Low HDL, LDL, and Triglycerides ...

[Dominic70]

Can a doctor here comment on the following numbers:

Total Cholesterol:  125 mg/dL
HDL:  33 mg/dL
Triglycerides:  64 mg/dL

LDL = 79 mg/dL ... calculated by TC - HDL - TriG / 5

Specifically, is the HDL number dangerously low, and would that by itself put me at risk for heart disease later on in life, irrespective of the relatively low LDL and TriG.  These numbers were taken after a 14 hour fast.

I'm 40, a non-smoker, blood pressure is 115/75.  I eat lean meat and chicken for dinner twice a week, and the rest of the time my diet is grains, legumes, skim milk, vegetables and fruits.  There is heart disease in my family, but I'm wondering if I should change my diet.

Thanks in advance.

[TerryH]

fruit pectin cure

I was diagnosed in June '07 from a May blood test.  Doc said it was hereditary and there was no dietary fix to be had.  Prescribed Lipitor at $3./day for the rest of my life!  I numbly bought the pills but Googled the drug before taking.  There is a 5.6% rate of severe muscular degeneration!  I never took them out of the wrapper.
Further Googles turned up an array of natural treatments but only one had scientific studies attached to a great deal of anecdotal evidence - FRUIT PECTIN.  The study was on pigs and the grapefruit rinds cured them.

5 months later all 5 indicators read NORMAL!...whereas all 5 were badly out of whack back in May.

The Cure:  Buy liquid fruit pectin, same as for jam and jelly making.  I found Certo brand at the Superstore for $3. a box which lasts about 3 weeks.  Mix 1 teaspoon with juice.  I like veggy juice or orange.  Take once a day for the first week and then 3 times per day hence.

Note that since my condition is hereditary I did not attempt to alter my eating habits at all.  I am a fit and trim man and have modified my eating habits decades ago to maintain appropriate weight to height ratio.

Now that I am 'cured' I will drop my pectin intake to 1 teaspoon/day.  In Jan'08 I will be tested again to see in the lower maintenance dose is effective.

Good Luck to All,
Terry

[mas2782]

Would you share your secret with us? PLEASE....I'd be very interested to find out...thanks

[TerryH]

Your numbers are pretty good with the exception of a rather low HDL.
In may of 2007 my HDL was at 24.96.  My other indicators were also well out of the normal range with CHOL at 219.18.  I was much worse for wear than you.
I set out to educate myself at the University of Google and graduated with a M.D. of me.
Although I had a brand new (and yet unopened) $90. bottle of Lipitor, I was soon convinced to toss them for a wide array of alternative and natural remedies.

Now, 6 months later, with HDL up 130% to normal and CHOL also in the normal range, I am feeling much better.

My treatment came off the shelf at the local grocer at a cost of approx. $20 for the 6 months, and with no noticeable negative side affects.  Compare using Lipitor, having a 5.6% rate of severe muscular deterioration and a cost of $540.

Before taking any drug, please consult the world wide web.  I trust anecdotal and questionable information from complete strangers before trusting my doctor.

[Dominic70]

Thanks for your response CCFheartMD-CA.

So from your response I take it a diet high in monounsaturated fat (olive oil, almond oil) will not increase HDL and reduce LDL.

[Cleveland Clinic]

The best way to improve your Hdl is to engage in an aerobic exercise program 3-4 days per week. Alcohol consumption in moderation can also increase the Hdl. Diet has minimal effect on Hdl as the Hdl in your body is in the majority made in the body and is part of the reverse circulation of cholesterol to the liver. There are also medications which can cause increases in Hdl if these measures fail, but apart from male patients with coronary disease and low Hdl no mortality benefit has been shown from initiating these medications.