HDL improvement via diet

My HDL vs LDL has keep improving this year to the point where they are now equal:
jan hdl 51 ldl 79 may hdl 59 ldl 71 july hdl 68 ldl 74 sept hdl 67 ldl 67 Ratio CHOL/HDLC 2.2

Key dietary changes 1) a drink a day 2) oily fish or fish oil capsules every day 3) no refined grains, added sugars, or white potatoes 4)
more servings of nuts (peanuts, walnuts) 5) (last 51 days) - eating 7 equal calorie meals thru out the day. My CRP is also extremely good - .11 My blood pressure has declined as well, from 127/80 (ok- not great) to a stellar 105/65. I seem not to be getting older, but better! No - I didn't add any medication this year. If anyone is interested I'll post my typical days diet.

Thorsten, I was only teasing him.

Do as I say, not as I do <grin>. I'm increasing my alcohol to 2.5 oz from 1.5, after reading the alcohol link I sent you. Yesterday I discovered a new food - almond butter (at Trader Joe's). Mixed with lite banana yogurt, it's pretty good. How goes the treadmill purchase?
Weather got cold here, I'll bet it's freezing in the Poconos.

Congratulations. I have had similiar results with a similiar diet and here are the before and during lipid profiles from the same lab.

Started Low Carb diet in May 2003
Age: 58
Height 6 foot 1/2 inch

Date 7-Mar 17-Sep

Weight 230 207
Total Cholesterol 194 229
Triglycerides 65 31
HDL 58 86
LDL 122 136.8

Ratio of Total / HDL 3.34 2.66
Ratio of Tri / HDL 1.12 .360

Brad, I do have lots of respect for Dr. Willett. I have learned much from his book "Eat, Drink, And Be Healthy".

I don't have a problem paying doctors because my insurance pays the whole thing. I just kind of like my present cardiologist. However, I have to find out more about the red wine thing.

I kind of feel it's hard to change my present routine of water with meals followed by green tea at lunch and dinner (after the water).

I would think there is no harm taking a CRP test and will again ask my cardiologist at the next visit. Maybe just comparing the difference between test results could be of some value?

Hi there Mel!

Did you get your treadmill yet? I'd suggest being more pro-active.
You never got at CRP test, or Hba1c, either? If you have a high degree of inflammation, that can be addressed. Moderate drinking is one way - hmmm, we talked about that before. I seem to sense underlying anger or hostility - yes? Not good for your arteries.

each of the four readings and I expect another improvement in two weeks (another test). I also have room for improvement on my Hba1c - at 5.2 it's just ok, not great. A lower Hba1c means lower mortality.
Hba1c is the amount of glucose sticking to your blood cells - over 7

can. I'm not fatalistic. I'd like to live to a ripe old age in good health.

Yeah - red wine is good stuff! You really only need one drink a day (at your weight). I drink green tea with meals and after meals - have

certainly can't hurt - if you have sources of inflammation like gum disease they should be dealt with. If your CRP is high you might try some of the dietary strategies to lower it. It is true that these strategies to lower a high CRP have not yet been proven to prevent heart disease - but then again it's unlikely that the strategies will do any harm. If your CRP is ok it's one less thing to worry about.

research - very impressive, at least to me. Dr. Willett et al. was the inventor of "glycemic load" which is being used more and more. Dr.
Willett's group, along with others, has finally pushed the USDA to revise its outdated food pyramid.

Yes, it's kind of chilly here. No, haven't purchased the treadmill yet. I am waiting until we go to the Mall where I can check it out.

I've been eating almond butter for some time now. I put it on a Ryvita dark rye crispbread, usually two crackers, and then finish with a banana.

Yes, the flavored teas may have less of the anti-oxidants - but for me it's a matter of what I'll drink. Since I basically only drink green

of herring (3.25 ozs) + 3 fiber rye crispbreads then I drink 1.5 ozs of vodka mixed with a can of V8 juice. I'm not tempted to have more - but it's palatable. I doubt that the timing matters, it's just a matter of having a drink on a regular basis.

Your doc is wrong on both counts (CRP test and alcohol), but you really shouldn't listen to me. I know it would cost you $$$ to get a second opinion, and maybe you're comfortable with your current doc.
In my opinion, the alcohol could reduce your risk by 20 - 40 percent,

doubtful from 1 - 2 drinks a day, and you're being monitored on a

age takes luck - some, but we also make our own luck. Dr. Willett says that our Western diet causes 60-80 percent of heart disease. If you're science oriented read http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=0007C5B6- 7152-1DF6-9733809EC588EEDF

Brad, why do sense underlying anger or hostility?

I haven't purchased a treadmill. I will be going to the Mall and checking it out. If it feels okay, then I will do some research on brands before buying. I much prefer walking outdoors but the winter here is just too harsh.

My cardiologist says the CRP test is not of any use for me.

Red wine? Well, my cardiologist says just one or two glasses a week or risk liver problems. I don't feel comfortable taking a chance on making matters worse.

I agree we should strive to do the best we can. I think living to a ripe old age in good health requires lots of luck. If your fellow man doesn't kill you, then something else will either kill a part or all of you. I don't see too many healthy people over 70 jogging on the road.

Ahh, maybe they're at home with some 22 year old chick. )

cheapskate). Yes, I follow Willett's pyramid. Here's the latest scoop from Willett ( video on demand) http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutrition/foodpyramid/ I confess I haven't yet listened to it. Also check press release about alcohol from Harvard: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/press/releases/ press01082003.html

Brad, wait a minute. Aren't you the guy who's been telling me to drink red wine? And you don't drink the stuff? Something fishy here and it's not the herring.

I'll check those links later. Thanks!

I have had similiar results on a low carb diet. I exercise the same now as
I did before starting the diet. I attribute ALL of the improvement in my lipid profile to the low carb eating style.