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cholesterol help

I kept a history of all my blood work results for the past 20 years (I am 56 now). My triglycerides were elevated all this time (200-300)
Until 2007, my cholesterol was always normal (but with high triglycerides)

Suddenly in 2007 I had a acute liver problem, and on that occasion my HDL dropped to 17.
It has been low ever since, usually in the mid-lower thirties.

About 2 years ago, in 2009, my LDL become slightly elevated, around 140-150, and stayed that way.
Last month I started with Crestor, 5 mg, and in just 5 weeks, LDL dropped to 81, and total cholest dropped to 154 (from above 200 since 2009)

My question is this: Is there a connection between HDL and liver?
Can HDL be elevated to normal levels? If yes, how?
How important is this (HDL) ?

I am 56, white, male, 6', 192 lbs, and I do moderate physical  exercise (tennis 1-2 times a week)
Also I had Hep C and I beat it, after one year of interferon treatment I am virus free for the last 3 years, with normal liver functions.
Should I be on Crestor from now on, for ever ? Could that affect my liver?

Thank you



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Avatar universal

Try this, Control HDL LDL
Here is a natural way to control your HDL and LDL. The effect is gradual, so allow months. When you notice the benefit, in your test result, let me know, so that others can help themselves. 
Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute. 
Kapalbhati pranayam -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day. Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day. 
Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently. 
Anulom Vilom pranayam – 
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril   
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril   
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril 
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril. 
This is one cycle of anulom vilom. 

You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed. Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs. You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed. 

Bhramri Pranayam -Close eyes. Close ears with thumb, index finger on forehead, and rest three fingers on base of nose touching eyes. Breathe in through nose. And now breathe out through nose while humming like a bee. 
Duration : 5 to 21  times.

Add fish oil. Three grams a day
Add plant sterols —
2 grams a day. Derived from plants, in capsule form, they interfere with cholesterol’s absorption. They’re safe,free of side effects and supply all-round health benefits. Both sterols and fish oil reduce inflammation
Increase good fats, Reduce saturated animal fats, Eliminate trans fats,
Increase whole grains, Less refined starches and sugars, Increase fiber
(25 grams/day), Increase micronutrients (Multivitamin, fruits & veggies), Control portion size and calories, Increase physical activity (30-60 minutes 5X week)

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am very very confused...

I had the EBCT scan, which , according to dr Smith, came back with a fantastic score :zero (average score for 56y males is around 50)
So dr sees no need for me to take statins, but in the end I still have bad cholesterol results, which I do not like (HDL 34, triglyceride 195, and LDL 108 after few weeks on Crestor - it will go back above 130 once I am off the pills)

any advice?
thank you
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You can't ask for a better hospital!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you
I have an appointment with prof Donald Smith at Mt Sinai in a few weeks.
Helpful - 0
63984 tn?1385437939
I'd direct your question to the nearest University teaching hospital, you have a complex situation in my opinion.  

Helpful - 0
159619 tn?1707018272
COMMUNITY LEADER
gymdandee offers excellent advice, but I would caution you to discuss Krill oil with your doctor first. It is an anticoagulant so if you are on any blood thinning therapy it may cause some issues. This includes aspirin.

Just a thought.

Jon
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I suggest taking Krill oil, I like Source Naturals, Arctic Pure, Krill Oil, 500 mg,
It's recommended by Consumer lab you can google  Consumer lab!
Just look that it has total Phospholipids 420, total MG per serving 300, at least 160 mg EPA 
and 90 mg DHA and 1 1/2 mg of Astaxanthin. you could have to take 2 pills to get the total 
mentioned above even if the bottle says to take 1 per day.

As for exercise I suggest the following,
The Peak 8 routine it will quickly raise your heart rate 8 times for very short bursts, with a cooling down period in between. Ideally you’ll be sprinting or cycling full throttle for 30 seconds with a 90 second cool down in between each outburst. 

This is the fastest way to lose fat and build muscle in the body. Peak 8 actually stimulates the growth hormone in the body. I encourage you to visit Dr Mercola’s site to learn more about Peak 8 fitness because I personally feel that it is one of the best ways to exercise, especially considering the speed at which you can lose fat and build muscle. 

I highly recommend you read this article and watch the videos on the page. It will give you all the information you need to know about Peak 8 – Flood Your Body With This “Youth Hormone” In Just 20 Minutes 

What you eat after Peak 8 training does matter 

It’s recommended that you do not eat sugar or carbohydrate for 2 hours after the Peak 8 exercise because these foods can impact the release of the growth hormone in the body.  The link is below 
http://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2010/11/13/phil-campbell-on-peak-8-exercises.aspx 

Figure your heart rate by this formula 
The Karvonen Formula is a mathematical formula that helps you determine your target heart rate zone. The formula involves using your maximum heart rate (MHR) minus your age to come up with a target heart rate range (which is a percentage of your MHR). Staying within this range will help you work most effectively during your cardio workouts. 

an example of the Karvonen formula for a 23 year old person with a resting heart rate of 65 beats per minute (*to get your resting heart rate, take your pulse for one full minute when you first wake up in the morning or after you've resting for a while). This formula also includes an updated calculation of maximum heart rate (the previous formula was 220 - age, which has now been shown to be inaccurate): 

206.9 - (0.67 x 23 (age)) = 191 
191 - 65 (resting heart rate) = 126 
126 * 65% (low end of heart rate zone) OR 85% (high end) = 82 OR 107 
82 + 65 (resting heart rate) = 147 
107 + 65 (rhr) = 172 
The target heart rate zone for this person would be 147 to 172 

First thing in the morning before you get out of bed have a clock with a second hand and check your resting heart rate then figure your rate by the 
Karvonen Formula above.

You burn 30 percent more fat from doing cardio after a weights session as opposed to cardio on its own.
Helpful - 0
159619 tn?1707018272
COMMUNITY LEADER
Welcome and thanks for your question. HDL is a lipoprotein created in the liver and intestines. Damage to the liver can hinder the process that creates HDL. There a few ways to elevate HDL. Exercise is a great way. 30 -60 mins of vigorous exercise most days of the week will increase you HDL, but get your doctor's approval first. Also, Omega 3 fatty acids can elevate HDL. Try to find one with at least 600 mg of DHA and EPA combined.

HDL is very important. As the good cholesterol, HDL binds with the LDL or bad cholesterol that creates build ups on your artery walls and takes it back to the liver to be recycled or eliminated. Crestor is a great statin and will actually show a small increase in your HDL while lowering your LDL. Also, as long as you have annual blood tests your doctor will be able to see any impact on your liver which is very rare. In fact, Crestor has been shown recently to help damaged livers recover.

I hope this helps,

Jon
Helpful - 0
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