I am interested in knowing if anyone has ever had their levels of Cholesterol oxidization measured. I am not referring to a regular lipid panel where the blood test tells you what your LDL, HDL, Total Cholesterol ratios, etc. There are significant numbers of people who have heart attacks with perfectly "normal" cholesterol profiles - so it's more than just having super low cholesterol. and I'm not of the opinion that ALL "bad" cholesterol or LDL is bad -- There are other factors -- one of which is the oxidization level of your LDL. I am specifically interested in if anyone has had any tests done to measure their level of LDL, and what those tests were. I will share a type of cholesterol test beyond the basics that I've had done that I think is very valuable - and that is the Apo B / Apo A ratio. Also very wise to get your HsCRP tested for overall inflammation in your body.
Interesting post and I'd like to see some responses as well. My doctor suggested that I take statins only because my LDLs are usually over 100. But I'm still resisting... Also, instead of the common ratio that's reported on the lab tests I use the triglycerides to HDL ratio instead. . Image Unavailable, Please Login
You are right about this. Its not easy to give up some things - but I can't argue with it being true. Although I am not 100% vegan I have moved heavily in this direction and have seen some serious benefits as a result. (i.e less lethargy more energy lower "bad" cholesterol levels, blood sugars, and reduced fat / belly fat and reduced inflammation as quantified by Hs - crp testing) However, I am specifically looking at methodology to quantify these cholesterol ratios as I am running these experiments on myself with my lifestyle changes to see what the actual quantifiable effect is on me. Were you always vegan ? -- and did you run any tests before and after to see what the effects were for you ?
But you also give up having to have your rib cage cut with a saw and your heart stopped for open heart surgery. I'll give up steak and ribs for that. I guess life is all about trade offs and individual choices. The North American diet coexists with our number one killer - heart disease . And people like former US president Bill clinton - who modify this improve their Health. I'm not vegan myself but I know that it works for killing heart disease, because I personally know people who have done it - and cleaned their arteries out without stents or surgery But I digress - I'd like to refocus this thread back to testing for oxidized cholesterol. And or any other blood tests for risk factors related to cardiovascular disease Thanks
Triglycerides are the problem, not cholesterol. Lower carbs to lower triglycerides. Read any book by Gary Taubs. Preferably, Why We Get Fat. GT
I think you might be right -- the more research I do the more it seems to point to the management of triglycerides as being a bigger concern than cholesterol.. Here's an interesting study I came across that points to this: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2664115/#b7-cln63_4p0427
There isn't much evidence showing dietary cholesterol intake has any affect on serum cholesterol levels if that's what you're implying by dieting. Also, red yeast rice is basically a "natural statin."
You are right on both accounts -- Dietary cholesterol intake has very little impact on cholesterol levels as 80% of the cholesterol in our bodies is made in the liver. I'm not an advocate for "dieting" - which to me means a "temporary" change in type or quantity of food intake only to revert back to a poor diet thereafter. The reason to eat plant based according to Bill Clinton's doctors is not for the purposes of lowering cholesterol - although cholesterol levels will automatically fall into place thereafter following an unprocessed - clean plant based diet. It's to stop injuring the endothelial linings of our arteries from lifestyle induced inflammation- which is the reason why our body utilizes cholesterol to repair those lesions / damages in our arteries that our lifestyle has primarily caused. Our body generates and uses cholesterol for repair and building purposes - but if we stop causing injuries to our arteries - the body automatically reduces it's cholesterol production as it is not required. Combine this with a lack of cholesterol intake - and we can see how cholesterol levels fall back in line I think that high triglycerides are also to blame for increased inflammation. and their link to cholesterol is intriguing. Which is why Im very keen to measure beyond just the sum total of my HDL / LDL and Triglycerides. I am interested in knowing the oxidized portions of my Ldl and also other useful info about the quality of the HDL and LDL / Triglycerides that I have. Any ideas on that front ?
