Cholesterol Q and Liver Values - advice?

[jerseyguy132]

I recently got my routine bloodwork back and my cholesterol ratio was not good. Bad cholesterol was at 156 and Good was at 26! Total cholesterol is 204, down from 225 over 8 months. Liver values are in check. Diet is clean. Alcohol intake is minimal and sporadic and I do not smoke. I do have some family history with high cholesterol. I am 31, 5'10", 210 lbs and train 4-5x week (practically all weights and little if no cardio up to this point). I estimate my bodyfat to be 12-15%.

My doctor recommended more cardio and also prescribed the vitamin niacin, gradually increasing the daily dosage every two weeks from 500mg - 1000mg - 1500mg, etc up to 2-3 grams. He said that the niacin will definitely have a positive effect on raising the good cholesterol, thus improving the bad/good cholesterol ratio. Obviously, I will add cardio to my routine now...

Can anyone shed more light on ways to increase the Good cholesterol to balance out the ratio of good/bad? Any advice or things for me to look into further?

[Millard Baker]

Niacin is probably the best supplement for increasing HDL. IT's said to increase it by 10-15%. Everything else only increase it by a few points. Fish oil helps too (I recommend Carlson's liquid).

I'm not sure which pharmaceuticals increase HDL; most work by decreasing LDL.

BTW, anything that reduces triglycerides also tends to help HDL

[kenneth]

Originally Posted by jerseyguy132

I recently got my routine bloodwork back and my cholesterol ratio was not good. Bad cholesterol was at 156 and Good was at 26! Total cholesterol is 204, down from 225 over 8 months. Liver values are in check. Diet is clean. Alcohol intake is minimal and sporadic and I do not smoke. I do have some family history with high cholesterol. I am 31, 5'10", 210 lbs and train 4-5x week (practically all weights and little if no cardio up to this point). I estimate my bodyfat to be 12-15%.

My doctor recommended more cardio and also prescribed the vitamin niacin, gradually increasing the daily dosage every two weeks from 500mg - 1000mg - 1500mg, etc up to 2-3 grams. He said that the niacin will definitely have a positive effect on raising the good cholesterol, thus improving the bad/good cholesterol ratio. Obviously, I will add cardio to my routine now...

Can anyone shed more light on ways to increase the Good cholesterol to balance out the ratio of good/bad? Any advice or things for me to look into further?

where in jersey are you from? i'm in ocean county.

[Dantelikesit2]

What is your diet like? If you are eating a lot of red meat, specifically pork products like sausage and bacon, (I personally believe that Sausage and bacon are an essential food group myself) then they may also be a reason for your higher ldl numbers.

Personall, I would stay away from the prescription drug cholesteral medications, their side effects can be pretty extreme compared to the positive effects they have on your cholesteral numbers.

Along with your niacin, add a good large bowl of oatmeal in the morning, increase your cardio like your dr. suggested and have another test in 6 months. see what those tests show and let us know!

Dante

[muslhead]

policosinol is an over the counter supplement that has tons of scientific support for its effectiveness on lower bad cholesterol and raising good. Do a google search and read some of the studies. In some people its has shown to improve cholesterol readings better than prescription statins. Give it a try for 3 monts, its cheap and in conjunction with the niacin you should see a great improvement.

My last cholesterol test came out as follows (using daily policosinol) 45 hdl, 46 ldl and 130 total.

MH

[Blase]

if u are eating a lot of red meat i would replace some with chicken. Also maybe cut down on egg yolks (if u are eating them). My family also has a history of cholesterol problems and the best way that i have found to reduce is by running at least 3x a week for 30 min.

Blase

[2ez]

Drink a glass of red wine before going to bed.....and do this daily. this increases the good cholesterol. My doctor says there is no way to lower the bad cholesterol....only to increase the good. So does Niacin really help to lower LDL ?


I have been looking for a new doc anyway.,.hehehe