I've done a complete Lifestyle/Physical "makeover" on myself over the past year, loosing 65lbs, and eating and exercising by the book!

15 months ago, before starting the "makeover", I was 245 lbs, with a total Cholesterol of 279.

Three months into the makeover, total Cholesterol dropped to 222.

Six months later, it was back up to 227 with HDL's at 48.

I now became "fully committed" and cut out all fats except nuts and Olive Oil, and exercised routinely three times a week, doing a combination of Cardio & Weight Training. My diet is beyond reproach, and consists of Fruits, Vegatable, Chicken, Fish, Water, supplements (Fish Oil) & Cinneman.

Now, 15 months later, I feel great and weigh in at 180 lbs! Not bad for a
5'11" tall male at 50 years old. I feel & look the best I have in years.

Here comes the slightly frustrating part. I just got my results back from my most recent Cholesterol Test. Fully expecting my overal number to be down close to 200 after all this work, I was rather surprised when my doctor told me my overal went from 227 to 240! The good news is, the HDL's also went up from 48 to 50 and my Triglycerides are excellent at 90.

Any ideas/opinions why the overal might have risen? Could it be the Olive Oil, or is it just my genetics (I do have a "family history" of heart disease and HBP and HC).

My doctor told me these results put me in a "gray" area, and didn't recommend a test for LDL's or medication at this point, so I assume I'm going to continue as I am and wait and test again in a year.

Look forward to hearing any educated opinions.

Well, I don't know about the educated answer, but it has been shown that cholesterol levels tend to be higher during the winter months for both men and women. I would test again duirng the summer when cholesterol levels are at their lowest levels. Just a thought.

Jane

I think the theory behind that, is that people eat more high fat foods and excerise less in the winter. Wouldn't really apply in my case as I'm on a very strict diet and exercise regiem.

Scimitar, I think the 227 and the 240 (as well as the 48-50 HDL) are all in the realm of normal variability for this test. Even the variability of the amount of WATER in the blood can skew the test that much by diluting all components.

Just keep up what you are doing and maybe cut the olive oil consumption down a bit.

Do you have a good guess as the percent of calories you are getting from fat?

You have lost 60 pounds of fat in a little over a year...that is a net of almost 30,000 grams of fat that had be be discharged into your bloodsteam and burned. All that circulating bodyfat might be skewing your results. Wait til you achieve a stable weight for awhile and the blood lipids might be more truly representative. When did you hit 180 pounds?

I agree with your doctor about your gray area. How did your grandparents and/or your parents die?

BTW, you last bloodtest calculates to a 172 LDL...it should be lower.

I reduced my LDL by 25% by taking 3 tablespoons of oat bran(get it at the health store) spread throughout the day, on breakfast cereals, yoghurt or a fruit smoothie.

As a bonus its supposed to increase LDL particle size as well. (The smaller the LDL particle size, the more likely it will increase artery plaque.)
HMR Lignans are also supposed to help reduce LDL, Im trying these out at the moment.

I think the theory behind that, is that people eat more high fat foods and excerise less in the winter. Wouldn't really apply in my case as I'm on a very strict diet and exercise regiem.


Another explanation is that people are more depressed in the winter months. Some attribute this to lack of sunlight. It is known that cholesterol is needed for the production of "feel good" hormones. This could be why cholesterol is increased.

Have you tried Omega 3 fish oil or flax seed oil ? Do you eat oatmeal? Walnuts? Almonds?