What is going on with my cholesterol?

[wdwmom2]

Help!!! I have been dieting for approximately 4 months. Watching my carbs but not doing a strict Atkin's diet. I had blood work done this morning and my cholesterol is 287. One year ago it was 203. I have lost 10 lbs with this diet. I am not really that overweight, I just want to look good when I cruise in April. I want to lose no more than 10 - 15 more pounds. I eat lean pork, chicken(no skin), and veggies. I have cut out almost all starch and especially sugar. So can anyone take a guess at why my cholesterol has jumped like that in 1 year??? Thanks for any help because I am puzzled!!

 

[nancyj_pa]

I have the same problem. I've been low carbing for 5 months and have lost 25 pounds. Yet my cholesterol is 228. I've been on meds for about 5 years and was hoping for a big reduction, at least to 200. My last count was about 218, 18 months ago.

Everyone says Atkins and low carb diets lower cholesterol. It is puzzling! Maybe it's too soon after the holidays or something. My blood pressure was up too.

NancyJ

 

[nativetxn]

Watching my carbs but not doing a strict Atkin's diet

A quick question: are you still eating sugar and white flour? I ask because when my husband eliminated those from his diet his triglycerides dropped drastically and his cholesterol improved dramatically.

Everyone gets different results from eliminating refined carbohydrates from their diet but usually they get improvement in their lipids.

Katholyn

 

[sueg]

DH has struggled for years with his genetic pre-disposition towards high chlosterol. Even on lipitor, his "bad" numbers were high & his "good" numbers were low. The South Beach diet has made a huge improvement for him. I think that has worked better than Atkins.

 

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by wdwmom2
So can anyone take a guess at why my cholesterol has jumped like that in 1 year??? Thanks for any help because I am puzzled!!

Sometimes it's just a matter of plain bad luck with your genetic history. There are some that can diet every which way (low fat, low saturated fat, low carbs, etc etc...) but their cholesterol just keeps rising.

Do what you can with diet and exercise, but also take a look at your family history.

 

[WeirdEyes]

You need to see if your "good" cholesterol has increased and the "bad" has decreased. If that is so, you're healthier. Also, if you are on Atkins, your cholesterol could be going up due to all of the fat that is allowed on that diet. I'm not saying that that is the reason, but a possibility. Maybe your doctor can shed some light on it for you. Good luck!

 

[wdwmom2]

nativetxn

I have cut out practically all white flour and sugar. This is what I eat: lean pork, skinless chicken breast, veggies such as brussels, limas, greenbeans and peas, salads with red wine vinegar dressing, coffee with a little 2% milk. I add no sugar to anything. I do not eat any greasy meat such as bacon. If I fry, I use canola oil. I drink water and an occasional diet Coke. I couldn't tell you the last time that I had bread or anything made with white flour. My good cholesterol is good and my bad cholesterol is bad. My triglycerides are good. I know that my mother battled with her cholesterol and I do think that this is where it is coming from. But I just can't understand how 1 year ago it was 203 and I ate whatever, and now I eat healthy and it is 287. It just keeps me scratching my head!

 

[Dancind]

You might want to study up on the "good" fats, and add some to your diet every day. It sounds to me like you're following a low fat diet, and that isn't really recommended any more. Add olive oil, nuts, avocadoes, fish oil, and you might see some improvements. I just found some organic flaxseed oil gelcaps at Sam's Club, and I'm adding that to my supplements. Can't stand to eat/drink the stuff! And have you considered a little red wine? Don't take it from me, but do talk to your Dr. Diana

 

[hammertime]

I have subclinical Hyperthyroidism. One of the symptoms is high Cholesterol. Mine was high a few years ago 220's but then I started eating right and exercising and it dropped to 200. Doc still thinks it's a little high but she thinks it will continue to drop. This year I also found out that I have subclinical hyperthyoidism. Subclinical means that I don't have a full blown case but that my thyroid is off enough that I have some of the symptoms.

So just a thought that maybe you should have your dr test your thyroid it only takes one blood test to find out if it's working well.

Pam

 

[nativetxn]

My mil had this issue too. She had been eating oatmeal everyday but gave it up for Atkins. Now that she is at goal she has added it back to her diet and she also takes fish oil capsules everyday. Between the two of these things her cholesterol numbers dropped back to normal.

 

[Flibbity]

Cholesterol is only found in animal products. I'm afraid I don't do Atkins, but perhaps you could exchange some of your animal protein for vegetable protein? Lean Tofu for example?

Talk with your doctor and bring in a diary of what you eat. Maybe even see a dietician