Diet & Supplements - High Cholesterol Message Board

ACE28 · 06-05-2009, 06:55 AM

I've been taking Niacin for approx. 7 years. I'm currently taking 3,000 mg a day and pravachol 10 mg day. My HDL has stayed at a level of between approx. 50 - 60, Total Chol. at around 200, and LDL about 100 - 130. My last CRP test was 0.16. My homocysteine has always been in the normal ranges.
I also know I could do alot more in regard to my weight/diet and other habits.
My doctor did not check my homocysteine last time, due to recent research suggesting that homocysteine has not been shown to to reflect either way the state of heart health. The homocysteine test has apparently been discontinued by most cardioloigists for lack of evidence. In regard to LPa, he reserves this test for patients with proven or suspected evidence of heart disease. There is also currently no medicine avialable to lower Lpa if it is elevated.

jenj770 · 06-05-2009, 07:01 AM

Ace,

Are you taking the Flush Niacin? That seems like a very high amount, but if that's what you need to keep your HDL up. I assume your having your liver enzymes checked regularly as well. I really think cutting carbs (the unhealthy ones) is a major factor in heart health.

J.

ACE28 · 06-05-2009, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenj770

Ace,

Are you taking the Flush Niacin? That seems like a very high amount, but if that's what you need to keep your HDL up. I assume your having your liver enzymes checked regularly as well. I really think cutting carbs (the unhealthy ones) is a major factor in heart health.

J.

Thanks for the update Jen... Yes, I take Immediate Release Niacin. I take a prescription Niacin called NIACOR (500 mg tablets). This is much cheaper for me because I only make a co-payment and I can purchase 90 days through MEDCO mail service. The carbs is something I have to definitely be more aware of. I love pasta, potatoes, rice, chocoate chip cookies etc... The list goes on and on.......

tjlhb · 06-05-2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACE28

I love pasta, potatoes, rice, chocoate chip cookies etc... The list goes on and on.......

Sugar intake tends to raise triglycerides / VLDL.

In general, it is better to choose carbs that are fibrous and of lower glycemic index most of the time (exception would be during or immediately after a long endurance exercise session). This means stuff like vegetables, whole fruits, and beans / lentils. When eating grains, prefer whole grains as much as you can.

Also, many foods combine bad carbs (sugar and refined grains) with bad fats (hydrogenated oils, saturated fats). Examples would be pasta in cream-based sauces, potatoes with butter and sour cream, most cookies and snack foods, etc.. That's a double whammy on your blood cholesterol levels, as well as making it easier for you to get fat (or harder to lose excess body fat) due to the high calorie density; being fat contributes to other risks like diabetes and high blood pressure, and itself contributes to bad blood cholesterol levels.

Carbs are often "carrier" foods; what they carry makes a significant difference in the healthiness of the meal. Whole wheat pasta with tomato based (with a little olive oil) marinara sauce is a lot healthier than white pasta with cream based alfredo sauce, for example. Baked potato (including the skin) with skim milk plain yogurt, salsa, or bean and vegetable chili is a lot healthier than baked potato with butter and sour cream.

namelessme · 06-05-2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACE28

In regard to LPa, he reserves this test for patients with proven or suspected evidence of heart disease. There is also currently no medicine avialable to lower Lpa if it is elevated.

I really hate when doctors use this argument. It's almost like: 'Since drug companies can't make money from treating Lp(a), we won't test it'. It is a major hidden cause of heart disease. When you read about that so-called healthy marathon runner dropping dead from a heart attack, or the person with perfect cholesterol dying, it's quite often because they have super-high Lp(a).

And there is one medicine that does lower Lp(a). You are taking it already, Niacin. There are some other things that do help too. For doctors to dismiss testing it because a statin won't work to lower it, is foolish in my opinion.

Jen -- thanks for posting your regimen. Unfortunately, Niacin is not an option for me, but I am considering upping my krill dosage. Although considering I take fish oil already, not sure if it'll do much.

And yeah, low carb is the way to go. I sometimes think a glycated hemoglobin test would be of greater value than cholesterol testing. I know of one study that found a strong correlation between it & heart disease... even stronger than cholesterol (which is probably just a marker anyway).