold Pressed. You can use Olive Oil in cooking if you don't use high heat.

[Villages PL]

Olive Oil always reduces your total cholesterol. However you should always try to use Extra Virgin Cold Pressed. You can use Olive Oil in cooking if you don't use high heat.

Yes, I use extra virgin exclusively and I believe it is "cold pressed". I just read in a book by, Jean Carper, that it is not only supposed to lower LDL but raise HDL (asuming one is relatively high in LDL and low in HDL) Along with garlic and a list of other items.

I never use any oil in cooking because I don't do any frying. I don't eat eggs anymore but if I did they would be poached. I don't eat meat anymore but when I ate chicken breasts, I boilded and simmered them in water. And vegetables can be steamed or cooked in a soup. Frying, it seems to me, just adds a lot of unnecessary calories.

Extra virgin olive oil is very delicate and it doesn't take much heat to destroy the antioxidants that it contains. Just the fact of exposing it to air can degrade it because it will become oxidized.

[Villages PL]

Even though your numbers went up, your ratio is still good. I wouldn't worry too much.

Yes, thanks, I believe you are correct.

[B767drvr]

From the Framingham Heart Study, we've learned:


Total cholesterol below 150

LDL below 80

If so, you cannot deposit fat and cholesterol into your coronary arteries. In other words, you are bullet proof against heart disease! Since the study began (1948), not a single person with the above numbers has exhibited any heart disease.


Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease, pg 33