Grains causing elevated cholesterol?

[GeorgiaBuck]

I recently came across this idea and I was hoping to get some more feedback. While on a wfpb diet, is it possible for grains to cause elevated cholesterol? I was told if that is the case that those people should try just using potatoes as their starch and see if there is any changes. Has anyone else ever heard of this concept?

[Lyndzie]

Where did you get this information?

[GeorgiaBuck]

I was discussing my recent labs with a friend of mine and he mentioned it to me. I tried doing a search online but couldn't find any relation between grains and cholesterol but did see some info on gluten and cholesterol. Maybe that is what he was referring to?

[Lyndzie]

There is so much info out there, it’s hard to figure out which end is up! I’ve never heard of a link between grains and cholesterol.

[MINNIE]

I haven't read or heard of that either. But, if you eat your grains with butter or other fats, it's probably true:).

The best way to find out for sure is to eat whole grains w/o added fat and see what happens:).

[GeorgiaBuck]

Hey Minnie. Thanks for the reply. That is what actually prompted the conversation with my buddy. I have been on a wfpb diet since October 1 and when I had my lab work done (Nov 28th), everything looked great except for cholesterol. Total was 243, ldl was 175, cdl was 43 and triglycerides were 89. This was on a strict wfpb diet of no oils and no animal products. I did splurge on a handful of nuts each day and most days had black coffee. Through those results and the discussion with my buddy, it led me to think one of three things may be possible for me:
1. Maybe the gluten/grains I was eating was a contributing factor (however most of my whole grains are either brown rice/steel cut oats/or whole grain pastas. Through the last two months I have probably had 10 slices of homemade whole wheat bread.
2. Maybe the nuts, unsweetened almond milk, and black coffee was a contributing factor
3. Maybe the recent weight loss (went from 200-179 over this same period) left some fats still circulating in my blood.
4. Maybe I am just predisposed to elevated cholesterol through my genes (elevated cholesterol does run in the family but haven't heard of any levels to make me think it is fh.

I was posting here to hopefully help me narrow this down a little more (if it is possible). As of now, my plan for the next month is to eliminate all nuts/nut milk and coffee and see where it goes. Thank you all for reading!

[LuckyMomma]

When I lose fat, my cholesterol goes up. It’s not uncommon for people to have raised cholesterol while losing fat. Stay the course and it will normalize.

[Lyndzie]

Of the things you’ve listed, I have heard of nuts and coffee increasing cholesterol. But not grains.

Sounds like you have a pretty solid plan!

[Atheria]

I've tested it on myself, and UNFILTERED coffee (French press, i.e.) will raise cholesterol...if, by chance, that is how you make your coffee. Like others mentioned, weight loss will also temporarily spike cholesterol in some people.

Atheria

[GeorgiaBuck]

Hey everyone so I have some updated lab results from 12/10/2018. During these two weeks I eliminated coffee, nuts, plant milk, and maintained the rest of the wfpb no oils eating plan.
Total 228
Ldl 169
Hdl 38
Tri 94

Overall still high but at least it seems to be headed in the right direction? Anyone have any stories of it taking a while to lower their cholesterol this way? It seems that would make sense since I have been eating poorly most of my life.

Also, it also dinged at being high in uric acid. The scale was 4.0-8.0 and mine was at 8.1. I thought that was mostly triggered by meats and fats which I am not eating at all. Is there another source of uric acid? Maybe beans? Thanks again for your time!

[Lyndzie]

Give yourself time. You are on the right path. Congrats on your first two weeks!

[PJK]

Re BEANS - yes, too much of them can contribute to high uric acid ... and that can lead to gout.

To help with this, Dr. McD recommends that we eat no more than 1 cup of beans a day.

For uric acid, you want 6.0 or lower (but not too low, either). Good luck!

[GeorgiaBuck]

Thank you for the replies. I was definitely eating more than 1 cup per day, I guess I missed that guideline. I am going to check my levels again in January so I love to hear new ideas to try out. Thanks again!

[viv]

You may be predisposed to high cholesterol. I have been McDougalling for 6 years, lost 60 pounds and I am fit and healthy. However my last TC cholesterol was 200. I have hypothyroidism controlled with meds, which can increase TC. I also have a daily coffee. But I'm not hyperventilating over it, I know what I eat, and I'm enjoying life.

Viv

[LibbyinIsrael]

Dr. Klapper has a very convincing explanation as to why long-term WFPB eaters don't need to worry about their cholesterol numbers. He explained it to me on the phone and then sent me a recent 22 minute film he made about cholesterol, which includes that angle of this subject from minute 18.
I'm sorry I don't know how to attach it here!