Cholesterol concerns on Paleo - PaleoHacks.com

Cholesterol concerns on Paleo

2011-08-23T12:46:45Z

I'm still new to Paleo, but looking to make the leap. My biggest concern is cholesterol.

I've been tempted to go veg, but as a previous question of mine has indicated, I've been getting bouts of vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, and egg smelling burps prior to the aforementioned three, several times a year.

The reading I've done indicates that an undiagnosed grain allergy could be at the root of this.

Anywho, does anyone have their cholesterol numbers, before and after?

I'm rather curious the effect this diet has on it. Some have suggested that Paleo can be mostly veg, without the grains, with some meat.

Answer by Casey for Cholesterol concerns on Paleo

2011-08-23T13:05:15Z

Why are you worried about your cholesterol numbers?

Answer by curly16 for Cholesterol concerns on Paleo

2011-08-23T13:19:32Z

I was a vegetarian for 10 years untill this past october. OVerall, as a veg- my cholestrol was low 170ish and good ratio between HDL/LDL. As a paleo, total cholestrol was higher 193, but a significant decrease in LDL and tris. Tris were 52

current numbers total 193 HDL 96 LDL 90 tri 33.

Answer by Sarah for Cholesterol concerns on Paleo

2011-08-23T13:42:16Z

I had some of the same symptoms before I went paleo, though not nearly as extreme as yours sound.

It takes me about two to three days to get rid of them mostly, and a few more weeks to get rid of them completely.

Also, my cholesterol was stellar both before and after I went paleo, though that's probably due to my young age and good weight/eating habits even before I went paleo.

Answer by Blueberry for Cholesterol concerns on Paleo

2011-08-23T13:48:28Z

I think that a total cholesterol of 200 does not need to be reduced. Low levels of total cholesterol have never been correlated to reduced risk of heart disease or death from a heart attack. However, low cholesterol has been repeatedly shown to coorelate to increased death from cancer and depression (violent death) among other things. link text Here is a really great video to watch that will explain how it is that conventional wisdom came to believe and preach the whole "lower your cholesterol", low fat mantra. Saturated fat is good for you. It is essential to health and well being. Low cholesterol does not necessarily mean optimum health. I'm sure others will chime in with lots of great resources for you.

Answer by Nemesis for Cholesterol concerns on Paleo

2011-08-23T13:49:48Z

Dietary cholesterol does not have as large of an impact on blood cholesterol as everyone likes to believe. The liver self-regulates, so when dietary cholesterol increases, the cholesterol naturally produced by the body decreases and vice versa.

Total cholesterol is a worthless number, as your LDL, HDL and Tri's are more important. Even vegetarians can have high amounts of bad cholesterol.

Back in December I had a lipid panel done after I'd been on paleo for 4 months.

Total cholesterol: 165 / Trig: 56 / HDL: 63 / LDL: 91

You might also have trouble with sulfuric foods. My friend has a similar problem when she eats meat, eggs and certain vegetables--horrid burps, farts, and a weird burning pain in her esophageal tract.

Answer by Eric for Cholesterol concerns on Paleo

2011-08-23T14:21:28Z

You actually want a high HDL and low VLDL. This is easy with Paleo. Key is removing refined flour from the diet and removing/reducing sugar.

Answer by CaveRat for Cholesterol concerns on Paleo

2011-08-23T14:38:57Z

After being paleo about 6 months, my total cholesterol is 280. But my doctor was ecstatic because it's strongly 'Pattern A' - the large, fluffy, 'good' LDL paleos hope for. She went on and on about it so much I nearly blushed. Thank you, coconut oil, beef tallow and other saturated fats!

From your description, I think the biggest concern would be the digestive issues - and grain products are a likely cause but it might take time to determine what else - some people do poorly on ALL starches because of excessive gut flora for instance, while others are fine. Me, I'm starting to add some fruit back in after a long hiatus, and it feels right. In other words, Your Mileage May Vary!

Answer by thhq for Cholesterol concerns on Paleo

2011-08-23T15:02:05Z

Expect that your LDL will go up, since paleo pushes you toward eating saturated fat and red meat. If this alarms you like it alarms me (I have a lot of familial history of stroke and heart disease, and I have more respect for Framingham than Taubes), have your particle size checked. If your LDL is Type B small particle I'd be restrictive about bacon and butter.

And be like Grok. Move a lot. If nothing else it will raise your HDL.

Answer by Philosopher for Cholesterol concerns on Paleo

2011-08-23T17:14:44Z

Paleo does not need to be high fat. I am paleo and I combine fish, red meat, vegetables, and so on without being high fat. If you go the very low carb, high fat path your cholesterol numbers will go up . My cholesterol numbers are well below 200. Many on paleo think that cholesterol numbers do not matter, but if you prefer to have low or medium total cholesterol you can choose a paleo version in which you have more vegetables, fruits and fish, same as I do.

Answer by Rachel for Cholesterol concerns on Paleo

2011-08-23T22:45:44Z

I have the same concerns about cholesterol. My cholesterol was high before I started Paleo (250 total) and after one year, it's now up to 350. Yikes! My particle size is large and fluffy, and my HDL is very high at 133, so that's good. But I found out that I have high Lp(a) which is bad, and I don't know if that's because of my diet, or if there's another reason. I used to think cholesterol numbers didn't matter, but that was before mine went sky-high. My doctor wants me on niacin, which I tried and didn't like. I would like to modify my diet to get the numbers down, and still be eating Paleo.

By-the-way, my husband's cholesterol numbers got better on a Paleo diet, so there's no predicting how you'll respond.

Answer by peter for Cholesterol concerns on Paleo

2011-08-24T03:29:21Z

"The evidence is clear and unequivocal: Eating a diet high in cholesterol, does not increase blood levels of cholesterol or the numbers of heart attacks."

http://www.cholesterol-and-health.org.uk/dietary-cholesterol.html

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer by Jan for Cholesterol concerns on Paleo

2011-08-24T09:52:42Z

I have a TC of 363, Trigs 44. I dont consider this optimal. Would like to see it betweeen 200-250. HDL is 112. I am trying to get TC down, i will try to go without butter and see how it changes. Pre paleo TC was 212 which i think is fine.