Okay... just got my cholesterol checked...

[tpampel]

I started atkins back in jan. 2004... I have been maintaining now for over a year.... I do go back on induction occasionally as I allow myself a fun day (cheating in some peoples eyes) every three weeks..please no bashing..It is the only way I can do atkins...It works for me if you kwim... So my family of course has been against atkins since day number one. well, I lost about 40lbs on it and look great so im sticking to it. I LOVE ATKINS and will stay on it for life... Well since my family was pressuring me I decided to go ahead and get a full physical and blood work... My weight was 135 (133 at home booooooooo!) fully clothed and I am in GREAT HEALTH... all except my cholesterol.. I am 30 years old weigh 133 and my cholesterol is 162. My good choles. is fine though... he put me on cholesterol meds. I told the doc that i'd been on atkins for FOUR years and asked if it were my eating habits... he replied that if I got off atkins sure my cholest level would go down BUT NOT dramatically. Basically genetics plays a bigger role than environment here. But still... Any others have cholest this high.. how bad is it. Now my family is totally bugging on how i eat! i do eat A LOT more lean white mean than red meats... I guess I should watch my hot dog and hot wing addiction huh.. what do you guys think?

[momtomany1]

I did not think a total cholesterol of 162 was high? What am I missing?

[tpampel]

see I have no idea... he said he liked would be perfect if it were under 100 and under 130 would be "okay" but a little high and for me 162 was too high and he put me on meds!

eta: this is what I found online:

our LDL (Bad) Cholesterol Level
The lower your LDL cholesterol, the lower your risk of heart attack and stroke. In fact, it's a better gauge of risk than total blood cholesterol. In general, LDL levels fall into these categories:
LDL Cholesterol Levels
Less than 100 mg/dL
Optimal
100 to 129 mg/dL
Near Optimal/ Above Optimal
130 to 159 mg/dL
Borderline High
160 to 189 mg/dL
High
190 mg/dL and above
Very High

[momtomany1]

Okay, I was reading 162 as your total cholesterol. The 162 must be your 'bad' cholesterol, not your total.

As far as getting away from your hot dogs and hot wings, any move toward less processed food would be good. There is some research that suggests cinnamon lowers cholesterol. I have been eating a cooked flax cereal with cinnamon that I found on the board.

2 1/2 Tbs flax, ground
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 scoop low carb shake mix (mine is a 'triple whey protein powder')
1 Tbs soft or melted butter

Mix 1st 3 ingredients, then mix the butter in. Spread out in bowl and microwave 1 minute. I stir mine and set it in the freezer for a few minutes so I can eat it cold, top with heavy cream and enjoy.

The flax might also help with your 'bad' cholesterol.

Flax Seed - Benefits of Flax Seed in Heart Disease and Cholesterol Lowering

[Mel Strong]

I have been on atkins since march 17
My total cholesterol is 318.4mg/dL
[ was 247.6mg/dL last november ]
so I am really in the danger zone???

[Mel Strong]

Level mg/dL Level mmol/L Interpretation < 200 < 5.0 Desirable level corresponding to lower risk for heart disease 200–240 5.2–6.2 Borderline high risk > 240 > 6.2 High risk

[ziggy]

Originally Posted by Mel Strong

I have been on atkins since march 17
My total cholesterol is 318.4mg/dL
[ was 247.6mg/dL last november ]
so I am really in the danger zone???

i think it normally takes a diet 6 months before you get good tests results

also try to avoid polyunsaturated omega-6 vegetible oils

and make sure you get your omega-3

[zoewmu]

My total cholesterol is in the 160's as well. But, because my good cholesterol is so high, it's not a concern. You really need to know what all the numbers are, the good, the bad, and the total before anyone can say for sure.

[Sherri]

Another good supplement to help with LDL is Olive Leaf Extract. Some people don't realize it but statins are an anti-fungul. Olive Leaf Extract is an anti-fungul, anti-bacterial and an anti-virul.
Also, Red Yeast Rice is another great supplement to help with lowering cholesterol levels.
Adding Monounsaturated fats (MUFAS) are also benificial to cholesterol levels. Their an extremely healthy fat and have been proven to fight belly fat. Avacados, salmon, nuts, chocolate and olive oil, to name a few, are great MUFA choices.

[sallyseachange]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Another good supplement to help with LDL is Olive Leaf Extract. Some people don't realize it but statins are an anti-fungul. Olive Leaf Extract is an anti-fungul, anti-bacterial and an anti-virul.
Also, Red Yeast Rice is another great supplement to help with lowering cholesterol levels.
Adding Monounsaturated fats (MUFAS) are also benificial to cholesterol levels. Their an extremely healthy fat and have been proven to fight belly fat. Avacados, salmon, nuts, chocolate and olive oil, to name a few, are great MUFA choices.

Interesting Sherri. Thanks!