Type 2 Will higher fat harm my good cholesterol readings?

[Dickensfan]

I very much dislike the American names for items on the shopping list for the beginning of week1 tomorrow I start after spending a fortune at the supermarket on foods, I hope I eat, got back home and had to look up names on google to find out what they were, so I won't be doing well if I have to do that all the time, it means making a lot of work, and that's just not me when it comes to diets, so glad I don't have to weigh or count, as that was one of the reasons I only ever attended a couple of those ghastly weight losing clubs, then discover some folk go for fish and chips afterwards meaning they're not taking their weight problems serious, now on top of any worries on that score I've got type 2.

I read through the foods you can have 'till you're full' and it startled me to see so much fat, does anyone know, or can you point me to where I can find out if this does something to your cholesterol, as mine has never been high?

 

[zand]

My cholesterol levels have dropped since adding fat and reducing carbs. Sometimes if you lose weight the cholesterol level will be temporarily a bit higher.

 

[Dickensfan]

My cholesterol levels have dropped since adding fat and reducing carbs. Sometimes if you lose weight the cholesterol level will be temporarily a bit higher.

Zand, thanks for your reply. I don't know where you live or what age you are, but when I was in my 30s 40s and 50s my cholesterol never changed it was always between 3.0 and 4.0, now that I'm in my 60s it has changed, it is 4.1, the only reason I mention this is because the nurse/practitioner at my practice told me it was high - I though rubbish that's what it's been all my life and I know at one point the British Heart Foundation recommended no higher than 6, so 6 and under was good - the nurse told me it depends on your age, the older you are then 4 is not good - sorry but I just don't buy it, she didn't know me, or test me in my 30s 40s and beyond. I'm not taking statins just because my cholesterol is the same numeric as it was 20 years ago.

 

[zand]

I don't buy it either. I read a while ago that the TC level for lowest all cause mortality rate in women was 5.6. I know 'they' like diabetics to be below 4, but IMO that is far too low, particularly for women who need more cholesterol not less as they age. My own is 5.8 and I'm happy with that.

There's a couple of great books on the subject:- The great cholesterol con by Dr Malcolm Kendrick and The Cholesterol myths by Uffe Ravnskov

Edit: I've read posts from some men on here who say their cholesterol has gone up with higher fats.

2nd Edit! Sorry I didn't answer your question. I'm in UK and am 58

 

[catherinecherub]

You might like to read this article from a dietitian who follows a LC diet and recommends it for her clients..
She did change the type and amounts of fats she ate following a cholesterol result that she was worried about. I think individuals respond differently and it is not a one size fits all.
http://www.lowcarbdietitian.com/blo...ery-low-carb-ketogenic-diet-my-own-experience

 

[carol43]

When I last had my cholesterol checked in August it had gone up from 4.0 to 4.7..DN said 'oh your cholesterol has gone up' I said ' yes good isn't it, my triglycerides have gone down and my LDL.....' she interrupted me and said ' you obviously know more about it than I do' Case closed and I now I do not take any statins and my BG reduced without them. I haven't told her yet but when I told her I was low carbing she told me not to do it as I should be eating starchy carbs, don't know what she would have said to 'higher fat' I didn't tell her that bit, probably her head would have exploded. I have read Kendrick's book and it was an eye-opener. When I go for my next appointment (August) I will tell them about not taking statins and if they want me to go back on them I will ask for proof that it is really beneficial but I know she will not be able to give me a definitive answer.

 

[PenfoldAPD]

@Dickensfan I chose to follow LCHF but was conscious my cholesterol was up at 6.7. Three months later it's down to 3.7 and I'm 8 kgs lighter.

I view LCHF in moderation though, I don't take the HF to mean I gorge on fat just be sensible, it worked for me

 

[SunnyExpat]

There was a 'lively' discussion on this recently.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/fats.99217/

 

[Daibell]

Hi. Yes, the total doesn't matter but the LDL, HDL and Trig ratios do. The Total figure of 4 for diabetics is plucked out of thin air and as many others have said, cholesterol is part of the body's repair mechanism so a higher level as you age may even be a good thing.

 

[SunnyExpat]

Yes, it is an interesting phenomenon.

LCHF seems to lower some people's cholesterol, which is perceived as a good thing.
LCHF seems to raise some people's cholesterol, which is perceived as a good thing.

I would suggest you do your research first, decide what cholesterol level you believe would be correct for you, and eat to achieve that level, rather than the other way around.
The internet will always have whatever answer you choose to look for otherwise.

 

[Oldvatr]

When I last had my cholesterol checked in August it had gone up from 4.0 to 4.7..DN said 'oh your cholesterol has gone up' I said ' yes good isn't it, my triglycerides have gone down and my LDL.....' she interrupted me and said ' you obviously know more about it than I do' Case closed and I now I do not take any statins and my BG reduced without them. I haven't told her yet but when I told her I was low carbing she told me not to do it as I should be eating starchy carbs, don't know what she would have said to 'higher fat' I didn't tell her that bit, probably her head would have exploded. I have read Kendrick's book and it was an eye-opener. When I go for my next appointment (August) I will tell them about not taking statins and if they want me to go back on them I will ask for proof that it is really beneficial but I know she will not be able to give me a definitive answer.

