Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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This is my first post even though I search this site all of the time. I've been doing Paleo religiously for the last 3 months due to a fairly poor blood test back in May (it's what triggered my search for a new diet).

The amount of real sugar I eat per week (outside of fruit) is usually less than 50 grams.

I haven't had a single potato in 3 months and I've eaten grains probably 4 or 5 times during this period. The only dairy I eat is cheese and that probably only 2 times per week.

No beer but the occasional wine or tequila (very rare for either).

My fat intake is meat, olive oil, coconut oil and lard.

I exercise on average 5 days a week.

6'4 and 196 lbs - 35 years old. I've lost 17 lbs during the 3 months.

Here's the blood results.

flag	asked Aug 3 at 14:37 Jason 11●1

	You have lots of Paleo enthusiasts analyzing your LDL. However, you need to look at your Creatinine, which is elevated (twice) for someone your age, pushing down your GFR. I'd make sure there isn't something wrong with your kidneys when you go on a meat-heavy diet. Your PCP might not flag something that's not overtly out of the range but that's out of kilter for someone eating and exercising like you. – Mambo Sep 1 at 5:24
	There is nothing really wrong w/your 5/12 blood test (xcpt Cr). Your 8/12 test shows you're eating more protein (BUN), less carbs (Trigs), thus perhaps begining to change the composition of your LDL particle size (but why focus on particle size at this stage when @70 trigs, it's the favorable variety)? Any other fluctuations are meaningless and within a margin of error. Your undisclosed test results might hold keys to your elevated Cr, which again is the only thing that stand out -- plus your tale of occasional hypertension tells you where your focus should lie. – Mambo Sep 1 at 5:47

CD · Answer 1 · 2012-08-03 14:57:24Z UTC

Jason, your LDL is an estimated LDL based on the Friedewald formula (http://www.clinchem.org/content/18/6/499.abstract?ijkey=41a6344be3bab2de74d83bec6a95a3f11f89ee6b&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha). This is not a direct measurement. The drop in your trigs takes you way outside of the window where the Friedewald is a good predictor (typically 100-400, although most independent tests say 115-300).

First thing I would do is get a direct measurement of LDL.

Additionally, you mentioned that you are loosing weight. There have been some studies that have shown a link between a spike in LDL and weight loss with the theory that extra lipids in the blood being the culprit. However, no study has been able to show a cause and effect or proven that hypothesis.

CJ · Answer 2 · 2012-08-03 15:15:18Z UTC

I know that this probably doesn't answer your concerns, but my husbands LDL went up 3 years running despite diet and exercise, and he was never an unhealthy looking, overweight type of guy to begin with. Finally the LDL is coming down and HDL going up. LDL just above normal now. Anyway, maybe give it some more time. I have a friend who personally went to Dr. William Davis as cardiologist before he ever became popular (author of Wheat Belly) and he's been helped tremendously by doing what your doing. Not sure that I'd give it up just yet based on the numbers. I'm not a doctor, but keep eating healthy. Don't let them tell you to cut the eggs and fats. It didn't work for us. Good job on the weight loss.

spayne · Answer 3 · 2012-08-03 17:30:19Z UTC

I used a doctor who uses www.myhdl.com for the testing. It was great because they did very thorough labs and you can track it over time on the website. Maybe your doctor can use them as well if it is something you want to track.

You might also check out this article: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/why-did-my-cholesterol-go-up-after-going-primal/#axzz22VPAge23

omatic · Answer 4 · 2012-08-03 14:39:38Z UTC

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Do you have a break down of the LDL?

answered Aug 3 at 14:39

omatic
85●5

John Sorrentino · Answer 5 · 2012-08-03 15:22:29Z UTC

You are pattern A, that is large fluffy LDL's. This is good so I would not worry too much about your cholesterol level. Everything else looks good. You may want to cut DOWN on the exercise. It sounds like you are overdoing it and that will lead to chronic inflammation, a very bad thing. Read The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living: An Expert Guide to Making the Life-Saving Benefits of Carbohydrate Restriction Sustainable and Enjoyable. They talk about pattern A on page 94-102 It is computed (estimate TG/HDL.<3.5= pattern A

Jason · Answer 6 · 2012-08-03 15:28:02Z UTC

Another thing that I'll add to the mix is blood pressure. 3 months ago I was sitting at 135/90. After starting Paleo I dropped to 115/75 (I check it every couple of days).

In the last 3 weeks or so I've jumped back up to 130/85.

I've also started experiencing lightheaded during this time (after my evening exercise routine).

Any ideas on what might be causing this?

The electrolytes are in order (I can post those numbers as well).

Hack my Blood Test Results

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