Originally Posted by shcisamax (Post 593297)

Aside from Sinatra:
The Real Cause of Heart Disease

Instead of looking just at the cholesterol numbers, we need to look at the cholesterol particle size. The real question is: Do you have small or large HDL or LDL particles. Small, dense particles are more atherogenic (more likely to cause the plaque in the arteries that leads to heart attacks), than large buoyant, fluffy cholesterol particles. Small particles are associated with pre-diabetes (or metabolic syndrome) and diabetes and are caused by insulin resistance. Recent research (see my "Do Statins Cause Diabetes and Heart Disease" blog) indicates that statins may actually increase diabetes.

While measuring cholesterol particle size is a simple blood test that can be done at Labcorp, most doctors do not look at it, even though it is the only meaningful way to evaluate cholesterol numbers. You can have a LDL cholesterol that looks normal, like Jim did at 101, but you may have over 1000 small LDL particles which are very dangerous. On the other hand, you can have the same LDL number of 101, and it may be made up of only 400 large particles which cause no real health risk. Your health risk has less to do with your cholesterol numbers than it does the quantity and size of your cholesterol particles.



Let me reiterate: These are measurements and tests that can be done in any doctor's office, but are rarely done. These are not esoteric or expensive labs that can only be done at specialty clinics.

I HAVE EDITED THE PART ON METABOLIC SYNDROME TO KEEP THIS FOCUSED ON THE CHOLESTORAL THREAD

Seven Tips to Fix Your Cholesterol (and Reverse Metabolic Syndrome Without Medication)

Luckily, this doesn't mean you are doomed, even if you are already suffering from metabolic syndrome and heart problems. High cholesterol and pre-diabetes or metabolic syndrome can be successfully diagnosed and treated. I have reviewed this in previous blogs, but here are seven tips to help you get big large fluffy cholesterol particles and reverse metabolic syndrome.

1. Get the right cholesterol tests. Check NMR particle sizes for cholesterol by asking your doctor for this test at Labcorp or LipoScience. You want to know if you have safe light and fluffy cholesterol particles, or small dense, artery damaging cholesterol particles. A regular cholesterol test won't tell you this.

2. Check for Metabolic Syndrome.
• Do you have a fat belly? Measure you waist at the belly button and your hips at the widest point -- if your waist/hip is greater than 0.8 if you are a woman or 0.9 if you are man, then you have a problem
• If you have small LDL and HDL particles, you have metabolic syndrome.
• If your triglycerides are greater than 100 and your HDL is less than 50, or the ratio of triglycerides to HDL is greater than four, then you have metabolic syndrome.
• Do a glucose insulin challenge test. This is very important and most physicians do not test for insulin and glucose. To read more about how to do the right type of testing for metabolic syndrome or pre-diabetes please see www.drhyman.com for my information.
• Check your hemoglobin A1c, which measures blood sugar over the last six weeks. If it is greater than 5.5, you may have metabolic syndrome

3. Eat a Healthy Diet. Eat a diet with a low glycemic load, high in fiber, and phytonutrient and omega-3 rich. It should be plant based, and you should consume plenty of good quality protein such as beans, nuts, seeds, and lean animal protein (ideally organic or grass fed). I have described specific diets that abide by these parameters in my books "UltraMetabolism" and "The Diabesity Prescription."

4. Exercise. Enough Said.

5. Get Good Quality Sleep. Sleep is essential for healing your body, maintaining balanced blood sugar, and your overall health.

6. Use Supplements to Support Healthy Cholesterol Particle Size. These include:
• A multivitamin including at least 500 mcg of chromium, 2 mg of biotin and 400 mg of lipoic acid. For most you will take three capsules twice a day.
• 1000 mg of omega-3 fats (EPA/DHA) twice a day.
• 2000 IU of vitamin D3 a day at maximum. (Some people recommend less -- consult your doctor.)
• 1200 mg of red rice yeast twice a day.
• 2-4 capsules of glucomannan 15 minutes before meals with a glass of water.
• Broad-range, balanced concentration of plant sterols. You will usually take one capsule with each meal.

