Bad News? My doctor thinks so... page

[Fleshetarian]

Hi,
I know this issue has come up before but I think it's important to keep hearing people's opinions about this:
I have seen my family Dr. for a physical yesterday. This is about 5 months after starting a PB diet.
I'm 51, male, 5'11.5'', 158 lbs. My blood pressure was nice and low (105/70), and I feel great.
My cholesterol, on the other hand is a different story:

Total cholesterol: 341
HDL: 113
LDL: 201 (!)
Triglycerides: 46
Total/HDL Ratio: 3.02

A test for LDL breakdown of small, medium, large, was not available, but my doctor thinks that I should cut back my meat intake by 50%.

Prior to this test, my last lipids were very "normal" (on a mostly vegetarian diet). My total Cholest was around 180. My numbers have almost doubled since on the PB diet.
I have to admit that this is a little scary...
Anybody with same experience? Insights?
Thanks,
F

[bob]

Fleshetarian:

I just had the same experience: been primal for about 6 mos now, with my only indulgences being cottage cheese and dark chocolate every so often. I just had a blood panel done out of curiosity as to how things have changed since I dropped all the non-veg carbs and upped my meat and egg intake significantly (a half dozen a day). My chol numbers doubled since my pre-primal days. I, too, was going to post to see if I get any input as to what's happening. Myself, I am 5'7", 139 lbs, BF% less than 10%. I know Mark's post from earlier this week discussed not focussing on the numbers, but an increase like this makes me wonder...

I'm curious to see what others have to say...

bob

[Syracusedoula]

What are you eating in the way of fruits and vegetables?

[Fleshetarian]

I'm eating a lot of vegs and fruit. As much as I can, really. But I also sin with dairy, having never experienced a negative reaction to it. I use heavy cream in my coffee every morning, and also Greek yogurt, some cheddar cheese.
I know for fact that High LDL is a concern mostly when other factors are existing, such as diabetes, hypertension, smoking, cardio history, etc. I have non of these, but, on the other hand, I don't want to wait till I do...

[Primal Fist]

Read the section in Good Calories, Bad Calories on cholesterol. Your doctor is wrong about cutting back on meat, that's the conventional wisdom approach which is - surprisingly, I know - wrong. You're eating more fat, your cholesterol is of course going to increase across the board. This in itself is not a bad thing.

edit: seriously, read that chapter. High LDL is only a problem if you have low HDL, and to be even more specific it's actually VLDL that's the problem.

[jovigal1959]

Every now and again, for the past 25 years, my liver enzymes are "elevated." Not by much...

My doctor made me go for a pelvic sonogram, and I was also screened for HIV and Hepatitis C, following conventional protocol. I don't drink alcohol..at all, and do not take any medications.

All was/is normal.

The doctor explained that the "numbers" are just an average for the population, and not to be concerned on any elevations, as long as all else is fine with the testing.

I will continue reading this thread..would love to see more input on this topic.

[Dr. Bork Bork]

Maybe cut back on RED meat (beef, pork, etc)? My chiro says red meat can cause some health issues, including digestion trouble. He's very supportive of natural medicine and practices internal medicine, too. I trust his opinion. I told him I was doing Primal Blueprint & he was on board, but encouraged me to eat more chicken & fish than red meat, which is fine cuz we're only having red meat once or twice a week, and chicken & fish the rest. In the PB book, it encouraged lean meats, so maybe that might help?

[StoneAgeQueen]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with grass fed red meat. In fact, it is vital for your health! Cutting back on meat to lower cholesterol is CW at its worst.

[Melantha]

Isn't there some thought somewhere that the several months on a lower-carb, higher-fat diet, cholesterol will go up because your body hasn't figured out that it doesn't need to make as much because you're getting more from diet? I bet Griff knows about this...

Dr. Bork Bork, I'm pretty sure most studies done on "red meat" tend to lump processed meats in with red meat. Studies of hunters show that consumption of lots of red meat from game does not have the same health effects as consumption of red meat from factory farms or consumption of processed meats (hot dogs, cured sausage, etc.). Definitely DON'T replace red meat with chicken and white fish because chicken and white fish have a pretty terrible fat ratio. If you have a personally-documented difficulty digesting red meat, then by all means cut back, but try other meats first, like lamb or bison to make sure it's not just a beef thing. I think the recommendation of lean meats is a suggestion for people who eat mostly conventional meat.

[Minxxa]

I'm surprised he ignored the fact that your HDL is freaking awesome!! And, when your HDL is high it will automatically make your total cholesterol higher but it isn't a bad thing.

For more info on better ideas on how to measure cholesterol, I recommend Griff's Cholesterol Primer (you can find it by searching the forum).

Also, There's a couple of good books out on cholesterol....

The Great Cholesterol Con http://www.amazon.com/Great-Choleste...5639686&sr=8-2
And The Cholesterol Myths http://www.amazon.com/Cholesterol-My...5639728&sr=1-2

Good to read for peace of mind, and maybe drop one off with the doctor.