Discussion Board

I finally had a lipids test after six months of McDougalling -- mostly MWL, not a lick of animal products, and only a tiny amount of added oils when I went out to eat or ate a few illegal chips. I had hoped for slightly better results!

In 2009, my last test:
Total cholesterol: 207
HDL: 78
LDL: 121
Tri: 42
Ratio: 2.65

Not terrible, but my doc didn't like it. In 2009 I was mostly veg but ate a lot of full fat dairy and eggs. I weighed 12 pounds more than I do today.

11/11
Total: 170
HDL: 54
LDL: 101
Tri: 69
Ratio: 3.15

Now that the total number is under 200, my doc is happy -- but I'm disappointed that my good cho. dropped more than my bad! My ratio is worse. I no longer have awesome Trig numbers, either (they're fine: I shouldn't whine).

Any idea what else I can do -- or should I just be grateful I'm healthy and forget about it?

Remember that HDL will drop as total cholesterol drops. You only need HDL when you have excess cholesterol from the blood. When your LDL drops, your HDL SHOULD also drop as it isn't needed as much.
Kate

Broadbean some people make the smallest changes and see major moves in their numbers. Others seem to have to try everything to get the numbers where they want them. Cholesterol can be an intake issue with animal products and oils being front and center. Obviously some people must be near perfect in this regard. The other side of the issue is our bodies ability to remove cholesterol. That comes with an intake of oats, barley, and other sources of the fiber that transports it out out of our system. I'd play with all these components to find what works best for you.
Your HDL is great. Expect it to drop further when your LDL comes down.
f1jim

Thanks, Jim and Katy. One other thing I found out is that I have a significant Vit D deficiency -- like most northern people -- and I'm wondering what that means.

If I'm honest with myself, I admit I'm not in the absolute best shape I would like to be right now. I went back to school this semester and it's much more stressful than I anticipated: I've been very anxious and not exercising as much as I should. Sleeping poorly, too. I've really done my best as far as food goes, but the rest of it: not so much.

Those are really very good numbers and a significant improvement! More than likely you will continue to see improvement. Stop worrying and just keep up the good work!

Broadbeam, A few years ago in an effort to get my LDL below 100 I omitted nuts except those I used in limited qty's. in a snack bar I make. Also omitted avocado. Of course, no oil. It worked. "good eatin," Don

Stress is implicated in cholesterol production. I was watching Dr. Steve Blake's video presentation for the Vegetarian Society of Hawaii called "Figuring out Fats in Foods". He stated very clearly that stress triggers cortisone production which in turn signals the liver to produce cholesterol.
Here is another article about it:
http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/choles.htm

So far I haven't been able to figure out how not to be stressed about my stress!!

Interesting. Nuts are supposed to raise HDL as well as flax seeds, not raise LDL.

I know you are supposed to limit nuts and avocado, to avoid weight gain. But I thought plant foods like nuts and avocado did not have any cholesterol, just calorie-rich oil.

Can someone better explain? Must one eliminate all nuts and avocado to get LDL <100? These foods have so many good properties, if in moderation or limited amounts. Same for red wine?

I haven't been eating nuts, though a little guacamole has been sneaking in once a week... but I think the stress thing might be more significant at this point.

That might be an excellent New Year's Resolution for a lot of us: learn to deal with stress better. For me it's been the neglected aspect of health.