7. Consider Using High Dose Niacin or Vitamin B3. This can only be done with a doctor's prescription. It is useful to help raise HDL cholesterol, lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and increase particle size.

8. Use Low-Dose Statins ONLY If You Have Had Heart Disease or are a male with multiple risk factors, while carefully monitoring for muscle and liver damage.

For the vast majority of people this approach is better than simply taking a cholesterol medication. To reduce your risk of heart disease you need to address metabolic syndrome, and that can ONLY be done effectively with a comprehensive diet and lifestyle approach like the one outlined above.

For more information on metabolic syndrome, heart disease, cholesterol, and other essential health topics, please visit www.drhyman.com.

Now I'd like to hear from you ...

Have you taken statins, what has been the effect and do you have muscle pain or any neurologic side effects?

Do you think metabolic syndrome is an important factor to address to reduce the risk of heart disease? Why or why not? Has your doctor ever said, your sugar is a little high and we will watch it? What for what -- until it is so bad you are eligible to take diabetes medication?

What do you think of conventional medicine's tendency to prescribe medications over dietary and lifestyle change for chronic health conditions?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Share them by leaving a comment below.

To your good health,

Mark Hyman, MD

References

(i) Cannon, C.P., Shah, S., Dansky, H.M. et al. 2010. Safety of anacetrapib in patients with or at high risk for voronary heart disease. N Engl J Med. 363(25): 2406-2415.

(ii) Barter, P.J., Caulfield, M., Eriksson, M. et al. 2007. Effects of torcetrapib in patients at high risk for coronary events. N Engl J Med. 357(21):2109-2122.

Mark Hyman, M.D. is a practicing physician, founder of The UltraWellness Center, a four-time New York Times bestselling author, and an international leader in the field of Functional Medicine. You can follow him on Twitter, connect with him on LinkedIn, watch his videos on YouTube, become a fan on Facebook, and subscribe to his newsletter.

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr (Post 593344)

True, but if you have already been diagnosed with blockages or coronary artery disease you can pretty much know that you have the smaller dense type of particles.

Originally Posted by rubicon (Post 593497)

An article published in Havard Medical Letter explained that there are three types of people when it came to cholestrol. The first group as excreters and they just pass much of the added cholestrol. The second group compensators and their system were able to maintin a balanced cholestrol level. finally the third gropu storers had a build up of cholestrol.

This aricle made sense to me and explains why some folks seem to ea what they want without consequence.

Now it would seem logical that nature (perhaps age) create a breakdown and the excreter moves to a storer and so forth.

My cariologist pushed for three years to get me on a statin and a blood pressure both very low dose. My cholestrol is well under control and my blood pressure is always close to the recommended readings.
I agreed to this because I won't be able to stay on a recommended diet;albeit I cut back lost weight and exercise at MVP on a regular basis

There are side effects for any medication/vitiamin people use

Originally Posted by jimbo2012 (Post 593484)

I hope all of you folks come to the showing of my movie and thereafter a 1 hour Q&A on January 10th at 1:00PM

Originally Posted by jimbo2012 (Post 593484)

I hope all of you folks come to the showing of my movie and thereafter a 1 hour Q&A on January 10th at 1:00PM

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr (Post 593702)

There was also a study that showed that many people who cut down on their cholesterol actually have higher cholesterol readings, supposedly because their body is producing more cholesterol in order to compensate for the lack of cholesterol in their diet.

The more you learn about this, the more confusing it becomes. There are many different studies and theories and they all seem to make sense. All are backed up by evidence and positive results.

The one thing that all of these doctors and nutritionists have in common is their belief that most medical doctors know nothing about nutrition. And yet, every doctor gives you advice on what to eat.

Originally Posted by Barefoot (Post 593898)

Did I miss another thread on this? What Rec Center is booked? How do we get our name on "The List"of approved attendees? Will there be bouncers at the door?