ongoing cholesterol improvement with low carb?

[dragongirl]

If I want my chol readings to improve further, do I have to keep adjusting my diet or is it the case that once I have changed my diet to low carb, high fat, high protein, then the cholesterol position should continue to improve? Just realised I don't know, and it was triggered by seeing people on here with same diet (ish - one can never tell!) whose chol figures are better than mine. Mine have improved but I want them better. Thanks.
DG

 

[clearviews]

Initially my cholesterol figures went the wrong way but apart from getting excellent control of my BGLs by low carbing, I was losing weight and I read that that alone could make readings get worse. I took courage and persisted with the threat of statins constantly on my mind.
I focused on adding supplements that were said to improve my levels like Evening Primrose Oil, Fish Oils, garlic tablets. I made an effort to add coconut, macadamia, olive and sesame oil to shakes and cooking.
Do I know which one worked? No, but I felt that I didn't have time on my hands or the GP and Endo would 'persuade' me to re-start statins. Eight months after stopping statins and concentrating on my diet fixing my cholesterol I was told by my GP that I had great cholesterol levels/ratios. I am female with no compromising health issues and my diabetes is tightly controlled to the point that I am told I have no symptoms of diabetes.
I don't believe that women are meant to have the same cholesterol levels as a healthy male, just as I don't believe that men are supposed to have the same eostrogen levels as women.
I want a cholesterol level that is good for me. Probably needed every bit of the cholesterol I produced to breast feed my three children for a total of 6 years. Maybe that is why my figures are different to men.

 

[noblehead]

If I want my chol readings to improve further, do I have to keep adjusting my diet or is it the case that once I have changed my diet to low carb, high fat, high protein, then the cholesterol position should continue to improve? Just realised I don't know, and it was triggered by seeing people on here with same diet (ish - one can never tell!) whose chol figures are better than mine. Mine have improved but I want them better. Thanks.
DG

Hi Dragongirl,

You say that your chol has improved since changing your diet, lowering cholesterol levels does take time and results are not imminent. So if your levels are decreasing slowly, stick with it and give it another 6 months or so and have a re-think. I would be reluctant to change to a high fat, high protein diet, as you may find your cholesterol increases. Remember, we are all individuals and what works for one, doesn't neccesary work for another.

I believe 'if it ain't broken don't fix it' philosophy, and as your low-carb diet seems to be working on its own, why change? I've not had a cholesterol check done since reducing the carbs, but as I've always followed a low-fat diet, my cholesterol levels were always good. That said, I hope to see a little improvement as I eat more fruit and vegtables and oily fish than before, so it will be interesting to see my next results.

Good luck!

Nigel