Tuesday, 03 November 2009
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Natural Living & Beating Poor Lipid Profiles
So we've all heard the commercials on TV, right? Pills like Crestor and Lipitor all claim to improve your blood lipid profile. Wonderful. Poor lipid profiles (high LDL, low HDL, high Triglycerides) are a heart's natural enemy. Total cholesterol above 200 and/or Trigs above 200 are dangerous, as we know. Furthermore, if your total cholesterol is less than 200, but more than 100 of that is LDL, you're in trouble as well.
So what's a person to do? The first option your greedy physician will suggest is a cholesterol lowering drug. What are the problems with these drugs? For one, they're very hard on the liver. Gastrointestinal problems and even depression have been reported with these drugs. I, the anti-medicine and natural-living guru of Xanga, know all the ins and outs of what the medical industry WANTS you to think. So, how can you beat a poor lipid profile? Here you go:
Consider an ovo-vegetarian or vegan diet. Properly planned vegetarian and vegan diets are naturally low in saturated fat and trans fatty acids. Many, many people are able to beat their lipid woes just doing this. Don't be afraid of eggs, however. Yes, one egg has 200 mg of cholesterol, however dietary cholesterol has only minimal effect on plasma cholesterol (the mechanism is not understood, however it's probably due to the fact that cholesterol molecules are too large to be absorbed in the digestive tract). What affects your plasma cholesterol are saturated fats and trans fats. Alas, if you want to do full-vegan, make sure you take a B-12 supplement.
Avoid processed sugar and starch. Processed sugar and starch are the primary reason for high Triglyceride levels. Of course, whole grains and fructose from fruits are definitely okay.
Bottoms up!!! Once again, enter a substance that humans have a love/hate relationship with...alcohol. In addition to the other benefits that alcohol provides us when used in moderation, a modest intake of alcohol boosts HDL levels. Remember that HDL is your heart's friend, and there's no such thing really as too much. Drink one to two drinks daily for maximum benefit, however any more than that you start incurring health risks.
Get up and exercise. Cardiovascular exercise, in addition to just being good for you, actually boosts your HDL levels. It also helps LDL molecules to remain free and not stick together, which attracts platelets to them, causing clots.
As we've seen, high lipid numbers are primarily a result of physical inactivity and poor eating habits (high-processed carbs, high sat fat, or both). However, it's not all about reducing your Trigs and total cholesterol, it's about boosting your HDL as well. A personal story, when I was all unhealthy, abstained from alcohol, and ate poorly, my total cholesterol was 250 (of which only 30 was HDL) with a Trig level of 300. I lost a lot of weight, as you read, but that only dipped my cholesterol to around 210 (40 HDL) and 180 Trigs. Now, as an active ovo-vegetarian and moderate drinker, my numbers are beautiful: 130 total cholesterol (60 HDL) and 120 Trigs. I did this without drugs or surgery. To better living using all-natural techniques, I tip back a heart-healthy, HDL boosting shot of Scotch. Cheers!What do you think? How do you beat high lipid numbers?
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About the Author
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mathematicalbagpiper@xanga - Name: LG
- About Me: High school math teacher, bagpipe performer, atheist, and intactivist/anti-mutilationist, and supporter of the "guy thigh revival." I'm also an ordained minister of The First Church of Atheism. That's about all there is to know about me.
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Comments (7)
That's a sweet picture. I wonder how long it took to glue all those pills to a frame like that... or is it CGI? I'm not sure.
Great message, however, you're being a very unfair to medical professionals. The reason why we prescribe so many cholesterol lowing drugs is because people don't put in enough effort to lose 5lbs much less the more complicated approach of losing weight, while being very mindful of the entire nutritional information label and not just the calories, AND exercising.
People. just. don't. do it!
So we can spend loads of time and energy preaching a balanced diet and exercise until we're blue in the face and their cholesterol won't go down a single mg.
However, on the other side,.. pills alone won't cure anyone. So if their cholesterol levels are too high its only appropriate to PREACH and PRESCRIBE and let them know that the prescription alone might not be enough.
Also,..the med profession is like a gamble. We have to weigh the pro's and cons. We do liver function tests before prescribing and uz every 6 months after to make sure nothing is going wrong. I rather do this than risk a patient having a heart attack or stroke because their cholesterol and uz BP is out of wack.
So in essence, you're preaching nothing that we haven't. And even if we personally didn't tell them to go on a diet I can't imagine any American not being exposed to health media (t.v, mags, etc.) that tells them to eat better, cut out the processed foods and red meat, and exercise.
I'm very happy that you are continuing this message and trying to reach out to people, but don't slam the doctors. Because you know what,.. that patient with a blood cholesterol of 300 who goes off their meds because they want to try a solely natural approach after getting a negative message from you, and then gets a heart attack,... will you be there for them.
Let this be a partnership. The control of HIGH cholesterol should be approached from both a lifestyle and medicinal angle.
Also, I advise doing more research to get a fuller picture. There are many people who suffer from high cholesterol due to hereditary reasons even at low BMIs and with a good nutrition history.
There are other factors besides diet. I just take Lipitor, my Dr. is not greedy and I has told me that in my situation it cannot be controlled with diet.
I have had no problems with Lipitor and the Dr. is monitoring my liver functions.
I did however, decrease my own blood pressure and not have to take blood pressure medication by increasing my fiber intake and drastically decreasing my salt intake.
If you have high cholesterol and your Dr. has recommended Lipitor, you should not dick around with his advice. If you suspect that he is doing this for profit only, find a Dr. YOU can trust.
Putting off life saving high cholesterol medication while fooling around with your diet thinking you can cure yourself is both dangerous and foolish.
Everyone is different and a Dr. has not only the education and information but the skill and experience to apply it to the individual in light of the individual's situation.
not worried about mine, i make almost all my foods at home, and am vegan, i drink very rarely, and walk every where, not drive, so i get plenty of exercise.
@Orlando@xanga - I've gotten screwed over by doctors one too many times...I can't get myself to believe they aren't just in it for the money. That's why I don't take any synthesized drugs for anything, and for the most part, refuse any and all emergency and routine medical treatment of any kind.
You have to educate yourself about your health and find a doctor who works with you, don't expect the Dr. to tell you everything.
You can't look at the world around you and say that medical science is not an asset or you are just in denial.
One day you will have no choice but to face the medical establishment. Best to take it head on instead of passively, that is why you had bad experiences.
The previous century saw a medical establishment which chose to remove itself from the patient, current medical practices work well if the patient is informed and part of the treatment plan. There are plenty of good Dr.s but no one should put 100 percent of their health care responsibility on the Dr.
Dr.s must take an oath of ethical and moral virtue. The establishment is capitalistic yes and yes there are plenty of greedy Drs, but I have met several Dr.s who do care, you have to shop around, but they sure appreciate an educated patient instead of a dependent one.
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I hope you never have to but it doesn't seem reasonable to believe you will live a full live without ever using a medication or medical intervention, but good luck!!!
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