Latest research study (meta study) showed that the benefits of statins was not significant for women,in other words you will have aboslutely no benefit bybeing on statins. Another meta study shows that older people benefit from having higher TC levels, and as such suffered fewer cardio events. So I have stopped taking them.

The one statin type of medica tion is Ezetemibe, which gently reduces LDL, and is worth considering since it does not work in the same way as the big pharma products.

There is research on the effects of LCHF on our lipid profile. It seems that the increased fat should naturally raise the LDL, and also the HDL so that TC can rise. The important thing thay have discovered is that the triglycerides need to drop below 1.0.
This seems to require that we run LCHF in keto mode. I have not got there yet, and my lipids went slightly in the wrong direction. I have lowered my carb input, and now seem to be in keto mode now.

 

[zand]

Yes, it is an interesting phenomenon.

LCHF seems to lower some people's cholesterol, which is perceived as a good thing.
LCHF seems to raise some people's cholesterol, which is perceived as a good thing.

I would suggest you do your research first, decide what cholesterol level you believe would be correct for you, and eat to achieve that level, rather than the other way around.
The internet will always have whatever answer you choose to look for otherwise.

It seems the OP has already done that with the "I don't buy it comment" and 'my cholesterol levels have always been good".

 

[zand]

I agree that one size doesn't fit all. It's a bit perplexing that the NHS picks on an arbitrary figure of 4 and then tries to make us all fit it.

 

[SunnyExpat]

It seems the OP has already done that with the "I don't buy it comment" and 'my cholesterol levels have always been good".

Good, they have a target, I guess they can see for themselves what high fat does, and which types of fat will do what they want.
It's refreshing to see someone with a clear goal, and the means to achieve it.
Now they need our support to ensure they don't slip from it, which I'm certain is all this forum wants to achieve as well.

 

[SunnyExpat]

I agree that one size doesn't fit all. It's a bit perplexing that the NHS picks on an arbitrary figure of 4 and then tries to make us all fit it.

You're absolutely right there.
Definitely never any 'one size fits all'

Wasn't there some study that shows about 4 was the sweet spot, above that, and death rates rose, below that, death rates rose?
And statistically, the number below that is negligible, so the NHS will plough it resources into treating the masses, and concentrate on bringing the high ones down.
Triage at it's best.

 

[bulkbiker]

I agree that one size doesn't fit all. It's a bit perplexing that the NHS picks on an arbitrary figure of 4 and then tries to make us all fit it.

Especially as I think that the 4 is only for us diabetics and everyone else is 5.. as an aside my 90 year old mother has been on statins for years and at last test her cholesterol was 3 . When my sister asked her (mothers) arthritis doc if the statins could be causing aches and pains he said"oh yes that's a well known side effect". Needless to say mother is now off statins for ever..

 

[bulkbiker]

You're absolutely right there.
Definitely never any 'one size fits all'

Wasn't there some study that shows about 4 was the sweet spot, above that, and death rates rose, below that, death rates rose?
And statistically, the number below that is negligible, so the NHS will plough it resources into treating the masses, and concentrate on bringing the high ones down.
Triage at it's best.

I believe the study you are referring to said that in later life higher levels are better especially for women as cell repairs are more necessary or something like that.. don't think I have ever seen the study itself just reports of it.

 

[SunnyExpat]

I believe the study you are referring to said that in later life higher levels are better especially for women as cell repairs are more necessary or something like that.. don't think I have ever seen the study itself just reports of it.

I don't know where that comment came from, probably worth trying to find a reference if you haven't seen the original study, but to be fair, others have said the same.
Academic for this really, as Zand has said, the op knows the numbers that suit her, and she's fine at 4.1.

 

[Bluetit1802]

My GP told my husband last week that she is happy with mid 5s for TC as long as the ratios are good. He was expecting a lecture about having stopped taking his statins last summer. He got no such lecture and was told he didn't need them as they would be of no benefit to him. This is the exact opposite of what she told me 18 months ago when we had a battle about statins, and my lipids are better all round than my husband's. She is the cardiac/stroke specialist in our practice, and it seems she has been doing a lot of research on cholesterol in the mean time.

 

[dbr10]

I very much dislike the American names for items on the shopping list for the beginning of week1 tomorrow I start after spending a fortune at the supermarket on foods, I hope I eat, got back home and had to look up names on google to find out what they were, so I won't be doing well if I have to do that all the time, it means making a lot of work, and that's just not me when it comes to diets, so glad I don't have to weigh or count, as that was one of the reasons I only ever attended a couple of those ghastly weight losing clubs, then discover some folk go for fish and chips afterwards meaning they're not taking their weight problems serious, now on top of any worries on that score I've got type 2.

I read through the foods you can have 'till you're full' and it startled me to see so much fat, does anyone know, or can you point me to where I can find out if this does something to your cholesterol, as mine has never been high?

The results seem a bit mixed and vary between individuals. Many on here report much improved numbers; but mine, and others, have headed steadily in the wrong direction, with saturated fat anyway. That's why we try to eat more of the better vegetable fats. I am currently waiting for an appointment to see a lipid specialist and the local hospital.