Low HDL Cholesterol - Any Advice?

[slyck85]

Hey guys, I have a problem with my cholesterol that just doesn't seem to go away.  I just got a screening and came up with:

Total Ch - 150
Triglycerides - 108
LDL Ch - 93
HDL Ch - 36
Fasting Glucose - 104 (12 Hr)
32 y/o 181 lbs
116/70 BP - 52 Hr

I started regular exercise a couple of years ago in hopes of changing some of these numbers and have done very well lowering triglycerides but in 5 years of regular screening, exercise, and good diet haven't been able to raise HDL above 40.  There is a family history of low HDL cholesterol and type 2 diabetes at work here and I've been told that its a matter of time before I have to go on a statin and metformin.  Can someone tell me how I can raise this HDL above 60 and if I can't what can be expected from statin's as far as side effects are concerned?

[RyanJP]

Watch your daily intake of saturated fats as well as sugars ( or anything high glycemic like sugar or anything white ) start incorporating some EFA's ( essential fatty acids ) like fish oils ( 2-6 grms daily ) which you can get at any health food store, which will also help regulate and stabilize your insulin. Little changes help in the longrun as well as easy to make an initial start for example for breakfast have 4 whole eggs enriched in omega-3 and heres why, contrary to what ever modern myth as well as word of mouth, eggs are one of the best foods/nutrients you can put in your body. Omega-3 eggs are eggs that are produced by hens fed a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial to take into the body since the body doesn't produce them. They are thought to be crucial for overall good health and are said to help prevent cardiovascular disease which goes hand in hand with high LDL ( bad stuff ) Eggs are also high in Choline which is not an "official" B-vitamin but it's cognitive abilities as well as neurological function is extremely beneficial

Another good idea is to supplement with a good quality Vitamin E ( A good source is a brand called Tocomin, which comes from malaysia and it's from palm extract, the generic Vit E you see at GNC's are generally soy based which are garbage ) I take a complete vitamin E product called Toco-8 and it's fantastic.

I'll send you a PM.

 

[Magoo]

One or two glasses of red wine taken daily are said to raise HDL.

[ChallengeMe]

Slyck, What Shadow said will help go a long way. As for statin, I don't think there are any side effects. Watch your diet and exercise. And follow what your doctor says first.

Your numbers are pretty good compared to mine. My HDL has been as low as "18" and was up to "30" with my last blood work a year ago. My TC was 220, and was 239 with my first blood test 8 years ago. At that time I changed my diet (and lifestyle) and started exercising. I lost 40 lbs of belly fat and kept it off. But despite my lifestyle change, my HDL doesn't improve. I take fish oil and a prescription of 10 mg statin (or did till I lost my insurance). I am 58, and weigh 200 lbs, my ideal weight, down from 236.

My 28 year old daughter is the healthiest, active thing there is, but her cholesterol is worse than mine, she is on 30 mg statin. So your high HDL is hereditary and you will have to live with it. And it will not change your life at all, so don't worry.

[slyck85]

thanks for the replies guys......i'll try the fish oil and E vitamin supplements.  I guess I got kind of irritated about the whole deal because the first words out of the docs mouth was you need to increase exercise....I'm already doing 4-5 days w/60 or so minutes each day for exercise, right now I'm only doing 15 minutes out of each day for aerobic - I really don't see how I could be any more active, as it stands right now I have to eat somewhere around 6 times a day just to maintain my weight.

[RyanJP]

Glad I could provide some help.

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Your doctor didn't run a A1c?  12 hour fbg of 104 and the cholesterol issues together w/ family history certainly would support that test, except your bp is excellent.  the fbg should be below 100 for normal. The total  cholesterol is okay, but the HDL should be above 45.  That all could be pre-diabetes and if you don't really hold the line on diet and push your exercise weights and cardio hard, you will be on statins and metaformin. 

[kenrh]

Guys

I have been taking various statin-based products for many years.  You should note that statins can have very nsty side effects, including drastic effects on muscles.  Sure, this is not common but it can happen.  Recently there have been many warnings over possible side effects so if you are taking them just be careful.

Ken

[Robmeister]

Pick up a copy of  "The pH Miracle" or "The pH Miracle for Weight Loss" by Dr. Robert Young

These are the most revolutionary books I've read, not just for weight loss but for overall health and disease prevention.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_3_6?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ph+miracle+for+weight+loss&sprefix=ph+mir

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Guys

I have been taking various statin-based products for many years.  You should note that statins can have very nsty side effects, including drastic effects on muscles.  Sure, this is not common but it can happen.  Recently there have been many warnings over possible side effects so if you are taking them just be careful.

Ken

I don't get along w/ statins, I was changed from Zocor to Zetia--total down to 163 from 220, and hdl went over 45!  It's good stuff, IMO.

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Hey guys, I have a problem with my cholesterol that just doesn't seem to go away.  I just got a screening and came up with:

Total Ch - 150
Triglycerides - 108
LDL Ch - 93
HDL Ch - 36
Fasting Glucose - 104 (12 Hr)
32 y/o 181 lbs
116/70 BP - 52 Hr

I started regular exercise a couple of years ago in hopes of changing some of these numbers and have done very well lowering triglycerides but in 5 years of regular screening, exercise, and good diet haven't been able to raise HDL above 40.  There is a family history of low HDL cholesterol and type 2 diabetes at work here and I've been told that its a matter of time before I have to go on a statin and metformin.  Can someone tell me how I can raise this HDL above 60 and if I can't what can be expected from statin's as far as side effects are concerned?

Saw this in today's NYT, and since it appears from what you've posted that you might be in the pre-diabetic range I thought you'd find the article interesting and something to talk w/ your doctor about.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/15/health/research/15heart.html?ref=health

[Magoo]

Now a days the medical field with all their numbers of what is normal or not is making us all neurotic . Whats good today is bad tomorow . Something like 50% of people with good cholesterol stiil have heart attacks. You could eat like a rabbit and still be too high.I think we have to try and be moderate in all things  both good and bad. 

[The Noggin]

Now a days the medical field with all their numbers of what is normal or not is making us all neurotic . Whats good today is bad tomorow . Something like 50% of people with good cholesterol stiil have heart attacks. You could eat like a rabbit and still be too high.I think we have to try and be moderate in all things  both good and bad. 

Right. Not to forget it's an industry. They want to sell stuff.