Nick
Sun, Aug-24-03, 06:10
Ask yourself why you want to raise HDL. HDL is a "marker" -
that's all. If you don't fit the "typical" profile, then you
actually may be doing yourself harm by trying to tamper with
what your body is doing naturally. Americans in particular
seem to think that the body just "goes bad" for no reason.
According to the existing dogma, HDL takes cholesterol away
from cells, and back to the liver, so it is "good," because it
can't "clog arteries" in the liver. If it is so "bad" aren't
you afraid of liver damage? Now here is what seems to be
happening: cholesterol is a vital substance - there are
experiments demonstrating that cholesterol protects your cells
from free radical damage, in particular lipid peroxidantion,
which occurs because one eats too much unsaturated fatty
acids. However, if you scramble eggs or fry a steak, the
cholesterol in those items will become oxidized, and then the
cholesterol serves no good purpose, but gets stuck in
interstitial spaces, causing and inflammatory response, which
leads to arachidonic acid release, which leads to damaging
substances being made that cause the damage to arteries that
is called "atherosclerosis." Avoiding unsaturated fatty acids,
except for the small amounts one finds in things like coconut
oil (only 2%) or fruit (trace amounts, if any) is the best
policy. Then "low HDL" may actually be good, because you want
the non-oxidized cholesterol to get to your cells, where it
can be protective. I want high LDL, low HDL, because I know it
will only go so low, as long as I don't eat any unhealthy
items, such as fish oil, canola oil, flax oil, soybean oil,
etc., and meats are really bad (combination of cooked amino
acids and cholesterol, unsaturated fatty acids, high iron
levels, too much tryptophan). Also, dairy can be fine, if you
avoid homogenized/pasteurized products (butter seems okay if
pasteurized - try to get organic, unsalted, cultured). Eggs
are fine too, but soft/hard boiled only, otherwise you'll
oxidized the cholesterol. Don't believe me? Do your own
searches for various key words on www.pubmed.com and you'll
see what I'm talking about. They've got people thinking about
things that are "markers" for some "statistically average"
individual who does not exist in reality, when in fact the
root causes are well established. However, the people on top
won't admit they are wrong, and the dietary gurus/experts you
see on television have to go along with them or else they get
condemned, as Atkins was for many years (unfortunately, I
don't think he read many studies, and once admitted that he
was too busy with his practice to conduct his own - also he
was too focused on the weight loss issue, which is not
necessarily the same thing as eating the most healthy food).
You've reached a crucial point, my friend, and now you must
decide to listen to these idiots, or do some independent
thinking and not allow them to ruin your health. Good luck, as
you will need it in a society that contains health "experts"
who give horrible advice.
"Hi there,
Just got a blood test back that said that I am very low on
HDL cholesterol (fortunately, my total is still below 150
but only barely). I'd like to increase my HDL - what are the
methods of doing this?
Any particular type of exercise (endurance, cardio,
weight lifting?)
Any particular types of foods (meat, fish, veggies?)
Any particular types of supplements (niacin, vit C, etc)
Just curious what levers I can push on to increase my HDL
over time. Thanks."
that's all. If you don't fit the "typical" profile, then you
actually may be doing yourself harm by trying to tamper with
what your body is doing naturally. Americans in particular
seem to think that the body just "goes bad" for no reason.
According to the existing dogma, HDL takes cholesterol away
from cells, and back to the liver, so it is "good," because it
can't "clog arteries" in the liver. If it is so "bad" aren't
you afraid of liver damage? Now here is what seems to be
happening: cholesterol is a vital substance - there are
experiments demonstrating that cholesterol protects your cells
from free radical damage, in particular lipid peroxidantion,
which occurs because one eats too much unsaturated fatty
acids. However, if you scramble eggs or fry a steak, the
cholesterol in those items will become oxidized, and then the
cholesterol serves no good purpose, but gets stuck in
interstitial spaces, causing and inflammatory response, which
leads to arachidonic acid release, which leads to damaging
substances being made that cause the damage to arteries that
is called "atherosclerosis." Avoiding unsaturated fatty acids,
except for the small amounts one finds in things like coconut
oil (only 2%) or fruit (trace amounts, if any) is the best
policy. Then "low HDL" may actually be good, because you want
the non-oxidized cholesterol to get to your cells, where it
can be protective. I want high LDL, low HDL, because I know it
will only go so low, as long as I don't eat any unhealthy
items, such as fish oil, canola oil, flax oil, soybean oil,
etc., and meats are really bad (combination of cooked amino
acids and cholesterol, unsaturated fatty acids, high iron
levels, too much tryptophan). Also, dairy can be fine, if you
avoid homogenized/pasteurized products (butter seems okay if
pasteurized - try to get organic, unsalted, cultured). Eggs
are fine too, but soft/hard boiled only, otherwise you'll
oxidized the cholesterol. Don't believe me? Do your own
searches for various key words on www.pubmed.com and you'll
see what I'm talking about. They've got people thinking about
things that are "markers" for some "statistically average"
individual who does not exist in reality, when in fact the
root causes are well established. However, the people on top
won't admit they are wrong, and the dietary gurus/experts you
see on television have to go along with them or else they get
condemned, as Atkins was for many years (unfortunately, I
don't think he read many studies, and once admitted that he
was too busy with his practice to conduct his own - also he
was too focused on the weight loss issue, which is not
necessarily the same thing as eating the most healthy food).
You've reached a crucial point, my friend, and now you must
decide to listen to these idiots, or do some independent
thinking and not allow them to ruin your health. Good luck, as
you will need it in a society that contains health "experts"
who give horrible advice.
"Hi there,
Just got a blood test back that said that I am very low on
HDL cholesterol (fortunately, my total is still below 150
but only barely). I'd like to increase my HDL - what are the
methods of doing this?
Any particular type of exercise (endurance, cardio,
weight lifting?)
Any particular types of foods (meat, fish, veggies?)
Any particular types of supplements (niacin, vit C, etc)
Just curious what levers I can push on to increase my HDL
over time. Thanks."