Question About HDL level vs. LDL level

[Nutri_Nut]

I have been following a modified low-carb diet and have been exercising (walking) 5 days a week. Yesterday I had a non-fasting lipid profile test done, and everything was OK except my HDL level is low - as it has been most of my adult life! It was only 29. However, my LDL level is also low (which is good): it's only 75.

If my LDL level is low, won't my HDL level be low as well? Is this ratio acceptable? I'm not sure what to think, but the nurse almost sounded panicked about my HDL level. I already use olive oil, avoid trans fats, and exercise. According to the nurse, much of this has to do with genetics.

What do you think about my HDL/LDL ratio? Any advice?

[mirna05]

Try to eat nuts, peanuts, avocado, omega-3 (fish oil). It will go up.

[2big4mysize]

HDL and LDL are independant of each other.
Your HDL should be going up as you are exercising and eating good healthy fats in your Atkins WOE

if you are still in OWl or above nuts like almonds pecans and walnuts have very healthy for us fats
Flax is the highest plant food in the omegas for raisng HDL and lowering LDL.

What did your doc say about your lower then normal HDL?

[Nutri_Nut]

My doctor's wife - the nurse in the office, called me and told me the results. She said to eat walnuts and almonds ONLY. Hmmm. I asked about pecans because they are my favorite, and she said "no." She told me to exercise (which I am doing) and to take Omega-3 oils. I bought flaxseed oil capsules yesterday. She told me to take 1 1,000 mg. Omega-3 a day, but the health food store said to take 3 1,000 mg. capsules a day. She told me that although doctors are becoming more knowledgeable about natural supplements, they still don't know what dosage to recommend. The nurse also told me to eat avocados (which I don't like). I know olive oil is supposed to be good, and I use a lot of that already. My HDL has NEVER been where it should be. I'm told it's genetic, but I certainly do not want to take yet another medication!

Thanks for the replies.

[bizzlekitty]

When I started Atkins, my HDL dropped too, but I was doing extended Induction. Since I switched to OWL, I added almonds as my snack of choice and my HDL has gone from 42 to 52. I also try and take an Omega-3 supplement and add flax seeds here and there.

I can't eat fish, so nuts and supplements are my main source of improving my HDL. That and exercise.

[2big4mysize]

your body needs the omegas in a propper ration so you don't want to OD on one. Dr Atkins has in the book the proper ratios and amounts of them.

[ttdriver]

Lots of cardiovascular exercise raised my HDL from 91 to 106!


Betty