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Cholesterol level rose on low carb diet

LionChild

LionChild

Well-Known Member
It seems to be the case as far as I am concerned, and I have also read articles about this, that the low carb diet affects a person's LDL cholesterol levels in that it raises the level. Mine certainly went up after I changed to a low carb diet. Total cholesterol these days is around 5.5--5.8 which I am told is too high for a diabetic. Has anyone else found that their cholesterol has risen as a result of going onto a low carb diet?
 
@LionChild my cholesterol goes up a little when I lose weight, then reduces down again - which is logical as cholesterol has uses around the body which increase when fat is mobilised from cells to the liver.
 
@LionChild I have always had high cholesterol ( around 6.8 before low carb) and found that low carb eating highered my LDL and HDL and lowered my triglycerides. I continue to eat low carb - now more than 8 years - and have maintained a healthy low bmi ( currently 20) and stayed in remission but my LDL stays high. There seem to be some findings that people with lower body weights can particularly have this rise - identified as Lean hyper responders by Dave Feldman ( lots of podcasts on this subject if you do research) . I'm sure I'm one of them - my total cholesterol is now 9.2 most of which is LDL - my triglycerides are 0.6 and HDL 2.8. As to if this is an issue for me as a type 2 in remission the jury is out but I do know that uncontrolled type 2 diabetes would be a bigger risk factor for cardiac issues so I stay with low carb to keep my blood glucose down and look at all the lifestyle factors that support heart health - stress management, sleep, exercise and spending time with family and friends.
 
shelley262 said:
@LionChild I have always had high cholesterol ( around 6.8 before low carb) and found that low carb eating highered my LDL and HDL and lowered my triglycerides. I continue to eat low carb - now more than 8 years - and have maintained a healthy low bmi ( currently 20) and stayed in remission but my LDL stays high. There seem to be some findings that people with lower body weights can particularly have this rise - identified as Lean hyper responders by Dave Feldman ( lots of podcasts on this subject if you do research) . I'm sure I'm one of them - my total cholesterol is now 9.2 most of which is LDL - my triglycerides are 0.6 and HDL 2.8. As to if this is an issue for me as a type 2 in remission the jury is out but I do know that uncontrolled type 2 diabetes would be a bigger risk factor for cardiac issues so I stay with low carb to keep my blood glucose down and look at all the lifestyle factors that support heart health - stress management, sleep, exercise and spending time with family and friends.
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Are you on statins? My GP keeps encouraging me to go on statins but I have decided not to.
 
LionChild said:
Are you on statins? My GP keeps encouraging me to go on statins but I have decided not to.
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No I can't tolerate them. I tried when diagnosed 10 years ago but had muscle pain to the extent that I couldn't exercise - definitely not for me as an active person and carer. I only just - over the last month -was persuaded by my GP to try a small dose of Ezemtimibe normal dose is 10mg and I have been taking 5mg. I'm finding I am more tired and I'm not convinced yet but will see what July s test shows and if this side effect recedes. It works in a very different way to Statins I gather and I may not continue if I'm not convinced. It's all a personal decision 're meds.
 
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