Blood lipids under control

I am 41 years olds, 6'6", 260#.

A year ago my TC was 192, HDL was 33, LDL was 160, and TG were 335.
Six months as they were not all that much better, my TC was 225 then.
My doctor decided medications was necessary to get by lipids under control. She placed me on 64mg of Tricor.

Besides the Tricor, I also drastically changed my diet. No more sugars or processed breads, I have dramatically reduced my intake of fats.
I stay away from red meat for the most part, I eat a lot of whole grains with a good amount of fiber. Lots of oatmeal in the morning. I like Bob's Red Mill types.

I have grown to like fish now, mostly grouper and trout. I still don't like Salomon. I have lost about 25#.

week, and this time it is a big change. My TC was 183 (down a little),

doctor was very happy and she encourage me to keep doing what I am doing.

I am glad the combination of medicine and diet have turned my lipids around. I spoke with my doctor about my HDL, she said for men anything from 40 to 45 is good, I am just below that range, close enough. Is there anything I can do now to raise my HDL?

Yes, there are several things you can do to increase HDL and lower TG.
I've increased my HDL from 35 to 69. 1) adding "good" fats to your diet. Good fats are monosaturated and include olive oil, peanut oil, fish oil, walnut oil. Since you like oatmeal (as I do) try mixing 2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter (or almond butter) with your oatmeal. I do it and like it. Also, try to find an oily fish you like. My choice - canned herring (called "kippered snacks". If you don't find an oily fish you like try fish oil capsules. For info about fats and blood lipids see http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/fats.html
2. consider having one alcoholic drink daily (my choice - a Guinness for lunch) 3. aerobic exercise - aim for one hour daily (I do 8 miles daily) 4 - if these don't do the trick in a couple of months, then consider naispan - www. naispan.com - finally, are you fat around your waist? You may have metabolic syndrome - low HDL and high Trig are two signs of it.

Please Brad where do you incorporate the cinnamon? And regarding the fish: I can't tolerate all that salt. I wonder if you are using fresh herring, or doing something with it to reduce sodium. I've begun a dietary regimine and need your input. Thanks B'adant

The higher HDL the better. The key risk measure is the ratio of Tot
Chol/HDL - the higher HDL, the lower your ratio, the lower your risk.
I just got my lastest blood study: trig 67, chol 174, HDL 65, LDL 96,
Ratio 2.7, CRP .5 - this showed improvement from two months ago - chol was 199, Ratio 2.9, trig 89. I added 12 grams of cinnamon daily to my diet. To raise your HDL and lower your heart disease risk I urge you to start exercising - aerobics - if you aren't already doing so. Final tip - try reading Dr. Mirkin's new book - The Healthy Heart
Miracle : Your Roadmap to Lifelong Health - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060196807/ref% 3Dnosim/drmirkincom/104-0705093-3342366

Exercise and Niacin can help. But check with your Dr. on both. Niacin may increase the risks associated with drugs to lower cholesterol. If she says OK, she may want to do some blood tests.

Bill - not a Dr.

I add cinnamon to my morning meals of blueberries, lite yogurt, and (one tablespoon) natural peanut butter. Cinnamon (with sweetener)
also works well with oatmeal. I use canned herring (called kippered snacks) - sodium is 390 mg - not too bad. Taste is very important since I eat these every day - 3.25 oz. Herring has more of the omega 3 fat than an equal serving of salmon. Starting today I also going to try eating 1 cup of tomato sauce daily (mixed with veggies). Latest study from Harvard shows lycopene (in cooked tomatoes,eg) reduces heart disease by up to 50% See http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4363829/

In the long run, i think you should get off medication and rely on exercise and diet only unless you are certified as being pre-disposed of having high cholestrol by birth. Medicine has got you off the high junk levels and it is your personal responsibility to keep it low.

Thanks Brad for info on kippered herring, cinnamon and tomatoes.
Lycopene: I imagine tomato juice and V8 would be good too. Here's a fish nutrition source: http://www.nutritiondata.com/foods- 015000000000000000000-2.html

B'adant